What will the next big advancement be?
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JustinJ
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I don't see lasers ever becoming useful anti-personnel weapons unless it can be used to essentially cut across a body. Unless the beam has a very wide diameter damage will be limited and the weapon itself will cauterize the wound thus preventing bleeding.
For military use i think burst fire will become the norm in which a gun essentially fires the first two rounds so that they impact the same spot allowing for enhanced armor penetration. The Russians already have a gun, AN-94, in which a second round is fired before the first round's recoil impulse is complete resulting in 1800 rpm for the first two shots. It then drops down to 600 RPM. According to Shotgun news the US Army has now made this a requirement for the next generation rifle it selects.
The other next big thing will probably be materials. Maybe even a ceramic or carbon fiber gun that is lighter and stronger while highly resistanct to dirt, carbon and corrosion. The ultimate goal will of course be to make the gun more reliable and durable. At the least i think polymer frames over metal skeletons similiar to the HK UMP will become more common.
Caseless ammo i think will eventually be worked out but how soon is anybodies guess. The potential weight advantages are great enough to make the R&D costs worth it. If not polymer cased ammo.
As others have explained the energy and weight requirements of a rail gun prevent its potential for standard infantry issue. The same for a coil gun.
One thing that is already here is modularity. Guns that can readily swap calibers and barrel lengths will become the norm.
The big thing in optics will probably just be lower costs for NV and thermal. Optics integrated with a camera and miniature display screen will probably also become more popular as well.
For military use i think burst fire will become the norm in which a gun essentially fires the first two rounds so that they impact the same spot allowing for enhanced armor penetration. The Russians already have a gun, AN-94, in which a second round is fired before the first round's recoil impulse is complete resulting in 1800 rpm for the first two shots. It then drops down to 600 RPM. According to Shotgun news the US Army has now made this a requirement for the next generation rifle it selects.
The other next big thing will probably be materials. Maybe even a ceramic or carbon fiber gun that is lighter and stronger while highly resistanct to dirt, carbon and corrosion. The ultimate goal will of course be to make the gun more reliable and durable. At the least i think polymer frames over metal skeletons similiar to the HK UMP will become more common.
Caseless ammo i think will eventually be worked out but how soon is anybodies guess. The potential weight advantages are great enough to make the R&D costs worth it. If not polymer cased ammo.
As others have explained the energy and weight requirements of a rail gun prevent its potential for standard infantry issue. The same for a coil gun.
One thing that is already here is modularity. Guns that can readily swap calibers and barrel lengths will become the norm.
The big thing in optics will probably just be lower costs for NV and thermal. Optics integrated with a camera and miniature display screen will probably also become more popular as well.
HARV6
Member
My Crystal Ball Says...
Newton's First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it. The gun/ammo companies don't want a completely redesigned system, they don't want to spend countless millions retooling. Follow the money... I'd guess improvements in recoil absorption are a closer possibility. That way the current magnums that gun/ammo companies and gun magazines gush about can become more of a mainstream moneymaker. If a 300RUM recoiled the same as 30-06 does now, the 30-06 would go the way of the 30-30. It would also open a whole new venue for even more powerful magnums, allowing companies to keep making money trying to one-up each other as always, and basically doing it with what they've already got. Who needs a laser when you can shoot a 220grain bullet at 4000fps?
Newton's First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it. The gun/ammo companies don't want a completely redesigned system, they don't want to spend countless millions retooling. Follow the money... I'd guess improvements in recoil absorption are a closer possibility. That way the current magnums that gun/ammo companies and gun magazines gush about can become more of a mainstream moneymaker. If a 300RUM recoiled the same as 30-06 does now, the 30-06 would go the way of the 30-30. It would also open a whole new venue for even more powerful magnums, allowing companies to keep making money trying to one-up each other as always, and basically doing it with what they've already got. Who needs a laser when you can shoot a 220grain bullet at 4000fps?
Loosedhorse
member
Maybe we're done?
As far as projectile weapons go, cased ammo using chemical propellant and mechanical ignition has proven to be a very powerful, reliable, and versatile system, allowing aimed response to multiple attackers in a small, light weapon.
We can make them lighter (and have), but recoil gets fierce.
We can try to make bullets better: what about a light, fast bullet that expands to .50 and still penetrates 14 inches, out of a handgun? Well, there's physics standing in the way again. It may be that current bullet technology is tweaking the limits, and it is certainly testing the expense limits.
"Personalized" weapons? As has been said, there can be problems. What about the ability to use a partner's gun in a crisis? How do you place the biometric key somewhere that can't be damaged in a gunfight (for example, what do you do about a fingerprint key if your finger is missing)?
