No muzzle flash despite vigorous 9mm pistol load?

JimGnitecki · Mar 30, 2021

I am used to seeing a muzzle flash when I fire a handgun, and I wanted to see how big a muzzle flash my current 9mm test load generates out of my SIG P210A Target model.

So, I set up my iPhone at the range to take a video from an adjacent shooting station while I shot 2 rounds in the course of testing a load variant.

I was surprised to see absolutely NO muzzle flash in the video.

Now this is a load that is burning 8.0 grains of Vihtavuori 3N38 powder, which is a LOT of powder, and the Labradar is telling me that the 115g bullet leaves the muzzle at 1330 fps.

Now I just got back into reloading after a 5 year absence from shooting and reloading. I recall seeing some muzzle flash when I reloaded years ago with (different than 3N38) Vihtavuori powders. Has powder changed that much in just a few years?

Jim G

fxvr5 · Mar 30, 2021

1) some powders have a flash suppressant.

2) some camera's won't pick it up for every shot because the flash is brief and the "shutter" needs to be open that exact fraction of a second or it won't record it. I've photo'd many rounds fired that do have a big flash and sometimes they don't show in the pictures or only capture a 'fraction' of the flash for that reason.

fxvr5 · Mar 30, 2021

The 'old' 3N38 was flashy. I don't know about the current version which is supposed to have a copper fouling reducer. It would produce a big flash occasionally if you fired it through a compensator, presumably because there was some buildup in the comp that would get set off every few rounds.

kilizyrag · Mar 30, 2021

Load that baby with FFFg black powder and it will flash real nice. Kinda fun too in a twisted way.

Swampman · Mar 30, 2021

Power Pistol for the win in 9mm!

It's like the H110 of semi auto powders...

AJC1 · Mar 30, 2021

Swampman said:
Power Pistol for the win in 9mm!

It's like the H110 of semi auto powders...

Even if you miss it's like a flash bang going off.

Reloadron · Mar 30, 2021

Were you shooting in bright daylight or darkness. Muzzle flash always looks better or more impressive in darkness.

Ron

JimGnitecki · Mar 30, 2021

Reloadron said:
Were you shooting in bright daylight or darkness. Muzzle flash always looks better or more impressive in darkness.

Ron

Early morning (9am - 10am) with moderate sun.

Jim G

CZ9shooter · Mar 30, 2021

Swampman said:
Power Pistol for the win in 9mm!

It's like the H110 of semi auto powders...

Here's a 9mm PowerPistol shot I recently captured indoors....

Outside it's hardly noticable.

VID_20210319_145459512_exported_23685_1616209403942~2.jpg

bersaguy · Mar 30, 2021

Power Pistol in full sun, that stuff is fun...

Jonesy814 · Mar 30, 2021

If your camera is set to film at 30 frames per second, it is possible that every muzzle flash happened between frames. You will need to up the rate to 60 fps to ensure you film them. At 30 fps, sometimes we seea couple, sometimes not. I filmed the shooting of 125gr XTP's over 21gr of H 110 at dusk in short barreled 357's. Filming in slow motion at 240 frames per second, the entire flash and fireball lasts about 6 frames

JimGnitecki · Mar 30, 2021

Jonesy814 said:
If your camera is set to film at 30 frames per second, it is possible that every muzzle flash happened between frames. You will need to up the rate to 60 fps to ensure you film them. At 30 fps, sometimes we seea couple, sometimes not. I filmed the shooting of 125gr XTP's over 21gr of HD110 at dusk in short barreled 357's. Filming in slow motion at 240 frames per second, the entire flash and fireball lasts about 6 frames

Hmm, I have no idea how to adjust the exposure time on the videocamera built into an iPhone. Can that actually be done?

I assume a Human can see the flash because the image is bright enough to persist on the retina?

I ask that second question because years ago when I was shooting other powders, I COULD visually see the flash as I fired the handgun. Did not need a high speed camera to catch the image. And no, my eyes do not see a flash when I fire this load.

Jim G

dh1633pm · Mar 31, 2021

All I can say is excellent work. The less flash the better.

edwardware · Mar 31, 2021

JimGnitecki said:
Hmm, I have no idea how to adjust the exposure time on the videocamera built into an iPhone. Can that actually be done?

No, likely not. In my experience, the most robust muzzle flash will only appear in 1/8 or 1/10 frames. This image took a half a magazine to catch.

Jonesy814 · Mar 31, 2021

JimGnitecki said:
Hmm, I have no idea how to adjust the exposure time on the videocamera built into an iPhone. Can that actually be done?

I assume a Human can see the flash because the image is bright enough to persist on the retina?

I ask that second question because years ago when I was shooting other powders, I COULD visually see the flash as I fired the handgun. Did not need a high speed camera to catch the image. And no, my eyes do not see a flash when I fire this load.

Jim G

Its in the settings. Scroll down and click on camera. Should be there right at the top : Record Video, with current setting and if you tap that you get other options

eyeshot · Mar 31, 2021

bersaguy said:
Power Pistol in full sun, that stuff is fun...View attachment 988651

There is a face in that flash and it ain't Jesus. Hope Sport Pistol doesn't do that. Flash that is.

JimGnitecki · Mar 31, 2021

Jonesy814 said:
Its in the settings. Scroll down and click on camera. Should be there right at the top : Record Video, with current setting and if you tap that you get other options

Looks like on my iPhone my only 2 options are 1/30 and 1/60 second.

Jim G

Blue68f100 · Apr 1, 2021

On the camera app you have the option of slow motion, which is 240 fps.

JimGnitecki · Apr 1, 2021

Blue68f100 said:
On the camera app you have the option of slow motion, which is 240 fps.

Oh! I will try that! It never occurred to me that "slow motion" is at a higher frame rate!

Jim G

Jonesy814 · Apr 1, 2021

Yep, you should have 2 options for slow motion, 120 or 240 fps

derek45 · Apr 1, 2021

5.5" SBH 44mag 180gr XTP max load H110

JimGnitecki · Apr 2, 2021

derek45 said:
5.5" SBH 44mag 180gr XTP max load H110

View attachment 988986

So the 5.5" SBH 44mag 180gr XTP max load H110 is an effective flame thrower!

Jim G

vaalpens · Apr 2, 2021

bersaguy said:
Power Pistol in full sun, that stuff is fun...View attachment 988651

Is it just me, or does everybody see a face in the flash? I shoot Power Pistol all the time. Hopefully that thing/face is not always watching me.

JimGnitecki · Apr 2, 2021

vaalpens said:
Is it just me, or does everybody see a face in the flash? I shoot Power Pistol all the time. Hopefully that thing/face is not always watching me.

It's not just you! I see that face too.

Jim G

milsurpguy · Apr 2, 2021

Have any AA9?
It makes a spectacular flash in a 5.7x28 pistol.

No muzzle flash despite vigorous 9mm pistol load?

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