If you are under water and you fire a handgun, what happens to the bullet ?

Question

Most likely no one has done this, or have they?

Answer 1

There is an episode on the mythbusters that tested the myth of firing underwater. What they found with the hand gun (9mm) pistol was that it still fired, but it only traveld appx 2 feet in distance. The bullet just stopped after two feet and remained in perfect condition. When they tested a high powered rifle, it actually bursted the end of its barrle (due to pressure not being released fast enough) but the bullet didn't travle futher than also about 2 feet.

So basically they conculded that if someone shot a gun at you underwater (the gun being submerged), you won't get hurt as long as you are 2 or more feet away from the tip of the gun.

Answer 2

It depends on the gun and the shape of the bullet and the powder charge. The bullet will get fired as long as the primer isn't loose so water gets in and sops the powder, but that wouldn't happen in most ammo today.

Myth busters fired into the water but didn't' do it underwater nor was there test accurate or conclusive.

Glocks were made to fire underwater with somethings you can buy from Glock. Most bullets though don't have a sufficient aerodynamic face to go through water. I think russia had a 9mm based spear pistol that shot spears, they had a limited range but it was better than 2 feet.

The bullet eventually under water looses speed and sinks or shortly after firing the bullet can't take the pressure of the water and velocity and it will break up.

When firing into water most bullets when fired close to the surface at an angle break up shortly because of hitting the surface and the high velocity. But weapons fired directly down into the water or firing from longer ranges at an angle the bullet will travel farther and have lethality farther in the water.

There are veteran accounts of the german mg42 machinegun bullets hitting people underwater that was due to the long range the bullet had traveled enough to slow done probably less than 1000 feet per sec and could then go through water and not break up right away.

There are also accounts of divers that knew at 6 feet if firing closer into the water that they couldn't be hit in WW2 and they took bullets in thier hands as souvenirs. Pacific theater.

People have shot underwater, I don't know if you would have a second shot, probably not with semi-autos and the range would be really short. Handguns have an advantage as they are lower velocity and some say that the flatter bullets go through the water better, (they create a low pressure in front of the bullet), apparently the Russian skhval torpedo is like this.

So, it is unsure of exactly what range but a bullet would be able to be fired and travel a couple of feet at least before either breaking up or sinking. It would largely depend on bullet aerodynamics and muzzle velocity. Also, whether the bullet is jhp or fmj that is whether the bullet is designed to expand, JHP or jacketed hollow point, in targets so the water would be like a human and the bullet would break up shorty from the muzzle whereas a FMJ or full metal jacketed round would go farther as it wouldn't break up.

Answer 3

I found a great URL with a write up of the testing when various handguns were fired udnerwater. They clearly documented what happened and what the various effects were. I'll give you the link at the bottom of my response.

Here is an excerpt of what was written up:

What about the .45 ACP ballistic performance underwater?
Remember, we are shooting at an impact board 4 feet in front of the muzzle.

Remington Golden Saber 230 grain JHP complete jacket/core separation does not even make it to the board
Winchester 230 grain SXT JHP outer jacket peels back erratically, exposing much of the bullet core, but jacket does not completely separate from the core does not even make it to the board
Federal Hydra Shock 230 grain JHP outer jacket peels back substantially, jacket separates from the core about 50% of the time does not even make it to the board
All of the above "high performance" loads demonstrated very noticeable signs of high pressure when fired underwater.

Federal 230 FMJ ball, standard velocity: 850 F.P.S. no noticeable bullet deformation, moderate signs of high pressure penetrated approximately ½" to ¾" of wood

Pretty cool huh? Okay, here is the link for the entire synopsis:

http://www.dlsports.com/underwater_handgun_shooting.html



oh, and by the way..in case anyone else is reading this....the authors of the information provided by the link clearly state that people should not try to reenact this type of procedure. I know there are a lot of "unintelligible" people out there. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.....or anywhere for that matter.

Answer 4

It has happed a lot. and what happens depends on the type of weapon or type of handgun. Some weapons and handguns are made to fire underwater.

Normally the bullet will fire and quickly slow down and fall. Only targets within very close range get damaged. Some weapons may not fire at all or only once or a few times if they get damaged or jammed.

Answer 5

The gun or rifle stills fire but the speed and range of the projectile decrease due to the water presure.

Answer 6

If the round is properly sealed the round will fire but water is so much denser than air it will only fire a few feet.

Answer 7

it slows down cause i was watchiung csi and i was at a police station and to see the bullet speed they shoot it in a water thing so it just slows it down :)

Answer 8

It will travel very slow that you better swim faster the other way around.

Answer 9

if there is any air in the gun "boooooooooooooom!!!!" if not it will fire

Answer 10

ask Mythbusters.