Testing of Handguns
Abstract
A particular Colt and Smith and Wesson revolver model was systematically selected as most representative of handguns in use in law enforcement in this country. A low-pressure and a high-pressure ('+P') commercial .38 Special ammunition was selected for firing tests. Fifty rounds of low-pressure ammunition was fired exclusively by both a Colt and a Smith and Wesson. Fifty rounds of high-pressure ammunition was fired exclusively by both a Colt and a Smith and Wesson. Measurements were made after each five rounds on each handgun. The peak pressures experienced by the Colt firing '+P' ammunition carry the cylinder very near its estimated fatigue limit, while the Smith and Wesson stays well below. Both show severe deformation around the hole in the recoil plate) or hammer nose bushing) which would surely lead to fracture of the material around the hole after not too many more rounds. In addition, a Halec eddy current crack detector instrument was used to establish the existence of severe plastic deformation in the body of the recoil plate by comparison to calibration experiments run on severely deformed simulated recoil plates. It would appear that the recoil plates for both the Colt and the Smith and Wesson could benefit from redesign.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA122759
Entities
People
- John M. Winter Jr.
- Robert B. Pondk Sr.