[jakogut]

The problem with coil guns in particular is the ferrous slug is drawn to the center of the magnetic field. The field has to be collapsed at the right time to avoid sapping velocity from the slug, counterproductively.

Many designs that achieve respectable velocities use a multi-stage coil, which requires precise timing for each magnetic field, a lot of power, and high current capability. Generally, that means large batteries for a power source and large capacitors to feed the coils, which becomes heavy and expensive.

Even rifle variants rarely make more energy than a .22 LR, a feat which is easily overshadowed by air guns several hundred years old.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girardoni_air_rifle

[15155]

> his air gun which fired 22 times at one charge

I think these might be classifiable as assault weapons.

[jakogut]

If anything, I think it goes to show that weapons like this are anything but novel and unusual.