What handgun innovations are left?
- Thread starter Falcon642
- Start date
JustThisGuy
New member
I can hear this question being asked in 1910. What I wouldn't give to see the answer list from that year!
I'll bet they would not have included the features of the revolutionary 1911!
I'll bet they would not have included the features of the revolutionary 1911!
Edward429451
Moderator
I bet they would have. The 1911 got turned down in 1905 so it was around and almost complete in 1910.
I wish someone would innovate a light weight double stack full size pistol in 22 rf and holds 50 rnds in the mag.
I wish someone would innovate a light weight double stack full size pistol in 22 rf and holds 50 rnds in the mag.
the only innovations left can be categorized into the following:
1. things that truly benefit the user. the SAA grip, recoil reducers, line bored chambers.
2. things that dont really help or hinder. multi colored guns, sling stud built into your 45 oz revolvers handle.
3. things that will help but not make financial sense to the industry. ie ergonomic/disabiility minded accessories that allow someone to continue shooting their firearm and not make them get a different one that normally compounds on physical limitations and makes things worse.
1. things that truly benefit the user. the SAA grip, recoil reducers, line bored chambers.
2. things that dont really help or hinder. multi colored guns, sling stud built into your 45 oz revolvers handle.
3. things that will help but not make financial sense to the industry. ie ergonomic/disabiility minded accessories that allow someone to continue shooting their firearm and not make them get a different one that normally compounds on physical limitations and makes things worse.
Multi-Port lasers with convergence set by automatic range detectors to prevent destroying background objects.
I suspect this is already done but not yet in handguns and not divulged to anyone but those in Black Holes.
Handguns will follow when a suitable power supply is developed.
I suspect this is already done but not yet in handguns and not divulged to anyone but those in Black Holes.
Handguns will follow when a suitable power supply is developed.
Plastic casings have been produced in the past, but never really went anywhere. They could return.
The military is working on plastic cased telescoped cartridges. I wonder if telescoped cartridges will ever make their way into civilian firearms.
Caseless ammo never went anywhere, and it doesn't really seem to be worthwhile for civilians, so I have doubts about it working it's way down to us.
For a period of many years, EAA had the Witness FCP on their website. Tthe pistol was shelved for unknown reasons. It apparently used the "tround" concept except with a cylindrical outer casing instead of a triangular one. MSRP was super low. Since the tround concept could make for a super cheap gun, it could make a comeback.
Lightweight smallbore high velocity pistol cartridges have been faddish the past few years. We will might see a few more of those.
A while back, I read about an alternative sight technology that was being explored but I can't find the link. Maybe more info later.
The military is working on plastic cased telescoped cartridges. I wonder if telescoped cartridges will ever make their way into civilian firearms.
Caseless ammo never went anywhere, and it doesn't really seem to be worthwhile for civilians, so I have doubts about it working it's way down to us.
For a period of many years, EAA had the Witness FCP on their website. Tthe pistol was shelved for unknown reasons. It apparently used the "tround" concept except with a cylindrical outer casing instead of a triangular one. MSRP was super low. Since the tround concept could make for a super cheap gun, it could make a comeback.
Lightweight smallbore high velocity pistol cartridges have been faddish the past few years. We will might see a few more of those.
A while back, I read about an alternative sight technology that was being explored but I can't find the link. Maybe more info later.
hardworker
New member
If I knew what innovations were next, I wouldn't post it on the internet, I'd patent it.
As for the 1911, yes it's an awesome pistol, but I don't see how it was really innovative. It doesn't have any really unique features earlier pistols didn't. It just looks awesome, shoots awesome and fires the huge 45 auto.
As for the 1911, yes it's an awesome pistol, but I don't see how it was really innovative. It doesn't have any really unique features earlier pistols didn't. It just looks awesome, shoots awesome and fires the huge 45 auto.
Micahweeks
New member
Truthfully, I'd rather see innovations in optics/sights and gun law. How about a Federal law prohibiting states from restricting non-felon's right to carry? Now there's innovation!
JustThisGuy
New member
Looks like Browning did not get there first. Hugo Borchardt invented the first auto-loading pistol in 1893 (see Wikipedia link below).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borchardt_C-93 and also...
http://www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/History Book/820borchardt.htm, oh and also the 1898 patent for the Lugar P08...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luger_P08_pistol
It Browning to turn the idea into something somebody could shoot. Still, in 1910, I bet many people might not have known that Browining 1911 was about to revolutionize the firearms industry.
One has to wonder if there is an unknown John Browning out there today that could come up with another truly revolutionary handgun.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borchardt_C-93 and also...
http://www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/History Book/820borchardt.htm, oh and also the 1898 patent for the Lugar P08...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luger_P08_pistol
It Browning to turn the idea into something somebody could shoot. Still, in 1910, I bet many people might not have known that Browining 1911 was about to revolutionize the firearms industry.
