( ah, that's absolutely fair too. belatedly clarke will feel a twinge of guilt for not thinking to mention how deafening the crack of the shot could be, but knows from experience that eventually it'll be nothing alarming so long as you're the one causing it. )

It is. There are silencers that attach to the barrel, but even those don't muffle the sound completely. Guns are very effective weapons, but you do have to accept that you'll almost always call attention to yourself by using them.

You did good with the kickback, though. Don't lock your elbows, but yeah — keep your arms straight. Don't hold it too high that the slide comes back and cuts your hand, that's a slow wound to heal. Want to try again? Try two or three in a row.