Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Civilians had technologically superior firearms to military issue.

"Hayfoot, Strawfoot".
ER — (archived)

You should keep in mind that just because a rifle was more accurate than a musket did not mean it was a better military weapon. It took a lot longer to load, which reduced its rate of fire, and required a great deal of specialized training in its use. They were also very expensive to make and difficult to standardize for mass production (they were produced by craftsman and used by individuals who ofen cast their own custom bullets). In the 18th century British Army, rifles were used , but they were a specialized weapon used in small numbers by elite units, and they did not normally have a decisive effect on the battlefield.

A single shot weapon did not represent the opportunities for crime a modern concealble repeating firearm has. And in colonial society, it was difficult to be a mugger, regardless of how you were armed, because everyone in town already knew everyone else.

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