Sarge,
The one that I have is a SW Model 59 made by Daisy(!). I picked it up at target back in 1995-96. It fires 6mm plastic BBs that are fitted into plastic "bullets" -- something like some of the airsoft shotguns use. The bullets are loaded into the staggered mag (it is a 59 after all).
It's a springer, so the slide works backwards -- the spring throws it backwards and it takes force to push it forwards (which cocks the air ram). Pulling the trigger releases the ram, pushing the BB out of the barrel an unlocking the slide. The slide throws back due to the slide springs. As the slide goes bak, the ejector catches the "bullet" and ejects it a couple feet away.
If it had a silencer on it, it would look and sound pretty real for a shot with one in the pipe and nothing in the mag....
If you can find a modern 59 airsoft, it will most likely look much realer than the Daisy version.
If the grips attach like the real-steel,
Ajax Grips makes "Ivory Polymer" grips for the 39 and 59 pistols. Yes, they were ivory (or ivory-like). Thanks to Patton, no self-respecting military person uses mother-of-pearl:
"Patton took violent offense at any reference to his pistols being pearl handled. He said, "Only a pimp in a New Orleans whorehouse or a tin-horn gambler would carry a pearl-handled pistol." In no uncertain terms he would have the offender know that his revolver was indeed "IVORY-GOD-F***ING-DAMN-HANDLED" and with that he would turn on his heel and leave." -- The Unknown Patton (ch 5)
LRRP