Not going to make a thing of this enough to get a tag, probably, but I'm looking for a laser training rifle. I've found all manner of bore sights, at least one drop in laser-bolt for AR-15s, and of course the Laserlyte and SIRT pistols. But I haven't found a good, simple blue-gun rifle with the built-in laser, just a Laserlyte rifle. Maybe upgraded to a green laser for the additional range that grants.
Why? I want to practice. I run dot torture drills anywhere from weekly to nightly using my pistol, with both hands, sometimes in armor. Of late, I've been considering getting some nice targets I can hang around the basement with obstructions of some sort, form it into a poor-man's shoothouse. But, I'd like to run it with a rifle as well, and I DON'T want to use it with my real rifle even with a training laserbolt in it. Airsoft would work, but make a mess, same with my AR-15 style paintball gun.
This doesn't seem like it'd be that hard of a concept. A resetting trigger, and a hard plastic shell of the sort that litter the market from airsoft to toys. Like the laserlyte, close enough is close enough, as long as the simple laser mechanism lets you adjust the aim to properly zero it. The SIRT bolt accomplishes this using your existing gun (available in red and green lasers), but as mentioned having a spare fakegun set up to use as a dedicated trainer appeals.
I'm not averse to doing things myself, and could probably even bring it to market, but this seems like something that should already exist which is a far lazier option to acquire.
Showing posts with label Guns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guns. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Miscellaneous Monday: BAG DAY
Tax season is once more upon us, and I'm maybe in position to actually pick something new up finally? It's been a long, long time since I acquired anything new. At present I have a few thoughts in mind for what to snag if it's in the budget after trying to pay down all my bills.
Option 1: Cheap Pocket Pistols
I'm signed up with Operation Blazing Sword, although I haven't been contacted for training as of yet. The areas I operate in have people with fancier qualifications (which I honestly should go for myself) and/or areas that are just kinda empty. At any rate, if I have someone come to me for training, and they have specific want to defend themselves, my typical advice of "Glocks are the honda civic of guns; a little spendy for brand name but you know they're boring, practical, and reliable" isn't of much help to those without the ~$600 for a new Glock. My remedy for this is to buy a grab-bag of cheap stuff, Hi-point (maybe with carbine), kel-tec, etc. Stuff around $200 or less. I can get two for the price of something nicer, but I get the benefit of being able to give a true recommendation of stuff based on my own experience with it.
Cost: ~$200xQTY
Option 2: 10mm Auto Glock
Glock now has the G40, 10mm auto with longslide and 15 in the mag. This gun makes me suspicious that Glock has been peering into my brain. I want two of them, but one will suffice for not-stupid purposes (I have no dominant eye, right eye aligns with right hand, left eye with left hand, which means that I can dual wield effectively and even aim two pistols down sights at once with a little coordination). Non-stupid purposes include cold weather carry after I pick up a new long-coat, and carry up north in bear country.
Cost: ~$600
Option 3: PLR-16 or other piston drive intermediate-rifle caliber pistol.
I've long had a fondness for giant rifle-pistols, which seem to have picked up the moniker of assault pistols by people that hate black guns. I've discussed my fondness for stupid guns before, but now I actually have a specific purpose for it and some advancements in technology make it only ridiculous, not stupid (mostly). I've got armor that mostly serves as exercise weight, and would like to pair it with something stronger than my Glock 26 if I need gun and don't have time to get the AR-15 out of the gun locker. The smaller size means it's more easily stashed with the armor, possibly even strapped to it in a holster, widespread reflex sights make it easier to aim, and SBR 5.56 now exists tailored to optimizing in short barrels to get the power to the bullet instead of blinding/deafening/setting-on-fire everyone in the vicinity because only half the juice went into the bullet. No pistol brace, probably a pull-sling style notstock.
Cost: ~$400?
Option 4: Bulletproof coat or vest
BulletProofEveryone has some nice looking coats with NIJ IIA or IIIA inserts. I want armor, even though I'm good at avoiding being stupid places doing stupid things with stupid people. If nothing else, I miss the bonus strength and fitness from carrying a heavy backpack everywhere. This was going to be a birthday present to myself already, but wasn't in the budget. Specifically, the Logan overcoat, which includes protection for the upper leg. Alternatively, they have a nice looking softshell, or I might just snag a low profile vest that fits under my loose work shirts.
Cost: $379 (IIA) or $429 (IIIA) for the Logan, $200-600 for vests
Option 5: Expand/improve rifle armor
I have a nice basic plate carrier with curved front plate and flat back from AR500, but it's just not up to snuff. The carrier doesn't hold tightly enough for me to move vigorously in it, which I would expect to do if I actually were to NEED the armor, and also need to do for workouts while using it as an unnecessarily badass weighted training vest. Furthermore, I want to add an abdominal armor panel, side panels, and make some custom DAP panels that hold the curved 6x8 panels along the outside of my upper arms. Picking up a helmet also seems useful, I may just snag a military surplus steel one because the good ones have similar protection against handgun rounds and lack of protection against rifles, and it's $25ish for a surplus steel helmet vs. $180 or so for a PASGT.
Cost: Varies with panel/carrier.
Option 6: Assorted accessories
This probably still includes a surplus helmet, because cheap, but also handles things like getting some much needed glass for the rifle (currently uses BUIS as main sights), a replacement stock to balance the weight out, some new P90 mags for the AR-57 upper I bought ages ago and immediately lost mags for in a series of moves between apartments, possibly stuff to build a second lower so the AR-15s and AR-57 can be their own separate guns (putting the regular carbine stock on the AR-57 because it's not going to sell for anything and no point leaving it un-attached). Alternatively, buy a second lower with the Magpul UBR attached. I could also do with a proper fighting knife, a grappling hook because reasons, trauma kit stuff, and the like.
Option 1: Cheap Pocket Pistols
I'm signed up with Operation Blazing Sword, although I haven't been contacted for training as of yet. The areas I operate in have people with fancier qualifications (which I honestly should go for myself) and/or areas that are just kinda empty. At any rate, if I have someone come to me for training, and they have specific want to defend themselves, my typical advice of "Glocks are the honda civic of guns; a little spendy for brand name but you know they're boring, practical, and reliable" isn't of much help to those without the ~$600 for a new Glock. My remedy for this is to buy a grab-bag of cheap stuff, Hi-point (maybe with carbine), kel-tec, etc. Stuff around $200 or less. I can get two for the price of something nicer, but I get the benefit of being able to give a true recommendation of stuff based on my own experience with it.
Cost: ~$200xQTY
Option 2: 10mm Auto Glock
Glock now has the G40, 10mm auto with longslide and 15 in the mag. This gun makes me suspicious that Glock has been peering into my brain. I want two of them, but one will suffice for not-stupid purposes (I have no dominant eye, right eye aligns with right hand, left eye with left hand, which means that I can dual wield effectively and even aim two pistols down sights at once with a little coordination). Non-stupid purposes include cold weather carry after I pick up a new long-coat, and carry up north in bear country.
Cost: ~$600
Option 3: PLR-16 or other piston drive intermediate-rifle caliber pistol.
I've long had a fondness for giant rifle-pistols, which seem to have picked up the moniker of assault pistols by people that hate black guns. I've discussed my fondness for stupid guns before, but now I actually have a specific purpose for it and some advancements in technology make it only ridiculous, not stupid (mostly). I've got armor that mostly serves as exercise weight, and would like to pair it with something stronger than my Glock 26 if I need gun and don't have time to get the AR-15 out of the gun locker. The smaller size means it's more easily stashed with the armor, possibly even strapped to it in a holster, widespread reflex sights make it easier to aim, and SBR 5.56 now exists tailored to optimizing in short barrels to get the power to the bullet instead of blinding/deafening/setting-on-fire everyone in the vicinity because only half the juice went into the bullet. No pistol brace, probably a pull-sling style notstock.
