Pistols in Space

[SDC]

I have my doubts that they'd use a PROJECTILE firing "gun" for any sort of propulsion, when they could get safer, more consistent propulsion by using some sort of compressed gas; in this pic, Gemini astronaut Ed White is carrying a compressed gas "gun" for propulsion during a spacewalk.

http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10300399&wwwflag=2&imagepos=4

 

[Joe Demko]

suprmatch,
The "pistol" you are thinking of is shown in Ed White's hand in the photo at the beginning of this article. It is a maneuvering device that used some kind of compressed gas, not a firearm. Also, to the best of my knowledge they didn't use them on the moon.

Edited to add: Sorry, SDC, I didn't see your post before putting my own up.

 

[k-frame]

Also, to the best of my knowledge they didn't use them on the moon.

They wouldn't have worked on the moon.

The compressed gas gun used by Ed White on Gemini 4 had barely enough thrust to move him around while in free fall.

On the moon, even in 1/6th gravity, it would take a large tank of highly compressed gas (think of something the size of a SCUBA or acetylene tank) to move an astronaut any appreciable distance.

 

[Gifted]

A gun wouldn't be used for suicide. A gun would be used in situations where someone or something needs a hole put in it quickly and violently. A gun wouldn't be the most efficient form of suicide weight-wise.

 

[Feanaro]

A gun wouldn't be used for suicide. A gun would be used in situations where someone or something needs a hole put in it quickly and violently. A gun wouldn't be the most efficient form of suicide weight-wise.

Can you imagine it? "A Report on Methods of Suicide Inside Space Vehicles: Focusing on the Weight/Cost to Effectiveness Ratio."

 

[Joe Demko]

If they were going to include a suicide device, why wouldn't they have just gone with the shellfish poison-coated needle as issued to U2 pilots?

 

[Norm357]

The first astronauts did carry guns. Early S&W 9mms.(I am not familiar enough with S&W model numbers to tell you what gun exactly) Not in a shoulder holster as mentioned in this thread, but in a holster secured with velcro under the arm. Not for use in space mind you, in the early days, NASA was really concearned that Russia would try and kidnap our astronauts after their return to earth.

Norm357, NASA junkie.