Quote Originally Posted by lars573
I don't see firearms (as we now know them) being replaced in my life time. The might be replaced with caseless ammo that I've read about. From there we could go to weapons that shoot plasma charges. Or to rail guns (metal round shot by magnetic attraction/repulsion down the barrel).
Yes, all possible. I'd like to think that there'd be a different method of activating the gun other than physical triggers though, I like the idea of mental triggers, wires off the head sort of thing with weaponary integrated into coats or something, at least for Personal Defense purposes, perhaps darts instead of gunpowder?

You don't need to tell me I've been reading too much sci fi

As to the personal soldier though, if the laser thing works out...then it may well replace modern weaponary. However, I strongly doubt old fashioned lead slugs will jsut drop out of fashion anytime soon...they work and work pretty well to my knowledge