Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitchawl
Brass can usually be tied to the specific gun that fired it, and always to the make of the gun that fired it. Even with almost not space between the muzzle and the skull, there is going to be a LOT of back spatter of blood, brain, and bone. Heads do not go lightly unto this good night... You'll need some sort of 'shield' to keep the shooter from getting spattered upon. Should your victim be wearing a sports jacket, quickly raising the tail up to the base of the head and firing through it would work. Just don't leave epithelials from her hand on the fabric.
A .25 caliber round carries a LOT more powder than a .22, and thus usually much louder. However, if she had pulled the slug, dumped most of the powder, and re-seated the slug (not a very difficult task) that would eliminate much of the noise and still provide enough penetration.
Stitchawl
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Hand-loading was why I mentioned .25 ACP. It's the smallest of the readily available centerfire pistol rounds. The actions of most guns can be can be adjusted to a lower pressure load...Furthermore, if for plot reasons you want a gun that is retained, (say a Walther PP variant, pre 1968) the assassin can easily swap barrels, and just dispose of the "used" barrel. Plus, they are very small and have multishot capability, just in case...
Speed and surprise will be important, more so that point blank range. Example...
Target is urinating. You are in a closed stall behind him. Flush the toilet, start the door opening while having the gun level and approximately on target (perp has looked through the door crack and saw the layout). As the target come in line of sight, final track and fire. (perp has not left the stall). Range 6-10 feet. Time, 1 second or less, depending on the perp's reflexes. No point blank problems. Perp exits the stall, verifies the kill and exits...
In all these scenarios, there is one thing unconsidered. Sound of the body hitting the floor...