[HoE] Re: Tech Level

[deadlander@juno.com (Templar Simon)]

>That's exactly my point though. I'm not looking for a substantial 
>change,>just some change. I don't want everyone running around with
phasers, 
>but>for the most part the weapons listed in HOE are all 1950's
technology. 
>I>would expect that in 100 years caseless ammo would be the standard and
>buying cased ammo weapons would be like buying black powder weapons 
>now.>I'm sure that in 100 years at least a few countries would be
issuing
>flechette weapons. ETC weapons would probably be in limited use as 
>well.

It is quite possible that this will happen from a military standpoint
(and even probable considering that the Reckoners are pushing buttons and
would want to have the most hideous weaponry being used).  However, what
about from a civilian POV?  Will the general American populace (that's
who I'm limiting it to since HoE takes place in our backyard) be
purchasing caseless ammo for our home weapons?  What kind of support or
resistance will the NRA give civilian-owned caseless weapons?  What
percentage of hunters and collectors (those with the most guns) reload
their own bullets?  Will they want to change to caseless ammo?

The reason that I say this is not to refute either side of this
discussion.  I think that both points have merit.  However, if we get
into this HUGE ground war how much of the military grade weaponry will be
available afterwards?  Won't we pretty much be left with what the
civilians were using?  The war didn't last for a day and then go boom. 
It lasted for some time before the first bombs were dropped.  The primary
targets were the cities (where most of the military production facilities
probably are) so there won't be much military grade hardware produced
after the bombs (HI is the only one that I can think of still in
production).  There could have been hidden caches but those will have
been emptied by the remaining military forces.  So that pretty much
leaves us with what Joe rancher had hanging over the fireplace.  Will
that be a caseless AR or Ole Bess?

So what I am trying to say is that, sure, there SHOULD be advanced
weaponry in the world but I personally don't think that it will be that
available.  And you are NOT gonna find it for sale at the local trading
post.  You're gonna have to pry it from some ex-military guy's dead
fingers before he'll part with it.  Besides, they gave us more advanced
weapons in WW, that should be plenty.

And  when you run outta ammo for your
super-advanced-caseless-flechette-firing banana rifle and Jose and family
have been melting down his old Deadlands miniatures for his M1 that every
US citizen can get for free from the government who'll be left holding
the sandwich?  (Ask Myridian about that one, Velkyn)

Templar Simon

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