After spending billions in weapons research

[Fosgate]

This guys builds the worlds first hand held rail gun with a 3d printer.

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/3d-printing-used-first-real-handheld-railgun-fires-134325053.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb

[Jones]

It's not really a rail gun it fires at only 560 mph that's the speed of a comercial airliner. A hand gun fires 3x faster.

[Fuzz]

I disagree. A railgun is an electrically powered electromagnetic projectile launcher. The speed of the projectile is irrelevant, except in its effectiveness as a weapon.

[btp1979]

My math could be off, but that equates to around 820 fps (feet per second). That's pretty close to what 45 ball flies out at. I sure as hell wouldn't stand in front of it. As for a handgun going 3 times faster......not so much. It's pretty cool though!

[skalls]

Depends on the handgun round. Hot 357 sig round move closer to 1400 fps. 9mm can push 1300s.

Big bore revolvers, 454 casull, 460, and 500 s&w can get stupid fast. And technically are handguns/portable cannons

[TCContender]

I have a 6.5 JDJ barrel for my Thompson Center Contender that will spit a 120 gr Nosler BT downrange at over 2500 FPS, but only Ron Jeremy could carry that pistol concealed.

As for the homemade rail gun, you know that there is a nanny state hand-wringer somewhere looking for a way to classify this as an "assault rifle". Good thing he opted for white PVC and no bayonet lug.

[Jones]

My math could be off, but that equates to around 820 fps (feet per second). That's pretty close to what 45 ball flies out at. I sure as hell wouldn't stand in front of it. As for a handgun going 3 times faster......not so much. It's pretty cool though!

A five seven is a normal size hand gun that shoots over 2300 fps. My original point was just that the article makes it seem like something it's not. Although technically a rail gun it fire very slow compared to the mach 6 rail gun the navy has.

[MrGTO]

I didn't read anything in that article making it seem like something it's not...

I'm sure if he had an unlimited budget he could do much better but comparing a kid with a 3D printer to the Navy railgun system is a little silly.