# I thought big guns like this where in impossible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085 "2014-10-31T04:25:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/1 "2014-10-31T04:25:52Z")
Being a scfi buff I came across this web site of future big guns for the military. I thought big guns like this where in impossible? Look like we have big guns like that now. [http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/) Has it is now some guns the kick is too great a bigger gun like in video game Doom or other video game and scfi movies would break your arm. How does these big guns deal with kick? Or do you have to be a big 250 to 300 pound strong guy to use big gun like that. Future big guns for the military. [http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/) Cool big looking guns future big guns for the military. [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140114-143419.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140114-143419.jpg) [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140116-064259.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140116-064259.jpg) [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03034.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03034.jpg) [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03020.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03020.jpg) [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC01579.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC01579.jpg) [![](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC01634.jpg) ](https://tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DSC01634.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/2 "2014-10-31T05:49:12Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Being a scfi buff I came across this web site of future big guns for the military. I thought big guns like this where in impossible? > > Look like we have big guns like that now. > [Gun Pr0n « Tactical Fanboy](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/) > > Has it is now some guns the kick is too great a bigger gun like in video game Doom or other video game and scfi movies would break your arm. > > How does these big guns deal with kick? Or do you have to be a big 250 to 300 pound strong guy to use big gun like that. Most of these are using present day ammo that people already shoot tons of. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/3 "2014-10-31T11:35:40Z")
There used to be a [20mm anti-tank rifle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPhSxDwhTIA). 50cal sniper rifles are routinely used. It really depends on how you want to use them and how mobile you need to be. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/4 "2014-10-31T12:09:59Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > There used to be a [20mm anti-tank rifle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPhSxDwhTIA). 50cal sniper rifles are routinely used. It really depends on how you want to use them and how mobile you need to be. And what you are doing with them, eg do you want the accuracy high ? If you are not going to put your eye down to site along the barrell, and ARe going to have a nasty recoil banging on your shoulder, you are going to be giving up on fine accuracy… ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/5 "2014-10-31T12:36:45Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Cool big looking guns future big guns for the military. > > [http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140114-143419.jpg](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/20140114-143419.jpg) While it may look cool, this one is only a .22. I don’t think we will see any soldiers running around with it any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/6 "2014-10-31T12:38:38Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Being a scfi buff I came across this web site of future big guns for the military. I thought big guns like this where in impossible? > > Look like we have big guns like that now. > [Gun Pr0n « Tactical Fanboy](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/category/guns/page/2/) Are you thinking that those slides at the top of the page are guns? The rest of the photos look like standard caliber rifles or carbines. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/7 "2014-10-31T12:43:32Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > I thought big guns like this where in impossible? I’m puzzled - is this supposed to be read as “guns like this were impossible” ?? ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/8 "2014-10-31T12:45:42Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I’m puzzled - is this supposed to be read as “guns like this were impossible” ?? Since he said it twice, I thought it must be what he means to say but I can’t parse it either. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/9 "2014-10-31T13:23:39Z")
Nothing in the OP makes sense to me. I am so confused. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/10 "2014-10-31T13:29:36Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > [http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03034.jpg](http://www.tacticalfanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DSC03034.jpg) That, I think, is the 9mm version of the TAR-21 Tavor. I’ve handled one, and it weighs about the same as an M-16A2 (although the weight is better distributed). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/11 "2014-10-31T13:57:17Z")
Those aren’t big guns. This is a [big gun](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/043/c/1/Aether_Hand_Cannon_by_JohnMalcolm1970.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/12 "2014-10-31T14:04:24Z")
None of the guns in the your links are particularly large, or fire particularly high caliber ammo. Of course there have been guns that fire gigantic rounds. And these are generally impractical/ridiculous to use as a standard soldier’s weapon. They are support weapons, like the anti-tank rifles mentioned above, or sniper rifles. Or they’re just made as apparent practical jokes, [like this .577 caliber rifle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrImp-ek3bI). You wouldn’t want this even if you were hunting elephants, unless it was on a bipod mount. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/13 "2014-10-31T14:06:32Z")
Those are all totally ordinary guns that any reasonably healthy person, including children, could shoot. They’re not as large as they look and most of the bulky black material is plastic. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/14 "2014-10-31T14:09:10Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Or they’re just made as apparent practical jokes, [like this .577 caliber rifle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrImp-ek3bI). You wouldn’t want this even if you were hunting elephants, unless it was on a bipod mount. Good gun for children. Adults fire [this.](http://www.guns.com/2013/08/02/jdj/) :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/15 "2014-10-31T14:15:04Z")
Something like the [High Impulse Weapon System](http://www.military.com/video/logistics-and-supplies/military-equipment/high-impulse-weapon-system/659673446001/) might be up the OP’s alley. [Video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyAl9qK3Rlg) of it being demostrated. [Blog](http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=18289) [posts](http://www.securityarms.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545) with a bit more data. It was basically a hand held 76 mm mortar that wouldn’t take your shoulder off. Per the links, it could throw a 3.5 lb shell around 600 m. Never made it into production, AFAIK. Alternately, you could be like [this guy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdbMpLHE8ww), firing a 60mm mortar from the hip… As to the ‘big guns’ being exhibited at SHOT, [muzzle brakes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzzle_brake) make life a lot easier for the shooter (and much more unpleasant for anyone around the shooter. Wear your earpro.) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/16 "2014-10-31T14:29:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Those aren’t big guns. This is a [big gun](http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/043/c/1/Aether_Hand_Cannon_by_JohnMalcolm1970.jpg). Sorry about that dinky little thing; maybe if you water it it could grow some? Now, on the other hand, punt guns ------- [http://www.bluerockheritage.com/images/Punt%20gun%20Knapp-6.jpg](http://www.bluerockheritage.com/images/Punt%20gun%20Knapp-6.jpg) I got to fire one once and I made stickies in my shorts. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/17 "2014-10-31T14:37:18Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Sorry about that dinky little thing; maybe if you water it it could grow some? Now, on the other hand, punt guns ------- > > [http://www.bluerockheritage.com/images/Punt%20gun%20Knapp-6.jpg](http://www.bluerockheritage.com/images/Punt%20gun%20Knapp-6.jpg) > > I got to fire one once and I made stickies in my shorts. That looks\* perfect\* for the open-carry types. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/18 "2014-10-31T18:20:29Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Being a scfi buff I came across this web site of future big guns for the military. I thought big guns like this where in impossible? Maybe you could explain what you meant by “guns like this”, as all your links apparently go to guns that are A) possible and B) have never been considered impossible. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2014, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/19 "2014-11-01T06:31:02Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > And what you are doing with them, > eg do you want the accuracy high ? > > If you are not going to put your eye down to site along the barrell, and ARe going to have a nasty recoil banging on your shoulder, you are going to be giving up on fine accuracy… True I don’t even see big guns like that in scfi movies or video games like doom. That is better at being a mount gun than gun you take with you. > [@Baracus](#): > > While it may look cool, this one is only a .22. I don’t think we will see any soldiers running around with it any time soon. It looks like big gun and some thing out of the video game Doom. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2014, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085/20 "2014-11-01T06:33:40Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Maybe you could explain what you meant by “guns like this”, as all your links apparently go to guns that are A) possible and B) have never been considered impossible. They look more like futuristic guns you you see in scfi movies or video games. They look futuristic and big gun. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-big-guns-like-this-where-in-impossible/703085.md?page=2)