On CSI Miami, they fired a 9mm Auto under water, and the bullet killed the swimmer.

Is this a TV trick, or would a gun blow up if fired under water?

Terry:

The military test for the service pistols required they be able to fire under warter without self destruction. The effective range would be greatly reduced. Maybe 2 feet or less. I would not expect the guns function of reloading to be reliable.
Longshot

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
On CSI Miami, they fired a 9mm Auto under water, and the bullet killed the swimmer.

Is this a TV trick, or would a gun blow up if fired under water?

The Glock with special underwater firing pin bushings, is designed to fire underwater. I have fired the Glock 19 underwater and it is not pleasant. The concussion can be a bit overwhelming.

When firing the Glock underwater, you have to be sure ALL air bubbles are removed lest you blow the gun to pieces.

I read a test years ago documenting the Glocks ability to function underwater. The test involved the M19, waterproof NATO ammo, and 3/8 in plywood. IIRC, I believe they said he 9mm will penetrate 3/8 plywood at 5 or 7 feet.

I carry the wifes M19 when I dive off the coast of California and there is a group of Northern California divers who carry the Glock 19 as well.

you can see for yourself on video:

underwater shooting

malm, I carry the wifes M19 when I dive off the coast of California
Damn mugger's, you would think ya would be safe in the water

What is the real reason for carry while diving? Sharks

The Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters" had an episode where they fired a 9mm Glock, .357 Mag revolver (not sure the make), a 12 gauge shotgun, and a M1 Garand underwater.

All fired, but the shotgun was destroyed. Seems there was to much air in the barrel or the shell. I was very surprised that the Garand fired.

Terry-

I actually have the video referenced above, from back in my instructing days. I used it as a "conversation piece" in classes that seemed interested in more than just the basic fundamental minimums.

The guy is a bit cheesy (just a slickster kind of dude...), but he actually presents some valid info on firing underwater.

He shoots a lot of different tests in a swimming pool, videoing everything.

The most surprising thing to most people is the extremely limited range. Some pistol bullets only go a few FEET. Most don't penetrate a piece of plywood even if they hit it.

If I can find it (it's still packed in a box somewhere from my move), I'll copy it and send you a copy.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmyd223:
malm, I carry the wifes M19 when I dive off the coast of California
Damn mugger's, you would think ya would be safe in the water

What is the real reason for carry while diving? Sharks

For crazy boaters who ignore dive flags. California waters hold the record for the most shark fatalities involving Great Whites. Some folks carry spare air when they dive, I carry a Glock! Being a SCUBA instructor AND a Gunsmith means a diving trip to the coast can be a mixture of buisness and pleasure.

quote:

Originally posted by malm:
I have fired the Glock 19 underwater and it is not pleasant. The concussion can be a bit overwhelming.

Hmmmm... Could this be the key to my dream of dynomite fishing?

Bang-Sticks are a blast under water! Much rather use a bang-stick than a spear gun.

Several years ago at a Soldier of Fortune convention in Las Vegas, this topic came up. Into a local hotel pool, late at night, went severa conventioners, some revolvers, semi-autos and some ammunition. There was a big write up in their magazine on it. Can't remember the exact date, but was an interesting read.

quote:

Originally posted by congomike:
Several years ago at a Soldier of Fortune convention in Las Vegas, this topic came up. Into a local hotel pool, late at night, went severa conventioners, some revolvers, semi-autos and some ammunition. There was a big write up in their magazine on it. Can't remember the exact date, but was an interesting read.

I'll bet there was quite a line outside the local Urologists office the next morning.

The trick is keeping the powder dry. That's why 9mm NATO ammunition is specified. The primer and bullet are sealed. The surrounding pressure at a depth of only 4 feet is enough to force water through the slightest opening.

Malm,

In the Bahamas in the late 70's we caught a 13' Bull shark on braided steel fishing leader. We decided to see if we could kill it with firearms. Emptied a Ruger 44 mag carbine and two magazines from a 1911 45 acp into the back of it's head... the nasty bugger was pissed, still alive, thrashing, biting, etc. In a tangle with a Great White, I guess you could always save the last bullet for yourself. I hope you never need your Glock in that type of situation.

quote:

Originally posted by brianbo:
Malm,

In the Bahamas in the late 70's we caught a 13' Bull shark on braided steel fishing leader. We decided to see if we could kill it with firearms. Emptied a Ruger 44 mag carbine and two magazines from a 1911 45 acp into the back of it's head... the nasty bugger was pissed, still alive, thrashing, biting, etc. In a tangle with a Great White, I guess you could always save the last bullet for yourself. I hope you never need your Glock in that type of situation.

