Fanning (firearms)
Encyclopedia
Fanning is a revolver
shooting technique in which one hand holds the trigger and the other hits the hammer repeatedly. This turns the cylinder
and hits the firing pin
, in that order, allowing for 'semi-automatic fire
' of a revolver. This technique only works with single action revolvers (not double action, which are designed to require a trigger pull for each shot), and, when performed very quickly, it can be very damaging to the cylinder stop mechanism. This technique is used extensively in Fast Draw
competitions, which generally use special lightweight aluminum or titanium
blank firing cylinders, rather than the steel
cylinders normally found on single action revolvers.
The idea (as spread by old western films
) that people in the "Old West" fanned their hammers in actual firefights with any regularity is considered a caricature
. It was done in shooting shows (where trick marksmen entertained crowds with shooting tricks) and by many a curious target-practicer; but it was probably not common in actual firefights, because it doesn't lend itself to most real-life tactical situations, in terms of accuracy or cover. One longtime firearms instructor, George L. Tooley, said, "Fanning is hard on the revolver, in addition to being inaccurate, and is not recommended."
A similar rapid-fire method called sliding, in which the thumb of the gun hand exerts just enough pressure on the hammer to pull it down, but not lock it into readiness for firing, is also known in many references.
A slip gun is a revolver
which has been modified to disconnect the trigger from the hammer, so as to cause it to fire by pulling back and releasing the hammer.
Slip guns were used for various types of rapid trick shooting in which the ability to instinctively rapid fire was crucial.
Film
Comics
Computer and video games
Role-Playing Games (as playable roles)
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
shooting technique in which one hand holds the trigger and the other hits the hammer repeatedly. This turns the cylinder
Cylinder (firearms)
In firearms terminology, the Cylinder refers to the cylindrical, rotating part of a revolver containing multiple cartridge chambers. The cylinder revolves around a central axis in the revolver to bring each individual chamber into alignment with the barrel for firing...
and hits the firing pin
Firing pin
A firing pin or striker is part of the firing mechanism used in a firearm or explosive device e.g. an M14 landmine or bomb fuze. Firing pins may take many forms, though the types used in landmines, bombs, grenade fuzes or other single-use devices generally have a sharpened point...
, in that order, allowing for 'semi-automatic fire
Automatic firearm
An automatic firearm is a firearm that loads another round mechanically after the first round has been fired.The term can be used to refer to semi-automatic firearms, which fire one shot per single pull of the trigger , or fully automatic firearms, which will continue to load and fire ammunition...
' of a revolver. This technique only works with single action revolvers (not double action, which are designed to require a trigger pull for each shot), and, when performed very quickly, it can be very damaging to the cylinder stop mechanism. This technique is used extensively in Fast Draw
Fast Draw
Fast Draw is a sport based on the romanticized art of the gunslingers in the American Old West, using traditional single action revolvers. Unlike Cowboy action shooting, Fast Draw is shot with special blanks or wax bullets...
competitions, which generally use special lightweight aluminum or titanium
Titanium
Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It has a low density and is a strong, lustrous, corrosion-resistant transition metal with a silver color....
blank firing cylinders, rather than the steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
cylinders normally found on single action revolvers.
The idea (as spread by old western films
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
) that people in the "Old West" fanned their hammers in actual firefights with any regularity is considered a caricature
Caricature
A caricature is a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness. In literature, a caricature is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.Caricatures can be...
. It was done in shooting shows (where trick marksmen entertained crowds with shooting tricks) and by many a curious target-practicer; but it was probably not common in actual firefights, because it doesn't lend itself to most real-life tactical situations, in terms of accuracy or cover. One longtime firearms instructor, George L. Tooley, said, "Fanning is hard on the revolver, in addition to being inaccurate, and is not recommended."
A similar rapid-fire method called sliding, in which the thumb of the gun hand exerts just enough pressure on the hammer to pull it down, but not lock it into readiness for firing, is also known in many references.
A slip gun is a revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
which has been modified to disconnect the trigger from the hammer, so as to cause it to fire by pulling back and releasing the hammer.
Slip guns were used for various types of rapid trick shooting in which the ability to instinctively rapid fire was crucial.
