"hiouchibear" wrote in message
nk.net...
What a strange thread. I don't really understand how a fly rod could be
analogous to a rifle barrel, in any sense (except action/re-action). The
comments on the rod forming an arc with the tip following (but not
dropping) makes sense. And...anyone who looks at the physics involved in
firing a bullet i.e. explosion/action/reaction...the force from the
explosion pushes backwards...BUT...the design of the rifle, the way it is
held, whether or not the barrel is ported, are things that are all
contributing factors. All things considered, the shooter and the design
of rifles generally tend to absorb the shock going backwards and also
direct it in an upward arc. The only way I can imagine a rifle barrel
dropping is by putting it in some kind of vise that directs more downward
than upward pressure, but that's not how rifles are held by a shooter nor
is it the way rifles are designed (which is why ports are designed to
force gases to exit from the top portion of the barrel rather that the
bottom). I guess, technically, if the barrel was designed to push
backwards with no design to cause it to arc in any direction...and the
barrel was supported in a way that provided no push in any direction other
than directly against the force, the barrel would only be minimally
influenced by gravity and would tend to move in a direction that is almost
totally opposite the force. But, gravity will cause both bullet and
barrel (in a vacuum and with no other considerations) to arc due to
gravity. Depending on the location of the chamber and length of the
barrel, the chamber end would tend to be leading initially, with the
barrel following. With gravity, part of the arc would be with the barrel
moving down initially...but that's not anything that I could see happening
in "real life". My head is starting to hurt...

Obviously, I'm not a Physicist. But....I don't believe the author of the
book is any more of a Physicist either.

I also can't believe I took so much time thinking about this thread LOL

Barry



Not commenting on comparison to fly rods and can not connect the two. But
modern rifles do not have an explosion in the firing chamber. That went out
with black powder. Modern powders are considered propellents and have a
longer burn time. Different powders, different burn rates. As to barrel
movement. Guns normally tend to climb at the barrel as the lever arm is
upward. The M-16 is designed to not climb or drop as the barrel is in line
with the back of the stock. Why it has a carry handle. The sight plane is
along the top of the handle.