Question for the experts on Semi-auto pistols actions

[blume357]

So we got to drifting over in the concealed carry section in first discussing 22LR and then .380 was brought up and I said that the two .380s I've owed had a pretty substantial recoil about the same as 9mm because of what has been described to me as blow back action... which it seems is different from what 9mm's and above use...

Big Question: what are the different actions that semi-auto pistols use and how does this/they work?

 

[GunnyGene]

So we got to drifting over in the concealed carry section in first discussing 22LR and then .380 was brought up and I said that the two .380s I've owed had a pretty substantial recoil about the same as 9mm because of what has been described to me as blow back action... which it seems is different from what 9mm's and above use...

Big Question: what are the different actions that semi-auto pistols use and how does this/they work?

This may help:

 

[Cholo]

I had the blowback NAA .32 and then their .380 when it came out. The felt recoil was far more than it should have been for the relatively lightweight cartridges they shot. I bought the original LCP in March of '08 and shot it and my NAA .380 side by side. There was absolutely no doubt the locked-breech LCP had far less perceived recoil than the all steel NAA despite the LCP weighing about 7 ounces less! Both NAA guns were traded off.

I'll stick with the 22LR as being the only blowback I'll own in a semi auto handgun. I would have made an exception for the beautiful Walther PPK series on looks alone.

 

[fiasconva]

Very interesting video, GunnyGene. Thanks for posting it.

 

[GunnyGene]

Very interesting video, GunnyGene. Thanks for posting it.

You're welcome. There's a series about this subject, and other guns, on the Forgotten Weapons channel. You'll need to watch this one on YouTube to see the entire playlist.



Just as a example the Ruger LC 10mm, and .45acp rifles uses the mass of their really big 2 part bolts and the recoil spring to keep the gas in the 16" barrel. Which, btw, means you really don't want to modify either of those parts to "speed things up". :oops:

 

[NikA]

A couple semi-auto action types have been missed here. Most common types, as has been mentioned, are simple blowback (mass delayed) and the Browning-derived tilting barrel (actually a short recoil system). In addition:
-Gas delayed (Steyr GB, HK P7, Micro Desert Eagle): gas pressure slows slide velocity until bullet exits barrel and pressure drops
-Gas operated (Desert Eagle): bled gas pressure unlocks locked breech
-Roller delayed (CZ-52, Korth PRS): mechanical advantage of roller system slows slide velocity
-Rotating short recoil (Beretta PX4, now Keltec PR-3AT): barrel and slide recoil together until rotational cam separates them
-Hinged block short recoil (Beretta 92, Walther P38): barrel and slide recoil together until hinged block drops to separate them
-Floating chamber/barrel delayed blowback (FN 5-7): barrel and slide recoil together locked only by case friction until barrel movement is stopped
-Long recoil (very early auto pistol designs): slide and barrel reciprocate together for full length of cartridge before separating and barrel returning to firing position while shell is ejected/new round loaded

 

[blume357]

GunnyGene, thanks for that first video the guy explained a lot and now I've got it. now I'll watch the 2nd one and be over ejumicated...
Cholo, I have to repeat myself .... you mentioned the looks of a Walther PPK.... the Sig P230 and P232 actually look better and neither has that little flippy thing on the side you need to push down to make the trigger go back... in fact my only safe queen is one of these.... it's been over a month since I've pulled her out and fondled her.

 

[Milvax]

I've owned and shot a ton of both over the years, Blowback .380s like the Walther PPK/s and the Bersa Thunder, and locked-breech 9mms like the Glock 19 and the Sig P320. The difference in feel is dramatic, and it all comes down to how the gun manages the energy.

 

[GunnyGene]

GunnyGene, thanks for that first video the guy explained a lot and now I've got it. now I'll watch the 2nd one and be over ejumicated...
Cholo, I have to repeat myself .... you mentioned the looks of a Walther PPK.... the Sig P230 and P232 actually look better and neither has that little flippy thing on the side you need to push down to make the trigger go back... in fact my only safe queen is one of these.... it's been over a month since I've pulled her out and fondled her.

Some of the other action types on Forgotten Weapons are interesting. Flappers, Toggles, etc. :)