| abstract
| - Projectile weapons are apparatuses designed to project or throw an object of some design. Above all others, projectile weapons are the most abundant in the universe, having the distinction of being the most veteran and populated. Indeed, the most primitive of ranged weapons are projectiles. The projectiles field is so numerous that there have been dozens of classification methods for its weapons. This section distinguishes the kinds of guns by the method that they throw the object.
* Chemical refers to a weapon that uses pressure from a chemical reaction to push the slug toward the target. Called slugthrowers, conventional handguns operate on this principle. Slugthrowers enjoy the most popularity with the armed forces.
* Electromagnetic weapons are only useful in highly specialized tasks. They use the power of magnets (usually superconducting) to deliver the firing energy to a highly aerodynamic slug. These weapons are often referred to as gauss rifles, rail guns, mass drivers, or coil guns.
* Rocket-assisted include projectiles that are fired through the force of expanding gases. Unlike chemical weapons, rocket-assisted projectiles propel themselves autonomously. Rocket-assisted weapons are generally explosive and large, such as the missile.
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