By Terry C. Misfeldt

This is the third installment on using weapons in writing stories. THis one covers weapons for recreational use.

One of the more common use of weapons for recreation is sporting clays; shooting at clay targets with shotguns. Rod and Gun Clubs have ranges where participants (your characters) stand on a spot and shout “Pull” to propel a clay “pigeon” on a trajectory that is random. The shooter at the line must lead the “bird” and fire to break it apart. Points are scored for every hit. It is good practice for those who may hunt pheasant or other game birds. Other variations are skeet and trap shooting.

tGaining in popularity is axe throwing competition. Participants toe a mark and hurl an axe at a receptive bulls-eye type target. If throwing an axe were used in aggressive circumstances by your characters, accuracy is less essential than the fear factor of scaring the opponent. The power behind the throw and the rotation of the axe are critical elements in that regard.

Archery can also be considered a recreational use of weaponry. There are at least three types of bow used to propel arrows or bolts. The recurve is the most traditional bow for a character to use. It, generally, is a straight piece of wood, plastic, fiberglass or other material with notches at either end to attach a string (often catgut) that is stretched taut when the bow is bent. An arrow is then nocked to the string and released at the target.

Since the propulsion system is simple, accuracy depends on distance and the power at which the arrow is launched. Recurve bows are often used for simple target practice but can suffice for hunting purposes. The step up for power is a compound bow which uses a system of wheels and pulleys to increase propulsion velocity.

The compound system requires the shooter (your character) to pull the string back and hold it before release. A device that attaches to the dominant hand serves to hold the string in a “cocked” position until the shooter is ready to release the arrow by pulling a simple trigger. the compound bow comes with various levels of pull strength measured in pounds. For decades it was the dominant weapon for non-rifle game hunting.

Like the crossbow, the compound bow is used as an aggressive weapon when your character can fire a round and retreat to reload. The compound bow needs to nock another arrow from the quiver (generally attached to the bow) and “cock” the bow before another discharge.

As for a crossbow, target practice is less for competition than for increasing accuracy for use as a hunting weapon. The bow part of the crossbow extends horizontally across the rifle-like body of the crossbow. The string of the bow is then cocked back into a locking mechanism. A bolt (arrow) is loaded onto a track that nocks the bolt into the receiver. When aimed, the shooter merely aims and pulls the trigger. The bolt is propelled at great force at the target. It is a quieter hunting weapon than a rifle.

Other recreational weapons that could be used as aggressive weapons are throwing stars, throwing knives, spears, and slingshots.

Next week: Aggressive Weapons