The future of handguns: will we ever get any fundamental changes?

[fullautovalmet76]

I thought this might be a good discussion topic for the long weekend. My purpose is to stimulate discussion about what you think wlll be or should be the future of handguns - revolvers or pistols. What I'm hoping we get is a thoughtful discussion on the "not yet but could be" type of discussion. In fact, if you can make the case, you can argue that what we know as pistol or revolver will be obsolete. In my mind the time frame I'm looking at is 5 - 25 years into the future... So here it goes.

I believe that optics on carry guns will become common, and an expected feature, in the next 5 - 10 years. Though this isn't exactly revolutionary, and I am the least of those who have said this before, I do believe it will be the transition we will see. If any can correct me, I believe USPSA has been using optics for at least 15 years in competition.

When I saw those guns, I thought what a great idea for self defense, with the provision that I can still use my BUIS when the optic goes out. Most of the solutions today eliminate or partially eliminate the BUIS when using an optic, which is a negative for me. But FN has seemed to solve that problem with the release of the FNP-45 Tactical (http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/model.asp?fid=FNF062&gid=FNG001&mid=FNM0173). If you look closely, you will see the red dot sight sits in a spot that has been machined out of the slide. According to FN the red dot sits atop the front sight, just like on an AR. I think this is a great thing! I believe if more manufacturers give this option we will see a big spike in red dot sales and a change in how some self defense tactics are taught.

I'm not saying this is a paradigm shift, I have a few of those I'm working on, but it does move us forward, not in a circle.
Chime in with your own thoughts, not just in disagreement or agreement with me, but what you think firearms will look like in 5 - 25 years from now.

[fightingquaker13]

Good topic. One I appeciate as I have been screaming about "Why don't we get something new?" every time I see another 1911 come out.  You are right though to keep it simple. I'm not sure about optics as they can be a bit bulky and hard to holster. CCW is driving the handgun market right now. I would think low profile lasers like those that replace the pin in the Glock or Crimson Trace style grips will become expected. The inclusion of an under rail already is, but I can't see carrying a surefire holstered. That might change as well.
FQ13

[jaybet]

As much as I would love to see an innovation in handguns....integral lasers and reliability/feed inmprovements in semi automatics, I'm not pining away for innovation. I could spend the rest of my life buying handguns of every type and size, playing with them, comparing them, and looking for more.

[GUNS-R-US]

I'm not really sure I want to see a great deal of innovation in handguns today. I'm not overly impressed with the recent innovations and their associated cost in rifles. Particularly black rifles like that ACR! What a waste!! I like my M&P and I like lasers on my guns. Optics would have to become very small before I would consider one on my CCW gun. How ever if the military were to adopt some thing like that FN I would be cool with it! I have seen a pic of a M&P with an optic like that one replacing the rear sight, it looked good, but I wouldn't want no manual rear sight on a carry gun. If it were mounted like the FN I suppose I might be willing to try it. See if it was comfortable and sturdy enough not to get broken to easily. Like Jay said I love fondling guns of all shapes and sizes.

[tombogan03884]

 I agree with FA and FQ, that the future trend will be toward building accessories into the original fire arm for example a 1911 with CT grips and a white LED guide rod like the lasermax site. Which still leaves the rail free for mounting your bayonet )  
That isn't really "innovation", it is just doing a Swiss army job with existing technology.
For real innovation I think we should watch materials, propellants and further improvements in handgun bullet designs.
Mechanically there does not seem to be any room for further change in revolvers, or pistols beyond recoil management as with the Chiappa Rhino.
Unfortunately I think security devices will become more common, also a movement away from mechanical/chemical operation toward electric/chemical, or even electric/magnet propulsion.

[Sponsor]

[TAB]

until we see a major change in ammo,we wn't see any major changes in hand guns. 

[fullautovalmet76]

until we see a major change in ammo,we wn't see any major changes in hand guns. 

Why?

[Solus]

Ok...I'll go with three areas.  Not saying it will be real soon.  There would have to be reliability issues to resolve.

1.  Fire by Wire.  Striker is electronically release or even used to ignite the primer.  LOTS of reliability issues.  But if perfected eliminates all trigger movement errors.

2.  Holographic Red Dot type sight.  Lots of reliability and even technical issues to resolve.  Like a red dot sight, but no screen.  Have no idea if the technology is anywhere near compact enough or no screen is possible yet.

3.  Caseless Ammo.  The entire cartridge except for the projectile is propellant and would be consumed in firing.  The would eliminate the ejection port and associated jamming problems.  It would also facilitate the Fire By Wire ignition of the round.

Haven't been drinking.  If I were, I'd probably have thrown in some type of self propelled ammo...little rockets or those Gyro rounds spoken of a while ago.  

[fightingquaker13]

I would second the why, with a caveat. What we have now,with revolvers and pistols works ok with existing ammo, so why do more than cram in more bullets or make them lighter or more accurate? Still, thats a limited vision. Someone smarter than me could come up with a different platform tomorow and we'd all be asking why someone didn't think of it a hundred years ago. Its the difference between John Moses Browning and Bill Ruger.
Still, I do think the next big jump will be driven by something like electric ignition, caseless ammo or some super new powder that is cleaner, hotter and powerful enough to radically shrink the case length.
FQ13

[TAB]

Why?

 

Lets compare guns to the internal combustion enigne, yes things have changed, but your still take fuel and air mix, compressing it, then igniting it with a spark.

Think about all the changes they have made in the last hundred years when it comes to motors.  They still work on the same ideas as they did a 100 years ago.  Guns are the same thing.