well back in the day, when ammo was less powerful, auto pistols like the PPK had the recoil spring around the barrel which was fixed to the frame.
larger, higher pressure calibers required a delayed blowback system to function properly. JMB's hi power and 1911, using 9mm and 45acp respectively, had a linkage that would bring the barrel back with the slide, increasing he mass and absorbing more energy, to a certain point at which the barrel would unlink at the and drop while the slide would continue rearward. eventually sig came up with the locked breech mechanism but it served the same purpose.
if any experts care to correct anything i've stated incorrectly, be my guest.
Pretty spot on.
The makarov, 9X18mm Russian, is about the largest useful blowback pistol.
Now the HK P7 series, it has a fixed brl but it uses a roller-lock system.
