I am not sure how practical it is, but this has a certain coolness about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmP7h2znk1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmP7h2znk1Q
A semi auto double barreled pistol
- Thread starter Rover
- Start date
This is what coffee table gun books call, "an example of the gunmaker's art";certainly cool but not very practical. Someone is manufacturing a double AR-15 also. The makers claim that these weapons provide double-taps with a single trigger squeeze; which is what burst fire does in an assault weapon. So, that these "unique" firearms exist is because U.S. Regulations define "machine gun" as a weapon that fires three or more shots with a single trigger squeeze; this gives the traditional double-barrel shotgun a pass if it "doubles" by accident or intent.
In the Traveller universe characters could expect to encounter plenty of weapons of this sort, manufactured localy (or not), to skirt local weapon laws.
In the Traveller universe characters could expect to encounter plenty of weapons of this sort, manufactured localy (or not), to skirt local weapon laws.
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Xerxeskingofking
SOC-13
looks like a perfect toy for a playboy noble who's looking for a exotic or intimidating weapon to swagger around with.
That's almost as cool as the triple barreled revolver.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--maT-fosq--/17m08391rchjzjpg.jpg
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--maT-fosq--/17m08391rchjzjpg.jpg
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I can see the reason for being able to fire three .25 ACP rounds at once, given the very low power of the round. A .22 Rimfire Long Rifle has more power than the .25 ACP. Multiple hits would make up, to an extent, for lack of stopping power. However, if I were given the choice of that or a nine-shot .22 revolver, the .22 wins hands down.
Pepperboxes used to be the rage in personal defense. But that was when guns were less complicated and untrustworthy in action. Having several barrels firing at once or rapid sequence meant that even if a few misfired there were enough of them that the gun would still be effective.
Modern firearms work almost every time you pull the trigger if properly maintained and used with good quality ammunition. I've put thousands and thousands of round through my G19 and it has never had a malfunction that was caused by my pistol unless I deliberately set it up for that to happen in training. It has sometimes gone "click" on bad ammo, had bad ammo suib and block the barrel, and once the ejector broke, but that was it - it fires and fires and even when I don't clean it and it gets rained on all day day after day it still fires. If it was to jam I'd clear it so fast and without thinking I'd probably not even realize I was doing it. My experience is hardly unique either for modern firearms.
Some multigun abomination like this .double 1911 would be a nightmare to clear if it jammed on a bad round or because it was limp-wristed....which I imagine happening a lot at a range. And there isn't any need for mulitple barrels either by reason of high capacity magazines - the average 9mm carries at least 10 rounds and more like 15+. A controlled pair or double tap is going to do the job better and more accurately than having both barrels fire on a large caliber multigun.
Modern firearms work almost every time you pull the trigger if properly maintained and used with good quality ammunition. I've put thousands and thousands of round through my G19 and it has never had a malfunction that was caused by my pistol unless I deliberately set it up for that to happen in training. It has sometimes gone "click" on bad ammo, had bad ammo suib and block the barrel, and once the ejector broke, but that was it - it fires and fires and even when I don't clean it and it gets rained on all day day after day it still fires. If it was to jam I'd clear it so fast and without thinking I'd probably not even realize I was doing it. My experience is hardly unique either for modern firearms.
Some multigun abomination like this .double 1911 would be a nightmare to clear if it jammed on a bad round or because it was limp-wristed....which I imagine happening a lot at a range. And there isn't any need for mulitple barrels either by reason of high capacity magazines - the average 9mm carries at least 10 rounds and more like 15+. A controlled pair or double tap is going to do the job better and more accurately than having both barrels fire on a large caliber multigun.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Note that the article I linked says that there was a selector lever which allowed you to choose which one of the 3 barrels fired, or you could select it to fire all 3 at once.
So you could set it for one barrel, fire 6 rounds, switch to the next and pop off #7-#12, then go to the last and fire off #13-#18.
Not bad if you are fending off a horde of oversized rats, and you could hit something larger pretty hard 6 times.
I had a .25ACP a decade ago, and according to the various info standard rounds had the same penetration and muzzle energy as all but high-performance .22LR - and there were some high-performance .25ACP available as well.
