I had a big rant over the firearms technology in an old thread...
From the designs I've seen and knowledge of firearms history and technological advancements...
Garleans follow the fantasy basis of Magitek, mechanics with fudged workings that are McGuffined simply by saying: Magic does it. It makes it difficult to gauge however I'd place them at: Late Percussion Cap styled weaponry.
Personally picturing their weaponry with mechanisms similar to a late era revolver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Army_Model_1860
With the same type of ammunition utilizing some form of advanced paper cartridge (alchemical magitek thing) or an early form of metallic cartridge.
The weapons present elsewhere fall between flintlock, percussion, and early "needle" guns, as the bolt action rifles shown are reminiscent of such weaponry, which would also support the theory of Eorzeans have the advancement into Paper Cartridge ammunition though that would be considered high end. Given the whole theme of Machinist and how they look I'd wager they're individuals on the cusp of modern weaponry or engineering their own versions of "magitek" which would effectively the transition into metal cartridge ammunition.
Also, a misconception that black powder weaponry isn't comparable to modern firearms in all aspects, in terms of stopping power and accuracy, Percussion Dueling Pistols were accurate for their use and were as powerful as an M1911 Colt, their penetrating power is really up to the type of ammunition used at that point. Just because your armor stops it does not mean your body can handle that sort of impact force. That said, as mentioned above, dodging bullets isn't something any considers practical in reality, it's why armoring over vital points and maintaining cover is a thing rather than standing, dodging, and deflecting. Given how Final Fantasy XIV has handled it... its definitely something up to preference.
Having had the luxury of speaking with Koji during Fanfest Vegas for a while I did manage to get that they didn't really consider how Eorzea's, especially Garlean Magitek Technology, really lines up with our (Real Life's) modern history. We more or less chose things that worked with our image rather than trying to force together a chain of technological advancements. It's best to view it as: Garleans developed Magitek to it's point because they can't use magic, everyone else had free reign of magic and as such advancement of these sorts of technology is quite lacking though due to exposure to Garlean magitek and Cid as well as the necessity to counter act or at least understand their core mechanics has pushed advancement forward in a hurry.
From the designs I've seen and knowledge of firearms history and technological advancements...
Garleans follow the fantasy basis of Magitek, mechanics with fudged workings that are McGuffined simply by saying: Magic does it. It makes it difficult to gauge however I'd place them at: Late Percussion Cap styled weaponry.
Personally picturing their weaponry with mechanisms similar to a late era revolver: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Army_Model_1860
With the same type of ammunition utilizing some form of advanced paper cartridge (alchemical magitek thing) or an early form of metallic cartridge.
The weapons present elsewhere fall between flintlock, percussion, and early "needle" guns, as the bolt action rifles shown are reminiscent of such weaponry, which would also support the theory of Eorzeans have the advancement into Paper Cartridge ammunition though that would be considered high end. Given the whole theme of Machinist and how they look I'd wager they're individuals on the cusp of modern weaponry or engineering their own versions of "magitek" which would effectively the transition into metal cartridge ammunition.
Also, a misconception that black powder weaponry isn't comparable to modern firearms in all aspects, in terms of stopping power and accuracy, Percussion Dueling Pistols were accurate for their use and were as powerful as an M1911 Colt, their penetrating power is really up to the type of ammunition used at that point. Just because your armor stops it does not mean your body can handle that sort of impact force. That said, as mentioned above, dodging bullets isn't something any considers practical in reality, it's why armoring over vital points and maintaining cover is a thing rather than standing, dodging, and deflecting. Given how Final Fantasy XIV has handled it... its definitely something up to preference.
Having had the luxury of speaking with Koji during Fanfest Vegas for a while I did manage to get that they didn't really consider how Eorzea's, especially Garlean Magitek Technology, really lines up with our (Real Life's) modern history. We more or less chose things that worked with our image rather than trying to force together a chain of technological advancements. It's best to view it as: Garleans developed Magitek to it's point because they can't use magic, everyone else had free reign of magic and as such advancement of these sorts of technology is quite lacking though due to exposure to Garlean magitek and Cid as well as the necessity to counter act or at least understand their core mechanics has pushed advancement forward in a hurry.
