Chapter 453: After Modification: Chapter 453 Duckbill Dart
Shire took the paper and pen, drawing as he spoke to Dominic: "We could perhaps design the gun muzzle like this, with openings on both sides in the shape of a duckbill."
Dominic stared at the drawing in a daze: "I’ve never seen such a strange muzzle before. What use could it have?"
Shire put down the pen and raised his eyebrows.
Suddenly, Dominic understood: "Could it, be changing the spread pattern?"
"You guessed right." Shire answered: "The openings on both sides would make the pellets spread more horizontally rather than vertically."
Saying this, Shire picked up the shotgun, aiming the muzzle at a row of neat chairs in the conference room:
"Think about it, Dominic."
"On the battlefield, we often face a row of people standing in front of us."
"After firing, the pellets going up or down are useless; they either fly into the sky or hit the ground."
"Only the pellets fired horizontally can effectively hit the target."
Dominic exclaimed: "The openings on both sides make the pellets shoot out not like a cotton ball, but...a fan."
"That’s a good analogy." Shire praised: "Exactly like a fan, which can obviously increase the hit rate because the pellets are concentrated towards the target."
Dominic lamented: "Just a small modification can make a big difference. All we need to do is cut open the muzzle..."
"No." Shire interrupted Dominic: "I would prefer it to be an attachment, like a bayonet that can be optional."
Dominic nodded repeatedly: "Sometimes we still need the cotton ball instead of the fan."
"Yes. For instance, during alley fights, when shooting at windows or doors."
At that time, what is needed is indiscriminate indoor damage rather than a specific plane.
(The image above shows a shotgun equipped with a duckbill muzzle, appeared during the Vietnam War)
"But what about the range?" Dominic looked expectantly at Shire, eager to know how the range could be extended.
"It’s simple." Shire lifted a shell of shotgun ammunition before Dominic: "Its range only reaches 40 meters because it fires pellets."
Dominic nodded.
After being fired, the pellets roll continuously in the air, consuming much kinetic energy during the roll, and its surface area is also a problem.
"We can’t change that." Dominic frowned: "Unless we can make it spin like a bullet, then it could be stable during flight."
This is the reason why rifle barrels are rifled, which distinguishes rifled guns from smoothbore guns.
But Shire shook his head, put down the gun, picked up the pencil again, and said as he drew: "There are more things than bullets that can fly stably, Dominic, broaden your vision and use your imagination, then you will find there is...this!"
Saying this, Shire pushed the drawn dart bullet in front of Dominic.
(The image above shows a shotgun with dart bullets, modified during the Vietnam War, which can extend the range to about 300 meters)
(The image above shows the spread pattern of shotgun pellets after equipping a duckbill muzzle. It can be observed that the vertical spread is almost none, most of the spread is horizontal)
Dominic’s eyes widened suddenly, staring for a while before he exclaimed: "Darts, turning the pellets into small darts! You are a genius, General. Unbelievable, I mean, this is indeed a great idea, it’s so simple, but no one besides you thought of it! No one could think of it!"
"Is it achievable?" Shire asked, but this was actually redundant.
"Yes, certainly." Dominic nodded repeatedly.
"Also, next month I need two hundred units." Shire said: "Including bullets."
Dominic did not hesitate and immediately agreed: "No problem, General, I guarantee it."
These modifications are simple, with no technical barriers.
All that needs to be done is purchase the original version shotguns from FN and slightly modify them, then produce the dart bullets ourselves to meet the requirements.
Even so, the impact it could have is beyond imagination, the range could be several times the original.
Thinking of this, Dominic was excited, eager to start producing this new type of shotgun.
...
Paris, 16th district, Steed Manor.
It was the season when grapes were ripe; late July grapes were just perfect. Usually at this time of year, Steed would personally oversee the servants harvesting the grapes in the manor, and then make them into wine.
Every process must be satisfactory and strictly supervised.
Steed did not trust external things.
This was not only a matter of quality but also an extra guarantee for Steed’s personal safety.
But this time, Steed was in no mood for winemaking, letting the servants work busily outside while he anxiously paced back and forth in the study with a cane, frequently glancing at the telephone.
"Ring ring..."
As soon as it rang, Steed rushed over like lightning.
He was disappointed when he answered; it wasn’t Dominic calling.
"Alright, Mr. Commissioner."
"Another two thousand machine guns, St. Étienne 2!"
"Ensure timely delivery!"
...
After putting down the phone, Steed sighed lightly. Compared to business, he would rather know a bit about Shire’s intentions.
Dominic, what was he up to? It had been two days with no news, as if he had vanished.
He had told him to take the plane, yet he insisted on taking the train!
Suddenly, there were hurried footsteps outside, Dominic pushed the door open, carrying a gun case, and sweating profusely, said to Steed: "Father, I’m back. I brought Shire’s new design, you’ll be amazed!"
Steed looked at Dominic in disbelief.
This rascal, he knew Steed was anxious to know Shire’s intentions, yet he didn’t even make a call!
Even if the call couldn’t go through, sending a telegram wasn’t difficult!
Steed couldn’t have expected that after Dominic’s meeting with Shire, his mind was entirely occupied with the series of marvelous shotgun modifications, leaving any thought of calls or telegrams far behind.
Steed was about to speak, but Dominic was even more eager, skillfully placing the gun case on the desk and opening it.
Inside were two shotguns.
Dominic, full of excitement:
"Shire wants us to combine the strengths of these two guns and modify them."
"Even more amazing is this."
He unfolded the drawing he made on the train and showed it to Steed:
"Shire’s design, just a simple modification, can increase its power and range."
"I’m not sure if it will work, need to produce one and test it to be certain."
"But Shire is always right, this time won’t be an exception."
Steed looked at the sketches and suddenly felt light-hearted, then took a deep breath, showing joy in his eyes:
"Yes, Shire is always right."