# Are revolvers really better to commit crimes with?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 8, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357 "2013-09-08T22:05:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357/21 "2013-09-10T05:20:51Z")

</div>

This is why you always leave the gun and take the cannoli.

It’s extremely uncommon for a usable fingerprint to be obtained from a pistol. While it is apparently scientifically possible to obtain a fingerprint from a spent casing, the number of times it’s actually happened seem negligible.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357/22 "2013-09-10T05:31:45Z")

</div>

I would have thought that simply wearing surgical latex gloves would defeat the gunpowder residue test. However, I think one Law and Order\* episode, they also ran he test on the clothes (if you fire near your clothing).

Plus, L&O also seemed to suggest the impression left by the firing pin was distinctive enough to help rule a gun out or in. If it’s a hot gun, it’s possible you don’t know where that gun has been and what it was up to.

Something I read said that firing several dozen rounds (about 100 or more?) would significantly alter the rifling marks a gun leaves on bullets. Filing the barrel would leave obvious damage. Firing a lot would likely not leave evidence.

\*Our font of knowledge for all things legal and forensic.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2013, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357/23 "2013-09-10T06:27:02Z")

</div>

A firing pin, extractor, or ejector marking would help identify the make of the firearm in question. As in “Aha! This shell casing came out of a Colt Government Model M-1911a1 in .45 ACP.” The striations on the bullet can match a particular firearm to a bullet. So all they have to do is track down every Colt M-1911a1 and fire a test bullet through them. They’ve been making them for what, 102 years now?

Best bet is to lose the gun. Or replace the barrel with a new one before you commit a crime, then put the old one back and lose the new barrel. I’ve heard washing your hands with comet cleanser can quickly take care of residue on your hands.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-revolvers-really-better-to-commit-crimes-with/668357.md?page=1)