New spoon fires itself.

[Mo_Gearhead]

A new rifle goes on sale on Wednesday, and it's not like any other. It uses lasers and computers to make shooters very accurate. A startup gun company in Texas developed the rifle, which is so effective that some in the shooting community say it should not be sold to the public.

It's called the TrackingPoint rifle. On a firing range just outside Austin in the city of Liberty Hill, a novice shooter holds one and takes aim at a target 500 yards away. Normally it takes years of practice to hit something at that distance. But this shooter nails it on the first try.

The rifle's scope features a sophisticated color graphics display. The shooter locks a laser on the target by pushing a small button by the trigger. It's like a video game. But here's where it's different: You pull the trigger but the gun decides when to shoot. It fires only when the weapon has been pointed in exactly the right place, taking into account dozens of variables, including wind, shake and distance to the target.

The rifle has a built-in laser range finder, a ballistics computer and a Wi-Fi transmitter to stream live video and audio to a nearby iPad. Every shot is recorded so it can be replayed, or posted.

_______________________

I assume they will market these to the same people that will buy the 'car that drives itself?'

[Zeke]

You still have to lock on to the target and where you want to place the shot, no? Would certainly make successive shots very accurate.

[Mo_Gearhead]

PLEASE! - no one mention this thread to Dottore!

[HHI944]

17-20k price tag.........I'll pass

[Mericet]

They are also in a partnership with Remington. Saw this at a few places already but I doubt I will ever buy one. Takes all the fun and skill out of shooting long distances.

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Mericet

They are also in a partnership with Remington. Saw this at a few places already but I doubt I will ever buy one. Takes all the fun and skill out of shooting long distances.

Exactly. The obvious application would be the military.

[varmint]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

some in the shooting community say it should not be sold to the public.

who are these marys?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Mo_Gearhead

a novice shooter holds one and takes aim at a target 500 yards away. Normally it takes years of practice to hit something at that distance. But this shooter nails it on the first try.

No, it doesn't. A good instructor can teach you what you need to know to hit a target at a known distance in about 20 minutes.

In an hour he can teach you how to do it with a target at an UNKNOWN range.

This thing sounds like a great range toy for someone who doesn't know how to shoot (and doesn't care to learn)--otherwise, it's just an expensive paperweight.

It's the Indian, not the arrow.

[Rick V]

Since I am boycotting Remington for not sticking up for the rights of gun owners and bowing to the money I can say there will never be one on my house.

That being said it does take all the fun and skill out of long shots. Just like all the gizmo's in today's cars take the pure joy of seat of the pants driving away.

[Mo_Gearhead]

Sorry - I should have put the original posting in quotes - and acknowledged that it's a reporter for NPR making those statements as they observed the gun being fired.

[Schrup]

Is this for us folks that suffer from Essential Tremors? When I use a laser site, it looks like a mini laser light show.

[GWN7]

I can already hit a running target at over 500 yds, guess I saved myself 17-20k

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by Schrup

Is this for us folks that suffer from Essential Tremors? When I use a laser site, it looks like a mini laser light show.

Haha... My brother in law has that... Goona use that one on him at the range. :-)

Btw have you seen the place that is claiming they can resolve them?

Back to the original topic, Id love to have one. Not for sport shooting, but if the Zombies came, Im not out for sport. :-)

[Schrup]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Haha... My brother in law has that... Goona use that one on him at the range. :-)

Btw have you seen the place that is claiming they can resolve them?

Not sure, I went to a neurologist a couple years ago. I always assumed it was caused from heavy drinking when I was young, but I've been dry over 15 years now. The doctor was really cool, he did some blood work, then explained what it was Essential Tremors & it's hereditary & really no big deal. I'm glad I don't have to worry about it. Toughest job is dozens of people read my tiny chicken scratch on a daily log when I work & I have to keep it legible.

[Bill Douglas]

I wonder if it comes out in 1911 .45acp

Program it in... 25 yards, from holster, four seconds, two shots into each of three targets or I want my money back.