The only time we’re going to see something “new” is if we move to a new form of ammunition. The metallic cartridge is constrained to the designs of the last 100 years. So, anything “new” will be an evolution of existing designs, not a revolution.
However, manufacturing technology does change, and it’s that technology that will allow for advances along the current genus of weapons. Newer, lighter, more durable metals. More use of plastics and polymers. The inclusion of a wider array of optics and accessories. The MagPul ACR (now being developed and produced by Bushmaster) was really the newest thing we’ve seen in quite a while. I hope it makes it to the civvy market, as my three ARs are starting to seem “old”.
I think we can both agree that American designs and manufacturers would benefit if the ATF(E) would get the hell out of the way.
“The only time we’re going to see something “new” is if we move to a new form of ammunition. The metallic cartridge is constrained to the designs of the last 100 years. So, anything “new” will be an evolution of existing designs, not a revolution.”
Caseless is not practical as it stands, so we’ll have cased ammunition for some time to come. Possibly polymer case, but if the military does that, it’ll put a pretty serious crimp in my reloading. ;)
“The MagPul ACR (now being developed and produced by Bushmaster) was really the newest thing we’ve seen in quite a while. I hope it makes it to the civvy market, as my three ARs are starting to seem “old”.”
Kel-Tec’s .308 bullpup looks interesting. Especially the forward eject.
I’d like to see the return of service-owned arms development as run by the Springfield Armory (the whiz kids thought better, so they closed it down). With solicitations for new designs complete with parts. The SBIR system helps in funding small designers, but weapons development is both mostly illegal thanks to the laws and expensive.
Another problem is that politics, not quality, is also a consideration for procurement from foreign sources. The M9 pistol is not really the BEST weapon in its class, is it? No.
“I think we can both agree that American designs and manufacturers would benefit if the ATF(E) would get the hell out of the way.”
Absolutely.