What is the future of revolvers?

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Maybe in 50 years, we will have a "shoot by wire" revolver. The cylinder would be indexed electronically and the hammer operated electronically. The user could customize the trigger weight and pull length because the trigger would just activate an electronic switch.
The controls on airplanes operate electronically now as well as some steering and other controls on automobiles.
 
As others have said, with CC so popular now, I am surprised that there isn't a 32 H&R magnum revolver smaller than j frame size.

I have really liked my Ruger Blackhawk "convertibles" that let me shoot different calibers (such as 45colt and 45acp) from the same gun. I own a DA Taurus that does the same thing with exchangeable cylinders for 22lr and 22magnum, and have seen pictures of a similar S&W. If someone could do the same thing in a DA with larger calibers, such as 357 and 9mm, that might be something that would really sell. I guess ejection with auto calibers would be the real hurdle there.
 
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Maybe in 50 years, we will have a "shoot by wire" revolver. The cylinder would be indexed electronically and the hammer operated electronically. The user could customize the trigger weight and pull length because the trigger would just activate an electronic switch.
The controls on airplanes operate electronically now as well as some steering and other controls on automobiles.
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There is a lot more space in an airliner for electronic controls than there is in a revolver.
 
Maybe in 50 years, we will have a "shoot by wire" revolver. The cylinder would be indexed electronically and the hammer operated electronically. The user could customize the trigger weight and pull length because the trigger would just activate an electronic switch.
The controls on airplanes operate electronically now as well as some steering and other controls on automobiles.
There is a lot more space in an airliner for electronic controls than there is in a revolver.
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But electronics keep getting smaller and smaller.
 
and there is a rifle that does that now. You laser sight the target, it decides the right moment in your wobble to fire electrically.

Military weapons are being developed with "tubes", actually long barrels, preloaded with stacked caseless bullets, each fired individually by electronics- So I think eventually some form of caseless ammo will be available to us too.
 
One thing that revolvers have in favor of them over semis is the ability to carry long cartridges. There is no need to cram the ammunition into a handle, limited by the users hand size.

So, is it possible to take advantage of this length and load multiple projectiles? Three projectiles out of each cartridge makes a six-shooter capable of launching 18 bullets.

Or how about much longer bullets? I have noticed a trend towards longer bullets in big game rifles recently. The line of thought seems to be that a long bullet will dump much more energy into the target as it flips over inside the target.
 
Somebody was asking about the roman candle type Metalstorm recently, probably what 452 was talking about. They appear to be defunct.

I cannot see a commercial application. Once you have fired your stack, you are done. Metalstorms were to be reloaded with preloaded barrels no doubt at taxpayer expense. A new version Walch Navy revolver* would be even more trouble.

*A real world 12 shot revolver. Some crooks in a Louis L'Amour story learned about it the hard way.
 
"verdun59, Well as has been mentioned, I sure would like a smaller LCR in a 32 magnum flavor, primarily for H&R. It would give my arthritis a rest.".

The LCR .327federal mag shoots .32 H&R, .32short, .32 long and sometimes .32acp
 
46Slick said:
"verdun59, Well as has been mentioned, I sure would like a smaller LCR in a 32 magnum flavor, primarily for H&R. It would give my arthritis a rest.".

The LCR .327federal mag shoots .32 H&R, .32short, .32 long and sometimes .32acp
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Yes, but a 5 shot .32 that's smaller than an LCR is a design that is currently out of production. I'd love a little .32 H&R Magnum sized between an LCR and a NAA Mini. I could drop it in my dress pant pockets. Heck make it a .327! People braver than me could use it for woods defense.
 
I would love to see advancements in manufacturing carry revolvers. I'd like to see out of the box slick as snot actions with light frames, night sights and improvements in cylinder technology to stuff more rounds in less space. And I'd love to be able to get this in a sub 800 gun.
 
"improvements in cylinder technology to stuff more rounds in less space."

I second THAT motion.
 
The whole point of the open top black powder revolver of the Civil War era was to allow the user to build six cartridges in advance (powder charge, ball, primer cap). It was just like having a little factory on the gun. The little built-in, articulated ram rod press was pure genius.

The advent of metal cartridges did away with the idea of a little on-board factory to manufacture cartridges for each chamber.

Now in the 21st century, what if separate areas of a box magazine with built-in servos & actuators (in front of the lower half of the cylinder) automatically loaded a powder charge and round into the chamber fronts, while a magazine of primers loaded through the grip frame into the back of each chamber? The chambers would not be bored-through, but would have a primer pocket to accept a primer cap.

In theory, a steam punk revolver like this could self-load 20 or more rounds on the bottom of the cylinder while continuously firing loaded chambers rotated up to the barrel. With a changeable magazine, reloads could be as fast as a semi auto. Batteries or capacitors could power each magazine servo.

