Some small arms engineering questions

[UKarmourer]

Some clown classifies the 30mm RARDEN cannon fitted to our AFV as a small arm, that has a hydraulic buffer to control recoil length and a compressed air recuperator to run the gun out.
System works but its a pain to maintain.
I really cant see how the system could be reduced in size to work witha regular firearm, and as a previous poster stated, they are slow to function

 

[svtruth]

Two probs I forsee: Changes in viscosity of hydraulic oil with temp.
Changes in pressure of gas with temp.

 

[Hangingrock]

Not to mention that it isn't notably quick cycling. It doesn't make any difference when used for artillery that is loaded one shell at a time, but i'd want my SA firearms to return to battery a bit quicker.

That may be but the artillery smart round is more effective in terminating the target.

 

[ghostwriter]

most of those types (hydraulic and pneumatic) require a sophisticated array of valves, lines, springs, eetc. to operate. In the nature of K.I.S.S. the muzzle brake is the easiest, least prone to damage and stop working and cost effective way of reducing recoil.
I too, being of mechanical design engineering background have pondered the recoil reduction thru the use of a shock, like the one's that hold up your car hood or trunk lid, and on a smaller scale they ARE available, but honestly... my Savage 110 BA with the newly designed M.B. makes shooting the .300 win mag easier than shooting my .220 swift! I can shoot a 100 rounds thru the win mag without even a slight indication of shoulder kick. I can't say the same thing of the Ruger M77 varmint rifle though. Funny how a heavie rifle with a brake kicks less than a .22 cal weapon.

 

[russ69]

Rule number one in Engineering: Don't fix something that isn't broke and replace it with a more complicated part/system.

Thanx, Russ