Where do you think it will go? I'm thinking that with advancement in energy storage, there will be more electrically-fired designs, progressing to electrically-actuated, and then to electromagic accelerators. Directed energy weapons are a possibility, and have their niche, but I don't think it's small arms - they are just way too inefficient.
The future of small arms
- Thread starter Gholam
- Start date
EchoFiveMike
New member
Not quite, the Germans were playing with them in the 1940's. Of course, they lost the war, and NIH kept the US from continuing with the research. S/F...Ken M
Bruce in West Oz
New member
Why worry??
Whatever they're like, we won't be allowed to own them anyway!
Bruce
Whatever they're like, we won't be allowed to own them anyway!
Bruce
One thing I haven't heard discussed for a while is liquid propellants injected behind a bullet. Sorta like binary explosives, mix them and they go boom. A few years back there was a flurry of talk about it, then it died out.
It has a few good points... mags only have to hold bullets, so capacity goes way up, fuel is easily stored and replaced in the butt stock, and the injection of one liquid component slightly ahead of the second cools the firing chamber between each shot. Velocity was supposed to be greatly enhanced, too.
Maybe this is one of those things that went "black" and vanished from public discussion?
I'm still looking for that 3.5mm with the 5000fps MV!
It has a few good points... mags only have to hold bullets, so capacity goes way up, fuel is easily stored and replaced in the butt stock, and the injection of one liquid component slightly ahead of the second cools the firing chamber between each shot. Velocity was supposed to be greatly enhanced, too.
Maybe this is one of those things that went "black" and vanished from public discussion?
I'm still looking for that 3.5mm with the 5000fps MV!
I seriously doubt you will see a major paradigm shif in personal weaponry in the first half of this century. Possibly for the entire century.
Modern firearms have certain drawbacks, but the idea of an energy beam weapon is still science fiction. Now dont go posting some story about some experiment or idea - certainly ray guns are possible I just do not think them practical.
Anytime you have to charge a power source to use a weapon, that seems like you are asking for complications.
Also - rail guns have serious EMP issues, not to mention the fact that over penetration would be INSANE.
Rail guns were considered for missile interception weaponry as the speed of the projectile made it feasable.
You simply do not need a handgun or rifle that shoots a metal slug at 10,000-20,000 fps.
Also - given the current climate, low tech weapons are going to be preferred. Too many people would we weirded out by electronic weapons.
Modern firearms have certain drawbacks, but the idea of an energy beam weapon is still science fiction. Now dont go posting some story about some experiment or idea - certainly ray guns are possible I just do not think them practical.
Anytime you have to charge a power source to use a weapon, that seems like you are asking for complications.
Also - rail guns have serious EMP issues, not to mention the fact that over penetration would be INSANE.
Rail guns were considered for missile interception weaponry as the speed of the projectile made it feasable.
You simply do not need a handgun or rifle that shoots a metal slug at 10,000-20,000 fps.
Also - given the current climate, low tech weapons are going to be preferred. Too many people would we weirded out by electronic weapons.
Rambling here.
Rail gun played with prior to 1818....electric energy storage and self destruction of the rails a problem then as of late.
Caseless nearly 150 years old, think Smith n Wesson and Volcanic. Chamber heat as noted above. Fragility of the ammo. AND the problem of how to clear an unfired weapon.
Hypergolic fuel guns require absolutely reliable metering and timing of the two fuels.....or the whole works blows up.
Cool toys tho and be great if somebody gets any of them to work reliably, inexpensively and effectively.
One advantage to bein an old coot. Things keep gettin reinvented.
Not mentioned yet.....plasma discharge for propellant. Bout ten years ago a 900 gr .50 cal slug was fired from a rifle at over 20,000 fps. Much like the rail guns, barrel life was limited to one shot and the capacitor bank would load a deuce n a half.
Sam, just for insurance, I practice with David sling and wrist rocket.
Rail gun played with prior to 1818....electric energy storage and self destruction of the rails a problem then as of late.
Caseless nearly 150 years old, think Smith n Wesson and Volcanic. Chamber heat as noted above. Fragility of the ammo. AND the problem of how to clear an unfired weapon.
Hypergolic fuel guns require absolutely reliable metering and timing of the two fuels.....or the whole works blows up.
Cool toys tho and be great if somebody gets any of them to work reliably, inexpensively and effectively.
One advantage to bein an old coot. Things keep gettin reinvented.
Not mentioned yet.....plasma discharge for propellant. Bout ten years ago a 900 gr .50 cal slug was fired from a rifle at over 20,000 fps. Much like the rail guns, barrel life was limited to one shot and the capacitor bank would load a deuce n a half.
Sam, just for insurance, I practice with David sling and wrist rocket.
illuminatus99
New member
when I was in high school I built a working coil gun, it used solenoids in sequence that propelled a ball bearing, it was shoulder fired and pretty ugly but it would go through a 1/2 inch sheet of plywood without too much trouble. the only drawback was the car battery and inverter.
Modifiedbrowning
New member
1 Phase Plasma rifle with 40 watt range
2 Gyrojet or similar
2 Gyrojet or similar
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
When it comes to Law Enforcment weapons, we are already seeing the future.
Less Than Leathal.
Airpowered guns firing softgell capsuls.
The softgells can be filled with water, pepper spray, or any other chemical or drug. Okay, the water rounds have a shell of actual plastic, not gel - they hurt a lot more. *OUCH*
As a device to make an EDP calm down or change his/her mind... they work very good.
Less Than Leathal.
Airpowered guns firing softgell capsuls.
The softgells can be filled with water, pepper spray, or any other chemical or drug. Okay, the water rounds have a shell of actual plastic, not gel - they hurt a lot more. *OUCH*
As a device to make an EDP calm down or change his/her mind... they work very good.
Railguns do not necessarily have to shoot at 10,000 fps. You could turn down the voltage. Also, do you remember when they said there would be no need for more than 640K of RAM? Nevertheless, 20,000 fps might be great for a needle gun or a BB gun. Look at the damage caused by small meteorites at a few miles per second. A BB at those speeds would be an instant one shot stop.