Question about firearm physics for my screenplay.

[harmonica]

For my script I was wondering if a pistol fell to the bottom of a pool of water, would it still be able to shoot after? In some movies it does, in some it doesn't. No one I know can confirm it cause no one has tried it of course.

[Switchback]

It depends more on the ammo than the pistol.

[harmonica]

What kind of ammo works after being water? 9MM?

[mcsap]

And also how LONG it was underwater.

[harmonica]

About 5 seconds. The guy gets knocked into the pool, swims down and grabs it. Then pulls himself out.

[Citicop]

Its not caliber that will matter, it's quality.

Physically, even if a gun is under water, the hammer will fall and push the firing pin forward even while the gun is underwater.

If the casing of the chambered round has a tight enough seal to keep the water out, then the powder is dry and the gun will fire.

If the powder inside the casing is wet, though...

[Citicop]

One of our non-verified members was kind enough to PM me this link:

MythBusters.

[greg72982]

If it's a Glock then the answer is YES.

[Switchback]

If it's a Glock then the answer is YES.

You'll need the kit to do it, though.

Also, hollow-points can be devasting to the pistol if fired underwater.

...now, I do not think the OP was talking about firing underwater, rather being able to use a firearm that had been submerged and recovered. It all comes down to the poweder staying dry. I imagine most reputable manufacturers could last a quick dunk, as the OP described.

[deputywave]

For my script I was wondering if a pistol fell to the bottom of a pool of water, would it still be able to shoot after? In some movies it does, in some it doesn't.

It will if you write it that way.

[Buffboy]

While depth and salt content has a part in it, military ammo can & has survived decades underwater because it is externally sealed. This is usually done with a lacquer coating at the bullet crimp and primer. It would be very unusual for commercial ammo not to fire but that is problematic as it is not usually sealed in the same manner. Still, most centerfire ammo is effectively sealed in manufacturing, it just isn't externally sealed. Your guy needs to get the water out of the barrel before firing or it can act as a bore obstruction with explosive results but your scenario would be very, very likely to work.

[greg72982]

You'll need the kit to do it, though.

Also, hollow-points can be devasting to the pistol if fired underwater.

...now, I do not think the OP was talking about firing underwater, rather being able to use a firearm that had been submerged and recovered. It all comes down to the poweder staying dry. I imagine most reputable manufacturers could last a quick dunk, as the OP described.

I was just saying that because Glock is the best gun ever in life.

[icu650]

Look at "bing search" gun shooting underwater. There are quite a few guns, they show you, that shoot underwater.

[harmonica]

You'll need the kit to do it, though.

Also, hollow-points can be devasting to the pistol if fired underwater.

...now, I do not think the OP was talking about firing underwater, rather being able to use a firearm that had been submerged and recovered. It all comes down to the poweder staying dry. I imagine most reputable manufacturers could last a quick dunk, as the OP described.

Yes I was asking if you could fire the gun after it submerged but then had been recovered a few seconds later. I was thinking of a gun that could hold more than 10 shots as I want the character to fire off quite a few rounds. Like maybe the P99 or a Glock 17 if there is one that can hold more than say 10.

[missouricop]

If you have him recover the gun and chamber another round (to clear the water in the barrel )
some guy who thinks he is the worlds smartest film critic, is going to say " Thats just crap. Why would a cop not already have one in the hole?" If you don't, then you have tha guy saying, Water can be still in the barrel and can obstruct ( the whole water surface tension thing)

6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other

I would suggest him saying something about it has he chambers a new round .
But your the writer.