One has to wonder if there is an unknown John Browning out there today that could come up with another truly revolutionary handgun.
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I wouldn't exactly say that Browning revolutionized the firearms business but there were certainly a lot of copies made of Browning products. I also wouldn't say that Browning took Borchart's idea and turned it into something people could shoot. Luger did that.
One thing Browning did do, however, was to make small automatic pistols popular in Europe. Browning designs manufactured by FN in .25 acp, .32 acp, .380 acp (Browning short) and 9mm Browning long were sold all over Europe and Asia and in large numbers, too. Many continued in service for decades, with some old models ending up replacing newer models when the newer guns developed problems of one sort or another, though not necessarily all related to the design of the gun. The Browning Model 1910 was manufactured for probably over 70 years. Those guns were also widely copied.
It is also interesting that his large auto, the .45 automatic, was not copied more until relatively recently. That may have had more to do with patent protection and the fact that it was manufactured in such large numbers in WWII by several manufacturers. Some were manufactured overseas but nothing like copies and derivities of his other designs.
In spite of the popularity of his designs, there were many manufacturers who had their own designs and never really copied Browning. Beretta is perhaps the best example. Others, like Walther, after producing their own original designs for many years, eventually made more "conventional" designs.
I think the subject of firearms designs, particularly of handguns, is fascinating and I look forward to new things. We don't always realize what progress there has been, either, since you can shoot ammunition that's been around for a hundred years. The Brown Bess flintlock musket was used well over a hundred years, too, but I doubt anyone got too nostalgic when they were converted to rifles and percussion caps.
I'd say that one of the least appreciated advances in the last hundred years has been in the weather proof finishes, probably beginning with Parkerizing, then stainless steel. From everything I've read, some current finishes are even better. Other improvements, like laminated wood stocks, were probably bypassed (by plastic, in the case of stocks) before they really caught on.
Much is little more than a case of marketing and I'm resisting the urge to buy a pink gun but I probably couldn't pass up a chance to get one in brick red with little duck heads on it. In other words, manufacturers and distributors (the invisible element in gun sales) are continually searching for an "un-met need" or "underserved" market where they can sell something. But between Colt and Davis on one hand and H&K and Taurus on the other, it's hard to imagine what they're missing, unless it's just something they can't do and make money on.
How about a real inexpensive .22 single-shot pistol? It's been done before but apparently there wasn't much of a market--or profit.
One thing Browning did do, however, was to make small automatic pistols popular in Europe. Browning designs manufactured by FN in .25 acp, .32 acp, .380 acp (Browning short) and 9mm Browning long were sold all over Europe and Asia and in large numbers, too. Many continued in service for decades, with some old models ending up replacing newer models when the newer guns developed problems of one sort or another, though not necessarily all related to the design of the gun. The Browning Model 1910 was manufactured for probably over 70 years. Those guns were also widely copied.
It is also interesting that his large auto, the .45 automatic, was not copied more until relatively recently. That may have had more to do with patent protection and the fact that it was manufactured in such large numbers in WWII by several manufacturers. Some were manufactured overseas but nothing like copies and derivities of his other designs.
In spite of the popularity of his designs, there were many manufacturers who had their own designs and never really copied Browning. Beretta is perhaps the best example. Others, like Walther, after producing their own original designs for many years, eventually made more "conventional" designs.
I think the subject of firearms designs, particularly of handguns, is fascinating and I look forward to new things. We don't always realize what progress there has been, either, since you can shoot ammunition that's been around for a hundred years. The Brown Bess flintlock musket was used well over a hundred years, too, but I doubt anyone got too nostalgic when they were converted to rifles and percussion caps.
I'd say that one of the least appreciated advances in the last hundred years has been in the weather proof finishes, probably beginning with Parkerizing, then stainless steel. From everything I've read, some current finishes are even better. Other improvements, like laminated wood stocks, were probably bypassed (by plastic, in the case of stocks) before they really caught on.
Much is little more than a case of marketing and I'm resisting the urge to buy a pink gun but I probably couldn't pass up a chance to get one in brick red with little duck heads on it. In other words, manufacturers and distributors (the invisible element in gun sales) are continually searching for an "un-met need" or "underserved" market where they can sell something. But between Colt and Davis on one hand and H&K and Taurus on the other, it's hard to imagine what they're missing, unless it's just something they can't do and make money on.
How about a real inexpensive .22 single-shot pistol? It's been done before but apparently there wasn't much of a market--or profit.
JustThisGuy
New member
My point is that Browning changed the course of handgun history. From the 1911 onward, except for revolvers, handguns all became slide operated semi-autos, like the Browning. Nobody's making anything like the Lugar today that I know of, so I consider it a dead branch on handgun genealogical tree.
I wonder if there will ever be another revolutionary change like that in the future...
Good call on the weatherproof finishes.
I wonder if there will ever be another revolutionary change like that in the future...