Where the gaps are:
1) Right now, using a weapon takes skill and alertness: see the threat, assess the threat, access the weapon, point it true, fire. How can technology help us here?
2) Nonlethal weapons, for now, are still potentially lethal, can be undependable, and often have limited capacity for engaging multiple threats (despite the Taser X3). In other words, not a lot of good reasons to use them unless your job is subduing people nonlethally.
But my guess is that until we're ready to move beyond projectile weapons, I'm not sure we've got a lot of breakthroughs left. And I'm not sure what "beyond projectile weapons" even means.
As far as projectile weapons go, cased ammo using chemical propellant and mechanical ignition has proven to be a very powerful, reliable, and versatile system, allowing aimed response to multiple attackers in a small, light weapon.
We can make them lighter (and have), but recoil gets fierce.
We can try to make bullets better: what about a light, fast bullet that expands to .50 and still penetrates 14 inches, out of a handgun? Well, there's physics standing in the way again. It may be that current bullet technology is tweaking the limits, and it is certainly testing the expense limits.
"Personalized" weapons? As has been said, there can be problems. What about the ability to use a partner's gun in a crisis? How do you place the biometric key somewhere that can't be damaged in a gunfight (for example, what do you do about a fingerprint key if your finger is missing)?
Where the gaps are:
1) Right now, using a weapon takes skill and alertness: see the threat, assess the threat, access the weapon, point it true, fire. How can technology help us here?
2) Nonlethal weapons, for now, are still potentially lethal, can be undependable, and often have limited capacity for engaging multiple threats (despite the Taser X3). In other words, not a lot of good reasons to use them unless your job is subduing people nonlethally.
But my guess is that until we're ready to move beyond projectile weapons, I'm not sure we've got a lot of breakthroughs left. And I'm not sure what "beyond projectile weapons" even means.
Dnaltrop
Member
+1 for the return of the Gyrojet gun, preferably in a super-high velocity with an impact similar to a shaped charge at the "wrong" end of the gun.
Pulling a bit of real science out and beating it with the dreamer's hammer.....
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Direct...es_Hydrogen_from_Salt_Water_Using_Radio_Waves
http://www.powerlabs.org/waterarc.htm
I'd like to see a weapon capable of electrolyzing water with high frequencies at a distance and causing ignition.
Salt water as an explosive...
Pulling a bit of real science out and beating it with the dreamer's hammer.....
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Direct...es_Hydrogen_from_Salt_Water_Using_Radio_Waves
http://www.powerlabs.org/waterarc.htm
I'd like to see a weapon capable of electrolyzing water with high frequencies at a distance and causing ignition.
Salt water as an explosive...
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Mike1234567
member
Lasers... always hit POA, can run low power for aim (no scope), no delay trigger-to-hit, no drop, no lead, etc. All good stuff, right? But, uh... wouldn't the heat cauterize the wounds?
Owen Sparks
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What will the next big advancement be?
Probably ILLEGAL for commonors like you to possess.
Probably ILLEGAL for commonors like you to possess.
feedthehogs
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I've been shooting 50 years and haven't seen much in the way of any major changes to the civilian arms market in that time period other than more stealthy looking arms and some wild cat cartridges.
1911's, Garands, M14's, carbines and wheel guns are still king and will be well into the future.
The .30-30, .30-06 and .45-70 will still get any North American game onto your dinner plate from a lever, single shot or bolt action rifle.
My hope is the next big advancement will be the realization of young shooters that marksmanship is key, not spraying cheap Russian ammo in a one foot group at 100 yards and going home happy.
1911's, Garands, M14's, carbines and wheel guns are still king and will be well into the future.
The .30-30, .30-06 and .45-70 will still get any North American game onto your dinner plate from a lever, single shot or bolt action rifle.
My hope is the next big advancement will be the realization of young shooters that marksmanship is key, not spraying cheap Russian ammo in a one foot group at 100 yards and going home happy.
Black Butte
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*In best Austrian accent*:
phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.
phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.
Hocka Louis
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US Guns & Ammo Close Down
OK, forget a nationally implemented arms tracking and tracing management system.
The next big advancement will be achievement of closing American civilian arms and ammo sales, research, and manufacturing operations. This will start by off-shoring traditional, classic, and modern firms' production under American-named marketing entities headquartered in the US. The physical production capability here will be sold and shipped to Asia and the Middle-East, and what isn't will be nationalized for military use only.
