Future of Firearms

[joe817]

I agree with Purplehood. Why would it be any different? As firearms technology has evolved it's been introduced into all areas of society, both military and civilian markets. I'm speaking of handguns and long guns. Or for the future hand arms and long arms.

[seamusTX]

The only problem with phasers is that they are completely imaginary.

I can't see lasers or masers (the microwave equivalent of lasers) as practical weapons. Their effect is to create heat. You might set your attacker's clothes on fire or cook him if he stood still long enough, but I doubt they could have the instantaneous effect of a bullet.

Also, battery technology is not up to the chore of powering a portable laser for a long time.

The military has been experimenting with an electromagnetic "pain ray" for years. I doubt it will ever be a personal-defense weapon, for reasons explained in this article: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... v-mads.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No, in 2010, we are still using 19th and 20th-century technology for the most part.

- Jim

[Purplehood]

The only problem with phasers is that they are completely imaginary.

I can't see lasers or masers (the microwave equivalent of lasers) as practical weapons. Their effect is to create heat. You might set your attacker's clothes on fire or cook him if he stood still long enough, but I doubt they could have the instantaneous effect of a bullet.

Also, battery technology is not up to the chore of powering a portable laser for a long time.

The military has been experimenting with an electromagnetic "pain ray" for years. I doubt it will ever be a personal-defense weapon, for reasons explained in this article: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... v-mads.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No, in 2010, we are still using 19th and 20th-century technology for the most part.

- Jim

The post regards the FUTURE of Firearms. Of course everything is imaginary! If we didn't have any imagination we wouldn't bother inventing stuff in the first place!

[marksiwel]

I dont see them letting us carry Phasers, I cant even carry a tazer in Dallas.

[The Annoyed Man]

Whatever the new technology is, if it does not leave room for the tinkerer/reloader/shade tree gunsmith, it will never gain mass acceptance in the gun culture.

We like to tinker with things, see how they work, fluff and buff our guns, customize them, find that special load that works well in them, etc., etc. Technology will progress whatever we think of it, but popular acceptance will never come without our ability to find a way to connect with it and relate to it.

[seamusTX]

Of course everything is imaginary! If we didn't have any imagination we wouldn't bother inventing stuff in the first place!

Maybe I should have written fantastic.

We can imagine things that do not currently exist; but to invent them, we must figure out a way to produce them in accordance with the laws of nature.

People had the dream of flying for all of recorded history, but they imagined impractical means like strapping wings to their arms or Leonardo da Vinci's helical helicopter. Powered flight didn't happen until someone (mainly the Wright brothers) understood the principle of asymetrical wing and figured out how to build a practical flying machine with the technology available to them.

What do we desire to be improved about existing firearms?

IMO, the main thing is noise. Firing a weapon in a confined space is going to take a few decibels off your hearing, and could result in a permanent case of tinnitus. Suppressors are bulky and not practically concealable.

Other than that, we have firearms that are fast, accurate, and reliable. How much better could they get?

I sure would like to have a weapon that caused either immediately loss of consciousness or motor control without permanent injury, but I can't imagine how such a thing would work, and it wouldn't be a firearm.

- Jim

[karder]

I see a shift in weapons toward less lethal tasers, concussion, flash, and even rubber bullets. The traditional firearm is far from dead. Especially for guys like us who love the history and tradition of the weapon as much as the self defense aspect but future technologies are taking us away from black powder propelled bullets.

[Mithras61]

I'd like to see something along the lines of the Metalstorm project. It uses electronic ignition and has multiple projectiles per barrel.

The prototype pistol I saw had four barrels grouped together to form the top section of the pistol. I'm not sure, but I think they had 8 projectiles per barrel.

Recoil was almost non-existent since the projectiles were actually miniature rockets (non-explosive tipped).

Effective range could be greatly extended, as velocity would not necessarily decrease after the initial firing.

It could also conceivably be much more accurate at distance (think extensible fins for stability).

[mctowalot]

Mini Bolo projectile

[srothstein]

I predict that the near future will involve advances in ammunition. There is still work to be done with caseless ammo. Bullet design also allows for more refinement. The military just announced a very interesting advance on explosive ammo that was written up as science fiction only 20 years ago. The rifle has a laser designator/sensor built in and can set the round to explode in an airburst at a certain distance. It will take out the bad guy who is hiding behind a wall of something that conventional ammo cannot get to. Look for this to get further refined, IMO.

I also expect more less lethal rounds, like the Taser shotgun round. Lots of work in that are going on to help police and military. I don't see it helping us much (nor the explosive round before someone asks).

The area I would be investing in if I had money would be in ammo. I would look for new powders to be developed that are much more efficient (higher velocities at lower pressures in current calibers) and new ignition systems. I remember reading about an electronic ignition rifle and I think they would still be working on things like that. Currently available ammo with maybe a new primer, and the rifle would not have a trigger mechanism. Instead of a trigger and a falling hammer, press a trigger button and a capacitor releases a charge to ignite the round. Lock time in the milli-seconds and no moving parts affecting your aim.

Much longer term vision is for all sorts of new energy weapons - lasers, phasers, blasters, or whatever - even light sabers. After all, a Taser is just an energy gun instead of a slug thrower. It has wires and all right now, but it won't always. The military has experimented with lasers as weapons. It has used large ones but small ones are just a technology refinement. The potential weapon use is to have the laser drill a hole in the enemy, or possibly move it to start slicing. So far the problem is a combination of the man portable power pack not existing and the laser not having the power necessary. But those are small problems compared to the invention of the laser to begin with.

And before anyone things that all of this is too fantastic, remember that quite a few things we use in everyday life and society now were written up in science fiction books much earlier. This include airplanes, helicopters, rockets to the moon, waterbeds, and remote hands (waldoes). All it takes is one guy to read a story and ask himself why not, and pretty soon you have a new invention. After that, it is just refinement to get it marketable.

[srothstein]

Mini Bolo projectile

Not new, just not common. I remember reading about these in the 90's for 40mm launchers. That is, if by mini-bolo you mean a round with three balls connected by string/wire. I can't remember the company name that specialized in less lethal ammo for police right now, but I will try to find it and post a link.

[A-R]

I agree with those who've said there will be a shift away from powder fired projectile weapons to some form of energy weapon and more and better less-lethal weapons.

As for modern powder fired projectile weapons, I see the next big leap being some serious reduction in recoil for most platforms. The recoil reducing technology of the AA-12 will find it's way into more military and police weapons, and sooner or later into your next hunting shotgun or rifle or self-defense pistol. I honestly think this may be what the Pentagon is waiting for in terms of replacing the M16/M4. If you can reduce the recoil of a 12 gauge firing 00 buckshot to that of a large caliber handgun, why not design a weapon that can fire a .308, .30-06 or whatever new caliber you like better but with as little or less recoil than a 5.56mm.

If you're not familiar with the AA-12, it's a fully automatic 12 gauge shotgun with so little recoil it can be fired one-handed like a pistol

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[03Lightningrocks]

I think it is going to be hard finding a concealed carry holster for it.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Back in the <1930's ?> there was a fictional character
named Tom Swift.

He had a weapon known as an electric rifle. I don't know if
it was ever explained what that was in the books. If an explanation
was given, I don't know what it was.

Years later, someone developed a non-lethal weapon for police
use and they named it:

TASER = Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle.

FYI. SIA.

[mctowalot]

Thanks in advance S.R.!

While not a firearm advancement, I also hope to see an auto-deployed CHL sash.
(Sonic wave auctuated?)

Next best thing to a force field!
(They said the Wright brothers were crazy too)