Blowback vs. Locked Breech jamming w/ unlocked wrist

R

Rusty S

New member
I've been asking myself what would happen if I got blindsided and knocked semiconscious, weak as water and had to draw and fire reflexively, possibly from a position which didn't allow locking the wrist or with a weak hold. Or awkwardly with my left (weak) hand.

How likely would the blowback steel frame Pocket Pistol ( 32, 380, 9mak ) be to jam? A lightweight alloy frame?

Likewise, the chances of steel or lightweight 9mm para locked breech autos jamming due to limpwristing?

Anyone ever made a study of such situations and/or have knowlege of such incidents and what happened? Are there some general tendencies or trends or is it all dependent on the specific gun in question?

I'm beginning to think that 9mm would be the heaviest I'd want to carry due to the difficulties in holding on to heavier recoiling guns. ( True, the ONLY gun I've ever had kick itself out of my hand was a 35 Remington Contender. So far. )
 
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Sorry to BTT but I'm serious about this. Someone has to have ideas on this. Maybe moderator can move to another forum like CQB.

Or maybe no-one really does know?
 
I don't think anyone would know, that would be a weird test.

Both recoil and blowback guns rely on the resistance of a firm hand to cycle. I can't think of a good reason this would be significantly different between the two. On a Desert Eagle, which is gas actuated, this may be different.

I would think any weapon that exhibits low recoil for it's cartridge due to a heavy barrel and relatively light slide would be the most reliable for "limp" shooting. In that case, the frame is doing more of what your hand should be.

In my experience, the CZ-75 and Baby Eagle are both light on top, heavy bottom. Both are good guns all around. Hope this helps.
 
I really have no testing knowlege of this, just some experiences with limp wristing on different types of weapons. My guess would be that the blow back would be more reliable in this case, but harder to hold on to. Of course it would also depend on the lock up type. That is, the new rotating lock up would be more prone to jam,fail to go to battery, than say the 1911 type.
The reason I say that is the blow back type doesn't care how hard you hold on, and there is nothing to lock up on the return. So if you limp wrist it, it is more likely to allow a follow up shot. Whereas the, (say) beretta 9000s, would not allow the follow up shot, as there would not be enough force to kick it back into battery.I have seen this with my wife. No matter how she shot, the 9000s would not fully lock up after the first shot. Nothing wrong with it, she just can't stiff arm it enough to make the recoil work. While on the blow back 86, she never has a problem.
 
With respect,

How is it that blowback doesn't care how you hold it? If something isn't resisting the recoil spring as the slide compresses it, the slide will short stroke as the frame attempts to follow it back.

I believe your Beretta experiences are more attributable to the light slide and heavy frame on the 86 compared to the opposite in the plastic 9000.
 
It depends on the weapon. Maybe an intellectually stimulating discussion, but not a practical discussion. I suggest limp-wristing the weapon you want to carry on purpose and getting comfortable with its reliability under any condition you think you are likely to face. Otherwise, we are likely to get questions about how reliable a (name your weapon) is when you are thrown into a pool of mud, stomped on, and thrown into a lake of fire. :o
 
As I said, I have no testing proof, just what I have seen. The blow back operated 86 doesn't seem to care how it is held, firm or weak when shooting. Likewise the ruger 22/45. But as you said it may have to do with the weight of the firearm itself. If the total weight of the frame is equal to or greater than the necessary force that needs to work against the slide then if functions even if you let go as you shoot. Add to it the dead weight of your hand(inertia really,) and you have a more reliable autoloader than a lockup on a poly frame that needs more force to hold the frame in place, not to mention extra friction to over come on locking up.
 
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