Typical for the impoverished American consumer market becomes weak, inaccurate pinned and welded sheet-metal guns and low-pressure ammunition of non-military calibers only. Manufacture of arms and ammo will shift to overseas and import will be subject to "sporting purpose" guidelines and stiff tariffs. Optical scopes will be adjudicated illegal "sniper equipment" as will any electronic sight or sling.
To paraphrase Bill Clinton when we started importing AK's with thumbhole grips but no muzzle break or bayonet: we know what you're doing, following the law, and we're not going to let you get away with it!
OK, forget a nationally implemented arms tracking and tracing management system.
The next big advancement will be achievement of closing American civilian arms and ammo sales, research, and manufacturing operations. This will start by off-shoring traditional, classic, and modern firms' production under American-named marketing entities headquartered in the US. The physical production capability here will be sold and shipped to Asia and the Middle-East, and what isn't will be nationalized for military use only.
Typical for the impoverished American consumer market becomes weak, inaccurate pinned and welded sheet-metal guns and low-pressure ammunition of non-military calibers only. Manufacture of arms and ammo will shift to overseas and import will be subject to "sporting purpose" guidelines and stiff tariffs. Optical scopes will be adjudicated illegal "sniper equipment" as will any electronic sight or sling.
To paraphrase Bill Clinton when we started importing AK's with thumbhole grips but no muzzle break or bayonet: we know what you're doing, following the law, and we're not going to let you get away with it!
zstephens13
Member
That definitely sounds like a step backwards, not an advancement.
Do you support the 2nd Amendment?
The biggest advancements will be to make guns cheaper.
The easiest way to do that with current technology is to make things out of plastic. Plastic frames and stocks are now very well established, and plastic trigger groups are making some degree of ingress.
Plastic cased ammo may become economically viable depending on the intersection of plastics engineering, oil prices, and metals prices.
There was an interesting pistol a few years back that was never released. The EAA FCP. Each round had a sleeve that acted as a chamber, kind of like a Tround. Something like it could allow for a simplified action and fewer metal parts.
I have doubts about the future of caseless ammo. Military weapons see more of an advantage than civilian firearms do with it, and the ridiculous and expensive clockwork actions they require mean a lot less to Uncle Sam than to Joe Sixpack.
Man portable lasers and railguns are impractical due to energy requirements. The energy density of current storage mediums is very poor. Ship and plane based systems have some promise, though. Eye protection is absolutely paramount with weaponized lasers.
For more advanced smokeless powder, we are going to need something other than nitrocellulose. It's possible to hit its limits with certain chamberings. And then, there will be tradeoffs with recoil and barrel erosion. I don't really see any advances here.
I'm kind of surprised that more digital camera technology hasn't been applied to scopes. I'm imagining smart scopes with integrated rangefinders, digital crosshairs, automatic bullet drop compensation, accelerometers for leveling, machine vision for target identification, digital zoom, video recording abilities, the option for screen output, etc. There are some scopes with some degree of the technology already, but it's not terribly advanced.
Maybe couple the smart scope with gyroscopic stabilizers in the stock. Or have the gyros tilt to aim the rifle at targets identified by the scope.
Electronic triggers may also become more widespread.
The easiest way to do that with current technology is to make things out of plastic. Plastic frames and stocks are now very well established, and plastic trigger groups are making some degree of ingress.
Plastic cased ammo may become economically viable depending on the intersection of plastics engineering, oil prices, and metals prices.
There was an interesting pistol a few years back that was never released. The EAA FCP. Each round had a sleeve that acted as a chamber, kind of like a Tround. Something like it could allow for a simplified action and fewer metal parts.
I have doubts about the future of caseless ammo. Military weapons see more of an advantage than civilian firearms do with it, and the ridiculous and expensive clockwork actions they require mean a lot less to Uncle Sam than to Joe Sixpack.
Man portable lasers and railguns are impractical due to energy requirements. The energy density of current storage mediums is very poor. Ship and plane based systems have some promise, though. Eye protection is absolutely paramount with weaponized lasers.
For more advanced smokeless powder, we are going to need something other than nitrocellulose. It's possible to hit its limits with certain chamberings. And then, there will be tradeoffs with recoil and barrel erosion. I don't really see any advances here.
I'm kind of surprised that more digital camera technology hasn't been applied to scopes. I'm imagining smart scopes with integrated rangefinders, digital crosshairs, automatic bullet drop compensation, accelerometers for leveling, machine vision for target identification, digital zoom, video recording abilities, the option for screen output, etc. There are some scopes with some degree of the technology already, but it's not terribly advanced.
