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Before the matchlock was invented, guns had to be manually lit by holding a lit match into the touch hole. This would start the reaction that propelled the bullet down the barrel. The first guns were wildly inaccurate and required very short range to use. First Recorded Use Of a Firearm: 1364 - Firearms Throughout History. (n.d.). Firearms Throughout History. Retrieved October 4, 2012, from http://firearmsthroughouthistory.weebly.com/first-recorded-use-of-a-firearm-1364.html
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First mechanical firearm. When lowered, the hammer lit a wick, which then reacted with the black powder, causing the bullet to shoot down the barrel. History of the Gun- Part 2: The Matchlock. Perf. Garry James. Ruger Firearms, n.d. YouTube.
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The process of putting notches in the barrel so the bullet comes out spinning, improving accuracy and aerodynamic. Composed of deep holes called grooves and raised platforms called lands. This process is now widely used in almost every modern firearm. Invented around 1500 Rifling - FirearmsID.com. (n.d.). Rifling - FirearmsID.com. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.firearmsid.com/A_bulletIDrifling.htm
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Flintlock weapons open the flash pan and ignited it with a spark. They are said to be invented around 1600, although the exact date is unknown. It lasted for about two centuries as the prime firearm for people to use. "American Firearms." American Firearms. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. http://www.americanfirearms.org/history.php.
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Invented in 1814, by Elisha Haydon Collier, then revolutionized by Samuel Colt in 1836 with a percussion cap, revolvers use a spinning cylinder to load automatically after shot, resulting anywhere from 5-8 shots. Colt Revolver - History of the Colt Revolver. (n.d.). About.com Inventors. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/colt_revolver.htm
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Samuel Colt revolutionizes the revolver with a percussion cap, resulting in the first "true" revolver. Colt Revolver - History of the Colt Revolver. (n.d.). About.com Inventors. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/colt_revolver.htm
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The Stg-44 was the first assault rifle, invented in 1944 in Nazi Germany. It had a rate of fire of 500-600 rpm. Modern assault rifles (such as the SA80, Ak-47 & the futuristic XM-29), have repeatedly advanced in technology with improved accuracy, stability, rpm or reliability. The M-16 assault rifle is now the standard issue weapon for the US Army. Assault rifle. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/39165/assault-rifl
