Dropping your firearm in water

[dukeboy_318]

yeah, i was just thinking. if i had a dollar for everytime it rained when I was in the Army and my weapons got wet, id be rich.

if it aint raining it aint training

aint that the truth, i remember qualifying on range 27 and Ft lost in the woods in late july in a freaking downpour, for those that may not be familiar with army ranges, you lay prone in the sand and fire 20 rds at timed pop up targets up to 300 yds and wet sand and a M16 sucks, talk about issues,

but back to the point, afterwards, we used WD40 to keep em from rusting until we got into a drier place and cleaned and wiped everything down with the issued CLP

 

[2cool9031]

WD....water displacement....40 means they got the formula right on the 40th try. They orginally only made it for the military. I guess it pays to watch the History Channel...can't help but learn something now and again.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Clear it... especially if you're in cold weather.

We were doing some rabbit hunting this past year and one of the younger guys with us had a bone-headed moment and went swimming by accident. It was about 20 degrees out that day. By the time we had pulled him from the water and got him up the creek bank we tried to clear the gun and it was frozen solid already. Between the cold metal and the cold air it only took a mater of seconds to lock it up.

 

[LawDog76]

The whole reason I chose a Glock was because the guy behind the counter pulled a sweaty G19 from inside his overalls and said, "These here are made for underwater shootin. You can look it up on the internets if you don't believe me." Walked home that day with some new tupperware and a little extra confidence.

Don't forget you can still fire it with sand and dirt in the barrel . It's on the internet. Look it up if you don't believe me!

 

[LawDog76]

Heres some interesting reading I found.

NOTE: Glock, Inc., & TGSCOM, Inc specifically disclaims any and all liability from anyone performing or attempting to perform underwater firing with a Glock pistol -- you do so at your own risk.

The Glock 17 may be equipped with an optional set of maritime spring cups for use in water environments. Maritime spring cups are not intended for submerged firing, but for surface use by special ops teams who operate in and around water. The maritime spring cups are two small parts within the firing pin assembly and are not included on any Model 17 sold by Glock (civilians can only get them through 3rd parties). They insure that water can pass by the firing pin within the firing pin channel, thus preventing the creation of hydraulic force within the firing pin channel -- which would slow the firing pin down, causing light primer strikes. With the special cups, the action will cycle reliably while submersed, if a little bit slower. NATO specification ammunition (such as Winchester's Ranger RA9124N) with waterproof sealed primers and case mouths is recommended.

Although you may install the maritime spring cups on any Glock model, *only* the Glock 17 was designed and intended to use the modified spring cups for aquatic firing -- and only then using 9mm ball ammunition to remain within acceptable pressure limits. The foolhardy who insist on living dangerously must keep several things in mind: The Glock 17 must be fully submersed underwater. There must not be any air left within the pistol as the muzzle is pointed towards the surface of the water after submersion to allow the air in the barrel to escape. Use only full metal jacket, ball-type ammunition because the water within the barrel can spread a hollow point out within the barrel upon firing. This increases the bearing surface of the bullet to the barrel and could catastrophically increase pressures. Even if the barrel doesn't burst, the expanded bullet would get even bigger upon exiting into the water and would slow down very quickly while tumbling. Accuracy would be terrible.

The marinized Glock 17 is primarily for use by various Special Warfare units operating in aquatic environments. At least one specialized Scuba diving group regularly uses G17's to dispatch sharks where they dive. The Glock 17 using NATO specification ball ammunition will completely penetrate a minimum of one 1/2" pine board at a distance of ten feet from the muzzle when fired underwater.

Trained personnel who use Glocks underwater know they must obey several rules:
1) use only a Glock Model 17 with amphibious spring cups (reliability issue);
2) use only 9mm FMJ subsonic, sealed primer ammo;
3) completely immerse the pistol and get *all* the air out of the barrel;
4) wear protective ear plugs, gloves, wet suit, face mask, etc.;
5) do not fire near solid objects or in enclosed spaces to prevent return
concussion.

However, any Glock -- even those not equipped with maritime spring cups -- will normally fire while submersed underwater. But doing so may generate excessive internal pressure and may cause the pistol to literally blow up. This is especially true with the use of high-pressure rounds (such as the .40 S&W/357 SIG) or hollow-point bullets.

 

[Colt556]

The concern about penetrating oils and primers circulates among gun guys and is a bit overstated.

The 'Box-O-Truth' fellow did a study and found no basis for the concern in normal ammunition.

The Box O' Truth #39 - Oil Vs. Primers - Page 1

Pretty interesting read. I had heard WD 40 would kill primers for over 30yrs now. Good to see some proof to the contrary.