Maybe couple the smart scope with gyroscopic stabilizers in the stock. Or have the gyros tilt to aim the rifle at targets identified by the scope.
Electronic triggers may also become more widespread.
Carter
Member
I think are already a lot of really good technologies in R&D. The problem is getting any of them adopted by a serious organization. That said, I'd really like to see caseless ammunition, a bullpup with a great trigger, a heads up display in glasses/googles/etc that displays a eotech style reticle and moves as your rifle moves.
The last one would be really nice for competition.
The last one would be really nice for competition.
zstephens13
Member
I read about some scopes that the military had developed that use infrared to read wind patterns and updrafts and such along with a range finder built in so that all the soldier would have to do is put the crosshairs over the target and the scope would make the adjustments automatically. If I remember correctly some thong like 4 scopes produced at a cost of 500,000 (?). That includes R&D of course. I'll have to find the article...
Intelligent ammo that homes in on a laser designed target. Put your Crimson Trace on the target and the round goes there. Probably have to be in a long 45ish round.
Or even better, some minute object recognition AI that slaves to your glasses that hold a sight, like pilots helmet missile sights and the round goes to the target you are looking at.
Some reliable less than lethal stun round.
Energy weapons
Caseless, electrically ignited hi-accleration rocket rounds, not like the crappy Gyro-jet.
Or even better, some minute object recognition AI that slaves to your glasses that hold a sight, like pilots helmet missile sights and the round goes to the target you are looking at.
Some reliable less than lethal stun round.
Energy weapons
Caseless, electrically ignited hi-accleration rocket rounds, not like the crappy Gyro-jet.
Fishslayer
Member
Hate to say it but I think he's right. Like it or not we are dieing out. Each generation sees fewer & fewer hunters and gun enthusiasts, and each generation sees a further erosion of the Constitution and worse, fewer & fewer people who really value the rights & freedoms contained therein.
Making guns & ammo too expensive for the serfs to acquire will accomplish the same end goal as outright confiscation.
Sam Cade
Member
What specifically are you talking about?
Surely not the sunset of the AWB,the liberalization of of carry laws all across the US, the Heller Decision and McDonald v. Chicago...
I was looking at a Gallup poll the other day that showed just under 30% of Americans favored a total ban on handguns, in 1960 it was 60%
Mike1234567
member
I can understand some of his thinking. Look now compared to the 50s where you could go to Sears and by a gun or have one mailed to you.
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theotherwaldo
Member
Drastically improved sights, trigger mechanisms, and optics.
Electronically-ignited, caseless defensive ammunition for electrically-powered concealed-carry weapons. No more heavy slides or barrels on loose links.
Stocks and grips that are designed for function rather than appearance.
Electronically-ignited, caseless defensive ammunition for electrically-powered concealed-carry weapons. No more heavy slides or barrels on loose links.
Stocks and grips that are designed for function rather than appearance.
toivo
Member
Yeah, but cars were (partially) electric before they were electronic: they had batteries and magnetos and such. One thing I like about guns is that they are one of the last purely mechanical devices around. (OK, the gunpowder part is chemical, but ...)
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rallyhound
Member
I'm hoping winchester comes out with a new chambering.
A pre 64 model 70 in WSSSTSSBSM 257
Winchester super short-shorter than short super belted super mag in 257.
It should come in 16 and 30 inch barrel options.
A pre 64 model 70 in WSSSTSSBSM 257
Winchester super short-shorter than short super belted super mag in 257.
It should come in 16 and 30 inch barrel options.
FruitCake
Member
A firearm that is 100% out of the box i e no break in
Next big advancement
Self-defense ammunition in standard calibers that would function normally out to a specified distance--five meters, perhaps seven meters--then would disperse harmlessly. You could use your .45 to blow up a burglar in your living room or a mugger on a dark street, but no stray bullets will kill your baby sleeping in another room or knock over an old lady walking in the next block. No collateral damage, no unintended innocent victims.
It will be made of some sort of sintered metal, or perhaps a wonder ceramic.
Self-defense ammunition in standard calibers that would function normally out to a specified distance--five meters, perhaps seven meters--then would disperse harmlessly. You could use your .45 to blow up a burglar in your living room or a mugger on a dark street, but no stray bullets will kill your baby sleeping in another room or knock over an old lady walking in the next block. No collateral damage, no unintended innocent victims.
It will be made of some sort of sintered metal, or perhaps a wonder ceramic.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I wouldn't be surprised to see red dots incorporated into concealed carry pistols in the next five-ten years.
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