What will the next big advancement be?

[R.W.Dale]

Good link!
I think you are being optimistic on the twenty years, but one really big breakthrough in energy storage could do it.

The Tech being developed by the two largest industries on the planet (auto industry & mobile device) will directly spill over to this application.

Think of how battery size vs energy density has improved over the past 20yrs. I fully expect battery capacity to replace faster processor speed as the driving force in these industries.


Tapatalk post via IPhone.

 

[zstephens13]

I think a safety to end all safeties, only the correct user will be able to fire a gun. I think there will be some sort of microchip in the grip. I have heard of it being in development so that officers don't get their guns used against them.

Only downside is, if you are registered, and you are home with an intruder, something happens to you, your spouse if defenseless. Or if you are not at home, each person has to have their own firearm.

There are some technologies like fingerprint door locks and things like that that can authorize multiple people to use the same lock. Maybe a microchip techology that allows let's say 3-5 users and the ability to disable it so other people can enjoy shooting it at the range. Once that technology is available, allowing multiple authorized people to use the same firearm will be easy.

 

[Plan2Live]

We will definately see biometrics in my lifetime along with other electronic interface. Maybe even something along the lines of the Predator series where the weapon follows the head, or Heads Up Display (HUD) or other goggles/face shield interface with range to target, wind, motion sensor, etc. helping the user properly adjust the shot. How about gyro stabilizer? They have some pretty powerful gyros about the size of a tennis ball now. How about built in cameras that record each shot and pre-shot? That way if a weapon is used in self defense there is a reecord. Think that one is off base? I saw a Law Enforcement magazine earlier this summer that featured digital camcorders built into the officer's flashlight.

The digital genie is out of the bottle. Or is that Pandora's box?

 

[Last Knight]

Handheld gyrojet rocket pistol.

THEIR TIME WILL COME AGAIN

 

[M-Cameron]

We will definately see biometrics in my lifetime along with other electronic interface. Maybe even something along the lines of the Predator series where the weapon follows the head, or Heads Up Display (HUD) or other goggles/face shield interface with range to target, wind, motion sensor, etc. helping the user properly adjust the shot. How about gyro stabilizer? They have some pretty powerful gyros about the size of a tennis ball now. How about built in cameras that record each shot and pre-shot? That way if a weapon is used in self defense there is a reecord. Think that one is off base? I saw a Law Enforcement magazine earlier this summer that featured digital camcorders built into the officer's flashlight.

The digital genie is out of the bottle. Or is that Pandora's box?

well, the Apache already beat ya to that one......

One of the revolutionary features at the introduction of the Apache was its helmet mounted display, the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS);[37][38] among other abilities the pilot or gunner can slave the helicopter's 30 mm automatic M230 Chain Gun to his helmet, making the gun track head movements to point at where he looks. The M230E1 can be alternatively fixed to a locked forward firing position, or controlled via the Target Acquisition and Designation System (TADS).[39][40]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_AH-64_Apache

 

[Warp]

I think a safety to end all safeties, only the correct user will be able to fire a gun. I think there will be some sort of microchip in the grip. I have heard of it being in development so that officers don't get their guns used against them.

That is old news. Too many problems with reliability and cost without getting into any of the other issues.

 

[Flopsweat]

Not to go all hippie on you but I'd like to see a truly reliable, effective, non-lethal (as is practical) personal defense weapon. It would need to be light and concealable. It would have to be able to stop an assailant as quickly as or quicker than the most effective handgun available today. It should have a capacity of at least 20 applications before requiring a reload or recharge. It should have limited potential collateral damage. While I'm at it, it should cost under $300.

Realistically I expect the next big thing to involve electronics and software in some way. I'd rather see a simple, elegant mechanical/metallurgical/chemical breakthrough but the pace of advancement in software and electronics is fierce. Yes, some of the electronics advancements do involve new materials, so there is that...

 

[blue_ridge]

I think rail guns will be the next big advancement. They've been around for a long time, but not developed into an affordable, handheld weapon yet. Getting rid of the need to carry cartridges and use gun powder, not to mention the amazing projectile velocity possible will be the main advantages.

 

[Drail]

I predict the next big thing will be "disposable" guns just like those cameras and cell phones people buy at Walmart. Use it once - throw it away.

