I don't read a whole lot of articles written by gunwriters because if it's no a rehash of a rehash of a rehash, it a story about how revolutionary something is that's not really revolutionary at all.
The first double action revolver came out in about 1877 and revolvers have not really evolved much since in function.
The first automatic pistol with a seperate magazine came out in about 1883 and in function have not really evolved very much.
Yes, new technology has made them more accurate, lighter and more powerful through metalurgy and chemistry. For example smokeless powder came out in 1884. Still, the basic function of pistols has not changed in well over a century.
Yet some gunwriter will go on and on about the new revolutionary pistol that has some sort of new and improved high tech space age firing pin made of some materiel that holds the entire space shuttle together. (The true test of this amazing firing pin is if they can raise the price of the pistol that has one another $150. If they can, it's considered successful)
In 99.99% of these cases, if somebody chucked up an old nail and turned it into the same dimensions as the original firing pin and swapped the two of them out the pistol would function just about as it would with the amazing original high tech firing pin.
I'm not saying that improvements have not happened over the years. They have but they're really minor. I'm just saying that the basic function has not changed in well over a century and that the improvements have been minor in nature.
One person classified as a gunwriter interests me, though and not because of what he has to say about this gun or that gun. I like what Massad Ayoob has to say about the lawful use of lethal force. I'm sure that over the years he's managed to keep a lot of the good guys out of legal trouble.
I agree 100%. Another thing that bugs me is the proliferation of new calibers. It seems like every month there is a new and greatest caliber put out for the public, and yet the old standby 30-30, 30-06 etc. do a damn fine job. Follow the $$$
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to see where it all comes full circle, consider that the new .277 Fury round that the army is trialing, is functionally a modernized 7x57mm Mauser cartridge, which Americans encountered in the Spanish American war.
DeleteYeay. The army went from .38 to .45 and then to 9mm which is about the same as the .38. Go figure.
DeleteYup. Recently my favorite flash in the pan is the .20 Super Carry. Strange crartridge from anothe planet that came to earth with powers beyond mortal ammunition. Super Carry can shoot across mighty rivers. Penetrate steel with a single shot and who disguised as a pistol cartridge from a great metropolitan gunmaker will save truth, justice and the American way!
ReplyDeleteThat one disappeared fast.
My duty pistol is a .40 cal, but there is not much that a guy can't do with a 9mm or a .45 auto - both of which are 110+ years old.
ReplyDeleteYup.
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