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Thread on why Mai's handgun is a revolver and not a Glock! Will include why Toji's handgun is semiautomatic.
Mai's cursed technique, Construction, allows her to "create something from nothing" but due to the stress it puts on her body she can only do it once per day. She chooses to use her technique to create bullets.
Given how taxing and time consuming this process is, she has to think carefully about what her weapon of choice is. Including how each firearm will allow her to optimize the use of her technique. She has a revolver because it is best suit for her situation.
A revolver is unique in that it is both single and double action, has no magazine, and often times is more potent than a pistol (a pistol is not a revolver, they are different kinds of handguns!).
Single vs double action has to do with whether or not the spring is pulled back when you fire your weapon. If a gun is "cocked," a gun is going through less motions when you pull the trigger, making it more accurate. The less work your gun does at once, the better your aim.
Single action = you MUST cock your gun before shooting
Double action = your gun semi automatically does all the motions for you (a glock)
Single and double action = your gun is capable of doing everything at once, but if you want to be more accurate you can use single action
Double action = your gun semi automatically does all the motions for you (a glock)
Single and double action = your gun is capable of doing everything at once, but if you want to be more accurate you can use single action
Mai chooses to use a revolver because revolvers are both single and double action. Since her ammunition is limited, she has to use a gun that is potent and will give her the most accuracy so nothing goes to waste. A revolver gives her the most advantage given her circumstances.
A revolver does not have a magazine. They have six rounds before needing to reload. Given that Mai's ammo is limited, she is prioritizing accuracy over quantity by using a revolver.
Toji's disadvantage isn't his lack of ammunition. Realistically, it would be his need to reload. Reloading takes time and makes people vulnerable. A magazine in a semiautomatic (double action) gun (like a Glock) means his gun fires quicker and runs out of ammo less quickly.
Additionally, Mai's use of a sniper rifle in Shibuya (in comparison to, for example, a machine gun or something like an M4) is also paying attention to her cursed technique's limits as well.
I tried to explain this as easily as I could because I know a lot of people don't have experience with guns, I tried to make it simple but if there's any questions on what the hell I'm saying here you can always ask in the replies!
Gege pays really close attention to what weapons are most beneficial or symbolic in given circumstances (see: Maki's naginata post) and the selection of firearms are no exception!
