3 ms·

Unless he somehow saw the box or the imprint at the bottom, it's almost impossible. There is a small difference in width but you can't really tell if you're fu

• sk5t 14y ago
  It might seem like a small difference if you're not used to handling pistol cartridges, but if you are, that's like saying it's difficult to tell PHP from Perl. Edit: Also, there is usually an imprint on the bottom of the cartridge that says "9MM LUGER".
  • dr_doom 14y ago
    I handle a lot of guns and that is a great analogy. We know that all we have to do is look for a ".php". But how many average people notice that type of stuff? You're right that there are imprints on all rounds but seeing and remembering that is like getting a database error and remembering if it was Microsoft or MYSQL...You have to have a lot of experience and a keen memory. So pretty much impossible.
    • icambron 14y ago
      You're assuming that the author is an average person with respect to gun knowledge. I don't know how much he knows about them, but the story seems to suggest he knows a little, right? Maybe relevant: he was a war correspondent in Iraq[1]. Or maybe he just likes guns? [1] http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.06/battlefield_pr.html http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.06/battlefield_pr.html Edit: spelling
• snogglethorpe 14y ago
  There's also a much more obvious difference in "fatness" (e.g. width/length). Humans are much better at judging that kind of relative difference quickly and from a distance....