luv2safari
Member
The screw. It revolutionized machines of every sort. Guns are just machines.
Greatest invention in firearms history
- Thread starter Bill_in_TR
- Start date
So my opinion is wrong? OK
luv2safari
Member
The screw. It revolutionized machines of every sort. Guns are just machines.
Accomplished with the invention of the screw.
LiveLife
Member
"Glock Perfection" but just for right handed people who are comfortable gripping 2x3s.
Seriously for me, it's "rifled barrel" and barrel related improvements to put bullet on target, especially at long ranges of 1000-1500 yards.
Seriously for me, it's "rifled barrel" and barrel related improvements to put bullet on target, especially at long ranges of 1000-1500 yards.
earlthegoat2
Member
I would say the vast amount of non-firearm specific manufacturing and materials technology such as Eli Whitney’s manufacturing improvements using interchangeable parts.
Bill_in_TR
Member
That is funny because rhat is what my son said that kicked off our discussion.
that prompted my post.
lilguy
Member
The M61 Vulcan is a Gatling Gun on Steroids
The M61 Vulcan is a hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically driven, six-barrel, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style rotary cannon that fires 20...
youtu.be
electricity
Fire which led to industry and also BBQ guns. We are just mentioning everything in the history of inventions and technology.
That being said, the first person to thing about shooting gun powder based projectiles is the most important. No modern gun is the most important.
That being said, the first person to thing about shooting gun powder based projectiles is the most important. No modern gun is the most important.
AJC1
Member
If performance is the metric for best then the metallic cartridge takes first and smokeless takes second. These both mage huge impacts from 22s to huge naval guns.... intresting the biggest guns don't use cartridges...
AlexanderA
Member
You were right the first time. Rifling was around since the 1500's, but it wasn't practical because of the slowness of loading. It took the Minie ball to make rifles practical for general issue, and then breechloading cartridges.
Good points but if you look at it from the perspective of rifling not existing today amidst all the other inventions, we know accuracy would not really exist.
AlexanderA
Member
Eli Whitney's demonstration of a supposed interchangeable-parts musket to President Jefferson was staged. He brought a selection of previously hand-fitted parts. He got the contract, but wasn't able to actually make interchangeable guns on a production basis. The first true interchangeable musket in the U.S. was the Model 1842. The British were even further behind. Musket assembly was a cottage industry until the London Armoury Company made the first interchangeable Enfields in the mid-1850's.
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Look up the USS Vesuvius which had three hull mounted penumatic air cannons that shot dynamite. We used it on Havana.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
Those pumpkin chucking guys have some serious air cannons....
My votes
rifling
Smokeless powder
metallic cartrigde
DustyGmt
Member
Probably going to sound kind of generic but JMB's 1911/Win 94, Gaston Glocks' Glock 17 and Eugene Stoners Armalite Rifle would be among the toss up for me. I get most of my shooting enjoyment from a Glock 9mm pistol so Glock for me I guess.
For a non firearm accessory, the telescopic sight.
For a non firearm accessory, the telescopic sight.
HPJeep
Member
Hi Points. There I said it!
codytrucker
Member
Up until cartridge firing repeating rifles became standard issue large units of "modern" soldiers were occasionally wholesale slaughtered by primitive fighters with stone age weapons . The self contained cartridge and repeating rifles lead to the ability to increase firepower without increasing manpower .
WestKentucky
Member
One of the best ideas to come out of 1775 for sure.
Bill_in_TR
Member
Well I got a lot of interesting opinions and historical perspectives. And now I can tell my son it definitely isn't the Glock. 
RetiredUSNChief
Member
The greatest invention in firearms history?
The industrial revolution and mass production.
The industrial revolution and mass production.
Riomouse911
Member
The self contained metallic cartridge made of components sturdy enough to not crumble or tear apart upon transport, firing or extraction. (The first ones were pretty flimsy.)
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
Howland937
Member
Wasn't this also the case with the Japanese as well?
To minimize what occured in the Pacific Theater by saying we'd be speaking German if not for the Garand is pretty naive. Germany's fate was sealed when they attacked eastward. Artillery, bombs and tanks were critical . Rifles and bullets were incredibly important as were ships and planes and trucks. U.S. production capabilities won WWII, moreso than any individual, army, weapon or doctrine.
lysanderxiii
Member
I have not had a chance to read the Japanese doctrinal manuals, so I cannot say. However, given the culture, and how they eventually fought the war, It would seem that Japanese infantry doctrine was very similar to that of the French Infantry . . . .
Production capability is king in an attritional war.
However, in a lightning war, doctrine and tactics are more important. Examples of this are the Sinai in 1956, the Six-Day War, the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, and Desert Storm. In the lightning war, it is very important that your tactics be such as to minimize loses, and maximize gains. An example of a lightning war failure, look at the other side of the 1956 Sinai war, the British-French attempt to seize the Suez Canal, Operation Musketeer.
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