Machinist's Firearms: How Do They Work?

[AnnaMolly]

So, I was recently shown lore on how Grimoires work as well as how and why some are specialized for Arcanist and Summoner and some for Scholar, and just what is written and illustrated within.

Being somewhat familiar with the inner workings of RL firearms I'm quite curious as to how guns in the game world function. Now I'd assume that guns such as the Ironworks Repeater and the Gjallarhorn fire ceruleum- and aether-powered blasts respectively but what about the modern Eorzean firearms?

Many of MCH's guns are portrayed as flintlocks but are shown to be fired much faster than a flintlock could be. So is there any actual lore on how these weapons function or how they use ammo and what ammo they use?

[AskaRay]

Doesn't that thing on your belt convert aether into bullet-like projectiles to be shot out of the gun?

I sorta assumed that was going on, but who knows. I wanna SAY it was mentioned at some point but I'm not sure, don't quote me on it.

[AnnaMolly]

Doesn't that thing on your belt convert aether into bullet-like projectiles to be shot out of the gun?

I sorta assumed that was going on, but who knows. I wanna SAY it was mentioned at some point but I'm not sure, don't quote me on it.

The Aetherotransformer? I thought it mainly powered stuff like the Gauss Barrel and the turrets as well as stored them along with ammo. There are NPCs who wield guns with no Aetherotransformer, but I don't remember if they are ever shown using weaponskills.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, it kinda makes sense. The Gauss Barrel cancels out auto-attacks, so I'd guess auto-attacks are actual lead projectiles that would break the Gauss Barrel which is more of an aether shot amplifier?

So, Flintlocks are flintlocks, revolvers and revolvers, and the only thing that'd make any difference on is auto-attack shots, not skills...right?

[Cilia]

As far as I know, the firearms work like normal firearms. Yes we can shoot them faster than a real-life flintlock pistol, but chalk that up to gameplay purposes. Plus, a number of MCH weapons aren't flintlocks (Ironworks Magitek Repeater, anyone?), and they have to do with a standardized animation for all guns. Yeah they fire a lot faster than flintlocks / muskets, but would you really like to stand around doing nothing for about a minute while you reload your weapon for each shot?

As for the aetherotransformer, Stephanivien tells you it's used to channel lightning aether; it's basically how our autoturrets function, as well as why Promotion consumes MP. I don't know if the Gauss Barrel has anything to do with that, given "Gauss" is a catchall term for a coil gun. (Brings up more questions than answers.)

[Amiaze]

Doesn't that thing on your belt convert aether into bullet-like projectiles to be shot out of the gun?

I sorta assumed that was going on, but who knows. I wanna SAY it was mentioned at some point but I'm not sure, don't quote me on it.

Yes, it does. It's explained in the first or second job quest. I can't remember if it transforms part of your aether or part of the aether in the atmosphere, but that is how it functions. I think Gauss Barrel just concentrates that aether further, which is why auto-attacks are shut off, but I could be wrong. I'd have to read through it again. And I don't think all of the bullets are aether-powered; some are still lead. The big difference between machinists and others that use guns (such as Captain Madison) is the aetherotransformer.

[Zohar_Lahar]

Many of MCH's guns are portrayed as flintlocks but are shown to be fired much faster than a flintlock could be. So is there any actual lore on how these weapons function or how they use ammo and what ammo they use?

The internal feed mechanism is probably shaped like an infinity symbol, which gives it unlimited ammo.

[Belhi]

Basically the guns are straight up firearms. The Aetherotransformer is used to provide power to gadgets by producing Lightning Aether and charge up special ammunition types. For example, the stun shot uses an shot charged with Aetheric Lightning to effectively tazer the target.

Theoretically the speed of fire could be explained as them using lightning aether to ignite the black powder in the bullets. The guns do seem to use bullets regardless of the design.

[Magis]

They could be breech loaders instead of muzzle loaders since the MCH slaps the back of his gun when reloading. Still lead ball and black powder, but probably in paper cartridges for quick loading since the icon is a lead ball not a bullet (iirc?).

[Belhi]

The Buff icon however is a bullet.

[AnnaMolly]

They could be breech loaders instead of muzzle loaders since the MCH slaps the back of his gun when reloading. Still lead ball and black powder, but probably in paper cartridges for quick loading since the icon is a lead ball not a bullet (iirc?).

Musketoon type guns look like they break open so I'd assume they are breech load. Carbines...I dunno.