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4-Barreled, electrically-fired 6-mm rifle

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 10:49 am
by sodbuster95
Army might have found its new rifle in Colorado Springs garage
The Army adopted its battle rifle in 1963 and has spent 55 years looking for a replacement for the M-16 and its variants.

They might have found it in Martin Grier’s Colorado Springs garage. Grier, a self-described inventor who has worked at a local bed and breakfast, built the new “ribbon gun” with a hobbyist’s tools. It looks like a space-age toy drawn by a fifth-grader.

But goofy origins and cartoon-looks aside, this could be the gun of the future. The Army is studying Grier’s gun and has ordered a military-grade prototype.
I admit that I scoffed at this article when I first saw it, both in terms of the content and the look of the rifle. However, while I'm not sure this particular design is going to make it big, the developer/inventor does make some valid points.

Re: 4-Barreled, electrically-fired 6-mm rifle

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 1:15 pm
by Bruenor
They use a mechanical firing mechanism that’s prone to failure.
I think I see more failures in Electronics then in mechanical systems. Not saying there isn't flaws in current designs, but they are easily field serviceable, with minimal tools.
How long does the battery last, what happens when it gets wet, what happens when the electromechanical actuators get dirty or gummed up?

Interesting concept, but there's a reason the 'junk weapons' we currently use are still around. Also a reason the testing is such a grueling process. would be interesting to follow.