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11:03 Oct 7, 2010
German to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Military / Defense / thriller/krimi
German term or phrase:einer Automatik, die durchgeladen wird
This is from a thriller/krimi. I have found the definition on dict.cc and a previous question on here which get me on the right lines here, but I'm not quite sure how to express it succinctly in this sentence.
"Ich hatte die Hand bereits am Griff meiner Pistole, als das leise, aber unverwechselbare Geräusch einer Automatik, die durchgeladen wird, die Stille durchbrach."
Andrej pulled an automatic pistol from his waistband, released the safety, and chambered a ... Andrej heard the weapon being readied and dove for cover. ...
books.google.com/books?isbn=1419684027...
Going for the vague option in this sentence. The term crops up again later where the more technical version fits better, so thanks to Annie & Rolf too. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
If the author specifically calls the sound "leise", perhaps he has chosen the wrong term "durchladen" for what the gun is actually doing... In which case, perhaps Hermann's "being readied" or something similarly vague would be a safer option.
She goes on later to specify the gun as a SIG P228, which I looked up and discovered it's a semi-automatic. Thanks Colin for explaining the difference.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
18 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
(unique sound of) cocking an automatic gun/pistol
Explanation: Maybe ...
Bernd Runge Germany Local time: 04:15 Works in field Native speaker of: German PRO pts in category: 31
Andrej pulled an automatic pistol from his waistband, released the safety, and chambered a ... Andrej heard the weapon being readied and dove for cover. ...
books.google.com/books?isbn=1419684027...
Hermann Local time: 03:15 Native speaker of: English, German PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Going for the vague option in this sentence. The term crops up again later where the more technical version fits better, so thanks to Annie & Rolf too.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2010-10-07 12:22:34 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
The process being referred to is described here in Wikipedia:
An automatic weapon fires, automatically extracts the used cartridge case from the barrel and ejects it, then loads a new case into the barrel; generally by harnessing the recoil of the cartridge's explosion.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2010-10-07 12:32:57 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
A word of caution:
In the context of firearms, the term "automatic" is used rather loosely. Fully automatic weapons keep firing as long as the trigger is pressed. Semi-automatic firearms - frequently also referred to as "automatics" - simply reload, ready to be fired again by pulling the trigger again. It may or may not be worth clarifying the nature of the weapon in question.
Again, I refer to Wikipedia for the distinction made above:
"The usage of the term automatic may vary according to context. Gun specialists point out that the word automatic is sometimes misunderstood to mean fully automatic fire when used to refer to a self-loading, semi-automatic firearm not capable of fully automatic fire. In this case, automatic refers to the loading mechanism, not the firing capability.
"The term "automatic pistol" almost exclusively refers to a semi-automatic (i.e. not fully automatic) pistol. With handguns, the term "automatic" is commonly used to distinguish semi-automatic pistols from revolvers. The term "auto-loader" may also be used to describe a semi-automatic handgun. However, the term "automatic rifle" may mean a rifle capable of fully automatic fire. Both uses of the term "automatic" can be found, and the exact meaning must be determined from context."
racking the slide of an automatic/loading an automatic
Explanation: der Kontext ist falsch: durchladen =racking the slide or loading (und es ist laut), cocking=spannen(relativ leise wenn nur der Hammer zurückgezogen wird oder laut wenn der Gleiter zurückgezogen wird);
wenn nur der Hammer zurückgezogen wird muss die Waffe bereits geladen sein
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 3 hrs (2010-10-07 14:30:39 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Reference information: The operation of a semi-automatic handgun is more complicated than a revolver. An operator must become familiar with operating slide-stops and safeties, loading magazines, chambering rounds and clearing jams. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=129659921124
The next thing she heard was the unmistakable sound of an automatic pistol sliding a round into the chamber. By this time her eyes were accustomed to the dark. She watched her bedroom door open and the appearance of what looked like a .45 automatic leading a man. http://prowonovel.blogspot.com/
"Things have gone bad in a heartbeat. The domestic abuse suspect who was
sitting peacefully on the couch just seconds ago suddenly stood up and ran
for the bedroom locking the door behind him. Inside you hear the
unmistakable sound of the slide of a handgun being racked as the man
screams, 'You got thirty seconds to get out of my house or I'll kill you!' http://www.threatsolutions.com/combatbreathing.html
Kim Metzger Mexico Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 213
The translation workplace 