This would do away with all the bulk of the metal cartridge, and get us back to "an elegant weapon for a more civilized age".
 
Tallball said:
As others have said, with CC so popular now, I am surprised that there isn't a 32 H&R magnum revolver smaller than j frame size.

I have really liked my Ruger Blackhawk "converibles" that let me shoot different calibers (such as 45colt and 45acp) from the same gun. I own a DA Taurus that does the same thing with exchangeable cylinders for 22lr and 22magnum, and have seen pictures of a similar S&W. If someone could do the same thing in a DA with larger calibers, such as 357 and 9mm, that might be something that would really sell. I guess ejection with auto calibers would be the real hurdle there.
Click to expand...
The issue with this is that no one currently produces a small .32 H&R mag because there's no market for one and there's no market for one because no one produces one.

It's a vicious cylce and it'll take years for S&W, Ruger to figure it out after Taurus or Charter beats them to it.

The thing is no one, at least not the big manufacturers, wants to take a chance on something different, especially something in a relatively oddball caliber like a 5-shot .32 H&R. The first few months it's for sale, sure people will buy it, then they'll complain they can't find ammo for it and they'll wind up sitting on the used shelves while their former owners walk out with shiny, brand new .38's.
 
jamesjames said:
The whole point of the open top black powder revolver of the Civil War era was to allow the user to build six cartridges in advance (powder charge, ball, primer cap). It was just like having a little factory on the gun. The little built-in, articulated ram rod press was pure genius.

The advent of metal cartridges did away with the idea of a little on-board factory to manufacture cartridges for each chamber.

Now in the 21st century, what if separate areas of a box magazine with built-in servos & actuators (in front of the lower half of the cylinder) automatically loaded a powder charge and round into the chamber fronts, while a magazine of primers loaded through the grip frame into the back of each chamber? The chambers would not be bored-through, but would have a primer pocket to accept a primer cap.

In theory, a steam punk revolver like this could self-load 20 or more rounds on the bottom of the cylinder while continuously firing loaded chambers rotated up to the barrel. With a changeable magazine, reloads could be as fast as a semi auto. Batteries or capacitors could power each magazine servo.

This would do away with all the bulk of the metal cartridge, and get us back to "an elegant weapon for a more civilized age".
Click to expand...
It's too many moving parts that would have a Murphy's Law situation just waiting to pop up and the cost of such a thing would make it very unpopular.

Not to mention that the cap and ball design kind of went out of style 150 years ago.
 
Tallball said:
As others have said, with CC so popular now, I am surprised that there isn't a 32 H&R magnum revolver smaller than j frame size.

I have really liked my Ruger Blackhawk "converibles" that let me shoot different calibers (such as 45colt and 45acp) from the same gun. I own a DA Taurus that does the same thing with exchangeable cylinders for 22lr and 22magnum, and have seen pictures of a similar S&W. If someone could do the same thing in a DA with larger calibers, such as 357 and 9mm, that might be something that would really sell. I guess ejection with auto calibers would be the real hurdle there.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the rimless cartridges is what makes this such an issue. Yes, there have been designs that have been out of production for decades that have some sort of blade under spring pressure that pushes it into the groove, but those are flimsy and costly.

Right now, the best that's available is 2 round moon clips that carry somewhat flat or 6 round moon clips that are not made for concealed carrying.
 
"Not to mention that the cap and ball design kind of went out of style 150 years ago."



Yet here we are....talking at length......
 
I'd like to see revolver tech migrate to rifles as in the circuit judge type applications. As a reloader, it makes total sense to have moon clipped rounds that can easily be reclaimed after shooting. An 8 shot rifle with moon clips would be super fun.
 
Lots of development if you start at about civil war time. But after 1900-1920, things development pretty much stopped or slowed to a crawl. The most recent developments pretty much relate to concealed carry with lighter frames.

With the regulatory climate, I could see revolvers making a bigger comeback (or in other words a higher percentage of total handguns sold). But frankly, since 1990, they have made a major comeback.

BobWright said:
Ah, but the vast majority of folks who use a knife use a fixed blade knife.
Click to expand...

I think more people are choosing folders to use because they are easier to conceal. There have been innovations in the knife world with locks and ease of blade "release".
 
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With the regulatory climate, I could see revolvers making a bigger comeback (or in other words a higher percentage of total handguns sold). But frankly, since 1990, they have made a major comeback.
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Which is ironic because the "regulatory climate" has GREATLY improved/loosened since 1990. Probably what can be most realistically said is that "a rising tide floats all boats." Revolvers are getting a lot more interest and press these days because EVERYTHING gun related is getting a lot more interest and press these days. A quick look says that in 1999 there were a bit over 4.5 million NICS checks (roughly the number of dealer gun sales that year) and in 2014 there were a bit over 8.25 million. When you double the numbers that's a lot more of everything.
 
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