National Shoulder fired Rail gun (EMG coil gun)?

[Boboclown]

148 fps is a step in the wrong direction there Bobo.

And there are plasma guns that aren't any good other than hitting bottles. The point of technology is finding new ways of doing things then improving the new way.

 

[Kruel J]

And there are plasma guns that aren't any good other than hitting bottles. The point of technology is finding new ways of doing things then improving the new way.

Yes, I know. But why even let something like this into the wild with such poor performance?

 

[Stomper]

I am a coil gun.. my terlit says so.

 

[Boboclown]

Yes, I know. But why even let something like this into the wild with such poor performance?

Someone would be interested in one for cool factor. Also, because the only way the tech improves is if the world sees it and others find a way to improve it.

 

[mkwerx]

Today we launch an electric car into space on a solid fuel rocket... tomorrow we're building warp drives or artificial worm holes and hopping galaxies bringing American exceptionalism and a Republican governance to the untamed and oppressed masses And our Space Force ground troops may well be carrying a plasma weapon or rail gun that traces its roots back to what they will consider a toy or party favor.

 

[Kruel J]

Today we launch an electric car into space on a solid fuel rocket... tomorrow we're building warp drives or artificial worm holes and hopping galaxies bringing American exceptionalism and a Republican governance to the untamed and oppressed masses And our Space Force ground troops may well be carrying a plasma weapon or rail gun that traces its roots back to what they will consider a toy or party favor.

Exactly. Or more like a stone's throw.

 

[CountryGent]

I remember reading in an American Rifleman article about using liquid with electric primers (IIRC) to generate plasma to propel the projectile. The premise was that they could control the combustion such that it would quickly reach a level and then the combustion would maintain that level until such time as the projectile would leave the barrel. IIRC they were asserting that it was lower pressures and that they were getting 5000 fps. Also, they could control the pressure dynamically so you could dial it up or down to get the velocity you wanted regardless of the cartridge - want low velocity, just dial it down and shoot subsonic with the same cartridge.

This was quite some time ago - at least a decade or two. Not seen anything since about this.

As for gun laws - I would bet that if other propulsion sources become effective enough to replace conventional gunpowder, that the laws would be amended to include them.

This jogged a memory from around the same time frame (late-90s). The Russians were working on an experimental rifle that worked on the same principle. And it produced insane velocities. I wish I remember what the project was called, because it would be an interesting read. Presumable it was never perfected, because I haven't seen anything new since.

 

[awshoot]

Someone would be interested in one for cool factor. Also, because the only way the tech improves is if the world sees it and others find a way to improve it.

Yes! Standing on the shoulders of giants - Wikipedia

And before one can stand on the shoulder of giants, others have to stand on the shoulders of mere mortals until they become the giants.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

All this is very cool...and while I am not against technology and advancement...
I'll keep on using Powder , Patch and ball , along with flints and or caps.
The flintlock has been in continuous use* for centuries...and still makes a useful and viable firearm.

*Admittedly it has fell out of favor for mainstream use ...but it still never completely went away or stopped being used....
I am not sure that many other firearms , can make that claim...
Andy

 

[CamoDeafie]

I just keep thinking of the implications of this technology here
Lightcraft - Wikipedia

Beam-powered propulsion - Wikipedia

Laser propulsion - Wikipedia
I mean, apply it into a mirror smooth bore tube, and have the projectile be basically a capture device with a concave polished parabolic bottom...and you basically have a plasma/laser driven projectile...pew pew pew pew!