Cost: ~$400?
Option 4: Bulletproof coat or vest
BulletProofEveryone has some nice looking coats with NIJ IIA or IIIA inserts. I want armor, even though I'm good at avoiding being stupid places doing stupid things with stupid people. If nothing else, I miss the bonus strength and fitness from carrying a heavy backpack everywhere. This was going to be a birthday present to myself already, but wasn't in the budget. Specifically, the Logan overcoat, which includes protection for the upper leg. Alternatively, they have a nice looking softshell, or I might just snag a low profile vest that fits under my loose work shirts.
Cost: $379 (IIA) or $429 (IIIA) for the Logan, $200-600 for vests
Option 5: Expand/improve rifle armor
I have a nice basic plate carrier with curved front plate and flat back from AR500, but it's just not up to snuff. The carrier doesn't hold tightly enough for me to move vigorously in it, which I would expect to do if I actually were to NEED the armor, and also need to do for workouts while using it as an unnecessarily badass weighted training vest. Furthermore, I want to add an abdominal armor panel, side panels, and make some custom DAP panels that hold the curved 6x8 panels along the outside of my upper arms. Picking up a helmet also seems useful, I may just snag a military surplus steel one because the good ones have similar protection against handgun rounds and lack of protection against rifles, and it's $25ish for a surplus steel helmet vs. $180 or so for a PASGT.
Cost: Varies with panel/carrier.
Option 6: Assorted accessories
This probably still includes a surplus helmet, because cheap, but also handles things like getting some much needed glass for the rifle (currently uses BUIS as main sights), a replacement stock to balance the weight out, some new P90 mags for the AR-57 upper I bought ages ago and immediately lost mags for in a series of moves between apartments, possibly stuff to build a second lower so the AR-15s and AR-57 can be their own separate guns (putting the regular carbine stock on the AR-57 because it's not going to sell for anything and no point leaving it un-attached). Alternatively, buy a second lower with the Magpul UBR attached. I could also do with a proper fighting knife, a grappling hook because reasons, trauma kit stuff, and the like.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Stat-this Sunday: S333 Volleyfire
A new thing, since I'm working on building a bunch of equipment in Savage Worlds, plus GURPS stats for things McThag hasn't yet gotten to.
The Volleyfire is a strange beast. If a player brought it to me I'd accuse them of trying to game the system to maximize effectiveness, but the way it works honestly DOES make it pretty good for what it sets out to do in being a great novice defensive handgun.
What it is:
An 8 shot .22wmr revolver, that fires 2 shots per trigger pull. It has a two-finger double-action-only trigger, passable sights
Stats: Damage Acc Range Weight RoF Shots ST Bulk RCL Cost LC Notes
S333 2d pi- 1 ~100/1000 1.13/.07 6# 8(3i) 9 -1 2 $369 3 [1]
Note [1]: Always fires 2 shots as a High Cyclic Controlled Burst (simultaneous shots).
2d pi- is an approximation, based on not having stats for a .22wmr in High Tech, but being able to approximate based on its listed muzzle energy in relation to other cartridges. Final stats are likely to be within +/- 1 of 2d.
Acc 1 is due to the exceptionally short pocket sights, and based on other pocket pistols like the Walther PPK.
Now we get into the real fun of it.
First, 3 trigger pulls per second average gets 6 shots, qualifying for a +1 bonus to skill for shots fired. Because of HCCB rules, RCL is 1 similar to a shotgun with buckshot; multiple projectiles are leaving the muzzle(s) before any recoil can throw off the aim, therefore it is recoilless. Further, with practice at fast firing, 4 trigger pulls per second can be reached with no particular detriments (at 5 and 6, recoil increases substantially).
Normally double action revolvers inflict a -1 penalty to skill for heavy trigger pull, the two-finger trigger mitigates this.
On top of all this, I can all but guarantee that this gun will be sold with an integral or add-on laser sight (+1 to skill). Additionally, most .22wmr ammo is hollow point, which raises it from pi- to pi (removing the 0.5 wounding modifier)
So what you have is a gun with no (functional) recoil, probably +2 skill, +3 with an All Out Attack. That gives your typical barely-trained concealed carrier (default skill, defaulting to DX-4, with average DX 10, skill 9 on AoA) a decent chance of scoring a hit, and the slightly better trained one (1 point in Guns (Pistol), DX level of 10, 13 with AoA) will average 3 hits if he fires 6 rounds! With someone more capable, with a Professional level of Guns (Pistol) 12, Fast Firing, and a properly tricked out gun, a total skill of 15 all but guarantees a hit, and on average will score 5 hits! In the hands of a Gunslinger with a bit more skill and their permanent aim bonus, landing all 8 shots in a turn is quite possible.
http://www.stdgun.com/s333-volleyfire/
The Volleyfire is a strange beast. If a player brought it to me I'd accuse them of trying to game the system to maximize effectiveness, but the way it works honestly DOES make it pretty good for what it sets out to do in being a great novice defensive handgun.
What it is:
An 8 shot .22wmr revolver, that fires 2 shots per trigger pull. It has a two-finger double-action-only trigger, passable sights
Stats: Damage Acc Range Weight RoF Shots ST Bulk RCL Cost LC Notes
S333 2d pi- 1 ~100/1000 1.13/.07 6# 8(3i) 9 -1 2 $369 3 [1]
Note [1]: Always fires 2 shots as a High Cyclic Controlled Burst (simultaneous shots).
2d pi- is an approximation, based on not having stats for a .22wmr in High Tech, but being able to approximate based on its listed muzzle energy in relation to other cartridges. Final stats are likely to be within +/- 1 of 2d.
Acc 1 is due to the exceptionally short pocket sights, and based on other pocket pistols like the Walther PPK.
Now we get into the real fun of it.
First, 3 trigger pulls per second average gets 6 shots, qualifying for a +1 bonus to skill for shots fired. Because of HCCB rules, RCL is 1 similar to a shotgun with buckshot; multiple projectiles are leaving the muzzle(s) before any recoil can throw off the aim, therefore it is recoilless. Further, with practice at fast firing, 4 trigger pulls per second can be reached with no particular detriments (at 5 and 6, recoil increases substantially).
Normally double action revolvers inflict a -1 penalty to skill for heavy trigger pull, the two-finger trigger mitigates this.
On top of all this, I can all but guarantee that this gun will be sold with an integral or add-on laser sight (+1 to skill). Additionally, most .22wmr ammo is hollow point, which raises it from pi- to pi (removing the 0.5 wounding modifier)
So what you have is a gun with no (functional) recoil, probably +2 skill, +3 with an All Out Attack. That gives your typical barely-trained concealed carrier (default skill, defaulting to DX-4, with average DX 10, skill 9 on AoA) a decent chance of scoring a hit, and the slightly better trained one (1 point in Guns (Pistol), DX level of 10, 13 with AoA) will average 3 hits if he fires 6 rounds! With someone more capable, with a Professional level of Guns (Pistol) 12, Fast Firing, and a properly tricked out gun, a total skill of 15 all but guarantees a hit, and on average will score 5 hits! In the hands of a Gunslinger with a bit more skill and their permanent aim bonus, landing all 8 shots in a turn is quite possible.
http://www.stdgun.com/s333-volleyfire/
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Tech Tuesday: I Want A Smartgun
I want a smartgun. No, not the pieces of shit everyone's always pushing for full of extra failure points of electronics and rings or fingerprint readers and whatever. I want a smartgun that counts the rounds in the magazine, that tells you if the magazine isn't seated properly, warns you of a jam in case you don't catch it under stress, a gun with an integrated light and/or laser from the start instead of some flavor of aftermarket finagling. The Taurus Curve had the integrated-from-the-start light/laser combo. Now, while it's currently an aftermarket change, there's a slide replacement that adds ammo tracking (with proper magazines) and similar.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/01/24/shot-2019-radetec-smart-glock-slide/
The video also includes a shot counter, and a traditional smartgun of the "only shoots for some people" variety. Politicians trying to force the latter style of smartgun on everyone aside, I'm not wholely opposed to the concept of the safety smartgun for those who seek it, but I want it to be an OPTION for those who want it.
