An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 30

An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 30   First Pistol and Impact Facts

Honda, my high school classmate, gave me an airsoft gun, and it was a Glock 17.

It seems like Honda was a devoted Glock enthusiast.

Yeah, he passionately explained the greatness of Glock for a whole hour.

When I said, “I prefer the Beretta. McClane used it in Die Hard,” he responded, “That’s a gun for chuunibyou. Professionals use this!”

What kind of value system is that? Are all US military personnel chuunibyou?

“You know, the one the villain had in Die Hard 2.”

“Ah, that all-black pistol. German-made, doesn’t show up on X-rays, and even if you use the boss’s entire salary, you can’t afford it.”

What is this? It feels smooth, square, and cheap, like a toy.

“That’s incorrect. This one is made in Austria, with a special alloy steel slide and a grip and metal frame molded together using a plastic blend with a radiopaque additive, so it shows up on X-rays. It costs around $600.”

“Well, this one is made in Japan by Tokyo Marui, and it’s about 10,000 yen.”

I know that much too. I bought a Tokyo Marui airsoft gun, the VSR-10 sniper rifle, for practicing shooting.

I would hold it and practice aiming every night.

The great thing about Glock is that it achieves a 17-round capacity while remaining lightweight and highly reliable. Its structure and handling are extremely simple. Plus, it doesn’t have a safety device, so you don’t need to disengage the safety before firing.

Shall we skip this part?

“Not having a safety device sounds dangerous, doesn’t it?”

“Tsk, tsk, all the safety devices are built-in. Thanks to Glock’s patented Safe Action, which incorporates triple safety features, there is no risk of accidental discharge. It’s the latest auto pistol that allows you to carry it safely with a loaded chamber. Look at the trigger.”

“…There’s a small lever on it.”

“That’s the primary safety device. It will never fire unless you have your finger on the trigger. When you shoot, you squeeze the trigger along with that lever.”

“Well, you know, the most common cause of gun accidents is when people accidentally put their finger on the trigger. Having this doesn’t make it a safety device…”

Actually, this method is becoming more common in hunting rifles too. Rifles like the Sturm Ruger and Savage have a lever on the trigger itself, similar to Glock, so you have to pull both the lever and the trigger together to fire. For the reasons I mentioned earlier, I can’t help but think, “Does it really serve a purpose?”

“Ugh… Also, the trigger is a bit heavy. It has an unconventional double-action. The striker is always partially cocked. It only fully cocks when you pull the trigger all the way, and if you release it without pulling the trigger, it goes back to the partially cocked position. That’s the second safety device.”

“But isn’t the point of an automatic pistol that it automatically cocks the hammer and has a light trigger pull for accurate shooting? Having only double-action defeats the purpose of an automatic. It’s just like a revolver. All the pistols used in shooting competitions like the Olympics are automatic.”

“Guh… Your logical retort as a member of the hunting association is too accurate.”

Click

“The trigger feels light.”

“Well, it’s an airsoft gun.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying all along.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m a real hunter, you know.”

“Actually, since it’s an airsoft gun, it has an internally-cocked single-action hammer. Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate it that accurately. The trigger pull of a real Glock is around 2.5kg. It has a structure that automatically partially cocks the hammer, and with the assistance of a spring, the pull is much lighter and the stroke is shorter than a regular double-action. Double-action on a revolver is around 4-5kg, and regular single-action is usually below 2kg, so considering that, it’s still quite impressive.”

“The trigger pull of a shotgun is usually around 3kg. Didn’t you notice when we were playing with it earlier?”

“Oh, really?”

It’s quite surprising that even hardcore gun enthusiasts often lack knowledge about shotguns.

Although it’s the only real firearm that ordinary Japanese citizens can own.

Real firearms have triggers and sears made of polished steel, which provides a much crisper feel compared to airsoft guns or model guns. So people who have only handled airsoft guns or model guns might not notice the “weight of the trigger.”

Furthermore, that shotgun has a firing pin block that keeps it securely locked. The firing pin cannot move forward unless you pull the trigger. It’s the third safety feature. It won’t discharge even if you throw it or drop it.

