Fascinating Gun Facts: Can Guns Fire Underwater?
Hey there, Gary with Concealed Carry Academy back with episode five of our Odd Gun Facts series! Today, we’re diving into a truly intriguing and surprising topic—one that often sparks debate among gun enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
Can guns fire underwater?
The short answer is yes, but as with most things in life, there’s a catch. While many modern firearms can discharge underwater, there are significant trade-offs, risks, and limitations. From water resistance affecting bullet speed to the potential damage to the firearm itself, understanding how guns function in aquatic environments is crucial.
Let’s explore the science, mechanics, risks, and real-world applications of underwater firearm use.
The Science Behind Firing Guns Underwater
At first glance, firing a gun underwater might seem impossible, considering that water is much denser than air. However, firearms operate based on internal mechanics, meaning they don’t necessarily need oxygen or dry conditions to fire.
How Does It Work?
When you pull the trigger of a firearm, the firing pin strikes the primer, igniting the gunpowder and causing a small explosion. This explosion propels the bullet out of the barrel and toward its target. Since this reaction happens inside a sealed cartridge, the presence of water doesn’t prevent the gun from firing—but it does affect the bullet’s movement once it exits the barrel.
How Water Resistance Affects Bullet Travel
While a bullet moves freely through air, water presents a different challenge. Water is nearly 800 times denser than air, creating extreme resistance for any projectile passing through it.
What Happens to a Bullet Underwater?
- Drastic Speed Reduction – A bullet that can travel hundreds of feet in air might only go a few feet in water before losing all momentum.
- Tumbling Effect – Instead of flying straight and stable, bullets fired underwater tend to tumble or change trajectory almost immediately.
- Decreased Impact Power – Due to water resistance, bullets lose their lethal capability much faster compared to air travel.
📌 Example:
✔ A typical 9mm round might travel over 1,200 feet per second in air, but underwater, it slows almost instantly, traveling only a few feet before stopping completely.
💡 Key Takeaway: While a gun can fire underwater, its effectiveness as a weapon is greatly diminished due to extreme drag and reduced range.
The Risks of Firing Guns Underwater
While it’s fascinating that firearms can operate underwater, there are serious risks involved.
1. Increased Wear and Tear
Guns are not typically designed for underwater use. Submerging a firearm can lead to increased rust, corrosion, and mechanical failures, especially if not properly cleaned afterward.
2. Barrel Damage or “Hydraulic Lock”
One of the biggest risks is hydraulic lock—when water fills the barrel and prevents gas expansion, potentially damaging the firearm or causing a misfire.
3. Increased Recoil & Pressure Differences
Since water doesn’t compress like air, the pressure buildup in the barrel can create higher recoil and stress on the firearm, making follow-up shots more difficult.
🛑 Warning: Some firearms are more prone to catastrophic failure when fired underwater. Firing a standard gun underwater without proper precautions can be dangerous and potentially damage the weapon or injure the shooter.
💡 Key Takeaway: Unless a gun is specifically designed for underwater use, firing it while submerged can lead to serious wear, malfunction, or even barrel failure.
Firearms Specifically Designed for Underwater Use
While most traditional firearms are not optimized for underwater combat, some specialized guns have been developed for military divers, special forces, and underwater operations.
1. The Russian APS Underwater Rifle
The APS (Avtomat Podvodnyy Spetsialnyy) is a specially designed underwater firearm used by Russian naval forces. Instead of traditional bullets, it fires long dart-like projectiles that travel efficiently through water.
2. Heckler & Koch P11 Underwater Pistol
Developed by Germany’s Heckler & Koch, the P11 is a pistol designed specifically for underwater combat, firing electrically ignited darts that remain effective at short ranges underwater.
📌 Example:
✔ The APS rifle can shoot up to 50 feet underwater, whereas a regular AK-47 or handgun bullet might stop within 3-5 feet.
💡 Key Takeaway: If serious underwater firearm use is required, specialized weapons like the APS or P11 are far superior to standard guns.
Can You Fire a Gun Above Water into Water?
Another common myth is that shooting into water is just as effective as shooting through the air. The reality? Water stops bullets incredibly fast.
Bullet Penetration in Water
✔ Even high-velocity rounds break apart or stop quickly when fired into water.
✔ MythBusters tested this and found that bullets lose lethal energy after just a few feet underwater—even high-powered rifle rounds.
💡 Key Takeaway: Firing a gun from land into water significantly reduces its effectiveness, making underwater escape tactics surprisingly effective.
Safety Considerations & Final Thoughts
Is Firing a Gun Underwater Safe?
If attempted, it should only be done with:
✔ A firearm specifically designed for underwater use.
✔ Proper protective equipment and controlled environments.
✔ Full awareness of the risks involved in submerged firearm use.
🚨 DO NOT try this with standard handguns or rifles—it’s a recipe for mechanical failure and personal injury.
While the idea of firing a gun underwater is fascinating, the practical applications are extremely limited. The science behind bullet resistance in water renders standard firearms ineffective, and specialized weapons are needed for actual underwater engagements.
Join the Conversation!
Have you ever seen a gun fired underwater? What surprised you most about how bullets behave in water?
💬 Drop a comment below!
