Is there a carbon fiber handgun in existence?

Question

There was a mention of a carbon fiber handgun in the latest Batman film. I was wondering if one exists at all because although carbon fiber is very strong, I don't think it can be made to withstand the repeated explosive force that occurs when bullets are fired.

Answer 1

Yes, right here

http://www.finishing.com/300/46.shtml

It does have a steel liner as a bearing surface, but it is mostly carbon fiber.

Answer 2

it has been proposed, and there probably are prototypes out there.  No reputable gun manufacturer will make a carbon fiber pistol for the exact reason as in the movie.  I would imagine though, that for a close range assassination like in the movie, you wouldn't even need much of a barrel.  

It could be done, probably has been done, most likely will never be done on a large scale.

i can't seem to find the article now, but a couple months ago I remember reading about a guy who got busted for converting pagers into single shot .22 pistols.

Answer 3

They are proposed, i dunno if the exists, but your correct it wouldn't be able to withstand it. However the gun was not large caliber, maybe a .22.... that and it looked like only a six shooter, i imagine them being very unstable and only good for close, assassin missions...

Answer 4

There is a custom sniper rifle that uses a carbon fiber barrel lined with some type of nickel alloy. It is lightweight for the strength and rigidity. No production handguns that I've ever heard of, though stresses in handgun barrels are typicically much less than in high powered rifles.

There are two kinds of handguns, revolvers and autos.

Revolvers could use composites (i.e. carbon fiber) for the frame, maybe the cylinder, possibly the barrel (with a steel or nickel based liner). Most lightweight (aluminum alloy) ones kick too much for most people.

The barrel is the only major highly stressed part in an automatic. The frame can be made from plastic, slides are routinely made from aluminum for lightweight guns, but they recoil too hard. Thus, steel slide preferred for the weight.

Since the barrel is subject to external rubbing loads in autmatics as well as point loads for the locking mechanism, need external steel as well.

So, pretty much could make most of either type of pistol out of carbon fiber, but little weight advantage total, and huge cost impact. If you wanted the lighter weight, more machining and some design mods on existing guns could approach lightness of carbon fiber pistol at much lower cost, but people don't like the kick from light guns.

Answer 5

Probably not, for the reasons you stated. There is a carbon fiber car however, Swiss built. Not entirely made of carbon fiber I think...

That's the beauty of movies - suspension of disbelief. Anything is possible - even if not probable.