Who are the modern designers which will stand out?

[breakingcontact]

I know the gun industry has changed immeasurably since John Browning. I am sure many designs are designed by committee and with cost in mind as much as style and performance.

Anyone standing out or will stand out in hindsight? Who are the modern individual innovators?

 

[baboon]

No one will ever come close to the genius of John Moses Browning in gun design. Just remember Browning had no computer to aid in his design either.

 

[Dawico]

Eugene Stoner is about all you will get, as well as Kalishnikov (sp).

 

[kyletxria1911a1]

No one will ever come close to the genius of John Moses Browning in gun design. Just remember Browning had no computer to aid in his design either.

Here endith the lesson

 

[HKaltwasser]

Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim changed the world


Hugo Schmeisser STG44, Makes me wonder if Mikhail was just a poster boy for the Communist and had a good story that fit the propoganda machine.

Schmeisser was one of 16 Germans for which a special department (no. 58) was created at factory number 74, later known as Izmash. Schmeisser was appointed as one of the five designers of the group, together with Kurt Horn and Werner Gruner (both from Grossfuss) and Oscar Schink (from Gustloff), under the formal leadership of Karl Barnitske (also from Gustloff). There is some evidence that Schmeisser was uncooperative with the Soviets because he received the most negative review by his Soviet handlers in this group of five German designers. In these Soviet reviews, Schmeisser was described as a "practical man", who invoked his lack of formal training whenever he was presented with any design problems.[1] Initially Schmeisser was given a salary of 5,000 rubles per month, but this was cut after two just months to 3,500 rubles, and a month later to 2,500 rubles. These official Soviet reports match the memoirs of Yevgeny Dragunov, who described Schmeisser as afflicted by chronic lung disease and not engaging in much activity, unlike Gruner, whom Dragunov described as brilliant man, who had contributed considerably.[2]
Schmeisser worked in Izhevsk until 1952 when he and other German specialists returned home to Germany. With short notice, his stay in the Soviet Union was extended beyond that of the other weapon specialists by a half year. He finally returned home on 9 June 1952. Schmeisser died on 12 September 1953, and was buried in Suhl. __________________

Helmut Weldle, here are just a few of his patents. Patents by Inventor Helmut Weldle - Justia Patents Database
He did the VP70,P7,USP,HK45. The P7 is arguably one of the most beautifully engineered pistols of all time. Anyone who has taken the grip panels off knows what I'm saying.


It's hard to say who will stand out in the future. Too many gun makers aren't risky any longer. They take a design and make minor changes to the grip, size,material and looks. I'm afraid those days are over until change to something other than gunpowder for propellant.

 

[vmax]

This is a good question
Who is out there today doing anything besides modifying what's already been done ?

 

[Bozz10mm]

Gaston Glock comes to mind. And Bill Ruger.

 

[Chirpy]

Bill Ruger will probably make it.

 

[Byrd666]

Don't remember who was the original designer but, the guy(s) that designed the CZ75. Behind the 1911, it is the worlds' most copied handgun. So I have read. That's gotta be saying something.

 

[Chirpy]

Josef and František Koucký

"The CZ 75 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses the Browning linkless cam locking system similar to that used in the Browning Hi-Power pistol, where the barrel and slide are locked together on firing, using locking lugs milled into the barrel mating with recesses in the roof of the slide."

 

[LOCKHART]

Eugene Stoner gets all the credit for the AR design, but I think that he mainly
designed the gas system. I have read that Melvin Johnson, of world war 2
Johnson semi auto rifle fame, was working with Armalite also, using some of
the features of his rifle in the AR series. And, if you look at Kalashnakovs tool
room design, you can see he copied some of John Brownings features in his
rifle, too, such as design of the safety lever.

 

[Brains]

I'm thinking the next truly great designer will have to completely think outside of the box and come up with a new set of mechanics, or even perhaps a new mode of operation akin to the change from revolver to semi-auto.

 

[Vaquero]

Red Jacket.

 

[breakingcontact]

Red Jacket.

Take that back you!

 

[Vaquero]

Take that back you!

Ok.

Right now the Navy rail gun looks to be the biggest real advancement in weapons.
Kinda doubt that technology will ever be useful for a light weapon though.

 

[Brains]

Ok.

Right now the Navy rail gun looks to be the biggest real advancement in weapons.
Kinda doubt that technology will ever be useful for a light weapon though.

VERY likely we'll see this at some point, once battery/power source technology advances far enough. In fact, efficient power storage is the only thing holding us back from our reliance on combustible materials for energy production. There's far more energy than we need that's readily and easily available, we just can't store enough of it in a cost effective manner. Store the power of a single lightning strike (avg. 2.7MW), and you can power around a thousand south Texas homes for a month.

 

[Acera]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Ronnie Barrett yet.

Roy Weatherby also made important contributions in the area of high speed rounds.

 

[dobarker]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Ronnie Barrett yet.

Important, yes. Just my opinion though, he wouldn't have a name without Carlos Hathcock and his team of armorers.
View attachment 32719

 

[Charlie]

No one will ever come close to the genius of John Moses Browning in gun design. Just remember Browning had no computer to aid in his design either.

Weiner ^^^^^

 

[Acera]

Important, yes. Just my opinion though, he wouldn't have a name without Carlos Hathcock and his team of armorers.
View attachment 32719

What did Hathcock actually do for Ronnie Barrett??? In case you don't know, people were using the .50 BMG is a sniper role long before CH did it.