I was never under the impression that the gun would actually kill a shark, but if my dive buddy is bleeding and flopping around in the water next to me, I'm thinking I might stand a good chance of getting away...

quote:

Originally posted by malm:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by brianbo:



I was never under the impression that the gun would actually kill a shark, but if my dive buddy is bleeding and flopping around in the water next to me, I'm thinking I might stand a good chance of getting away...

Especially if you can swim faster!

quote:

Originally posted by Pegleg:

quote:

Originally posted by malm:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by brianbo:



I was never under the impression that the gun would actually kill a shark, but if my dive buddy is bleeding and flopping around in the water next to me, I'm thinking I might stand a good chance of getting away...

Especially if you can swim faster!

It's not about out swimming the shark, it's about out swimming your buddy, and what better way than to put a round in your buddies achilles tendon. In fact, the more rounds in the magazine, and larger the group, the better your odds.

When I was a kid I shot some .22's into a horse tank and you could watch them fall to the bottom and they were about 2 feet deep. I'd think any handgun wouldn't shoot through over 6 feet of water.

Malm,
As a diver I applaud your solution for assholes in boats who ignore dive flags. I've had skiers and ski boats use my flags for pylons like it was a ski course. I would like to think a couple well placed shots below the waterline would be appropriate.

I have fired a 1911 45 ACP under water, it functioned fine.
A couple of months ago I had an occasion to fire a Glock 40 under water.
It buldged the bbl, locking up the pistol.
In all fairness, the Glock probably had not been under water long enough for the barrel to be devoid of air and totally full of water.

quote:

Originally posted by brianbo:
Malm,
As a diver I applaud your solution for assholes in boats who ignore dive flags. I've had skiers and ski boats use my flags for pylons like it was a ski course. I would like to think a couple well placed shots below the waterline would be appropriate.

I had a large group (Open, Advanced and Nitrox) at the dive beach at Bear Lake a few years back and the jet skiers were running through the flags and buoy's like they were orange safety cones. There were other instructors students in the water swimming ti and from the descent lines attached to the buoys while this crazyness was going on.

Seeing that, I pulled my 12 gauge out from behind the seat of the truck and walked to the edge of the water. They left and didn't return. We've had fishing vessels drag their pop gear over our flags. Yup, I think there are some situations which call for the presence of a handgun while in the water and where the potential use of such a handgun could be justified. Don't touch that dial!

quote:

I have fired a 1911 45 ACP under water, it functioned fine.
A couple of months ago I had an occasion to fire a Glock 40 under water.
It buldged the bbl, locking up the pistol.
In all fairness, the Glock probably had not been under water long enough for the barrel to be devoid of air and totally full of water

Only the model 17 and model 19 are set-up for underwater firing.

LD

Bang Sticks were mentioned above. They work more from injection expanding gasses than the projectile performance.
Longshot

There was an ad many years ago of a Yugoslavian
Auto so reliable it would shoot its full magazine under water...I once got one for a friend...but darned if I can remember the make...it was before the war in Yugoslavia, and was unavailable during that period. I think it was made at the Zastava
Factory there.
Great functioning gun!!
Tom

quote:

Originally posted by lawndart:

quote:

I have fired a 1911 45 ACP under water, it functioned fine.
A couple of months ago I had an occasion to fire a Glock 40 under water.
It buldged the bbl, locking up the pistol.
In all fairness, the Glock probably had not been under water long enough for the barrel to be devoid of air and totally full of water

Only the model 17 and model 19 are set-up for underwater firing.

LD

The only change needed to go from dry to wet is a set of special firing pin bushings which are "grooved" to allow the firing pin to slice through the water without mimicking a "Syringe plunger". Because of the potential danger in firing weapons underwater, these special bushings were only available for the military and law enforcement agencies. Glockmeister.com might have and sell them.

Here is H&K's underwater gun: http://www.hkpro.com/peleven.htm

Malm,
If you and I ever go for a dive in Shark water, we will both have Glocks strapped on. We should have Steve Irwin's former camera man along to shoot video. No mater how things turn out, the footage will make somebody a lot of money .

Charlie