In the future, it'd be nice to have it able to sync to smartglasses, if it can do it securely, or failing that perhaps a smartwatch. Screens are getting smaller, lighter, and sturdier, but the ability to confirm your weapon's status without actually looking at the thing. That would also be able to warn you it's trying to come loose in the holster, if such sensors are equipped. An integrated camera for AR aiming integration, or the ability to aim without exposing anything but your gun and hand, could be useful if the rest of technology is up to the task, but nothing else springs readily to mind that isn't potentially a detriment. Much of scifi has the ability to change fire modes and such, but that introduces a point of failure if software hitches or gets hacked.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/01/24/shot-2019-radetec-smart-glock-slide/
The video also includes a shot counter, and a traditional smartgun of the "only shoots for some people" variety. Politicians trying to force the latter style of smartgun on everyone aside, I'm not wholely opposed to the concept of the safety smartgun for those who seek it, but I want it to be an OPTION for those who want it.
In the future, it'd be nice to have it able to sync to smartglasses, if it can do it securely, or failing that perhaps a smartwatch. Screens are getting smaller, lighter, and sturdier, but the ability to confirm your weapon's status without actually looking at the thing. That would also be able to warn you it's trying to come loose in the holster, if such sensors are equipped. An integrated camera for AR aiming integration, or the ability to aim without exposing anything but your gun and hand, could be useful if the rest of technology is up to the task, but nothing else springs readily to mind that isn't potentially a detriment. Much of scifi has the ability to change fire modes and such, but that introduces a point of failure if software hitches or gets hacked.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Sunday Gunday, some actually real-gun related content: Vice is Terrible edition
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/evd4we/the-good-guy-with-a-gun-theory-debunked
So, Vice, the most trustworthy of sites, partnered with the most unbiased source of The Trace to write an article about how guns are really the worst, ever, forever. I would love to give you a nice rundown and debunking, but it honestly hurts to read because there's so much shit science. Pretty much every statement is "We started with the assumption that guns were awful, and then when we looked we could find reasons to pin all ills upon them"
Having places that became more gun-friendly have less decline in crime doesn't mean ZOMG GUNS FUEL CRIMINALS, It might just be related to the fact that most of those places that kept their gun laws strict are contributing most of the crime.
Just... Have a read, if you can tolerate this much obvious bullshit packaged from an ivy league school that wishes you'd accept that you are a vile heathen and should submit to their will.
So, Vice, the most trustworthy of sites, partnered with the most unbiased source of The Trace to write an article about how guns are really the worst, ever, forever. I would love to give you a nice rundown and debunking, but it honestly hurts to read because there's so much shit science. Pretty much every statement is "We started with the assumption that guns were awful, and then when we looked we could find reasons to pin all ills upon them"
Having places that became more gun-friendly have less decline in crime doesn't mean ZOMG GUNS FUEL CRIMINALS, It might just be related to the fact that most of those places that kept their gun laws strict are contributing most of the crime.
Just... Have a read, if you can tolerate this much obvious bullshit packaged from an ivy league school that wishes you'd accept that you are a vile heathen and should submit to their will.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Perspective Matters: Away Game Repost
Saw this image shared by Sheriff Jim Wilson on Facebook and decided to expand upon it a bit. Here's a comparison of our "gun death epidemic" to the other causes of death that, you know, actually make up the majority of deaths.
Perspective matters. This is made from slightly older CDC data and involves a bit of rounding, but it's very close to accurate still.
According to the most recent report, there were 33,636 deaths related to firearms. 21,175 were suicide (about half of all suicides), 505 were accidental, and 11,208 were homicide (there's a few missing, probably legally justifiable and police related and whatnot). It's also important to note that both homicide and suicide are OVERWHELMINGLY men's issues, but I'll discuss those in a different post to keep things focused.
That same newer CDC data provides further perspective;
Accidental falls accounted for 31,240 deaths. You are approximately equally likely to trip and fall and die as you are to die to a firearm. Remember that every time you take the stairs, stand on a balcony, or hike a path on a slope.
Accidental falls accounted for 31,240 deaths. You are approximately equally likely to trip and fall and die as you are to die to a firearm. Remember that every time you take the stairs, stand on a balcony, or hike a path on a slope.
There were 48,545 deaths from poisoning, of which about 80% (38,836) were accidental. You (or your children) are 1.15x more likely to die of eating/drinking the wrong thing accidentally than by all gun death combined, and nearly equally likely to be deliberately poisoned as you are to be killed in an assault with a firearm.
33,804 people were killed in car accidents. Almost all gun death involves at least one willing participant (the criminal shooting, or the person committing suicide), while very few car accidents involve any willing participants.
Septicemia, a precursor to sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, accounts for 38,156 deaths. That is to say, death by infection when it spreads to the blood. That infection you have is more likely to lead to your death than all gun related deaths combined.
Alcohol related causes (everything from alcohol poisoning to a terminal case of "Hold my beer and watch this!") accounted for 29,001 deaths. It's important to note that alcohol is purely a luxury, and serves exclusively to inhibit the user and impair judgement. Enjoying a night at the bar is very nearly as likely to lead to your death as all gun death combined.
Ever go to the doctor? Around 400,000 people die to preventable medical errors every year in the US. http://www.healthcareitnews.com/…/deaths-by-medical-mistake… It seems it's likely rolled into other statistics on the CDC list, but taken separately it's the #3 killer of Americans, behind cancer and heart disease (584,881 and 611,105 respectively). Included in that are around 100,000 deaths from catching other infections acquired at the hospital http://www.nytimes.com/2007/…/19/washington/19hospital.html…
As a sidenote related to mass shootings and so-called assault weapons (a manufactured category that most of the people attempting to ban can't actually define); Even the US, which is supposedly the world capital of them, almost never breaks 100 deaths per year (using the FBI definition of 3+ deaths in a public place, not gang related). For reference, on average 183 people will be killed in animal attacks throughout the US based on data from 2001-2013 https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/chart-the-animals-that-ar…/
Every death is a tragedy, but with our sensationalist media it's desperately important to remind yourself where the real problems lie. Treated as a single monolithic category, guns amount to around 3% of all deaths in the US. While it's important not to overlook small causes lest they add up, guns are far from the overwhelming epidemic they are made out to be, and what problems are associated with them would be better solved by targeting the underlying causes (legacy of racism and disadvantage leading to gang violence, social mores that cause men to commit suicide vastly more often than women, and so on) is more effective than simply blaming the object.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/…/liberal-media-gun-grabbe…/ a somewhat biased site with a mostly unbiased collecting of data from the report for readability.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pdf the CDC report on mortality released in feb 2016, using data from 2013ish.
http://www.youargue.com/…/38-putting-murder-by-gun-in-persp… a slightly older thing putting things in perspective with graphs and such.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_02.pdf the CDC report on mortality released in feb 2016, using data from 2013ish.
http://www.youargue.com/…/38-putting-murder-by-gun-in-persp… a slightly older thing putting things in perspective with graphs and such.