Good call on the weatherproof finishes.
Rifleman1776
New member
Guns like the 1911 are practically worshiped as religious icons. Really, it is only an icon to antiquity. Nothing more than an old wagon being pulled by race horses instead of mules.
Better steel, some tuning up and incredible optics are about all that has changed in a century.
A real redesign is needed as is new gun technology.
Take a look at the way so-called 'gangstas' hold pistols. They know nothing about "proper" shooting so holding the gun sideways is simply a natural grip or stance. Maybe that is how guns should be designed, so they are held more comfortably and allow more natural point aiming. Just a thought.
Better steel, some tuning up and incredible optics are about all that has changed in a century.
A real redesign is needed as is new gun technology.
Take a look at the way so-called 'gangstas' hold pistols. They know nothing about "proper" shooting so holding the gun sideways is simply a natural grip or stance. Maybe that is how guns should be designed, so they are held more comfortably and allow more natural point aiming. Just a thought.
Guns like the 1911 may not be worshiped as much as you think. There are other religions, you know. However, be that as it may be, you can go back to 1900 (at least) for a slide operation on a handgun--and that was Browning, too. Perhaps there were others.
Handguns come with all sorts of grip shapes but I'm not quite sure I'd say that a simple shape is going to be all that earth shaking. Hands haven't changed much, either.
Some ideas have been around for a long time (which I'm fond of pointing out) until they're finally "discovered" when someone goes big time with one. The little so-called safety lever on a Glock, and now on others, has been around since the early part of the last century. I'm not sure exactly how it worked but clearly the concept is the same.
I've been scratching my head over the question for the last hour and it seems to me that most progress in the last hundred years has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Yet there are those who think there has been no progress at all in the last 100 years (since 1911, that is), so much so that Colt produced a copy, if it is possible for the original company to make a copy, of their original 1911, though I don't know which variation they copied. As much as I like Colts, I don't have one.
Handguns come with all sorts of grip shapes but I'm not quite sure I'd say that a simple shape is going to be all that earth shaking. Hands haven't changed much, either.
Some ideas have been around for a long time (which I'm fond of pointing out) until they're finally "discovered" when someone goes big time with one. The little so-called safety lever on a Glock, and now on others, has been around since the early part of the last century. I'm not sure exactly how it worked but clearly the concept is the same.
I've been scratching my head over the question for the last hour and it seems to me that most progress in the last hundred years has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Yet there are those who think there has been no progress at all in the last 100 years (since 1911, that is), so much so that Colt produced a copy, if it is possible for the original company to make a copy, of their original 1911, though I don't know which variation they copied. As much as I like Colts, I don't have one.
Mrgunsngear
New member
Guns that fire bullets with an electronic charge rather than powder. I know it is being used/tested by the Navy, but having that technology in a handgun could be revolutionary.
There is a serious note and some attempt at humor with my post. I see the pistol industry directing attention to the female sector more and more. Attractive guns based upon style, colors, and even jewlery implications. Maybe a keychain gun or a gun looking like a high heel shoe. A hand grip that might open up to have a hand mirror. Could a small gun be built to fit into a ladies compact?
The purse gun is going to be a big market for the future, and I think the gun makers have already realized such. I can see a smaller gun built into a holster for puse carry. The holster might slip back over and become the grip or a cover over the grip. Things of this nature which will appeal to the femine sense and more deminuative in size. Possibly user friendly and lighter weight vs. long term longevity and durability since the gun might not be fired much and see little range time.
These are just a few thoughts, but you catch my drift. A lady poster will be able to be more creative with my thoughts.
The purse gun is going to be a big market for the future, and I think the gun makers have already realized such. I can see a smaller gun built into a holster for puse carry. The holster might slip back over and become the grip or a cover over the grip. Things of this nature which will appeal to the femine sense and more deminuative in size. Possibly user friendly and lighter weight vs. long term longevity and durability since the gun might not be fired much and see little range time.
These are just a few thoughts, but you catch my drift. A lady poster will be able to be more creative with my thoughts.
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aarondhgraham
New member
I think the innovation will be ammunition,,,
Brass is getting higher and higher,,,
Lead is becoming an environmental topic.
I have no idea what it might be,,,
But my thought is that some new ammo is the next evolutionary change.
Aarond
Brass is getting higher and higher,,,
Lead is becoming an environmental topic.
I have no idea what it might be,,,
But my thought is that some new ammo is the next evolutionary change.
Aarond
In mechanical operated handguns the only real improvements I can see feasible is getting a longer effective barrel in automatics and a shroud around the gap in revolvers.
The automatic is in development by Boburg. How it works out is yet to see.
There have been revolvers with a shield to prevent splattering outside the gun but no true shroud to retain the pressure.
The automatic is in development by Boburg. How it works out is yet to see.
There have been revolvers with a shield to prevent splattering outside the gun but no true shroud to retain the pressure.