What is the definition of a “belly gun”?

[Grimjaws]

Not sure where this topic would go but can someone please tell me what a “belly gun” is? I saw an old gun magazine photo with a snub nose revolver with the phrase ultimate belly gun.

Does it mean a short barrel revolver carried appendix or tucked into the front of your belly?

Does it mean you push it into an attackers belly and shoot?

Just curious

 

[Sistema1927]

The second.

A gun that you use in close contact with your attacker.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In Cowboy Action Shooting we often would have "Belly Gun" side matches. The guns were usually Derringers or top break revolvers in 32 or 38 S&W and distances were 3 to 10 feet, most common being across a "poker" table. There were accuracy (shoot playing cards in half edgewise) and timed events (time to shoot number of shots), both of these were often a 1 yard!

Ivan

 

[UncleEd]

Wherever this discussion goes,
just so posters don't confuse
the "belly gun" with Gary Larson's
"nose guns."

 

[Mule Packer]

Sistema1927 is right on the money. Belly guns are short-barreled guns (not limited to just revolvers) that are usually limited to "belly button" range. Not a gun that you would normally shoot at a 50-yard range. Think "up close and personal." Often in small calibers such as .25 auto, .32 acp, or even the .380.

A few belly guns.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

"You press it against your opponent's belly and pull the trigger."
Charlie Askins

 

[pawngal]

A Derringer is what comes to mind for me, up close and personal.
And not always in a small caliber. The best known modern derringer is the American Derringer Model 1 in 45/410.

 

[chief38]

A short barreled gun that is intended to just be pointed and shot - not aimed in a conventional manner. Usually Belly Guns have fixed or poor sights and are easily concealable.

 

[rockquarry]

Aside from gun magazine articles of fifty or sixty years ago where the term saw common usage, I don't recall anyone ever describing a short-barreled handgun as a "belly gun". Probably a moniker that needn't be resurrected.

 

[moosedog]

The term "belly gun" describes a short barreled revolver that you jam into your adversaries belly and pull the trigger. Why not a semi pistol? Because if you jam a pistol into a person you'll most likely push the slide out of battery and the gun won't fire.
At least that's the meaning that was given to me in the Detroit area growing up and working the PD.
Since it's really just a generic term, it may have different meanings depending where your from.

 

[Alpo]

So the general consensus appears to be that a "belly gun" is the same as a "get off me gun"?

 

[OLDSTER]

Seecamp could be considered a "belly-get off me" gun.

 

[crazyphil]

Wild Bill Hickok may have invented the belly gun. He was quoted as saying
"I hope you never have to shoot any man, but if you do, shoot him in the
guts near the navel. You may not get a fatal shot, but he will get a shock
that will paralyze his brain and arm so much that the fight is all over."
I remember my old Dad saying if you ever need to shoot a man, shoot him
in his belt buckle.
From those two "experts" I take it to mean that it doesn't matter too much
how long the barrel is, but if it is "bad breath" range, just stick the gun in
his belly and shoot.
And I agree that it should be a revolver, not a semi-automatic.

 

[Benton Quest]

Jack Ruby comes to mind.

Sent from my SM-A025V using Tapatalk

 

[tops]

The term "belly gun" describes a short barreled revolver that you jam into your adversaries belly and pull the trigger. Why not a semi pistol? Because if you jam a pistol into a person you'll most likely push the slide out of battery and the gun won't fire.

You beat me to it. I have often wondered if people carrying an auto for personal defense have ever considered that the gun may not fire if pressed against someone. Larry

 

[Muss Muggins]

I call 'em "chin guns . . . "

 

[BB57]

Aside from gun magazine articles of fifty or sixty years ago where the term saw common usage, I don't recall anyone ever describing a short-barreled handgun as a "belly gun". Probably a moniker that needn't be resurrected.

Agreed. People in general, handgun shooters included, assume a short barrel revolver isn’t capable of excellent accuracy. They make way too much out of the short sight radius and just assume it won’t be accurate with that short sight radius.

It does require a little more precision in sight alignment at 25 yards or so and a better trained grip in rapid fire shooting with one, but a skilled revolver shooter will still shoot one much more accurately than a not so skilled revolver shooter, even at 25 or 50 yards.

At ranges over 50 yards? I’ll concede the point and switch to a 6” revolver.

 

[Simson-Suhl]

My Belly Gun is a USFA Single Action Army 45Colt, Black Powder Frame with a 3 inch barrel. You do not have to worry about the damage caused or lack of it by the 255 grain bullet, the powder charge alone will blow a large enough hole to drive a buckboard through!

Old style firearms for old men.

 

[billwill]

“belly gun”? Hopefully, finding the one you hid on yourself. It's here somewhere!

 

[30-30remchester]

I like the second picture posted by MULEPACKER. Nice WW 2 era jump knife and America's new favorite belly gun, the Ruger LCP.