This is an old trick I have had in repertoire for more than 2 decades. The Pencil Trick.
In short, how do you confirm or tell that the very last step in a pistol’s firing process is happening? Without actually firing the gun? Stick a pencil in the barrel and test it.
Why would you want to do this?
- You have reassembled a work pistol in a place you cannot actually function test the gun.
- Someone swears up and down that a particular gun is not capable of firing.
- Diagnostic testing. If a gun physically fires a round or doesn’t, that is a binary measurement. The pencil test can give the user a lot of data across a range of spring ratings.
Summation:
This isn’t something you should need or want to do frequently. It’s merely a creative option to answer a question should the question arise. Think of it as a tool in the tool box. Nothing more.
Finally:
Because the world is a village and every village has at least one idiot; I need to say don’t ever put a bore obstruction in a loaded gun. And most certainly don’t ever, ever discharge a weapon with a bore obstruction in it. Even something as simple as a pencil!
If you do, the village will be looking for a new idiot, Idiot.
Sincerely,
Marky
www.John1911.com
“Shooting Guns & Having Fun”
Areas of focus: Defense and National Security, Modern Light Weapons, Small Arms, Weapons Training.
- Wilson Combat – Project 1 – Springs - December 21, 2024
- Wilson Project 1 – Muzzle Flash - December 20, 2024
- Wilson Combat – Project 1 Magazines - December 17, 2024
