Breech differences

[DragonDog]

Dumb question:

What is the difference between a locked breech and a blowback breech?

It seems that some of the .380's use a blowback, and I would like to understand why this is and what the implications are. Are there 380's with a locked-breech design? I'm thinking of getting a little CZ or Beretta.

Thanks!

 

[Handy]

A locked breech gun will not allow the extraction of the cartridge from casing back-pressure alone. On a 1911, Glock, Beretta 92; if you put a pencil down the barrel and pushed back, the slide would move a little, then lock. A fixed breech gun relies on other forces, like slide recoil or gas pressure (Desert Eagle, AR-15) to unlock.

Blowback is when recoil spring pressure and inertia alone hold the action closed. This style will open with the pencil test. It is generally used in .380 or smaller due to the chamber pressures involved with larger cartridges. Most .380s are blowback (Walther, Bersa, CZ-50, etc.), and work very well. The Colt Mustang and Pony pistols did use a locked breech, as does the .32 ACP KelTec. They do that to reduce necessary recoil spring strength and slide mass. Just a different, and largely unnecessary, way to do business.

There are exceptions to everyrule (delayed blowback, etc.) but that about covers it. The Bersa is a very nice gun, but those surplus PA-63 for $100 or so offer a lot for the money. I wouldn't spend alot over $200 dollars for a weapon of this type, in general.

 

[DragonDog]

Thanks Handy! Very good explanation.

I'll look for the PA-63 at the next gun show. Also looking at the CZ 83, which I can get locally for about $229. A lot of folks over on the CZ Forum seem to like the trigger on it. The Beretta 84 Cheetah is nice and 13-rounders available, but a lot more $$$ for a new one.