Single thing that changed weapons forever?

[poopgiggle]

My point is, they have never been used as weapons, but fission bombs have.

Well in that case you're discounting every nuclear weapon ever from being considered a "weapon" except for the two rudimentary ones we dropped during WWII.

 

[Henry]

I agree with the others that think self contained cartridge is the single thing making the most improvement. Even the old papershell was a huge improvement over cap & ball types. Then with metallic self contained, well, seems we are still using them today and in the days to come.

 

[Blinocac200sx]

Well in that case you're discounting every nuclear weapon ever from being considered a "weapon" except for the two rudimentary ones we dropped during WWII.

Yes, that's my point.

 

[Uncle Bobby]

Since 1900, reliable automatic weapons. 1911, M1, ect. Also the ability to measure and analyze ballistics accurately lead to the development of advanced calibers. Metallurgy is a good one, as mentioned.

 

[dru]

My point is, they have never been used as weapons, but fission bombs have.

*facepalm*

Something doesn't have to be used as a weapon to actually be a weapon. Its way beyond theory, has been tested extensively and will reliably wipe everything off the map. One could argue that the mere existence of a thermonuclear device that deters others from doing really really stupid $hit is enough to classify it as a weapon

 

[Super Dave]

Propellants, period. Before that were throwing and chucking, and bowing, and hurling and impailing.

 

[Big-Tex]

The self contained metallic cartridge was the breakthrough that allowed the modern repeating firearm as we know it.
But, since you want to keep it to the 20th century and later then probably improvments in metallurgy may be the biggest single continuing advancement. Aluminum, scandium, titanium, stainless steel... This could include the use of plastics for frame and stocks.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[henschman]

Either nukes or the invention of the computer/microprocessor