Mythbusters: Diving into water saves you from bullets...

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HamburgerBoy

Lifer
Apr 12, 2004
27,111
318
126
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.
Seeing as there's no air for the explosive charge, I don't think that it would be very dangerous under water. :p

ZV
 

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
31,796
2
0
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.

If the gun even fired underwater for starters...
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.

If the gun even fired underwater for starters...

Some guns will fire underwater.
 

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
16,937
5,035
136
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.

If the gun even fired underwater for starters...

Some guns will fire underwater.



From Glock: Just about any handgun will fire underwater -- at least once. :) However, firing underwater is NOT recommended because it can have devastating effects on the pistol and the shooter -- a potentially dangerous activity that should only be utilized by trained personnel wearing proper equipment for protection against potential pressure wave effects of underwater detonation. The shock/pressure waves in water can really damage internal organs (ever heard of lithotripsy?). Shooting a pistol underwater can lead to property damage, serious bodily injury or even death.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.

If the gun even fired underwater for starters...

Some guns will fire underwater.

Most guns will fire under water. :p
 

Mik3y

Banned
Mar 2, 2004
7,089
0
0
Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
Originally posted by: Jmmsbnd007
Originally posted by: iluvtruenos
What about using a 50 cal shotgun with slugs? Will that break up as well?
The slugs would likely drain the pool.


Ask Cheney....

oh wait, he shot a person, not water.

the body's still, what, 80% water? you get a 4/5. that's a B in my book. not too shabby, eh? :)
 

Colt45

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
19,720
1
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.
Seeing as there's no air for the explosive charge, I don't think that it would be very dangerous under water. :p

ZV


what air? gunpowder has it's own oxygen, thats how it works..
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
So the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan, where some of the soldiers are getting shot underwater, isn't quite accurate?
 

Ronstang

Lifer
Jul 8, 2000
12,493
18
81
Originally posted by: Astaroth33
So the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan, where some of the soldiers are getting shot underwater, isn't quite accurate?

It actually could be. Although I have no proof I bet if the bullet travels a good distance before hitting the water it may not disintegrate.
 

EGGO

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,504
1
0
I saw the episode. Can't really help but believe it after seeing what the Barret did.
 

Dragoon42

Platinum Member
Oct 2, 2000
2,078
0
0
Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
It's ruined every movie with guns shooting into the water since. (for me)


lol, the more you know, the more movies become less fun =(
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
If you were already underwater, and held a gun to your hand and pulled the trigger at point blank, will it still penetrate?

The cause of the non-penetration is sort of like how falling from a high enough distance onto water is like hitting concrete, I believe. The water would still probably cause some travel problems though, as bullets are designed to move through air.

If the gun even fired underwater for starters...

Some guns will fire underwater.

Most guns will fire under water. :p

there are specific guns that are designed to fire underwater. Russia has the aps and we have some sort of pistol used by seal teams or something.

of course, range is less than 50yards.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Eeezee
Yeah, it's kind of like how people assume it doesn't hurt to plunge into a pool of water from 100+ feet. It's sort of like hitting a concrete wall
Maybe if you do a belly flop.

If you break the surface tension of the water with your arms or feet first, it shouldn't be so bad.

 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
While I generally don't care for the show due its general lack of observation of scientific procedures and disciplines (understandably they want the viewers to be entertained not falling asleep!), this comes as no surprise at all.

Water is a very powerful dissipator of kinetic energy.

There is a company that has developed a shielding system based on water filled bags alone that can fully contain powerful blasts! Also if you've ever seen a car spin out of control and hit those barrier barrels you will learn that they are filled with water for a reason. :)

A hollowed out jack-o-lantern can contain the blast from a powerful squib that exceeds true M80 power. This is because the flesh is predominately filled with water. Put the same squib in a MDF box and it will breach nicely. Even scarier is the sound from the explosion is completely contained and barely louder than a cap pistol. :Q

Cheers!
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Did anyone forget that the person jumping in the water will have to come up for air while the person with the .50 caliber rifle is waiting for you to bob your head out of the water.
 

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
9,574
2
76
Originally posted by: rudder
Did anyone forget that the person jumping in the water will have to come up for air while the person with the .50 caliber rifle is waiting for you to bob your head out of the water.

minor detail.