The Rifle’s History
The long-arm has always been a favorite firearm, not only in America, but in other countries as well. It has been the weapon of choice in countless wars and it has been used for simple tasks such as hunting for food to provide for a frontier family. Since the American long-arm has been around for so long, this firearm has had to develop and evolve over the years. What once was a basic weapon has become a high-tech firearm that has more power than ever.
Over the years, the firing mechanism of the American rifle has evolved greatly. Initial firearms included flintlocks for igniting the gunpowder and propelling the ammunition out of the barrel. These flintlock firearms gained in popularity and were around for many years, but there were some firing issues associated with the flintlock. A new rifle firing mechanism was then invented called the percussion ignition. This method was considered faster and better since it used a percussion cap to create a small pressure explosion which in turn ignited the gunpowder and fired the ammunition. Firearm users no longer needed to wait for the flint to slowly ignite the gunpowder.
The look and the size of the American long-arm has also changed over the years. Many of the older weapons included long barrels. As the American long-arm evolved, newer models came out that were shorter than some of the other types. This was more convenient for hunters as they could transport their guns a little more easily. The shorter guns were lighter and didn’t get in the way as frontiersmen trekked through the forest in search of game.
The ammunition the American long-arm uses has also changed over the years. Initially, the American weapons used gunpowder which ignited and propelled the ammunition balls out of the barrel. Eventually the ammunition became more convenient and the gunpowder and bullets were contained in a cartridge. This made it easier for the rifle to be loaded. As the American rifle evolved over the years, it became more accurate with faster bullet speed and power.
