Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

I should save this for Friday, which is where I normally restrict my firearms posts to, but its just so darn interesting. Underwater shooting. Its a fascinating YouTube video of waht does and does not happen when you fire a gun underwater. The most telling thing is that other than immediate close-range the bullets lose velocity and energy so fast as to be almost useless. At close range, sure. Anything more than ten yards or so appears to be a wash. It was also interesting to note that hammered guns like revolvers and some semi-autos had ignition problems because of the water slowing down the hammer.

The Glock did fire underwater as it is reputed to do, but several failures were observed. Glock makes the famous ‘maritime spring cups’ for enhancing reliability in these conditions and I may have to go purchase some. Not because I plan on firing a gun underwater (although it would be a nice option to have) but rather because someday my Glock (and myself) will wind up being up to our necks in a river or stream and once we’re out of it may not have time to shake the wet outta everything.  Officially, you have to order up the maritime spring cups on LE or .mil letterhead. However, capitalism being what it is, theres folks out there that’ll sell them with a bit less fuss. ‘Course, theyre a bit pricier that way…..

Mythbusters did a few episodes on the subject and they were pretty enlightening. The biggest take-away from it was that bullets penetrate a couple yards, at most, of water and then pretty much come to a dead stop.  For more what-will-or-wont-stop-a-bullet I highly recommend the superawesome Box O’ Truth website…an invaluable resource. (I was especially taken with their ‘bulletproof glass’ testing…lotsa food for thought on that one.)

Anyway, figured I’d share a few links about shooting in the wetter envrions. And, yes, Im very aware of the designed-to-shoot underwater guns from the Sovs and HK. My interest isnt so much about firing guns underwater (why would I need to do that?) but rather my interest is towards guns that gun be fired when soaking wet without problems. (And, of course, a brief-yet-slightly-biased example from HK showing what happens when a direct impingement AR is submerged and then fired. [Love the German techno music.])

Yeah, I’ll probably be a goober and get the maritime spring cups. Never know when me or my gear will take a tumble while crossing a stream or river……..