Firearm: Difference between revisions

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{{Cleanup|How much of the text prior to "Shotguns and more primitive forms of rifle..." is actually stated in a ''Doctor Who'' episode/book/audio etc.?}}{{Infobox Object  
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|image = [[file:Machinegun.jpg|250px]]<br>Heckler & Koch G36V Assault Rifle<br>[[file:Pistol.jpg|250px]]<br>Keckler & Koch USP pistol compact, likely 9x19mm type
|image = [[file:Machinegun.jpg|250px]]<br>Heckler & Koch G36V Assault Rifle<br>[[file:Pistol.jpg|250px]]<br>Keckler & Koch USP pistol compact, likely 9x19mm type
|object name = Firearm
|object name = Firearm
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'''Firearm''', commonly known as a "gun" was a term encompassing a variety of weapons which used a projectile fired from the weapon relying on chemical explosives to propel the projectile at high velocities from the firearm. They were typically used to penetrate surfaces to maim or kill and were usually [[human]] in origin.
'''Firearm''', commonly known as a "gun" was a term encompassing a variety of weapons which used a projectile fired from the weapon relying on chemical explosives to propel the projectile at high velocities from the firearm. They were typically used to penetrate surfaces to maim or kill and were usually [[human]] in origin.
==General Description==
Weapons that fell into the 'firearm' category included:
*Handguns (pistols or revolvers) designed to be usable one-handed.
*Rifles used a cartridge distinct from pistols The name refers to rifling (spiralled groves inside the barrel) which caused the projectile to rotate in flight, stabilising the trajectory.
*Shotguns used shells that usually contain a number of small projectiles from a typical smooth-bore rather than rifled barrel.
*Machine guns were usually mounted weapons designed to sustained long periods of fire. Some variations were designed to be carried around like rifles, e.g. Light machine guns.
*Sub-machine guns. Automatic or selective fire weapons that fired pistol rounds.
*Personal Defence Weapons were a difficult to define set, using a cartridge halfway between pistol and rifle, small calibre, pointed bullet on a small propellant charge for a muzzle velocity close to a slower rifle. Intended for better armour penetration than regular SMGs. As of 2010, only three designs existed in production, each using a different cartridge.
:''This list has been simplified as the basic design allows for a wide range of variations.''
Firearms were also sometimes classified by their loading mechanism. A single shot weapon such as a shotgun or musket was reloaded after each firing, while a semi-automatic weapon was reloaded mechanically after each shot, but only discharged once with each trigger pull. An automatic weapon was reloaded and fired continuously as long as the trigger was held down and it had ready ammunition.
:''Often, these two systems of classification are used in tandem, e.g. semi-automatic pistol or automatic rifle. In this way, both the loading mechanism and the configuration of the firearm are described.''
Two main kinds of ammunition exist for basic firearms: pistol and rifle. Pistol rounds mainly used a large calibre, round-fronted bullet with a small amount of propellant, while rifles used a narrower, longer bullet with a high propellant load.
A common military weapon, used by armed forces such as [[UNIT]], was the assault rifle. It was a magazine-fed, selective fire firearm with a rifled barrel.
Pistols typically were used as a more defensive weapon, to counter or discourage a personal attack, or as a back-up to a larger weapon. While primitive pistols were single-shot weapons, most carried by humans after the [[19th century]] were semi-automatic weapons of either a revolver or magazine-fed design. Fully automatic pistols existed, but were not as common due to cost of production, failure rate, and ammunition consumption. The advantages of a pistol came from its small size; it was easily portable and concealable, making it suited for use by organizations such as [[Torchwood Institute|Torchwood]], whose agents often did not wish to advertise that they were armed, or may have needed to have a weapon with them at all times. Its disadvantages were its relatively low ammunition capacity and lack of accuracy, power or range compared to larger weapons. It was also military tradition that officers used handarms as their primary weapon, as they were expected to be in the midst of the fighting. {{Fact}}
Shotguns and more primitive forms of rifle were often used by hunters ([[DW]]: ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]''), and could be pressed into service as combat weapons, but were generally less effective than weapons intended for military or self-defense. {{Facts}}


