Will a gun fire in space?

[Fenway]

Calling Rhino

 

[Hoosierdood]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inpRaoYdQOI[/ame]

 

[CarmelHP]

2 KNO3 + S + 3 C → K2S + N2 + 3 CO2

The above equation represents the chemical reaction that occurs after you light up your boom stick.

What exactly are you shooting? That's only for black powder. Modern smokeless rounds use a double base (usually) nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine NC/NG based powder. The powders carry their own oxygen. Muzzle flash is caused by a secondary combustion of hot gases coming into contact with atmospheric oxygen, so in space smokeless powders should have a lower muzzle flash.

 

[mkbar80]

I am fairly certain the round would fire, but wouldn't firing a round in space propel you at the same speed as the round in the opposite direction?

No

 

[mkbar80]

I say yes, but I'm no physics major. I would probably think the person firing the gun would want to be locked down to something or the recoil would push them into deep space.

again no

 

[henktermaat]

Figure in MASS.

 

[Kagnew]

I've seen a few "space cases" at the range. Does that count?

 

[DRob]

Bang!

I think it would fire but there are 2 important things to consider.
1. So far, there have been no prairie dogs discovered in space.
2. If prairie dogs were discovered in space, half the fun would be gone because you couldn't hear the the gun firing or the bullet impact.
Bang - Whop would become - !

Furthermore......Based on some of the answers here, I think we've discovered a whole new fact of physics. Recoil must be caused either by oxygen slamming into the chamber and barrel to support combustion of the gunpowder or just plain old air violently refilling the barrel which has just been completely voided by the expulsion of the bullet! I can't determine which. I have to go shoot for research purposes.

 

[esrice]

We discussed this a few years ago: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/7517-gun_on_the_moon.html

 

[RoyalTenenbaum]

As a fellow nerd, I would point out that "hits something or burns up on re-entry" is redundant.

It could conceivably hit an asteroid/space poop/debris which will alter the bullets course but may never enter a gravitational field.

 

[RoyalTenenbaum]

What exactly are you shooting? That's only for black powder. Modern smokeless rounds use a double base (usually) nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine NC/NG based powder. The powders carry their own oxygen. Muzzle flash is caused by a secondary combustion of hot gases coming into contact with atmospheric oxygen, so in space smokeless powders should have a lower muzzle flash.

Yup, that formula was for black powder. I chose it for the example mainly because it was simple and didn't have some sort of proprietary patented otherwise non deductible ingredient blend. Ye olde path of least resistance.

 

[42769vette]

i glock will probably blow up

 

[Fenway]

Of course we have already had the "would a gun fire in space discussion"

We discussed this a few years ago: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/7517-gun_on_the_moon.html

 

[Armed-N-Ready]

Yes

I believe it will fire but a better question is will it make a noise?

 

[sparky241]

no, people have forgotten that it takes air to ignite a combustible material. No air not combustion. dont believe me?Light a match and stick it inside of a jar and close the lid tight. Flame will go out as it uses up the oxygen.

 

[ATF Consumer]

If an astronaut can fart and get propelled forward, a bullet will do the same.

 

[The Meach]

I say no. The temp in space is about 3 K or -454 F. At those temps the primer could not generate enough heat to ignite the powder.

Except for the fact there is little to no heat transfer in a vacuum.

So if the gun was room temperature when you took it with you on a spacewalk it would likely remain room temperature for hours or even days. Unless you encountered a cloud of gas or dust.

I would say that the greater danger isn't the gun getting to cold its the gun getting to hot from solar radiation.

 

[Blackhawk2001]

Except for the fact there is little to no heat transfer in a vacuum.

So if the gun was room temperature when you took it with you on a spacewalk it would likely remain room temperature for hours or even days. Unless you encountered a cloud of gas or dust.

I would say that the greater danger isn't the gun getting to cold its the gun getting to hot from solar radiation.

I'd say almost any firearm would fire - once. A metallurgist would have to answer whether the metal parts of the weapon would hold up to the temperatures, and whether or not lubrication - or lack thereof - would be a factor.

 

[EPD1102]

A gun will fire underwater or in a vacuum here on earth so it should fire in space, which is essentially a vacuum.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

hold low