A Question for revolver owners (shooting when wet)

[Telesway]

So, I have to write a scene in which three people have to swim a short length (say, half a mile) and one character has a Glock 19 and another a Springfield Armory XD-9. The third has a Smith & Wesson model 36. Would it still shoot after such a swim? How do revolvers in general behave when they get submerged?

I'd wager that an XD would survive the dip (but if you have contrasting information, please do share) and I guess Glocks don't mind getting wet.

Thanks in advance!

 

[grumpycoconut]

Revolvers are probably safer to shoot after a dunking. The water will fall out of gun just as gravity decrees it must and there is no chance that there will be water trapped in the barrel by suction since its open at both ends.

 

[Telesway]

Thanks for the info!

 

[eventer289]

It really would depend on if the primers were sealed.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

As far as primers go I've kept live unsealed rounds in water for weeks with no ill effects whatsoever.

 

[kingpin008]

Yup. Primers are pretty well sealed just by virtue of being press-fitted into the primer pockets. There's really not that much room for water to penetrate, even without some sort of sealant being applied.

And as others said, I'd be more inclined to believe that a revolver would drain/become safe to fire faster than the autoloaders would, for exactly the reasons mentioned.

 

[20nickels]

If I'm not mistaken at one time the Navy Seals used S&W M-19's.

 

[tpaw]

Had an S&W revolver when I use to beat the bush across the big pond. It went through swaps, rivers and streams, including the monsoons. It always worked......

 

[rodregier]

OTOH, the Glock 17 has marine spring cups as an option, to ensure no water column lock in the firing pin channel. As for the barrel, partially retracting the slide while holding at an angle would permit any water to drain past the just-chambered cartridge.

 

[Brian Williams]

It should be fine.

 

[Oro]

have to swim a short length (say, half a mile)

That is not a short distance to swim - it requires a fit person with some skill, and is still very taxing. If they are swimming fully clothes/armed, etc., this will make it really hard. For the sake of accuracy, I'd shorten the distance, or give it a try yourself and see what it takes, then write it based on that.

 

[PT1911]

the XD's can and have handled all the torture tests that the Glock can survive through..

 

[rbernie]

IIRC, the Navy SEALs usedta carry S&W 686s on occasion. If it had issues with getting wet, I would imagine that they'd have found it.

 

[Telesway]

Thanks for the info everyone. Seems like the SW will be working fine then.

Oro, good point. Might make the swim a bit shorter then.

 

[owlhoot]

Well, the revolver issue has been settled, but to underscore what was said, I used to spend my weekends canoeing rivers. There would always be rapids of varying severity, and I could always count on going into the drink two or three times a day. I always carried, and still have, a model 60 snub with adjustable sights (sorta rare). When I made camp for the evening, I'd unload the revolver and place it on a rock near my cooking fire to ensure it dried out, then I'd oil it. I never had a problem. However, I did lacquer the primer area of my ammunition before leaving on a trip.

I lost a thousand dollars worth of premium match rifle ammunition because I let it get submerged in water for a very brief period. (severe storm. water in the basement)

Military ammo is normally sealed quite well. I wouldn't count on any commercial ammo being properly sealed.

 

[JohnBT]

My first thought was WWI trench warfare during days of rain.