Monday, April 18, 2016
BAG day shopping list
Having worked a full year at the highest pay I've ever received, my check back from Uncle Sam was the largest it's ever been (but not too large). And yet, I've got all my bases filled. I'm also a mite bit empty after paying various things to move to newer, more spacious digs.
I think this BAG day I will be buying accessories and training things
A SIRT pistol and AR-15 bolt are high up the list.
A heavy, extended set of AR500 body armor, and possibly some manner of battlehat
A bigger safe, or at least a second one. Need some manner of ammo storage/organization in it or in addition.
Optics for my AR-15 and AR-57 (I've got a lot of rail space but in the interests of weight I'd like some kind of combo. Light/laser, optic/laser, etc.)
More mags, more ammo, before the rest of everyone notices that the stupidity of this political season and buys all the everything. Can never have too much, after all.
That said, the local mountain of geese has a nice looking Century Arms Draco pistol...
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Right, using this; Also new upper
Been quiet for a while. Had topics but precious little motivation, due to big projects at work beating me down. Those are pretty much all caught up now, and a load off my shoulders. Got a new car, nice compact SUV with decent fuel economy and some good capabilities that I'll possibly get a picture of sometime when I can be bothered.
Also bought a new AR-15 upper back in December, finally snapped a picture of it
An AR-57 and a couple of mags, plus a box of ammo for a steal. I expressed interest in it and the store owners began a bidwar with each other to offer a low enough price to get it off their damn wall.
The ammo's labeled "police and military only" from way back when it was first introduced and ZOMG hype better ban it because it can shoot through tanks its so armor piercing. This lead the bf to ask if it was better than 5.56
"No, no it's not. It's actually worse in almost literally every way. About 1/10 the power, more expensive, less range, strange and slow (but neat!) reloads, and I couldn't be happier"
This gun is basically my stupid fondness for pistol carbines, SMGs, and PDWs given its ultimate form. Now it just needs optics and somewhere to actually test it out.
Also bought a new AR-15 upper back in December, finally snapped a picture of it
An AR-57 and a couple of mags, plus a box of ammo for a steal. I expressed interest in it and the store owners began a bidwar with each other to offer a low enough price to get it off their damn wall.
The ammo's labeled "police and military only" from way back when it was first introduced and ZOMG hype better ban it because it can shoot through tanks its so armor piercing. This lead the bf to ask if it was better than 5.56
"No, no it's not. It's actually worse in almost literally every way. About 1/10 the power, more expensive, less range, strange and slow (but neat!) reloads, and I couldn't be happier"
This gun is basically my stupid fondness for pistol carbines, SMGs, and PDWs given its ultimate form. Now it just needs optics and somewhere to actually test it out.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Interstellar Warfare Wednesday: Building A Better Gyroc
The Guns Of The Future show up in many settings, but are usually one of three categories; lasers, gyrocs, or gauss guns. Guass guns are someone else's problem, and lasguns are fantastic and I have some musings that will require I brush up on electrical engineering a bit to start assembling a thing. This discussion is about TINY ROCKETS. A favored weapon in WH40k, along with lasers, which is amusing because the setting always drastically oversells the difficulty and complexity of a gyroc weapons system,
Of the three classes, gyrocs are ahead of the curve in terms of realism; the Gyrojet Pistol (sort of) worked, in the 1960s! Rocket motors have improved substantially in power since then, much like all other things with propellants, and the means to design with. With ammunition that didn't cost an arm and a leg ($7.50 per round or so to purchase at time of introduction, according to GURPS High Tech, so there might be a bit of error in there due to conversion factors to GURPS Dollars), combined with a gun that wasn't stupid, it might be darn viable.
First up, things wrong with the Gyrojet pistol; designed to be recoilless. That's all well and good, but if it makes your gun essentially nonfunctional out to 20 feet but is designed to be used as a defensive weapon? All the power in the world "eventually" doesn't help much if it does nothing "now" which is where you need it. Just sealing the barrel and permitting the rocket exhaust to pressurize it like a standard gun would probably step the power up substantially at the muzzle, as would using a relatively weak firing charge to ignite the round and get it up to speed while the rocket motors were still kicking in. Boosting muzzle velocity also helps accuracy, because the round leaving the gun at no speed means wind plays hell with your accuracy. Modern propellants may permit the gun to remain recoilless or semi-recoilless, if they can accelerate to a useful degree even at short ranges.
Several other issues with the most commonly known version of Gyrojet were solved by later models, when it was realized that designing things to be New and Different for its own sake was stupid, because a lot of how things worked was because that's what WORKED. As such, I won't discuss those particular changes and will merely state that a new production gyroc must have the features and capabilities one would expect of a modern firearm (detachable magazine, ability to clear jams should they occur, etc).
Next up, the ammo needs to be redesigned. Gyrojet rounds use angled vents to spin the round as it flies. Any problems in manufacturing those vents and the round turns into a crazy rocket, which isn't very useful. They also require fairly good tolerances be held, and it's not a particularly easy design to make conveniently. Instead, switch to a 2-3 part construction: the warhead is simply a bullet of the same caliber as the gyroc that press/crimp fits into the gyroc-to-be, the body of the round is simple tube metal that is formed to produce the rocket vent and fit to the final piece, a stamped metal fin. Stamp fin, roll-form main body, press/weld fin and body together, insert rocket motor, insert warhead. Gotta jam a primer and possibly the booster charge in there at some stage of that, but it wouldn't be at all hard to automate the heck out of that like any other modern ammo production system, to achieve competitive prices to same. Alternatively, using a sealed barrel and/or booster charge, you could use rifling to achieve the stabilizing spin with the rocket solely focused to driving the projectile.
The final question; what's the point? Does a gyroc improve over good old fashioned lead in any particular way? The answer is that it depends. A gyroc accelerates up to the max speed it can manage and stays there until it runs out of fuel, meaning it stays at full power for a good long while. Larger caliber gyrocs would essentially be improved slugs, and comparable to the use of shotguns in tactical situations: Very capable but limited by sheer size and weight of ammunition. Much like a shotgun for military use, they'd be likely used as what they are: a tiny rocket launcher (the slug or 12ga grenade filled shotgun being a tiny smoothbore cannon), delivering minigrenades with accuracy and range, possibly mounted to a carrier firearm. Depending on the effectiveness of the gyroc, the function of the gun to fire it, and comparisons to standard ammunition (price, weight, size) small caliber gyrocs could well take the place of the traditional round as the standard. That said, traditional rounds will never go away (I'd hardly be surprised if 9mm lasts as long as the species and possibly beyond)
Of the three classes, gyrocs are ahead of the curve in terms of realism; the Gyrojet Pistol (sort of) worked, in the 1960s! Rocket motors have improved substantially in power since then, much like all other things with propellants, and the means to design with. With ammunition that didn't cost an arm and a leg ($7.50 per round or so to purchase at time of introduction, according to GURPS High Tech, so there might be a bit of error in there due to conversion factors to GURPS Dollars), combined with a gun that wasn't stupid, it might be darn viable.
First up, things wrong with the Gyrojet pistol; designed to be recoilless. That's all well and good, but if it makes your gun essentially nonfunctional out to 20 feet but is designed to be used as a defensive weapon? All the power in the world "eventually" doesn't help much if it does nothing "now" which is where you need it. Just sealing the barrel and permitting the rocket exhaust to pressurize it like a standard gun would probably step the power up substantially at the muzzle, as would using a relatively weak firing charge to ignite the round and get it up to speed while the rocket motors were still kicking in. Boosting muzzle velocity also helps accuracy, because the round leaving the gun at no speed means wind plays hell with your accuracy. Modern propellants may permit the gun to remain recoilless or semi-recoilless, if they can accelerate to a useful degree even at short ranges.
