Science And Engineering Of Small Arms

This book initiates with the story of the evolution of firearms to enable the reader to appreciate the sequence of the development of firearms. It discusses different classes of small arms, their mechanics, internal and external ballistics. Further, it covers the design idea of barrels and actions, various operating principles and relevant discussion on ammunition and propellants. The principle of quality in the design of the small arms is also elaborated in the desired degree. The book brings out the relevance of modern manufacturing technologies like MIM and various surface treatments, and polymers for enhancement of product quality. To appreciate the sophistication of the architecture, the book presents the anatomical details of a few small arms of reputes. Provides complete understanding of overall small weapon systems Explores mechanics and physics of small arms Discusses proper design, quality control, and manufacturing process selections for a good weapon Covers common type of weapon failures and catastrophic failure Includes relevance of manufacturing processes The book is aimed at professionals and graduate students in Mechanical Design, Armament Design, Gun Design including personnel in the military, paramilitary, police, and all other armed forces and their maintenance crews.

This book initiates with the story of the evolution of firearms to enable the reader to appreciate the sequence of the development of firearms. It discusses different classes of small arms, their mechanics, internal and external ballistics. Further, it covers the design idea of barrels and actions, various operating principles and relevant discussion on ammunition and propellants. The principle of quality in the design of the small arms is also elaborated in the desired degree. The book brings out the relevance of modern manufacturing technologies like MIM and various surface treatments, and polymers for enhancement of product quality. To appreciate the sophistication of the architecture, the book presents the anatomical details of a few small arms of reputes. Provides complete understanding of overall small weapon systems Explores mechanics and physics of small arms Discusses proper design, quality control, and manufacturing process selections for a good weapon Covers common type of weapon failures and catastrophic failure Includes relevance of manufacturing processes The book is aimed at professionals and graduate students in Mechanical Design, Armament Design, Gun Design including personnel in the military, paramilitary, police, and all other armed forces and their maintenance crews.

The science of small arms ballistics is seriously underdeveloped and underappreciated. This unique and different book is a comprehensive study that fills a legitimate need for a work that covers the engineering and theory of small arms ballistics. The author shares his extensive research on working out the science of small arm ballistics mathematically and explains his theories, such as the field-effect and the field-effect over trajectory and time, along with new theories on interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics. Each equation describes a mathematical relationship, such as transfer of energy, and has an engineering application to help solve a design problem. Some equations, such as the calculation of bullet length with a given muzzle velocity and rate of twist, represent manipulations of those equations. Some other equations represent a set of mathematical instructions to resolve a technical problem, such as the computation of trajectory or depth of penetration of living tissue in real-time.

The science of small arms ballistics is seriously underdeveloped and underappreciated. This unique and different book is a comprehensive study that fills a legitimate need for a work that covers the engineering and theory of small arms ballistics. The author shares his extensive research on working out the science of small arm ballistics mathematically and explains his theories, such as the field-effect and the field-effect over trajectory and time, along with new theories on interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics. Each equation describes a mathematical relationship, such as transfer of energy, and has an engineering application to help solve a design problem. Some equations, such as the calculation of bullet length with a given muzzle velocity and rate of twist, represent manipulations of those equations. Some other equations represent a set of mathematical instructions to resolve a technical problem, such as the computation of trajectory or depth of penetration of living tissue in real-time.

This book focuses on developing small weapons, following the lifecycle of a firearm from design to manufacture. It demonstrates how modern technologies can be used at every stage of the process, such as design methodologies, CAD/CAE/CAM software, rapid prototyping, test benches, materials, heat and surface treatments, and manufacturing processes. Several case studies are presented to provide detailed considerations on developing specific topics. Small weapons are designed to be carried by one person; examples are pistols, revolvers, rifles, carbines, shotguns, and submachine guns. Beginning with a review of the history of weapons from ancient to modern times, this book builds on this by mapping out recent innovations and state-of-the-art technologies that have advanced small weapon design. Presenting a comprehensive guide to computer design tools used by weapon engineers, this book demonstrates the capabilities of modern software at all stages of the process, looking at the computer-aided design, engineering, and manufacturing. It also details the materials used to create small weapons, notably steels, engineering polymers, composites, and emerging materials. Manufacturing processes, both conventional and unconventional, are discussed, for example, casting, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and heat and surface treatments. This book is essential reading to those in the field of weapons, such as designers, workers in research and development, engineering and design students, students at military colleges, sportsmen, hunters, and those interested in firearms. Dr. Jose Martin Herrera-Ramirez is a military engineer with experience in the field of weapon and ammunition development. After receiving his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Paris School of Mines in France, he was the head of the Applied Research Center and Technology Development for the Mexican Military Industry (CIADTIM). He now researches the development of metallic alloys and composites at the Research Center for Advanced Materials (CIMAV) in Chihuahua, Mexico. Dr. Luis Adrian Zuñiga-Aviles is a military engineer with wide experience in the field of weapon and ammunition development. He was head of the prototypes and simulation departments at the Applied Research Center and Technology Development for the Mexican Military Industry (CIADTIM) and head of engineering of the Production directorate. He received his PhD in Science and Technology on Mechatronics from the Center for Engineering and Industrial Development (CIDESI) in Queretaro, Mexico. He now researches the new product design and development for military application, machinery, robotics, and medical devices in the Faculty of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Mexico State (UAEMex) and the Faculty of Engineering at UAEMex as part of the Researchers for Mexico program CONACYT.

This engaging and accessible book explains the scientific principles behind guns, both ancient and modern. It connects their evolution to advances in science, as well as tracing the developments of projectiles and propellants. It is not limited to small arms but also looks at the science of enormous guns such the Paris Gun, for example, and reviews the efforts to build a gun to launch projectiles into space. Extremely fast guns are also covered, such as two-stage guns and rail guns. Further, the book provides insight into the science of terminal ballistics and wound ballistics as well as the challenging subject of gun control. It is full of interesting facts for all who are curious about the science and history of guns, as well as those for whom the gun is an accessory of their profession.

This book examines Western military technological innovation through the lens of developments in small arms during the twentieth century. These weapons have existed for centuries, appear to have matured only incrementally and might seem unlikely technologies for investigating the trajectory of military-technical change. Their relative simplicity, however, makes it easy to use them to map patterns of innovation within the military- industrial complex. Advanced technologies may have captured the military imagination, offering the possibility of clean and decisive outcomes, but it is the low technologies of the infantryman that can help us develop an appreciation for the dynamics of military-technical change. Tracing the path of innovation from battlefield to back office, and from industry to alliance partner, Ford develops insights into the way that small arms are socially constructed. He thereby exposes the mechanics of power across the military- industrial complex. This in turn reveals that shifting power relations between soldiers and scientists, bureaucrats and engineers, have allowed the private sector to exploit infantry status anxiety and shape soldier weapon preferences. Ford's analysis allows us to draw wider conclusions about how military innovation works and what social factors frame Western military purchasing policy, from small arms to more sophisticated and expensive weapons.

This work deals with the classification, construction, design and theory of different kinds of small arms (hand-firing weapons, heavy machine guns and small-calibre automatic cannons). It provides the necessary knowledge and information to designers, workers in research and development, students at military colleges and all those with an interest in firearms.