What little boy hasn't wanted to . . . ?

What little boy hasn't wanted to shoot a gun underwater?

Here's a film of what happens at 27,000 frames per second.

I was amazed at how much better the revolver was and I want to click over to see how the AK47 fares, but I haven't had time yet.

Gun in pool

That is AMAZING!! thanks for posting.

No "berkeley his 6th grade teacher" content FTL. Whenever you're ready, Mrs. Munson.

AK footage here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cp5gdUHFGIQ

I learned years ago watching some 50's Sea show that past seven feet most any gun is useless. :)

Except for a harpoon.

Here's the first part of that video, OldSaw, it's equally awesome showing you the action of what's going on inside the gun: Youtube

I recommend subscribing to SmarterEveryDay, that youtube channel is fascinating!

EastCoastMojo wrote: Except for a harpoon.

New band name: "Mustard Harpoon."

DoctorBlade wrote: I learned years ago watching some 50's Sea show that past seven feet most any gun is useless. :)

See, I thought from what I saw in Sea Hunt and from reading the Bond books that at about 20 feet it could still kill you.

When trying this at home ensure there are no air pockets in the barrel or action or things might get more interesting for you than you would like. On a side note Glock makes firing pin cups for the model 17 (fits the 19 as well) that allows those guns to function properly when fired under water. It is also recommended to use sealed sub sonic ammo for better performance (seals are at the crimp and primer).

EDIT oh yeah and no hollow points they can actually expand in the barrel because of the water. On a side note there have been several interesting guns with special ammo designed for the purpose of firing under water.

Myth Busters did a show about firing into water and what happens to the bullet. Interesting.

it depends on the bullet and how it gets into the water. Fired from the air, it has enough velocity -and- spin to stay mostly stable. Longer bullets obviously go further in water before starting to tumble.

In the water, most of their velocity is already lost coming out the muzzle. It is one of the reasons the revolver did so well. Short barrel and a longer bullet

poopshovel wrote: No "berkeley his 6th grade teacher" content FTL. Whenever you're ready, Mrs. Munson.

I liked Mr. Kaufmann as much as anyone but that thought never entered my mind.

Watching the bullets tumble makes me think a longer skinnier bullet of the same mass would do better even in the air.

In reply to mad_machine:

Actually the bullet for the .38 is not really longer then that of the 9mm by any appreciable amount. The case is longer but bullet no. The difference is the sealed chamber and longer barrel of the auto allows for faster muzzle velocity. The revolver allows gas to escape between the forcing cone and cylinder and the short barrel does not allow for faster muzzle velocity. Basically it is a sub sonic round even out of the water, just over 900 fps vs 1300 fps of the 9mm.

mad_machine wrote: it depends on the bullet and how it gets into the water. Fired from the air, it has enough velocity -and- spin to stay mostly stable...

If you didn't see the episode, it was essentially that any higher velocity round (rifle +) would disintegrate when it hit the surface. A 9mm would penetrate the water quite well, a .50 cal would be scattered in tiny bits as soon as it hit.

carguy123 wrote: Watching the bullets tumble makes me think a longer skinnier bullet of the same mass would do better even in the air.

And they do.......go figger