 

[M-Cameron]

I predict the next big thing will be "disposable" guns just like those cameras and cell phones people buy at Walmart. Use it once - throw it away.

meh.....not sure how well thatll go over....

theres no market for something like that.....i cant even think of too many reasons why a legitimate gun owner would need a gun you can "throw away"....

and to put it simply.....i wouldnt want to, or even feel safe shooting a gun that is made cheaply enough that is made to be thrown away.

 

[zstephens13]

I predict the next big thing will be "disposable" guns just like those cameras and cell phones people buy at Walmart. Use it once - throw it away.

Maybe like carbon-fiber in a low caliber? Preloaded with some 22LR...

 

[PPS43]

Image stabilizer in the scope. If trigger is pulled halfway, hammer/striker is automatically released at the moment when barrel is pointing close enough to where the reticle is. If trigger is pulled all the way, the weapon shoots immediately.

 

[Skribs]

What I see happening for the jurisdictions where law enforcement has a bad record regarding excessive force is camera attachments that take a snapshot when you pull the trigger. That way, you can always see exactly what the cop saw when the gun was fired.

This also applies anywhere there is a legitimate shooting, such as home defense or the military.

 

[TCB in TN]

Stronger lighter metals & polymers.

I see a lot of things on here that I think will eventually come to pass. The above is IMHO the most likely to have the biggest impact on consumer level weapons in the near future. I can see lighter materials along with smarter design coming to give us much lighter weapons, more efficient weapons. Think of a super light weight say 2-3 lb rifle or shotgun with a shock absorbing stock. Super light weight mags, mounts, and accessories. I can also see a number of advancements in design that would make bullpups more ergonomic and reliable.

 

[zstephens13]

What about a digital scope that has a camera on one side and a little screen on the other. It takes the image and enhances, zooms, brightens, as needed for a perfect sight picture.

Or some little generator thing that that can be installed in an optic that creates electricity with movement so a red dot or reflex sight can be completely battery free.

 

[Danb1215]

Hocka Louis at post #12. Are they really a gun owner? I think perhaps a gun control advocate joined us maybe?


From post #12:
"The ability to register, track and and trace ammunition, arms, and fired shots to individuals who will be held responsible under a national guns and ammo management system.

One gun and 20-40 rounds of non-military caliber ammo whose spent shells will be audited if you want to buy replacements ala Japan/South America."

No thanks, I am an American with rights that are far better that South America or Japan thank you very much. Perhaps you meant your post for these people? http://www.bradycampaign.org/

There's a big difference between thinking something is going to happen and wanting it to happen.

 

[wacki]

Speaking as a scientist on the forefront of the technology realm....

1st big incremental advancement = informatics

We are in the middle of an information revolution right now. Satellites, drones, internet, infrared scopes... etc. All of this will be networked and integrated into eyepieces / scopes. It'll make it easier to find and kill the targets. This isn't that big of a prediction considering the military's multi-billion dollar super warrior program.

1st big breakthrough advancement = railgun

See attached pic. It's big and clunky but more powerful than a .500 S&W magnum. That's pretty amazing considering how long the technology has been around. The alternative energy industry is working to make room temperature superconductors, supercapacitors and Richard Smalley's carbon nanotubes a reality. Once this happens railguns will go mainstream. Bulletproof vests (and even armored vehicles) will become worthless. The interesting side effect of this technology is that railguns are very easy to make at home. So any kind of governmental controls will be worthless.

As a side note. I won't be surprised if lasers make a breakthrough but they are huge energy drainers. Railguns are far more efficient and that's why I give them the edge.

Edit: the above is the wrong gun... need to digg up the correct one later. In the mean time here's a real rail gun pic:

 

[zstephens13]

That's a big front sight post.... I would have used a 110W.

 

[Sam Cade]

See attached pic. It's big and clunky but more powerful than a .500 S&W magnum.

Uhhhh... no.
Who told you that??

That is a toy dude.

Capable of delivering over 18J kinetic energy, and speeds up to 110km/h! (42 gram projectiles).

So it throws an ounce and a half slug at 70 mph....

http://hackedgadgets.com/2009/05/07/mv-coilmaster-mark1-coil-gun/

 

[Warp]

The interesting side effect of this technology is that railguns are very easy to make at home. So any kind of governmental controls will be worthless.

It isn't particularly difficult make a firearm fire full auto at home either, but the government control on that sure seems to be working

 

[M-Cameron]

threre are MANY problems with hand held coil/ rail guns...