“That’s great. Hunting rifles can go off just from falling over.”

“Oh, really?”

“Hunting rifles are scary.”

That’s why hunters always load their guns just before shooting and unload them immediately if they don’t shoot. Every hunter follows this practice. No hunter trusts the safety devices alone.

Most hunting rifles have basic designs that haven’t changed for decades. They typically only lock the trigger to prevent it from being pulled, without locking the internal components such as the sear, hammer, and firing pin. So even with the safety engaged, they can discharge if they are accidentally knocked over. This is something emphasized in safety training, and even if the safety is engaged, it is a violation of the firearm and sword law to carry a loaded round in the chamber. I can confidently say that there is not a single hunter in Japan who carries a loaded round in the chamber while engaging the safety.

“And above all, look at its shape!”

“It looks like a toy.”

“Don’t you dare say that!”

I wonder why that bothers him so much.

“Try tucking it into your pants.”

“Okay, let me try. It fits smoothly.”

“Now, draw and aim.”

“Sure, it comes out smoothly, and I can aim easily.”

“You have a good stance. It’s also impressive that you extend your finger without resting it on the trigger.”

“You’re welcome. It’s become a habit for me. Even when I’m using my mobile phone, my index finger naturally extends. It’s something every hunter thoroughly practices.”

“It doesn’t snag at all, right? With a Beretta, it’s not the same.”

“Oh, is the real one designed like this too?”

“That’s right. At least in terms of appearance, every single part of the real one is exactly the same.”

“I thought they might have made some simplifications or changes.”

Hmm, so this plain and unassuming design has its own significance.

By the way, the Tokyo Marui VSR-10, it looks exactly like the Remington M700, from the bolt handle shape to the position of the safety mechanism. That’s how much my grandfather was delighted. I learned the proper way to hold a gun from him using that.

“Since it’s a striker-fired system without a hammer, the grip is slim, and it allows for a lower height of the gun. The barrel is just above your index finger, so there’s minimal muzzle rise during firing. It’s very advantageous for rapid shooting.”

Indeed. This grip with its peculiar angle reminds me of the pistols used in shooting competitions. It might be a matter of personal preference, though. Speaking of which, in an over-under shotgun, the first shot is usually fired from the lower barrel. It doesn’t cause the muzzle to rise, making the second shot significantly faster compared to other shotgun types. The reason over-under shotguns are used in clay shooting is that they offer a distinct advantage. It’s not because the rules specifically require the use of over-under shotguns.

“But airsoft guns don’t have recoil, right?”

“True, but they have blowback action, so you do feel a good kick… Well, I understand when someone who shoots real guns tells me that. It can’t be helped.”

In movies, the protagonist can fire a handgun rapidly with one hand, but those are blank rounds.

If it were real ammunition, the muzzle would jump with each shot, so it’s impossible to achieve such rapid fire.

After that, we had the gas charged, loaded the BBs, pulled the slide once, and had fun shooting at cardboard boxes.

The slide moving with the gas pressure was just like a real automatic firearm. It felt so realistic. Airsoft guns are amazing. The mechanism where the slide locks back after firing all the rounds is interesting. Except for some specific semi-automatic hunting rifles, shotguns don’t have such a mechanism.

When I adjusted my body diagonally and took aim, I was immediately corrected with, “Weaver stance is outdated. It’s Isoceles stance now,” and instructed to hold the gun directly in front of me.

Is that really true? Wouldn’t it make you more vulnerable to being shot if you face the opponent head-on?

Since the gas ran out, I just put it back in the drawer and left it there.

So, if we’re talking about pistols I’ve actually fired, it would be the Glock 17. Well, I guess it can’t be helped. If I haven’t even touched a pistol before, I probably wouldn’t be able to use it effectively.

Now that Honda-kun mentioned it, compared to the simplicity of the Glock, the Beretta has all sorts of levers and hammers sticking out, making it seem complicated and difficult for me to handle.

Wasn’t it around $600? Let me put six gold coins into the magic bag… and…

“Glock 17.” (*1)

…

No response.

Huh… Could it be that you can’t actually buy a pistol?

