Can a bullet go off by dropping it on the ground?

Answer 1

Theoretically, yes.

Most likely, no.

I personally, and most likely everyone has fumbled a few and dropped them and they haven't gone off. Many a live shotshell has been fumbled on trap fields, plenty of rifle and pistol rounds on ranges as well. Its not good of course, but it happens, and thankfully they aren't that sensitive.

Pretty much the only way it will go off is if the primer itself is hit with enough sharp force to detonate its explosive charge.

If one was to detonate, however, you have more to worry about from shrapnel from the shell casing than the bullet. Without a barrel there isn't a place for the powder to burn completely and the pressure to be kept behind the bullet giving it the full force of the expanding gasses, along with the casing being contained in the chamber. The most likely effect would be the case bursting, the primer and bullet popping out (with some force), as the gas of the burning powder gives pressure in all directions equally with no containment.

Answer 2

By dropping the bullet on the ground there isn't enough mass or inertia to cause the primer to ignite. You will need considerably more force. You can get it to go off if you drop it in a fire or some other source of heat. However I wouldn't advise you try it.

Answer 3

In order for a bullet to fire something (a firing pin when you pull the trigger) has to strike the primer to ignite the gun powder. The only way it will go off if you drop it is if it hits a rock or some other hard object directly on the primer. Dropping it shouldn't have enough force to fire it though, so it's near impossible.

Answer 4

No it won't. I'm sure it's theoretically possible under the most perfect of circumstances. But in 99.9999% of cases if you really wanted to you could whip a round on the cement and it won't go off.

And, when a round is detonated without being in the chamber of a firearm, it doesn't go flying out as though it was fired from through a barrel. It's just as likely the case will rupture and nothing will shoot out dangerously.

Not the kind of thing you'd want to try though, but not a big concern either.

Answer 5

Centerfire cartidges are not likely to detonate if you drop them, but it is possible.

Rimfire is a completely different animal. It all depends on the force they hit with and if they land on the rim. I know some dumb individuals that when they were younger, would throw 22 lr cartridges at the pavement to get them to explode, and yes they would. These individuals quit after one found a piece of brass casing lightly stuck in his shoe.

Accidentally setting it off? Not likely but more possible than with centerfire cartridges

Answer 6

A bullet, no.

A cartridge can in theory, if the primer is struck perfectly, but the chances of this happening are almost infinitesimal.

Answer 7

Yes it can if something hits the bottom of the bullet in the right spot. Alawn mower will set off .22 bullets too. (that was a pesronal expierience, thought i got it, mowed the next day and put a hole in my tractor shed, OOPS)

Answer 8

From hand level? Not hardly. From the Empire State Building? Maybe.

H

Answer 9

Yes, never happened to me, though.

It can easily go off if you drop it from an extreme height or throw it in a fire.

I wouldn't recommend it, though.

Answer 10

Most definately. Its comparible to the dangers of shooting a BB gun at someone. Will it break skin? Most likely not, but it can very easily.