History of the Gun Part-7: Rifling

The "History of the Gun" online video series produced by Ruger is a unique look at the progression of firearms technology throughout the years, hosted by Senior Editor of Guns & Ammo Garry James. Part 7 examines Rifiling.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Genuine
• Ruger
• Video

[vascurten]

I would like to know where do you guys got the pictures of the bullets, its for a school Work

[RugerFirearms]

@vascurten

Garry James actually provided most of the materials for these videos. He has a large collection of not only historical firearms, but also books and other documents recording the history of guns.

[TaZ101SAGA]

@Artexerxes101 The rifling is made in a twist motion, like a spiral. The bullet grips the rifling and because of the twist, it causes it to spin, increasing its stability and velocity in flight and making it more accurate.

[Artexerxes101]

How exactly does the bullet spin once it grips the rifling?

[MrBagginsEsq]

The minie ball looks like an airgun pellet.

[VhenRaTheRaptor]

@OvoJeGovno As said above. Rifling came first but it was nowhere near practical, then came the Minnie Ball and Breechloading (Sharps Rifle, Needle Gun and a few others) followed by Percussion Caps and Cartridges. Then the Repeating Rifle (Magazine loaded Bolt Action and Lever Action)

[ShawdsterEP]

@OvoJeGovno Rifling came first and was in use since at least the 17th century in specially made hunting guns (not cheap and not military mass-produced). It wasn't until the early 1800's when machined and cheap rifling was developed that it became standard, which also was around the time breachloaders were becoming sufficiently advanced. Hence, you see the guns in this vid being breach loaded with rifling.

[OvoJeGovno]

I'm confused. In the self-contained cartridge video, the guns shown had breeches. Which came first, that or this?

[ImWatchinTheTube]

@RugerFirearms Garry James is such a blessing to firearms/history enthusiasts. I love the G&A articles that he gives us and I'm loving this series. Thank you Garry James and thank you Ruger for giving this to us for free (and for well priced HIGHLY functional firearms, go Mini-14, the little Garand, coolest semi-auto action ever!).

Did I mention... thanks?

[De4dm4u5Rulez]

Was that first gun he used a Flintlock one?

[mikedamat]

This gave the Continental Army a significant advantage.

[tobiov]

The concepts behind rifling actually date back before firearms - the fletching on arrows were intentionally designed to make them spin.