Several other issues with the most commonly known version of Gyrojet were solved by later models, when it was realized that designing things to be New and Different for its own sake was stupid, because a lot of how things worked was because that's what WORKED. As such, I won't discuss those particular changes and will merely state that a new production gyroc must have the features and capabilities one would expect of a modern firearm (detachable magazine, ability to clear jams should they occur, etc).
Next up, the ammo needs to be redesigned. Gyrojet rounds use angled vents to spin the round as it flies. Any problems in manufacturing those vents and the round turns into a crazy rocket, which isn't very useful. They also require fairly good tolerances be held, and it's not a particularly easy design to make conveniently. Instead, switch to a 2-3 part construction: the warhead is simply a bullet of the same caliber as the gyroc that press/crimp fits into the gyroc-to-be, the body of the round is simple tube metal that is formed to produce the rocket vent and fit to the final piece, a stamped metal fin. Stamp fin, roll-form main body, press/weld fin and body together, insert rocket motor, insert warhead. Gotta jam a primer and possibly the booster charge in there at some stage of that, but it wouldn't be at all hard to automate the heck out of that like any other modern ammo production system, to achieve competitive prices to same. Alternatively, using a sealed barrel and/or booster charge, you could use rifling to achieve the stabilizing spin with the rocket solely focused to driving the projectile.
The final question; what's the point? Does a gyroc improve over good old fashioned lead in any particular way? The answer is that it depends. A gyroc accelerates up to the max speed it can manage and stays there until it runs out of fuel, meaning it stays at full power for a good long while. Larger caliber gyrocs would essentially be improved slugs, and comparable to the use of shotguns in tactical situations: Very capable but limited by sheer size and weight of ammunition. Much like a shotgun for military use, they'd be likely used as what they are: a tiny rocket launcher (the slug or 12ga grenade filled shotgun being a tiny smoothbore cannon), delivering minigrenades with accuracy and range, possibly mounted to a carrier firearm. Depending on the effectiveness of the gyroc, the function of the gun to fire it, and comparisons to standard ammunition (price, weight, size) small caliber gyrocs could well take the place of the traditional round as the standard. That said, traditional rounds will never go away (I'd hardly be surprised if 9mm lasts as long as the species and possibly beyond)
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
GURPS: Stabnshoot
GURPS has rules for melee combat. That's mostly simple, other than a few quibbles I've mentioned earlier (such as questionable scaling for high strengths with melee weaponry). It has rules for shooting, even contact shooting (+4 to hit, +2 to target's dodge; telegraphic attack with a gun/crossbow/etc).
What they do not have rules for is jamming a gun into someone and pulling the trigger. Weapons with bayonets, hearty revolvers that don't have problems functioning when you violently jam them into the unfortunate in a punchy pistolwhip, etc.
Should it be treated as a Dual weapon attack/combination? One attack as a melee weapon, then a second followup attack with the gun?
Does it count as the telegraphic attack, if it's linked in with the melee smack? If so, is the second attack at no penalty due to the +4 and -4 cancelling, with the defender getting a +1 to parry after the -1 from two attacks on the same target?
My inclination is to treat it as an all out attack (double) or dual weapon attack combo, without the bonuses and penalties for telegraphic attack as it happens "simultaneously" with the melee strike.
It's likely to come up in any setting where there are big beasties or angry people that want to get all up in your business, even moreso in a setting such as the Metro or Monster Hunter campaigns where CQB and enemies disregarding your personal space are the norm, rather than the exception.
What they do not have rules for is jamming a gun into someone and pulling the trigger. Weapons with bayonets, hearty revolvers that don't have problems functioning when you violently jam them into the unfortunate in a punchy pistolwhip, etc.
Should it be treated as a Dual weapon attack/combination? One attack as a melee weapon, then a second followup attack with the gun?
Does it count as the telegraphic attack, if it's linked in with the melee smack? If so, is the second attack at no penalty due to the +4 and -4 cancelling, with the defender getting a +1 to parry after the -1 from two attacks on the same target?
My inclination is to treat it as an all out attack (double) or dual weapon attack combo, without the bonuses and penalties for telegraphic attack as it happens "simultaneously" with the melee strike.
It's likely to come up in any setting where there are big beasties or angry people that want to get all up in your business, even moreso in a setting such as the Metro or Monster Hunter campaigns where CQB and enemies disregarding your personal space are the norm, rather than the exception.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Dear every gun parts maker/seller
I appreciate that you offer specifications (sometimes), but it's not particularly helpful when you don't feature weight and that is the specific thing I'm shopping based on.
Going to be late to place my BAG day order to balance this stupid thing out because I'm trying to find a grip to add to the order still and can't tell which I want other than 'well that looks heavier maybe?"
Going to be late to place my BAG day order to balance this stupid thing out because I'm trying to find a grip to add to the order still and can't tell which I want other than 'well that looks heavier maybe?"
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Parts Cost
Been looking to beef up my AR-15 so it balances properly, and looking at one of the Magpul stocks (the UBR). Was kind of flabbergasted at the price, compared with other stocks, such as the $30 magpul one that I have now. Until I remembered that the UBR includes the $90-at-the-cheapest buffer, as well. Still pricier, but not so bad. Should have taken the advice, buy once cry once (at the time I hadn't seen the UBR, and didn't realize how ludicrously frontheavy my AR would be).
On the plus side, in addition to generally being a better stock (more cheek weld, sturdier, balance), you can buy an aluminum toothed strike plate for it. I want one, because reasons.
Thankfully, the flatmate is looking to begin building his own AR.
Edited because McThag complained of the lack of pictures of something I don't yet have to take pictures of, and was planning to do when it actually arrives. Here's what it'll look like when it arrives before it's mounted.
On the plus side, in addition to generally being a better stock (more cheek weld, sturdier, balance), you can buy an aluminum toothed strike plate for it. I want one, because reasons.
Thankfully, the flatmate is looking to begin building his own AR.
Edited because McThag complained of the lack of pictures of something I don't yet have to take pictures of, and was planning to do when it actually arrives. Here's what it'll look like when it arrives before it's mounted.
And with the strike plate
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Buy A Gun Day
It's coming moderately fast. I like to plan my purchases in advance, so time to start pondering. I've bought a lot of guns this past season, so I'm willing to call those my acquisitions for the year.
On the other hand, I've got a fancy new job making decent money, and there's always things on the list. Wouldn't mind picking up something smallish, mayhaps.
Things on the list include
5.56 ammo. Got the AR-15 (that still needs to be rebalanced to actually be comfy to use. Too heavy with the super dissipator forend and ultralight grip and stock), but not a single round to feed it with.
AR-15 mods, to balance the thing (see above)
AK pistol, in 5.45 or 7.62, because I love me some stupid tinyguns. A mare's leg magnum also fills this role, as does the PLR-16 which is both moderately regularly available as far as Kel-Tec's go (because stupid), and something I've held and liked.
.22lr pistol, because practice. Or a glock conversion barrel if there are any that aren't terrible
A new cleaning kit, because I could stand to give my guns some TLC and my old standard kit, while it technically fills all necessary roles, does so just barely.
On the other hand, I've got a fancy new job making decent money, and there's always things on the list. Wouldn't mind picking up something smallish, mayhaps.
Things on the list include
5.56 ammo. Got the AR-15 (that still needs to be rebalanced to actually be comfy to use. Too heavy with the super dissipator forend and ultralight grip and stock), but not a single round to feed it with.