1) the capacitors.......the capacitors required to make a gun "effective" are enormous......and VERY costly...

ive built a number of coil guns in the past.....the size of the capacitor banks required to push a nail through a tin can are about the size of a standard red masonry brick.....and about as heavy.....and as for cost.....the banks im running cost approx $150.....

2) accuracy.......i have yet to see a rifled coil/ railgun......and theres a reason for that.......you cant rifle a steel projectile........which means all of these weapons are going to be smooth bore....which means your accuracy will be as such

3) the "time constant"......all capacitors have a "time constant"...which is how fast they can re-charge........now for the low powered stuff most hobbyist make....ist only a fraction of a second.........but for something with say, the power of a 9mm.......thats going to be in the realm of second(s)......thats a big problem....and there is nothing you can do to fix it.

4) the length........in order to attain any ascertainable amount of velocity, you need multiple coils/ longer rail.........and adding coils/ rail not only adds weight, but also length......and again, there is really nothing you can do to prevent this....


so even if battery and capacitor technology advance enough.......you are still going to end up with a long, heavy, slow, inaccurate, and underpowered weapon.


dont get me wrong, i love magnet weapons as much as the next guy......but i dont see them being a practical small arm.

 

[Kendal Black]

Someone is going to try to adapt the recoilless rifle concept to hunting rifles.

Someone will try, at least, to get sound suppressors removed from NFA status on grounds that they are hearing safety equipment, arguing that our present-day better understanding of hearing loss dangers suggests they should be standard not restricted, etc.

I've been waiting around for caseless ammo for a long time and seen little in the way of practical developments. The savings in materials and the reduced weight are good points. The cartridge case is an entrenched technology, though, and its role in sealing the breech will need to be replaced by a more complex gun mechanism... And anyhow, there's nothing left to handload: Bummer!

I'm also still waiting for the new and improved batteries that will make electromagnetic propulsion practical. This may be a long wait indeed. There are other tech advancements that are stalled at the moment for want of a way to store a lot of electricity in a compact and lightweight storage unit: electric cars, electric planes and even a laptop that will run for as long as you would like it to before recharging. "Shipstones" may always be sci fi, because you have conversion losses whatever you do...

Red dot sights are catching on and I suppose it is only a matter of time before heads up displays in eyeglasses come to the sporting market. I am not sure how valuable that will be, though, since it is almost always practical to raise the gun into a conventional firing position, and then a sight on the gun does just as well.

 

[we are not amused]

Not in the short run, but with improvements in energy storage it might.

I agree that current capacitors are inadequate, but with variations on the high capacity energy storage capacitors they are developing to power laptops and cell phones...

besides, perhaps a hybrid system. Where an explosive force is used to collapse a magnetic field, powering the system. I once read an article where that was being tested for large (ship or tank) weapons. perhaps it could be scaled down.

I think a lot of stuff is already out there, that just hasn't caught on yet, or has been tried in the past but failed then, may come back. Such as electrical firing of primers. Remington's Etronx actually seemed like a good idea. I don't know why it failed.
New technology scopes, perhaps incorporating image intensifiers.
New revolver designs such as the innovative Chiappa revolver. (I think it's neat, and am looking for a local range that has one to shoot. It may just cure my dislike of revolvers.)

And of course, their is always Sergeant Schlok's Strohl Munitions BH-250 Plasma Gun!
http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2000-06-12

 

[InkEd]

While not a "big breakthrough," I think we'll see green lasers completely replace red lasers as costs become cheaper.

 

[Justin]

There's currently a bit of a development race to create shotguns that have higher capacity, and handle and shoot like a semi-auto rifle. This was initially kicked off by the introduction of the Saiga shotgun, but has grown to include several custom shops that more or less completely rebuild the Saigas into something completely new.

The introduction of other newer shotguns like the MKA1919 is yet another step in that direction, and I expect a similar cottage industry to spring up around modding those as well.

Furthermore, there's the development of products like the new X-Rail that allow a traditional shotgun to be modified to hold a larger number of rounds.

While not Earth-changing, I believe these developments will feed into a re-thinking of how shotguns are employed.


As for other technological developments, I wouldn't be surprised to see plastics replace brass cases.

I still think that caseless ammunition is a long ways off, or even if it does get here, it will be relegated to specialized roles. However, I think the developments in cased telescoping rifle ammunition hold promise for a payoff in the not-too-distant future, and may even result in the military phasing out the M16 for something optimized for that sort of ammunition.