The only place it fell down was range - due to the larger frontal area (and thus higher drag) with the same starting energy in the bullet. But who would try to hit a target more than 50 yards away with either type in a pistol - really? 50 feet is more the practical limit for either in a normal pistol.
And 100 yards is pushing things for the .22LR from a rifle, despite the "1 mile" absolute max range.
Yes - I know the .22LR well, having fired several thousand rounds of .22LR through a Remington 40X match-grade rifle in 3 seasons of inter-high-school small-bore rifle competition in 1977-80. For me the only thing to choose from between the .22LR and /25ACP in a pistol is the .22LR ammo is still cheaper - even if it is currently less available due to excess buying from "ammo purchasing clubs" and paranoid hoarders.
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The triple-barrel revolver has several nice, forward-thinking features for an early 1900s piece. About all I could think to add would be simplifying the selector to fire three-at-once or automatically jump between firing pins so that all 18 can be fired while only pulling the trigger.
The resulting weapon is, of course, big and very bulky for such a weak cartridge; a perfect example of what "Experimental" or "Prototype" get you in the Gun Maker section of the T5 rules. Within about 25 years (t tech level) a 13-shot 9mm parabellum that was easily carried as a secondary weapon would be available and higher-capacities would be quite feasible.
The resulting weapon is, of course, big and very bulky for such a weak cartridge; a perfect example of what "Experimental" or "Prototype" get you in the Gun Maker section of the T5 rules. Within about 25 years (t tech level) a 13-shot 9mm parabellum that was easily carried as a secondary weapon would be available and higher-capacities would be quite feasible.
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I guess if I want a high-capacity handgun, I would prefer a semi-automatic over a revolver. For a hunting handgun, a long-barrel revolver would be preferred, with a detachable shoulder stock, and 5 or 6 round cylinder.
I keep thinking that an interesting handgun/carbine would be a Mauser in say .30 Carbine caliber with a 12 inch barrel, collapsable shoulder stock and 15 and 30 round magazines.
I keep thinking that an interesting handgun/carbine would be a Mauser in say .30 Carbine caliber with a 12 inch barrel, collapsable shoulder stock and 15 and 30 round magazines.
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
No, not a straight M2 Paratrooper Carbine. Probably should have said detachable stock rather than collapsible stock.
More like this, with a longer barrel, and 15 shot clip, with the option of a 30 round clip.
If one of the moderators knows of a way to make the image smaller, I would greatly appreciate it.
More like this, with a longer barrel, and 15 shot clip, with the option of a 30 round clip.
If one of the moderators knows of a way to make the image smaller, I would greatly appreciate it.
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BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Ah - the good old "Broom-handle" Mauser C96.
Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
They were also made with 12 inch barrels and a wooden hand guard for use as pistol carbines. And you take care of the muzzle flash and power by changing the type and grain size of the powder used.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
Right - you go to a faster-burning type (closer to black powder than a modern smokeless - but you still want the "smokeless" part). Even in the same powder type, grain size is important - smaller grains burn faster, until you get too small (dust, etc), when the powder packs tightly enough that oxygen can't get to it easily enough and burn speed slows. Density of the powder in the individual grain is also important - lower-density powder burns faster.
The faster-burning powder will generate higher chamber pressures, so you reduce the amount of powder until you achieve the cross-over point of max muzzle velocity with minimum unburned powder (or until the pressure levels are within the designed safe range for the weapon, whichever is lower).
Too little and the projectile starts to lose velocity in the barrel - too much and you don't gain any extra velocity but do have powder exiting the muzzle unburned.
Gunpowder, Explosives and the State: A Technological History
edited by Brenda J. Buchanan
The faster-burning powder will generate higher chamber pressures, so you reduce the amount of powder until you achieve the cross-over point of max muzzle velocity with minimum unburned powder (or until the pressure levels are within the designed safe range for the weapon, whichever is lower).
Too little and the projectile starts to lose velocity in the barrel - too much and you don't gain any extra velocity but do have powder exiting the muzzle unburned.
Gunpowder, Explosives and the State: A Technological History
edited by Brenda J. Buchanan