Fanning in popular culture
Novels- The Dark TowerThe Dark Tower (series)The Dark Tower is a series of books written by American author Stephen King, which incorporates themes from multiple genres, including fantasy, science fantasy, horror and western. It describes a "Gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. King...
series - Patricia Savage from the Doc SavageDoc SavageDoc Savage is a fictional character originally published in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. He was created by publisher Henry W. Ralston and editor John L...
pulp novels
Film
- The Wild BunchThe Wild BunchThe Wild Bunch is a 1969 American Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah about an aging outlaw gang on the Texas-Mexico border, trying to exist in the changing "modern" world of 1913...
- The Man With The Golden GunThe Man with the Golden Gun (film)The Man with the Golden Gun is the ninth spy film in the James Bond series and the second to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
(by a cowboy puppet) - The Dollar(s) TrilogyDollars TrilogyThe "Dollars Trilogy" , also known as the "Man with No Name Trilogy", refers to the three Spaghetti Westerns starring Clint Eastwood and directed by Sergio Leone: A Fistful of Dollars , For a Few Dollars More , and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly .A Fistful of Dollars is an unofficial remake of...
- Waking LifeWaking LifeWaking Life is an American animated film , directed by Richard Linklater and released in 2001. The entire film was shot using digital video and then a team of artists using computers drew stylized lines and colors over each frame.The film focuses on the nature of dreams, consciousness, and...
- DjangoDjango (film)Django is a 1966 Italian spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Corbucci and starring Franco Nero in the eponymous role. The film earned a reputation as being one of the most violent films ever made up to that point and was subsequently refused a certificate in Britain until 1993, when it was...
- TombstoneTombstone (film)Tombstone is a 1993 American action film set in the Old West directed by George P. Cosmatos, along with uncredited directorial efforts by actor Kurt Russell and writer Kevin Jarre. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Jarre....
- a 1993 Film set in the American Wild West. Val KilmerVal KilmerVal Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a...
's character Doc Holiday can be seen fanning in the battle at OK Corral. - The Quick and the Dead - Sharon StoneSharon StoneSharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
's character fans several times throughout the movie.
Comics
- Lucky LukeLucky LukeLucky Luke is a Belgian comics series created by Belgian cartoonist, Maurice De Bevere better known as Morris, the original artist, and was for one period written by René Goscinny...
(prominently on the back cover art) - Gun Blaze WestGun Blaze Westis a manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki and published in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2001. The story follows Viu Bannes, a young gunfighter on his journey towards a Gun Blaze West, the place where the greatest gunmen go to test their strength....
(once by main character, Viu Bannes)
Computer and video games
- Outlaws
- Desperados: Wanted Dead or AliveDesperados: Wanted Dead or AliveDesperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is a stealth-based real-time tactics computer game, developed by Spellbound and released in 2001. In the game, the player controls up to six characters in a wild west setting. The protagonist is a wordly knife fighter and gunslinger, John Cooper. He takes on a...
- Metal Gear Solid 3
- Call of Juarez: Bound in BloodCall of Juarez: Bound in BloodCall of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a Western themed first-person shooter video game set in the years of 1864-1866. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood was announced on January 14, 2009 and uses the Chrome Engine 4, the fourth generation of Techland's game engine.Developed by Techland and published by...
- Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines
- Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild WestLead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild WestLead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West is a team-based third-person shooter multiplayer video game. It was developed by Fatshark and published by Paradox Interactive...
- XIIIXIIIXIII may refer to:* 13 or XIII in Roman numerals* XIII , a Belgian comic book series by Jean Van Hamme and William Vance* XIII , a video game based on the comic book series...
- Red Dead Redemption
Role-Playing Games (as playable roles)
- GURPSGURPSThe Generic Universal RolePlaying System, or GURPS, is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting...
(Basic Set, High Tech and Wild West supplements) - Phoenix CommandPhoenix CommandPhoenix Command was a role-playing game system published by Leading Edge Games, and copyrighted by Barry Nakazono and David McKenzie. Various versions of the system featured in the games Morning Star Missions, Living Steel, and Aliens Adventure Game.Phoenix Command had extremely detailed rules in...
(Wild West Weapon Data Supplement)