Its time for a new industrial revolution concerning the handgun. Time to create a more lethal compact device, time to adopt modern technology concerning propellant and especially the bullets themselves.
Its time to create a handgun that is more deadly at extreme close range than any current assault rifle is at standoff distances.
Off the top of my head was that interesting device used in Minority Report that created a shock way and was apparently self loading not needing any ammunition, you just literally wound it up recharging it.
What makes you think propellants and bullets are not modern?
Modern propellants are more smokeless, clean and efficient burning, and predicable than they’ve ever been. What current technology hasn’t been implemented?
Ditto for bullets. Uniformity in construction, weight, size. Optimized for accuracy, penetration and expansion.
Really, the metallic cartridge is at its apex using modern technology. Caseless is currently a no-go, telescoping cartridges are in development but the promise is waning.
A pistol, by its practical nature, will always be second to the rifle in firepower and accuracy..
Exploding, poisonous bullets?