AR-15 mods, to balance the thing (see above)
AK pistol, in 5.45 or 7.62, because I love me some stupid tinyguns. A mare's leg magnum also fills this role, as does the PLR-16 which is both moderately regularly available as far as Kel-Tec's go (because stupid), and something I've held and liked.
.22lr pistol, because practice. Or a glock conversion barrel if there are any that aren't terrible
A new cleaning kit, because I could stand to give my guns some TLC and my old standard kit, while it technically fills all necessary roles, does so just barely.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
GURPS gun mods: Spreader Choke
http://www.paradigmsrp.com/gator-shotgun-spreader/
GURPS: Gun Fu gives special rules for allowing shotguns to use their effective RoF for things like Suppressing Fire and Spraying Fire as a cinematic rule. I'm inclined to permit the use of such weapon mods, known as a duckbill or gator choke, to allow the same in a realistic campaign.
I'm torn, however, between treating the attack as a narrow cone or just permitting spraying fire/etc. As a cone, based on performance in videos, I'd treat it as 2 yards wide at 1/2D range, and within 1/2 of 1/2D it's just shotgun rules as normal. As a cone, I'd also probably say you could aim it at a single target in the center and get maybe 2/3 of the shot in the center hex and 1/6 through the hexes on either side, or spin the shotgun/choke vertically to use mostly-normal shotgun rules.
Treating it as a cone, at 1/2d range you'd get 4 pellets per 12g 00 buck shell in each of the hexes if you aimed right between them, or if you aimed at a single hex you'd have 6 pellets and 1 on either side per shell.
Treating it as spraying fire would just use regular rules for lost projectiles across empty space/etc.
GURPS: Gun Fu gives special rules for allowing shotguns to use their effective RoF for things like Suppressing Fire and Spraying Fire as a cinematic rule. I'm inclined to permit the use of such weapon mods, known as a duckbill or gator choke, to allow the same in a realistic campaign.
I'm torn, however, between treating the attack as a narrow cone or just permitting spraying fire/etc. As a cone, based on performance in videos, I'd treat it as 2 yards wide at 1/2D range, and within 1/2 of 1/2D it's just shotgun rules as normal. As a cone, I'd also probably say you could aim it at a single target in the center and get maybe 2/3 of the shot in the center hex and 1/6 through the hexes on either side, or spin the shotgun/choke vertically to use mostly-normal shotgun rules.
Treating it as a cone, at 1/2d range you'd get 4 pellets per 12g 00 buck shell in each of the hexes if you aimed right between them, or if you aimed at a single hex you'd have 6 pellets and 1 on either side per shell.
Treating it as spraying fire would just use regular rules for lost projectiles across empty space/etc.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
GM Resource: Secret High Tech Monster Hunters
In settings with secret supernatural elements, be it mutant heroes, shadowy cults, or an intersection with the hereafter, there is a near certainty that there will be an organization devoted to dealing with them. Often times the party plays the part of members of this organization, Other times, this organization may play the antagonist, whether the party is playing the evil side, or the group has a zero tolerance policy regardless of good or evil.
Be they player or NPC, I'll be providing suggestions for equipment and particular training that such an organization is likely to have for ease of generation. For the purposes of this list, I will be considering tech levels from the invention of functional repeating firearms onwards.
Vehicles: Low profile vehicles with good performance. Motorcycles provide a substantial amount of performance and ability to get a great many places, but leave the rider exposed. Trucks have surprising amounts of power off the line, and a truck capper can make disposal of monstrous corpses a cinch. Vehicles such as hot hatches can handle a chase or getaway, without drawing the undue attention a sports car might.
Be they player or NPC, I'll be providing suggestions for equipment and particular training that such an organization is likely to have for ease of generation. For the purposes of this list, I will be considering tech levels from the invention of functional repeating firearms onwards.
Gear
Routine gear carried on a day to day basis, when not specifically hunting:
Sturdy coat/vest, such as a motorcycle or riding vest. May be a standard pattern with lots of different customization available to prevent a group of hunters on or off duty from appearing to be related by an organization. Serves to hide equipment and offers a bit of protection.
Some manner of pistol, This pistol will be as state of the art as can be tested to be reliable. It is likely to be chambered for magnum or high power rounds in a caliber that will permit the use of payload rounds containing elements supernatural beings respond negatively to. Typically as large of a capacity as can be carried without excessive size. May have a compact suppressor stored separately if available.
Knives. A standard or above average sized, combat usable folding knife (balisong, tactical folder, switchblade, or similar). Likely to have at least one push knife, dagger, or similar with specialty treatments such as Cold Iron or Silvered.
Concealable light body armor. Run into enough mysterious horrors that supposedly don't exist when you're just trying to go for a walk/have a drink/have a picnic, and you'll decide that at least some armor stays on even off duty.
Pocket Medkit. Life's rough, good to have some bandages.
Tiny Supernatural Response Kit. A minor kit with a few miscellaneous monster repellents, things to prevent critters with infectious bites from turning people, things to seal/turn the undead or help them move on, things of that nature.
Hunt Gear, carried when a target has been identified or is known to be in an area. Includes everything from the routine gear except where things may be switched out for larger versions, such as medkits and supernatural response kits.
Sturdy coat/vest/cover garment to give protection and hide gear.
Compact combat arm. A mare's leg with a folding stock, SMG, or rifle carbine pistol or SBR depending on the tech level. Suppressed if available, loaded with tailored rounds if the target's type is known. In remote areas, full sized weapons may be used.
Larger knife (fixed blade), shortsword, tomahawk, etc. Something capable in melee without excessive size. If the target's type is known, it'll be tailored to dealing with them.
Concealable Combat Armor. A heavier vest (steel shirt, concealable plate carrier, etc), greaves/shin guards, and bracers, possibly with heavy bracer designed to serve as a concealed shield.
Compact medkit. Trouble is expected, more stuff to deal with things going wrong.
Compact Supernatural Response Kit. A larger kit tailored to dealing with the particular target or symptoms reported.
Traps, compact rappelling kit, and miscellaneous other such equipment.
Vehicles: Low profile vehicles with good performance. Motorcycles provide a substantial amount of performance and ability to get a great many places, but leave the rider exposed. Trucks have surprising amounts of power off the line, and a truck capper can make disposal of monstrous corpses a cinch. Vehicles such as hot hatches can handle a chase or getaway, without drawing the undue attention a sports car might.
Training
Weapon skills for gear carried, unarmed combat skills (wrestling/judo in particular, monsters tend to try to grab)
Observation, to keep an eye on the area around them without being noticed.
Stealth and Shadowing, to track targets or potential targets unobtrusively, plan ambushes, etc.
Acting, to serve as bait or pretend not to know or otherwise .
Occult/thaumatology/similar. Knowledge about creatures, magic (possibly the ability to cast spells if magic is available to this group, at least ability to identify magic-derived effects and potentially break/resist them).
Tactics, Traps. Ability to plan ambushes effectively and respond to evolving situations.
First Aid. Self Explanatory.
Fast Draw/Quickdraw. Get gear into a fight, either to surprise the target or in response to an attack.
Suggested Stats:
Above average strength and dexterity for/due to combat training.
Above average resistance to afflictions, death, and mental effects (constitution/health and willpower)
Bravery or fear resistance
High speed
Increased Perception
Increased Perception
Friday, January 23, 2015
Sci-Fi Friday: Interstellar Warfare Initiative, Building a Better Spacegun
If I get more involved in space-related games and things, I may move discussions such as this from Sci-Fi Fridays to Interstellar Warfare Wednesdays
I can say "better" because a spacegun does exist; the Russian TP-82. Problem is, the TP-82 is designed for astronauts, but it's meant as a survival tool for earth use.
