Dumb Question About Guns & Ammo

[LilCerberus]

Just curious, but in Terminator, Schwarzenegger asks for a .45 Long Slide.
What are the advantages of having an extended slide?

I'm aware that having a longer barrel would likely improve accuracy, but the length of the chamber slide (I'd assume) would only make it muzzle heavy, making the gun harder to aim, & harder to handle the recoil.

At one point, I figured it might reduce the amount of recoil, but then I'd think a 4", 6" or 8" slide would have the same amount of travel (just enough to eject the spent shell), thus making the level of kick about the same.

Can somebody clear this up for me?

[Jack]

Did he maybe take a look at the inventory they had in the store, see that was the most powerful handgun on display, and just describe it when he asked for it?

[akiratubo]

A heavier gun is more controllable and easier to aim.  Extra weight reduces felt recoil and muzzle flip.  Longer slide gives you a much better sight radius.

[trekgeezer]

I think the slide is long because of the barrel length.

Here's some trivia about the prop   http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/how-the-terminators-45-longslide-with-laser-sighting-came-to-b/

[Raffine]

...the length of the chamber slide (I'd assume) would only make it muzzle heavy, making the gun harder to aim, & harder to handle the recoil.

He's a Terminator and doesn't care! 

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

I think the scriptwriter thought it sounded cool.

[LilCerberus]

...the length of the chamber slide (I'd assume) would only make it muzzle heavy, making the gun harder to aim, & harder to handle the recoil.

He's a Terminator and doesn't care! 

Well, having disgraphia and, uh-well, puny hands has always made this an issue for me.
I've always been more of a duck gun kinda guy.

[Olivia Bauer]

Dirty Harry: "Did I fire 5 shots or 6? In the excitement I forgot."
Some guy: "Then reload..."

[LilCerberus]

Another one...
"Rule #1: Never leave a round in the chamber."

You ever notice how the characters in movies only observe this rule either in gun class, or when sitting at a desk? Anyplace else around the house or office, they always leave a gun laying around that's already been primed & cocked, with the safety off.

My Dad taught me that the first round goes in the chamber, then you load the clip. Then again, he was teaching me about duck guns.

[Couchtr26]

I think the slide is long because of the barrel length.

Here's some trivia about the prop   http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/how-the-terminators-45-longslide-with-laser-sighting-came-to-b/

Well said, an extended slide allows an additional inch or so on the barrel length.  The beauty of this it is more accurate then the standard .45.  However, usually in movies this is asked for because it looks more impressive and in the hands of large action stars (Arnold) the standard M-1911 looks pretty small.   As stated also it gives a better sight picture.  Usually to reduce recoil though compensators tend to be preferred. 

[akiratubo]

You ever notice how the characters in movies only observe this rule either in gun class, or when sitting at a desk? Anyplace else around the house or office, they always leave a gun laying around that's already been primed & cocked, with the safety off.

It's best to keep a round chambered when carrying a pistol for self defense (or assassination purposes, I suppose).

What always gets me about The Terminator is that the T800 would have succeeded in Tech Noir if he'd chambered a round beforehand.  There is absolutely no reason a terminator wouldn't keep a round chambered at all times.  Even when I was five that stuck out as seeming wrong.

All the terminators had at least one moment of inexcusable incompetence, now that I think of it.  The T800 had the unloaded flub in Tech Noir.  There is absolutely no reason for the T1000's failure to kill John Connor in the elevator at the mental hospital.  The TX failed pretty badly all-around, although I suppose she did help facilitate Skynet's uprising by activating those drones.

[Flick James]

I think the scriptwriter thought it sounded cool.

It sounds like you understand why most things end up in the scripts of actions movies. It sounds cool. I will buy that.

[Jack]

The TX failed pretty badly all-around,

Hey, she didn't fail in the looking-totally-hot department