Most firearms were ineffective against armored races such as [[Dalek]]s and [[Cybermen]], ([[DW]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]''/''[[Doomsday]]'') though specifically designed bullets were produced to take advantage of alien races' weaknesses ([[Gold]] in the Cybermen's case). ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'') Standard bullets were effective though against biological species similar to humans, such as the [[Ood]], ([[DW]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood]]'') and [[Sontaran]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')
Most firearms were ineffective against armored races such as [[Dalek]]s and [[Cybermen]], ([[DW]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]''/''[[Doomsday]]'') though specifically designed bullets were produced to take advantage of alien races' weaknesses ([[Gold]] in the Cybermen's case). ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'') Standard bullets were effective though against biological species similar to humans, such as the [[Ood]], ([[DW]]: ''[[Planet of the Ood]]'') and [[Sontaran]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Poison Sky]]'')

Revision as of 03:34, 10 October 2011

Firearm, commonly known as a "gun" was a term encompassing a variety of weapons which used a projectile fired from the weapon relying on chemical explosives to propel the projectile at high velocities from the firearm. They were typically used to penetrate surfaces to maim or kill and were usually human in origin.

Most firearms were ineffective against armored races such as Daleks and Cybermen, (DW: Army of Ghosts/Doomsday) though specifically designed bullets were produced to take advantage of alien races' weaknesses (Gold in the Cybermen's case). (DW: Battlefield) Standard bullets were effective though against biological species similar to humans, such as the Ood, (DW: Planet of the Ood) and Sontarans. (DW: The Poison Sky)

Firearms, as a relatively primitive technology, could be neutralized by more advanced technology. For example, Sontaran soldiers employed a cordolaine field that affects certain metals such as copper, causing weapons using copper casings on their projectiles not to fire. (DW: The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky)

Technological improvements such as the Bastic bullet could make firearms more effective, a viable weapon even against a Dalek. (DW: Revelation of the Daleks, The Parting of the Ways)

One practical limit on the use of firearms is that they were usually lethal. While it was possible to use a firearm to incapacitate rather than kill, this could be done only by inflicting serious injury and pain. While there were forms of ammunition known as "less than lethal" intended for incapacitation, such as rubber bullets, they still inflicted great pain, and were lethal under certain circumstances. For this reason, individuals such as the Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith refused to use them on moral grounds. (DW: The Stolen Earth/Journey's End) [additional sources needed]

Despite their limitations, humans were known to use firearms well into the 2001st century and beyond. (DW: The Parting of the Ways, Utopia)

An appreciation of the usefulness of firearms was not limited to humanity. Upon landing on the planet Exxilon a Dalek taskforce's weapons were rendered inoperable, forcing them to replace their energy weapons with semi-automatic ballistic weapons. (DW: Death to the Daleks)

Bolt-Action Rifle use

John Andrews with a rifle. (DW: Carnival of Monsters)

Shot Gun use

  • In the fourth and final segment of serial #94, The Fourth Doctor used a double barrel shot gun against a Fendahleen making its first appearance on screen. As the Fendahleen moved down the hall, Leela and The Tylers could not move. The Doctor fired both rounds, stopping the Fendahleen. Only after he fired did he note to himself that the gun was loaded with rock salt. (DW: Image of the Fendahl)

Assault Rifle use

Handgun use

File:Rattigan with a gun.jpg
Luke Rattigan threatening members of the Rattigan Academy with a handgun. (DW: The Poison Sky)
File:At gunpoint.jpg
Frobisher is threatened by the Lorduke of Zazz. (DWM: The Gift)
The Fourth Doctor retreats, covering himself with a handgun. (DW: The Seeds of Doom)

Machine gun, Submachine gun and PDW use

Thawn and Fenner with machine guns. (DW: The Power of Kroll)

Behind the scenes

See also

Firearm
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