Arguments about the invincibility of potential aliens we may meet (throwing rocks vs. nuke-it-from-orbit) aside, the possibility of combat in space and orbit remains worth contemplating. There are all manner of Earth organisms that can withstand the vacuum of space, although they tend to be small and occasionally infectious. Still, with present advancements towards compression spacesuits, it's conceivable that some manner of weird alien whatever could evolve a carapace or semi-rigid hide capable of supporting a spore-style trip through the void. And, when humanity reaches the stars proper, I see no reason we'll stop having issues with one another just because space.
Whatever the target, let's assume actual combat. For the purposes of this exercise, we'll be considering something built at present tech level, where substantial space travel is on the verge of becoming a thing. This spacegun will also be assumed to be useful for other environments than 0g and 1g.
http://gizmodo.com/can-you-shoot-a-gun-in-space-1681161226
First off, good old slugthrowers work just fine in space. Ammo is self contained, and recoil is marginal, although I suspect that under actual combat shooting, repeated shots would add up.
THE GUN
First question is what to use? Space is a very cramped, close quarters environment these days. I see no chance of this changing anytime soon. This, combined with weight and space restrictions, lends itself to very compact guns such as SMGs. However, because space is full of things going very quickly, spacesuits are rather well armored. For this reason, we'll be considering specialty ammunition SMGs, PDWs, and short barrel carbines of various flavors. Namely, the AKS-74U, CBJ-MS, and the MP7 and/or P90. Certain bullpup rifles may be considered if a longer barrel is desired, but the additional weight and complexity of even the best ambidextrous designs remains a substantial negative.
All of these weapons chamber calibers capable of penetrating modern body armor despite the small size. Of the three, the AKS-74 has the greatest energy, but the largest ammunition. The CBJ-MS is essentially a 9mm SMG with a specialty conversion barrel (thus, a conversion of any 9mm SMG is possible), utilizing 4.6mm tungsten penetrators in a 6.5mm sabot. The MP7 and P90 both use proprietary rounds developed on the Small Caliber High Velocity principle to improve armor penetration.
Any gun selected is going to need some modifications for space use. First, the weapon will be nearly incapable of venting heat, lacking an atmosphere to transfer to. Heat sinks and heavier barrels will increase the heat tolerance of the gun. Vacuum plays hell with a great many liquids and similar, which will likely pose problems for the lubricants permitting easy operation of the firearm. A dry lubricant treatment would be a good idea, combined with specialty space-lubes if available. Finally, while recoil from these cartridges is minimal, it's still there. A high efficiency muzzle brake and possibly buffer modified for overtravel to soak up recoil impulse such as that of an AA-12 would also be wise to minimize fuel required to stabilize a combatant firing unsupported in freefall. Oversized grips, possible foregrips, enlarged triggers and trigger guards, and assorted CQB optics and accessories are also recommended because of the difficulties associated with spacegloves.
Skeletonized folding stocks would be standard, but due to the complexities of 0g movement, would likely be utilized only for combat in gravity environments or where a combination of tethers or gravity/magnet boots allowed a stable firing position to be used.
THE AMMO
Any weapon going to space is going to warrant specialty ammunition. Everything in space is reinforced to stop very fast moving things from going though it, because space is full of them. The best material we know of for putting holes in puncture-resistant objects is Depleted Uranium. With an easily contained type of radiation, and a long half life, depleted uranium's tendency to sharpen its way through an object when it collides with it at high speed gives it fantastic armor piercing capability. Any round used should be tailored to the gun design being used for maximum performance (faster burning powder, non-standard specifications on casings, etc), in recognition that for the foreseeable future, both weapons and ammunition are going to be specialty items.
Magazines are to be as compact and high capacity as possible with the highest ammunition stack efficiency achievable. Most likely this will be standard high-capacity magazines (40 round double stack boxes, for example) or quad stack mags if they offer suitable reliability and are compatible with the gun. Drums tend to be heavy, complicated, and take up a very large volume for the ammunition capacity they have.
HOW TO CARRY IT
The spacegun's utility is about similar to that of a concealed carry weapon except in the cases of specialized space combat forces. Special forces will likely have their weapons carried in hand, and a fairly standard gear rig comparable to those used on Earth, if a bit more durable with extra care taken to gear retention. However, other weapon-carrying forces such as exploration security forces will be primarily focused on the use of scientific and support instruments, meaning their weapon will spend the majority of its life being carried.
All weapons, indeed all gear in general that goes into space, gets tethered to the carrier. This would also include magazines. For convenient, not-often-needed carry, drop leg rigs with firearm on the strong side and spare magazines on the off-side would keep things handy but out of the way, leaving the valuable torso space to be used for tools and mission specific gear.
I can say "better" because a spacegun does exist; the Russian TP-82. Problem is, the TP-82 is designed for astronauts, but it's meant as a survival tool for earth use.
Arguments about the invincibility of potential aliens we may meet (throwing rocks vs. nuke-it-from-orbit) aside, the possibility of combat in space and orbit remains worth contemplating. There are all manner of Earth organisms that can withstand the vacuum of space, although they tend to be small and occasionally infectious. Still, with present advancements towards compression spacesuits, it's conceivable that some manner of weird alien whatever could evolve a carapace or semi-rigid hide capable of supporting a spore-style trip through the void. And, when humanity reaches the stars proper, I see no reason we'll stop having issues with one another just because space.
Whatever the target, let's assume actual combat. For the purposes of this exercise, we'll be considering something built at present tech level, where substantial space travel is on the verge of becoming a thing. This spacegun will also be assumed to be useful for other environments than 0g and 1g.
http://gizmodo.com/can-you-shoot-a-gun-in-space-1681161226
First off, good old slugthrowers work just fine in space. Ammo is self contained, and recoil is marginal, although I suspect that under actual combat shooting, repeated shots would add up.
THE GUN
First question is what to use? Space is a very cramped, close quarters environment these days. I see no chance of this changing anytime soon. This, combined with weight and space restrictions, lends itself to very compact guns such as SMGs. However, because space is full of things going very quickly, spacesuits are rather well armored. For this reason, we'll be considering specialty ammunition SMGs, PDWs, and short barrel carbines of various flavors. Namely, the AKS-74U, CBJ-MS, and the MP7 and/or P90. Certain bullpup rifles may be considered if a longer barrel is desired, but the additional weight and complexity of even the best ambidextrous designs remains a substantial negative.
All of these weapons chamber calibers capable of penetrating modern body armor despite the small size. Of the three, the AKS-74 has the greatest energy, but the largest ammunition. The CBJ-MS is essentially a 9mm SMG with a specialty conversion barrel (thus, a conversion of any 9mm SMG is possible), utilizing 4.6mm tungsten penetrators in a 6.5mm sabot. The MP7 and P90 both use proprietary rounds developed on the Small Caliber High Velocity principle to improve armor penetration.
Any gun selected is going to need some modifications for space use. First, the weapon will be nearly incapable of venting heat, lacking an atmosphere to transfer to. Heat sinks and heavier barrels will increase the heat tolerance of the gun. Vacuum plays hell with a great many liquids and similar, which will likely pose problems for the lubricants permitting easy operation of the firearm. A dry lubricant treatment would be a good idea, combined with specialty space-lubes if available. Finally, while recoil from these cartridges is minimal, it's still there. A high efficiency muzzle brake and possibly buffer modified for overtravel to soak up recoil impulse such as that of an AA-12 would also be wise to minimize fuel required to stabilize a combatant firing unsupported in freefall. Oversized grips, possible foregrips, enlarged triggers and trigger guards, and assorted CQB optics and accessories are also recommended because of the difficulties associated with spacegloves.