Is it because I don’t have enough money?

I’m pretty sure they said it was around $600.

Let me try putting in twenty gold coins.

“Glock 17.”

…

Still no response.

“Beretta M92” (*2) Bruce Willis used this.

“Walther P38” (*3) Lupin III’s beloved gun.

“Combat Magnum” (*4) Jigen Daisuke’s beloved gun.

“.44 Magnum” (*5) Dirty Harry’s beloved gun.

“Walther PPK” (*6) 007’s beloved gun.

“Chief’s Special” (*7) Golgo 13’s beloved gun.

“Colt Peacemaker” (*8) A staple in Western movies.

“Colt Government” (*9) The iconic official sidearm of the US military during World War II, needs no introduction.

“Type 14 Nambu” (*10) A gun that my great-grandfather probably used.

Are none of them working?!?

Even I can only think of pistols as much as this!

You can’t buy handguns!!

“What are you doing?”

Please stop with the half-closed eyes, Saran-san.

I’m feeling completely defeated right now.

Please comfort me.

…Mumble, mumble.

The next morning, I say, “Morning stroll,” and I put the digital radio in my pocket and wander around the inn town after a long time.

I’m usually always with Saran, so I rarely find myself alone like this. I haven’t been in communication with the goddess at all.

“Nanotesu-san, Nanotesu-san, can you hear me?”

“Oh, Nakajima-san, long time no see!”

“It’s been a while since you called me by that name.”

“Oh, enjoying your adventures in the other world?”

“Well, yeah.”

Why is the goddess always so enthusiastic when it comes to wireless communication?

“That’s good to hear. You’re doing great. I’m always watching.”

“Where are you watching from?!”

“That’s a trade secret.”

…

She probably hasn’t been watching the inns and stuff either.

She doesn’t know about my peculiarities and stuff, right?

I rely on Saran quite a bit, so if she were to see that, I’d be so embarrassed I might die.

“I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“The Magic Bag is convenient for various shopping, but can you buy a pistol with it?”

“Well… it seems impossible.”

“Why?”

“Well, you know, even in America, handguns are regulated (※11). You can’t buy them without proper permits.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes.”

“So, I can’t buy one?”

“That’s right.”

…Sigh.

“In other words, Nanotesu-sama…”

“…Yes?”

“You’re admitting that you’re connected to American hunting and outdoor supply stores.”

“…Yes.”

“I thought so…”

“Well, of course. I don’t have detailed knowledge about firearms, you know. I can’t prepare everything for you. It’s better to leave it to the specialized stores!”

“What exactly are you connected to?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Are you causing trouble for the stores?”

“No, it’s okay. The inventory disappears from the store, but in return, there’s money and coins left behind.”

“Oh no!”

“But isn’t that a major problem?! Isn’t the store in an uproar? Someone sneaks in every night, steals guns and bullets, and leaves money behind. What kind of phantom thief is this?!”

“Well, the store manager evaluates the value of the coins and ensures it’s profitable. They also keep the employees quiet and manipulate the records to make it work.”

“That’s not right! That’s absolutely not right!”

“But since the money is left behind, it’s not considered theft.”

“Ugh…”

“So, with that being said, please continue to use it without hesitation.”

“…Understood. And what about the pistol?”

“No, it’s not allowed.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a matter for adults.”

“What kind of matter?”

“Anyway, some things are just not allowed. Allowing those things to happen leads to cases of Japanese people getting carried away in the other world!”

…Why is it specifically limited to Japanese people there?

The obsession with military otaku culture is completely off-limits.

Seems like the restrictions from the Hunting Association continue.

I wonder if it’s actually Nanotes-san who has forbidden pistols?

Well, it’s not uncommon for hunting specialty stores in America to not carry pistols…

Understood.

“End of communication.”

“Oh, wait!” click

I turned off the power and stuffed it back into my pocket.

