From:	Damian Robinson max.robinson@**.net.au
Subject:	Minimum strength requirements for firearms
Date:	Thu, 19 Aug 1999 09:25:15 +1000

"Paul J. Adam" wrote:
>
> In article <l03130300b3e08c693ab8@[134.100.43.195]>, Till K
> <till_k@***.net> writes
> >I think that´s a bit harsh. Only the strongest humans (Strength 6)
> >could fire a heavy pistol without having to risk being knocked down.
>
> The "what _is_ a heavy pistol?" argument comes around regularly, and >
it's often claimed that a "heavy pistol" is a .44 Magnum or
> thereabouts.

:-{>
A .40 or .45 IMHO, but that's neither here nor there. If anyone is
actually interested, I've got my opinions on weapon power in a .txt
file already.

> I have no problems, based on that, with a 2 x Strength modifier.
> That much momentum is _not_ easily absorbed... 3x suggests a "heavy
> pistol" is a 9mm or so, which a surprising number of "ordinary
> people" still find unpleasantly sharp to shoot.

How about making Body part of the equation then. how about Body +
Strength x 1.5. That way you only need a Bod & Str of 3 to fire a
heavy pistol without a problem.

>
> >This would
> >not be realistic. Even an average person can fire such a weapon
> >without being knocked down.
>
> Uh... no :)When .357 Magnum first appeared, in a long-barreled,
> heavy- framed revolver, S&W felt the need to warn that it was only
> suitable for shooters of large stature, due to its considerable
> recoil...

But we don't see such warnings now for real heavy pistols, like the
.454 Cassul (And that is a heavy pistol any way you look at it!), or
see anyone falling down from firing it either.

I also think the warning was more advertising hype than a real
problem. It was "The Most Powerful Handgun In the World!" According to
S&W, and it was at that time. I own the basically same model they were
talking about, the Model 28 Highway Patrolman, and have fired it with
full power loads, without knockback. I'm not overly strong, but I do
have a higher Bod.
--
Cheers
Damian & Leigh-anne

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