Anybody ever shot a Glock or SA XD underwater?

[Mulliga]

I've heard that these guns are capable of firing underwater, albeit with obviously limited range. Anyone ever do this? Could be useful when the SHTF (shark hits the fan).

[tc300mag1]

never have and dont want to anygun will fire underwater 1911 hk even a revolver but ill pass as the concussion alone can do serious internal damage from what i have read

[Quintin Likely]

I've never tried it, but from what I've read, I think it ranks in the "bad ideas" file. Something along the lines of blowing your gun up and/or seriously injuring yourself. There's a handful of parts you can install in a Glock 17 that'll make it underwater okay, but again, I've never seen or tried doing so myself.

[Benjamin]

Quintin -- the parts you refer to are glock maritime spring cups. They're two little plastic bits about the size of a grain of rice. Paperwork included with them stated, IIRC, that they're to ensure the proper function of the firing pin underwater for successive shots.

The story goes that a stock glock 17 will fire underwater without damage, provided it is done properly. 'Properly' in this case means ensuring the barrel is completely full of water, using only FMJ ammo, and probably a few other things that escape my memory.

However, like everyone else, I have not attempted to fire any glock or any other firearm under water.

[DJCharlie]

May I ask why would you need to shoot underwater away. Does SHTF underwater a lot to you or what?

[joab]

The old ad for Randall 1911s had a guy wearing snorkleing gear firing one in a swimming pool. I've never tried it with mine, just can't think of a good reason to.

[Andrew Wyatt]

1911s go bang repeatedly underwater with no ill effects.

don't ask me how i know.

[arinvolvo]

An underwater 9mm will not travel far, or do much damage...

Try firing one into a 5 gallon water jug...it wont go far.

[zpo]

The reason to fire a gun underwater is the same one that "bump sticks" were invented. Shark protection.

[arinvolvo]

if you need a bang stick, get a bang stick...i did..

Have only used it against a sheepshead fish...and it was plenty effective...mine takes a 223 though.
The expanding gasses puff it up like a baloon..and it more or less explodes.

[TBeck]

Are bangsticks considered firearams by ATF? I don't think I've ever seen one for sale.

[Benjamin]

Bangsticks are not firearms.

This info came from a NAUI cert. SCUBA instructor with 28 years under his belt, who is also a FFL and active shooter.

Bang sticks work about as well with just blanks, from what he says. It's the gas, not the lead, that does the real work.

[arinvolvo]

I can believe the blank thing...When i "tested" mine...it seemed like the little bullet hole was the least of its worries....the fact that it damn near split in half from the gasses was more important.

[WonderNine]

Hey I'd rather use a Glock on a shark than let a shark get close enough to use a bangstick. It's probably already too late then. I'll bet a 9mm FMJ has a little bit of energy at close range underwater. Probably at least enough to scare something off.

Something like an FN Five-Seven might even be the best idea as the water shouldn't have as much drag on it as other rounds.

[zpo]

As far as I know, any gun will work underwater if it has fmj rounds and is completely submerged. I don't know if any have a useful range on them, or if it is multiple shot, contact only. Some sticks I've seen were 3-4 foot, so that could be an advantage if its contact only, (seems the case, with the gas comments).

[arinvolvo]

a bang stick should be on the end of a pole spear...and i have a few pole spears that are 10 feet or more in length...i think that is farther than a 9mm would be effective for.

[No4Mk1*]

A 40 mm colum of water with a diameter of 9mm has a volume of 2.547mL. Thus it's mass is 2.547 grams, and it would have a weight of 39.4 grains.
So if you put that in front of a 124 grain bullet you now have an effective weight of 163 grains in front of the same powder charge. Might be overpressure. The effective range would probably be about one foot.

[WonderNine]

163 grains in front of the same powder charge. Might be overpressure. The effective range would probably be about one foot.

Argh, so every 40mm's or so of distance would do that..... yea doesn't sound like the range would be very far than. I guess you're probably best off using underwater harpoons or bangsticks.

[Gordon]

I have shot 1911's with ball in a pool! My head was just out of the water and from 15 feet it dented 3/4 plywood deeply. Blew a hole thru it at 4 feet!. This was in the late 70's when I hung with wild drinking LEO's and was a crazy stunt. Another guy fired a .357 4" model 66 submerged about 3 feet under and it blew water out of the surface and we stopped the experiment. Yes pressure does seem to have an exaggerated effect under water. Bullet mass counts. BTW handgun rounds fired into the water from steep angles would hurt pretty bad up to 6 feet or so.

[spacemanspiff]

how loud was the 1911 when shot underwater? with your head out of water, did you need/use hearing protection?

i should probably get a lanyard before trying any of my own experments out in the open water, huh?

[PO2Hammer]

How about in outer space?

[Kobun]

Does SHTF underwater a lot to you or what?

A more correct trem would be SHTP.

S.hit Hit The Propeller.

Although, a rope in the propeller would be a bigger problem.

[Clean97GTI]

Wasn't that loud with your head out of water. Don't stick your head under unless you've got hearing protection though. The water amplifies the sound quite a bit. I'll try and find pictures of what happened to a a guy (and his gun) when he fired a JHP round out of his Glock under water. Not pretty, came away with a handful of shredded plastic and some nasty cuts.

[zpo]

Needless technical correction: Water doesn't amplify sound, it transmits it 4 times more efficiently.(sp?)

[Red_SC]

How about in outer space?

I'd think a gun would function normally. Gunpowder contains it's own oxygen, so that wouldn't be a problem. But, air resistance wouldn't slow your bullet down! Just gravity from distant planets, etc. You'd have to depressurize your ammo, though, to keep the air from pushing the bullet out of the case when you get into space.


When ya gonna try it?