The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Badgersmilk on December 10, 2009, 09:39:34 AM

Title: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: Badgersmilk on December 10, 2009, 09:39:34 AM
Has it reach a stall point?  MB brought this topic up and I've been giving it some thought.  HAS it stalled? 

What features "need" to be put into production as yet?

Are electronically primed rounds in the near future?  That could open up a whole new world of features.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: Texas_Bryan on December 10, 2009, 10:35:56 AM
What do you think pistols lack today.  One could say weapons technology has stalled for hundreds of years because we're still slinging lead at each other.  As far as pistols go, the idea has been near perfect for over a hundred years, we just need to implement better ways to execute.  Would electronically primed round help you or been better than current tech?  I just see it continuing like the last several decades, find better way to make things less expensive, more reliable, and lighter.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: Pathfinder on December 10, 2009, 10:58:34 AM
I want phasers.


 ;)
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: fightingquaker13 on December 10, 2009, 11:46:45 AM
Evolution in firearms has generally been led by evolution  in powder. Just in the last 75 years we've had the aility to throw smaller bullets with greater velocity, and less fouling that have made new designs possible.  Things like 5.7 just did'nt used to be doable as an effecive round. I would hope that something like caseless ammo or electric charges come out. I woudn't say no to a phaser either, but I'd still prefer a Han Solo style blaster. :D
FQ13
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 10, 2009, 11:58:33 AM
I would go with caseless ammo, (which several companies have been working on for decades) or an electronic gun that uses something like the "Rail gun" principle instead of the current "chemical reaction" propellant.
In all likely hood home reloading for these would be impossible.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: MikeBjerum on December 10, 2009, 12:20:27 PM
There is always going to be evolution and there should be.  However, there is also a need to not go too far.  Electronics are all fine and dandy, but how far do we want to rely on a system that is subject to power availability or disruption.  I think of the electronics the anti's want on firearms that will only allow a certain person to fire.  What if ... Your electronics fail, you lose your "ring," your gun is disabled and you pick another up in a fight ...

Does anyone know how electronic ignition is standing up in muzzle loading?  Sounded like a good idea, I saw lots of ads the last two years, but I have not heard or seen anything this year.  Nobody that I know has one or knows anyone that has one.

If you think this sounds like I don't trust technology, you are somewhat correct.  I do not fully trust electronics.  Many readers on here will remember my wonderful Ohio trip.  Also, right now I have a 2008 van with the anti-lock brake/traction control/stability system disabled.  They can not find the issue, and have pulled the fuse just so I can drive it.  If my 2020 Glock has an electronics issue, will I be able to pull the fuse and get back in the fight?  Do dads and gadgets are great until your life depends on them.

From the posts on things like wood stoves and diesel vehicles I know I am not the only one with some of these phobias.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: Texas_Bryan on December 10, 2009, 12:34:34 PM
It's not a phobia.  Technology introduces points of failures, points of failure...fail, and then you have to live with that out come...or not live.  I don't electronics on weapons, unless they've got a redundancy system in place, like your BUIS to a EOTech.  A electronic primer ignition system failure will probably just end up with you being dead.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 10, 2009, 12:48:31 PM
Not talking about THOSE types of electronics M58, more along the lines of solenoid triggers as already used on some precision rifles, and magnetic propulsion instead of gunpowder.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: MikeBjerum on December 10, 2009, 01:09:25 PM
Not talking about THOSE types of electronics M58, more along the lines of solenoid triggers as already used on some precision rifles, and magnetic propulsion instead of gunpowder.

Tom, I know that there are systems out there like that already, but I still have concerns with trusting my life to them.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: ericire12 on December 10, 2009, 02:03:51 PM
It comes in spurts..... Hundreds of years of the same old same old, and then things grow by leaps and bounds.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 10, 2009, 02:34:07 PM
Tom, I know that there are systems out there like that already, but I still have concerns with trusting my life to them.

Not only the increased chance of something going bad because of increased delicacy and complication but ammo control.
Reloading would probably NOT be a practical option.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: MikeBjerum on December 10, 2009, 02:47:39 PM
Not only the increased chance of something going bad because of increased delicacy and complication but ammo control.
Reloading would probably NOT be a practical option.

Ahhhhhhh yes!  More and easier control  >:(

Need I remind you of the thread I started with the video of the homemade air rifle.  Sometimes we just need to start all over with the basics again.
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 10, 2009, 02:49:54 PM
Basic ?
We can do basic.  ;D

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php?cPath=21&osCsid=1c9dcce5a3d635f60f0f5ccb24eaa9a1
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: Badgersmilk on December 10, 2009, 03:02:48 PM
I certainly DON'T see things becoming any simpler.  (Fuel injected cars, digital compasses, phones that work as tv's).  And adding some kind of electronics is inevitable with our culture.  The huge benefit that will drive the change is that it'll eventually lead to guns that can be "turned off" by law enforcment, government, repo-guys, or whoever, at their will.  Convienience stores will have emmiters that simply disable all firearms inside their walls, banks, shopping malls, all kinds of places will love it!  Anti-gun idiots will eat it up!  And bigger idiots (obama's clan) will force it into effect.  

A selling point?  They'll have GPS trackers in them "in case you get lost in the woods".

I love my paranoid little world.   ;D
Title: Re: A stall in the evolution of pistols
Post by: tombogan03884 on December 10, 2009, 03:06:20 PM
Just call me "Old fashioned" .
Since the "Emitters" won't work on current guns better make that MR. Old Fashioned.  ;D