―――Author’s Note―――

※1: Glock 17

A self-loading pistol developed by Glock, an Austrian company. Previously known as a military knife manufacturer, Glock revolutionized the history of firearms with its innovative design concept, utilizing special alloy steel and anti-rust treatment from their knife production, along with a plastic grip. Its structure can be described as a simple mechanism where the trigger compresses and releases a spring, much like a “ballpoint pen.” While its unconventional design has received both criticism and divided opinions, its proven excellence is evident through its adoption by law enforcement agencies and military forces, including the United States. The Glock series features a variety of models and calibers, showcasing the exceptional foundation of its design. Despite its plain and unattractive appearance, it remains an underappreciated firearm that rarely gets the spotlight in Hollywood movies.

In the US firearms market, the “coolness” of the appearance is often more important than performance. Even if a firearm has excellent performance, if it looks unappealing, it won’t sell well. However, the Glock stands as a rare success story, capturing the market solely based on its performance, despite its appearance.

※2: Beretta M92

A military pistol developed by Beretta, an Italian company. It gained fame for replacing Colt Government models in the official trials of the US military, surpassing firearms from various American manufacturers. With its large magazine capacity of 15 rounds, it shattered the conventional Hollywood movie trope of gunfights being decided within 6 shots. Its Italian design features intricate details, making it the iconic weapon of choice for protagonists with a touch of chuunibyou, despite its appearance. The short recoil operation system provides linear movement, resulting in high accuracy. Although it may not be considered an ordinary firearm, the persistent rumor of its durability being subpar due to design prioritization refuses to die out.

※3: Walther P38

The standard German military pistol that established the foundation of modern firearms during World War II. It introduced the double-action firing mechanism, allowing it to be fired without manually cocking the hammer, and featured a firing pin lock safety system that enabled carrying the pistol with a round chambered. Many firearms have copied its mechanisms, including the aforementioned Beretta M92, with slight variations in appearance. This makes it an inevitable masterpiece that modern firearms cannot avoid. The German craftsmanship is evident in its excellent design. Due to its innovative recoil spring arrangement with springs positioned on both sides of the slide, the slide becomes thick, making it less suitable for carrying. It is often associated with “Nazi guns” and tends to be portrayed as the weapon of choice for villains in movies. It’s easy to forget that Lupin III is also a villain.

Until the appearance of Heckler & Koch and Glock, the P38, like the Colt Government, maintained its position as the standard firearm of the West German and Austrian military without significant design changes until the 1980s, which is not widely known.

※4: Combat Magnum

A double-action revolver produced by Smith & Wesson in the United States. The model number is M19.

It is an extended and more powerful version of the .38 Special, which was widely used by police. Despite being capable of firing .357 Magnum rounds, it is known for its compact size and lightweight design. Until the 1980s, it was the most widely adopted firearm by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, along with its stainless steel variant, the M66.

However, it seems that law enforcement agencies primarily issued .38 Special ammunition, despite the capability of firing .357 Magnum rounds. It is said that if .357 Magnum rounds are fired excessively, the revolver’s stability may be compromised.

Dimension Daisuke’s revolver is silver in appearance, but it is neither a nickel-plated nor stainless steel model. It has been used extensively to the point where the blue finish has worn off.

※5: .44 Magnum

There is often a misconception that “.44 Magnum” refers to the name of the firearm, but it is actually the name of the ammunition. It gained widespread popularity when the protagonist, Harry Callahan, used it in the movie “Dirty Harry.” It was considered the world’s most powerful handgun at the time. The model number is M29.

Originally developed for personal defense in case of unexpected encounters with bears by hunters and forest workers, it is still produced by Smith & Wesson in its original mirror-like polished steel blue finish. While it relinquished the title of the world’s most powerful handgun to later models such as the Desert Eagle and S&W M500, it remains popular among fans and continues to receive media exposure.

By the way, the power of the current world’s most powerful handgun, the S&W M500, is roughly equivalent to the .308 Winchester rifle. It’s important not to forget that these firearms in movies are firing blank rounds.

※6: Walther PPK

A compact double-action pistol developed by Walther in Germany for police use. It is a reliable masterpiece equipped with the firing pin lock safety system, also adopted in the Walther P38. Unchanged models with the same design are still produced, showcasing the masterful craftsmanship of Germany.

