Quiet Special Purpose Revolver “Bamak”

Bamak (“small tiger”), also colloquially known as Malachite (from Malak-kai, “whisperer”), is a special-use double-action revolver handgun. Originally developed as a snubnosed revolver chambered in a silent cartridge, its unusual characteristics have resulted in its widespread adoption by various groups in /vnug/, especially among crew members of space-faring vessels.

Bamak is chambered in subsonic captive piston ammunition. As its name implies, the ammunition contains a piston. The piston is propelled by combustion of gunpowder, which in turns launches the projectile. As the piston is wider than the neck of the ammunition, it remains captive within the cartridge, preventing gas from leaking out. Because of that, the gun barrel does not contribute to the acceleration of the bullet, instead providing only spin through its rifling. As such, Bamak utilizes a snubnosed design as it is not reliant on a long barrel for its performance. A combination of the cartridge’s self-sealing and subsonic nature leads to Bamak being a remarkably quiet gun. However, this come at the cost of relatively low firepower, as the low muzzle velocity limits its energy and penetration against hardened targets.

Unlike many other revolvers, Bamak fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder, improving handling by reducing muzzle flip. In more compact models, the conventional barrel position in front of the top chamber is occupied by an integral laser sight, while more general-purpose models house a rail integration system for improved modularity. While Bamak can be reloaded using a speedloader like most revolvers, its cylinder is also detachable, allowing for quick reload without the need of removing spent cartridges.

Since its inception during the turbulent days of pre-unification Despina, Bamak has been favored by many in /vnug/. While its compact and quiet design makes it a desirable weapon for hunting and assassination, it is also considered to be well-suited for combat in space vessels. Its acoustic signature greatly reduces echoes within the confined space of metal corridors, and its low penetration also makes overpenetration very unlikely. Its lack of muzzle flash allows it to be used in flammable and explosive atmosphere without causing ignition. As a revolver, spent cartridges are also not automatically ejected, removing the possibility of accidental burn caused by stray heated shells in microgravity.