Skeletonized folding stocks would be standard, but due to the complexities of 0g movement, would likely be utilized only for combat in gravity environments or where a combination of tethers or gravity/magnet boots allowed a stable firing position to be used.
THE AMMO
Any weapon going to space is going to warrant specialty ammunition. Everything in space is reinforced to stop very fast moving things from going though it, because space is full of them. The best material we know of for putting holes in puncture-resistant objects is Depleted Uranium. With an easily contained type of radiation, and a long half life, depleted uranium's tendency to sharpen its way through an object when it collides with it at high speed gives it fantastic armor piercing capability. Any round used should be tailored to the gun design being used for maximum performance (faster burning powder, non-standard specifications on casings, etc), in recognition that for the foreseeable future, both weapons and ammunition are going to be specialty items.
Magazines are to be as compact and high capacity as possible with the highest ammunition stack efficiency achievable. Most likely this will be standard high-capacity magazines (40 round double stack boxes, for example) or quad stack mags if they offer suitable reliability and are compatible with the gun. Drums tend to be heavy, complicated, and take up a very large volume for the ammunition capacity they have.
HOW TO CARRY IT
The spacegun's utility is about similar to that of a concealed carry weapon except in the cases of specialized space combat forces. Special forces will likely have their weapons carried in hand, and a fairly standard gear rig comparable to those used on Earth, if a bit more durable with extra care taken to gear retention. However, other weapon-carrying forces such as exploration security forces will be primarily focused on the use of scientific and support instruments, meaning their weapon will spend the majority of its life being carried.
All weapons, indeed all gear in general that goes into space, gets tethered to the carrier. This would also include magazines. For convenient, not-often-needed carry, drop leg rigs with firearm on the strong side and spare magazines on the off-side would keep things handy but out of the way, leaving the valuable torso space to be used for tools and mission specific gear.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Finally Finished; My First AR-15
The last part for the AR-15 arrived.
BCM upper, with a 13" forend, their muzzle brake and gunfighter charging handle
Bushmaster stripped lower, High Standard or Quality Standard or something parts kit that was missing the buffer retainer pin,
Don't remember who made the buffer, and don't care enough to look. It's mil-spec.
Magpul stock, and 5x magpul 40 rounders.
First thoughts? I like it. It's rather frontheavy, almost want to put some weight on the back end to balance it out, but I like it.
Now I just need some optics and a whole bunch of ammo. And a range that isn't hell and gone where I can put it through its paces.
BCM upper, with a 13" forend, their muzzle brake and gunfighter charging handle
Bushmaster stripped lower, High Standard or Quality Standard or something parts kit that was missing the buffer retainer pin,
Don't remember who made the buffer, and don't care enough to look. It's mil-spec.
Magpul stock, and 5x magpul 40 rounders.
First thoughts? I like it. It's rather frontheavy, almost want to put some weight on the back end to balance it out, but I like it.
Now I just need some optics and a whole bunch of ammo. And a range that isn't hell and gone where I can put it through its paces.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Guns Akimbo, musings on a ridiculous weapon technique
Things of note while dual wielding in this manner. Using them both on a single target is quite easy, there's little to no indication that it's any different from a single gun firing at double rate when you can see the round impacts. However, it gets marginally harder within the front cone of view and no longer on a single target. Do do this, you unfocus your eyes to bring all targets into equal mental consideration. GURPS terms, I'd say it's a -1 within Tunnel Vision range, and a -1 to checks to identify specific targets. Out a little wider, I'd say it goes up to an additional -1, and further -2 for target ID when something moves into the field of view you're watching.
That said, I definitely want a matched pair of somethings.
Glock 17 Gen 4. I already have one, and you can switch the mag release to the other side for lefty use.
Glock 34, I'd need a pair, and probably go for custom engraving while I was at it. I want a gen4 34 eventually anyway, because longslide.
.22lr something. They're marginally cheaper than most full on handguns, and far easier to feed (in theory, anyway. Can we buy .22lr again? I haven't seen it in ages).
PLR-16s, piston drive AR-15s in .300 blk, or something in 5.45 or 7.62 x39 like a Krinkov or Draco pistol. They're light, enormous, and ridiculous, all of which are perfect.
PLR-22. All the ridiculousness of above, but with the theoretical ease of feeding of .22lr.
Super Redhawk .454 with 10" barrels. These, in custom made show leather holsters, would be my guns for open carry were I ever to do so. I have a lot of the gunslinger aesthetic about how I dress, so it makes sense, also big magnums because again, ridiculousness is mandatory (and I can keep control of a magnum one handed with very little difficulty)
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Truck gun, further contemplation
http://gunfreezone.net/wordpress/index.php/2015/01/12/revisiting-the-idea-of-a-truck-gun/
Some good discussion on bringing More Gun in the car just in case. Various intermediate rifle caliber pistols were brought up, and many of the comments went straight to "NONE OF THOSE, if you have those the police will shoot you on sight because badguys also have them!"
This isn't quite accurate. According to a lot of stuff I've seen on training exercises, under the stress of even a simulated active shooter situation, police tend to go straight to "If gun, shoot". I'll find the specific articles if I can, but the gist of it was a simulated active shooter response, with unknown numbers of police responding from different angles. Police were shooting other uniformed police, because they were shooting immediately upon seeing the gun before anything else processed, and most of the blue team casualties in the exercise were friendly fire. Just about the only person that didn't get shot on reaction? The refs, wearing orange safety vests, the mark of "Do Not Shoot" in almost all paintball, airsoft, training exercises, and just about anywhere else that's got living no-shoots.
Further proof for carrying effective things even if they're Evil Black Rifles; Most police have them, under the term Patrol Rifles. I'd be astonished if there were no police in all the country who didn't carry AK's as their patrol rifles instead of AR-15s, in some region where the officers have to provide their own.
If you're going to the trouble to have a truck gun, you might as well throw in a safety vest with it (camouflage in urban environments is nearly useless anyway).
If you go for a rifle pistol, I'd suggest putting a bipod on it in case you need to shoot at long ranges where pistol kinematics make sufficient precision hard.
Some good discussion on bringing More Gun in the car just in case. Various intermediate rifle caliber pistols were brought up, and many of the comments went straight to "NONE OF THOSE, if you have those the police will shoot you on sight because badguys also have them!"
This isn't quite accurate. According to a lot of stuff I've seen on training exercises, under the stress of even a simulated active shooter situation, police tend to go straight to "If gun, shoot". I'll find the specific articles if I can, but the gist of it was a simulated active shooter response, with unknown numbers of police responding from different angles. Police were shooting other uniformed police, because they were shooting immediately upon seeing the gun before anything else processed, and most of the blue team casualties in the exercise were friendly fire. Just about the only person that didn't get shot on reaction? The refs, wearing orange safety vests, the mark of "Do Not Shoot" in almost all paintball, airsoft, training exercises, and just about anywhere else that's got living no-shoots.
Further proof for carrying effective things even if they're Evil Black Rifles; Most police have them, under the term Patrol Rifles. I'd be astonished if there were no police in all the country who didn't carry AK's as their patrol rifles instead of AR-15s, in some region where the officers have to provide their own.
If you're going to the trouble to have a truck gun, you might as well throw in a safety vest with it (camouflage in urban environments is nearly useless anyway).
If you go for a rifle pistol, I'd suggest putting a bipod on it in case you need to shoot at long ranges where pistol kinematics make sufficient precision hard.
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