The PPK and subsequent Walther double-action autos feature an integrated safety mechanism. The firing pin is only released when the trigger is pulled, eliminating the need to engage the safety while carrying. The safety lever on the side of the slide is primarily used to safely decock the cocked hammer, which is often unknown.

Some may wonder if the PPK appears small in size. However, whether a handgun is considered large or small is often classified based on its caliber, and the straight blowback PPK, capable of chambering up to .38 caliber (9mm), falls into the medium-size category.

It is famously known as James Bond’s weapon of choice in the 007 series. However, Bond himself apparently prefers the Beretta…

※7: Chief’s Special

It has not been explicitly stated in the manga which firearm Golgo 13 uses.

As an assassin, he uses different guns in each episode, but the Chief’s Special is likely the most frequently featured. It is a Smith & Wesson snub-nose revolver with a 2.5-inch barrel, model number M36, with a capacity of 5 rounds, fewer than a standard revolver but designed to be compact and lightweight.

Its reliability goes without saying, and it possesses a classic beauty and a sense of security that can only be found in revolvers. The draw speed, where the first shot is fired immediately after removing it from the holster, is undeniably the fastest with a revolver.

If asked to carry only one firearm for self-defense, this would be the author’s choice.

※8: Colt Peacemaker

A single-action revolver adopted by the U.S. Army, also known as the Colt Single Action Army. It boasts exceptional durability and is the origin of America’s .45 caliber myth, renowned for its stopping power. It appears in Western movies without concern for historical accuracy. While it has many drawbacks, such as only being able to load one round at a time, no cartridge ejection, and the safety being the hammer’s safety position, even though double-action mechanisms were available at the time, it both positively and negatively shaped American history.

※9: Colt Government

This legendary firearm has been used continuously since its formal adoption by the U.S. military in 1911 until the 1980s. It is remarkably simple, rugged, and, combined with its .45 caliber stopping power, showcased the strength of the American military worldwide. It remains unrivaled in reliability among .45 caliber firearms and boasts high accuracy thanks to the barrel bushing. Its crisp trigger, which directly pushes the sear, and slim profile with excellent portability and minimal steps in its flat design, continue to uphold Browning’s design philosophy to this day. It exhibits outstanding craftsmanship, with no significant areas requiring improvement even in the 21st century, surpassing a century since its development. Some retired individuals in Japan, who served in the Self-Defense Forces, may have had the opportunity to fire this firearm. Furthermore, there may have been Japanese soldiers who were on the receiving end of its firepower.

※10: Type 14 Nambu

A military firearm officially adopted by the Japanese army in 1925 during the Taisho era.

Considering the technology level at the time, it is quite an unusual and perplexing firearm, as it was produced more than ten years after the introduction of firearms like the Colt Government. It used bottleneck ammunition, employed a hammerless striker system, and featured a cocking piece that moves backward without a slide, combining the best elements of the appearance of the Luger P08 and the mechanism of the Mauser Military. However, the result was an indescribable firearm that seemed to combine the flaws of both guns.

It had an inconvenient safety mechanism that required a 180-degree rotation and could not be disengaged with one hand. The 8mm round used clearly lacked power for military use. Additionally, it lacked a slide stop, causing the magazine follower to catch and stop, but it would return when the magazine was removed, making the cocking piece baffling. The magazine safety, which everyone agrees is bothersome, and various other outdated features make it a terrible firearm, to the point where it is pitifully obsolete. The Type 94 pistol, which was an attempted improvement on this firearm, became even worse, both in terms of appearance and safety issues. The only positive aspect was the adoption of a striker system, which made the grip slimmer and more suitable for Japanese individuals with smaller hands. It is often praised for its smooth trigger pull, which means there is not much else to compliment about it.

※11: Permit System

In reality, rifles are not entirely unrestricted either. It seems that individuals are required to present identification and undergo background checks, resulting in a waiting period of a few hours for the purchase.

Although it may vary by state, in the United States, both sellers and buyers of handguns are required to have licenses. Home improvement stores and outdoor shops often only sell hunting rifles and may not offer handguns. If necessary, individuals should visit specialized gun shops.