Things you have wondered about guns, but have never asked...

[AlaskanInTexas]

I'll start with my displays of ignorance:

1. I understand that lead and copper are soft, but I cannot understand how barrels are able to tolerate tens of thousands of rounds without quickly wearing out.

2. I don't understand why most center fire handguns are chambered for big slow bullets instead of small fast bullets, like rifles.

3. I don't understand how projectiles fired from my magnum rifles can hit with 3,000+ feet pounds of energy, but the stock does not hit my shoulder with the same amount (though it often feels like it does!).

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

[AdioSS]

interesting questions...

[howdy]

I'll start with my displays of ignorance:

1. I understand that lead and copper are soft, but I cannot understand how barrels are able to tolerate tens of thousands of rounds without quickly wearing out.

2. I don't understand why most center fire handguns are chambered for big slow bullets instead of small fast bullets, like rifles.

3. I don't understand how projectiles fired from my magnum rifles can hit with 3,000+ feet pounds of energy, but the stock does not hit my shoulder with the same amount (though it often feels like it does!).

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

Let me see if I can help...

1) I'll get back to you on that one
2) Has something to do with physics
3) magic
40 Same reason a diamond costs more. It's a female conspiracy

I hope this helps

[AlaskanInTexas]

I'll start with my displays of ignorance:

1. I understand that lead and copper are soft, but I cannot understand how barrels are able to tolerate tens of thousands of rounds without quickly wearing out.

2. I don't understand why most center fire handguns are chambered for big slow bullets instead of small fast bullets, like rifles.

3. I don't understand how projectiles fired from my magnum rifles can hit with 3,000+ feet pounds of energy, but the stock does not hit my shoulder with the same amount (though it often feels like it does!).

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

Let me see if I can help...

1) I'll get back to you on that one
2) Has something to do with physics
3) magic
40 Same reason a diamond costs more. It's a female conspiracy

I hope this helps

Your answers confirm my suspicions.

[mr surveyor]

....... You have to be skilled to make an antiquated pistol design work properly.

heresy

[WildBill]

I'll start with my displays of ignorance:

1. I understand that lead and copper are soft, but I cannot understand how barrels are able to tolerate tens of thousands of rounds without quickly wearing out.

2. I don't understand why most center fire handguns are chambered for big slow bullets instead of small fast bullets, like rifles.

3. I don't understand how projectiles fired from my magnum rifles can hit with 3,000+ feet pounds of energy, but the stock does not hit my shoulder with the same amount (though it often feels like it does!).

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

1. Barrels are made of much harder and stronger metal [steel] than brass and lead. Some barrels are also plated, which helps them from wearing out. The heat from the burning propellant causes erosion of the metal in the chamber which can cause loss of accuracy.

2. See question 3.

3. The concept in known as conservation of momentum. Momentum is mass x velocity. The mass of the bullet is small so it goes faster than the heavier rifle.

4. Most parts of the lawn mower are sheet metal or tubing. The motor is probably a casting. This grade of steel or alumimum is cheaper than high strength steel or stainless.

Most guns are machined from billets of steel so the maching costs are much higher for a 1911 type handgun. Also the type of steel that can handle the pressure are more expensive that for a lawn mower engine.

Some of the price difference is because of supply and demand and what the market is willing to bear. A good survey question for this forum would be to ask how many forum members would rather have a new lawn mower or a new 1911.

I am sure I missed something, which some other member will explain.

[AlaskanInTexas]

A good survey question for this forum would be to ask how many forum members would rather have a new lawn mower or a new 1911.

If the "new lawnmower" is a person, then I choose the new lawnmower. If it is a machine, then the 1911.

[oohrah]

#3. Mass of bullet very small, with high velocity. Mass of shooter + rifle very very large compared to bullet, velocity very small. conservation of momentum. But don't try and hold the stock away from your shoulder, or you know what happens.

[Vol Texan]

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

I searched on Google for "obama banning lawnmowers", and came up (mostly) dry. Of course, there is always one exception: https://ssl.congress.org/congressorg/bi ... politicsol

As we all experienced earlier this year, the government's actions can have a significant impact on the cost of our firearms, ammo, etc.

[philip964]

The fn 5.7 pistol fires rifle rounds. They are small and fast.

But to answer your question, I would guess rifle ammunition is generally big. Too big to fit in a compact pistol. Plus they have a lot more bang. Which would take more steel to contain, again making the pistol bigger and heavier.

[jimlongley]

I'll start with my displays of ignorance:

1. I understand that lead and copper are soft, but I cannot understand how barrels are able to tolerate tens of thousands of rounds without quickly wearing out.

2. I don't understand why most center fire handguns are chambered for big slow bullets instead of small fast bullets, like rifles.

3. I don't understand how projectiles fired from my magnum rifles can hit with 3,000+ feet pounds of energy, but the stock does not hit my shoulder with the same amount (though it often feels like it does!).

4. I don't understand why a good 1911 costs more than a riding lawnmower; it seems like the lawnmower requires more in material costs, and I would expect the engine at least to be built with some significant attention to tolerances.

1. Barrels are made of much harder and stronger metal [steel] than brass and lead. Some barrels are also plated, which helps them from wearing out. The heat from the burning propellant causes erosion of the metal in the chamber which can cause loss of accuracy.

And as soon as the first shot is fired, the barrel becomes incredibly dirty, scrubbing the bore with each subsequent shot. Lead and copper also "plate" the bore adding to the strain.

[Beiruty]

1. Does not matter
2. Does not matter
3. Does not matter
4. Does not matter

Just enjoying shooting that little wonder machine, we call firearm.

[iom]

1. Good question, don't know.
2. My guess is, cartridge to long, and barrels too short.
3. Don't know, but like you, they feel like they do.
4. Another good question. My guess is paying for skilled labor time. Probably why I don't have one.

[WildBill]

A good survey question for this forum would be to ask how many forum members would rather have a new lawn mower or a new 1911.

If the "new lawnmower" is a person, then I choose the new lawnmower. If it is a machine, then the 1911.

If the lawn mower [person] was as reliable and lasted as long as a 1911, I would agree.