Keefe Report: Back to the Future in the Gun Industry

by
posted on October 21, 2015
back2future.jpg

Oct. 21, 2015—Back to the Future Day—apparently commemorates the date that Marty McFly traveled to in "Back to the Future II." While the firearm industry does not have anything as glitzy as a flying DeLorean, there have been some major introductions that are worthy of reflection since 1985, the year the iconic movie takes place.

1. Glock pistols. 1985 was a world pretty much without Glocks. The Austrian handgun had just been adopted by the military of that nation. But the widespread commercial adoption—and the law-enforcement dominance—had yet to occur. Back then, there were very few polymer frame pistols. The VP70z from H&K had been an abject commercial failure.

 

2. Laser sights. Yes, lasers existed, and perhaps there was speculation about some sort of Buck Rogers laser death ray, but it didn't happen. What did happen is laser sights. Back in the ‘80s Dr. John Matthews from Surefire spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to put a laser on a pistol or shotgun. Problem was they drew a lot of power. It took a while for battery technology to catch up, but since the 1980s lasers have gotten smaller more reliable and eminently more practical. 




3. Red-dot sights
. OK, there were red-dot sights. We tested the first Aimpoint in 1978. But back then, they were limited to some competition shooters. If you shot Bullseye or IPSC you maybe knew what that big ungainly drum-like thing was on top of another guy’s gun. But mostly not. Of course, technology has shrunk the red dot to the point that some of them weigh mere ounces and pretty much do the same job as a thing that looked like a coffee can in the 1980s.

4. Flattop ARs. Back in 1985, if you wanted to put a scope on your AR-15 you had to mount it on top of the carry handle. The flattop AR had not come into use, one of the most practical improvements to any firearm.

5. Gun-mounted lights. Illuminating your target in 1985 was pretty much the job of a D-cell Maglight. Even if you could find a way to mount it to a gun you probably would not want to. But here's an area where changes in battery technology and in bulbs, in particular with Surefire’s incandescent bulbs, and then the widespread use of LEDs. Now you can have on your firearm as many lumens as they had in the searchlights of a Hogans Heroes’ guard tower.




Latest

Right-side view of Remington Model 95 "Double Derringer" shown with old box of ammo and buttoned shirt
Right-side view of Remington Model 95 "Double Derringer" shown with old box of ammo and buttoned shirt

I Have This Old Gun: Remington Model 95 "Double Derringer"

Just after the Civil War, Remington Arms began producing its Model 95 "Double Derringer," which would become one of the most popular guns the firm ever made.

New For 2025: Colt Optics-Ready Competition 1911s

In keeping with the ongoing optics-ready trend in the handgun world, Colt introduced two new models of its Competition 1911 that are designed to accept many of today's popular red-dot optics.

Review: Meprolight Mepro M22 Red-Dot Optic

Meprolight’s new M22 red-dot optic is lighter and smaller than its predecessor while offering the same extreme ease of use.

Tips & Techniques: A Speedloader For .22s

Rimfire shooters of several types of popular rifles and revolvers have long struggled with a convenient way to take spare ammunition into the field. Here's an easy solution.

Ruger, Mossberg Continue To Support Friends Of NRA

The NRA Foundation announced that Ruger and Mossberg are 2025 Defender Level Corporate Sponsors of the Friends of NRA program.

Herring Model 2024: Fightlite’s Evolutionary Inevitability

Modern problems require modern solutions, and FightLite’s innovative Herring Model 2024 proves that the lever gun can still be more than just a relic of a bygone age.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.