Can Guns Work Under Water in Real Life and in Movies?

Whatever you've seen in cinema like Aquaman, gun battles under water don't often correspond to real life. Here, we explore the actual physics of underwater gunfire.

Introduction

It's common to see gunfights in movies and TV shows under water, with large streams of fire coming out of the barrels. But, can real guns work underwater? Can we still see fire out of the guns underwater?

Real-Life Limitations of Underwater Guns

According to experts, underwater gunfire has significant limitations. It's primarily affected by the drag and pressure of water. Under normal circumstances, bullets won't go far underwater, usually no more than a few feet for most guns. Here's a more detailed explanation:

Drag and Pressure

Drag is the primary issue with underwater firing. Bullets and other projectiles are designed to travel through air and are not optimized for water. The density of water creates significant resistance, making it extremely difficult for bullets to travel any significant distance. A normal gun can expect to only fire a few yards underwater.

Custom Underwater Weapons

Some specialized weapons and ammunition can perform better in water. For example, the APS (Angstreich Pumpgun) has a range of 30-75 meters, which is more than most standard firearms. However, even these specially designed guns work poorly under water due to the inherent physics and the challenges of pressurized environments.

Theoretical Overviews and Contradictions

Back in movies like Aquaman, underwater weapons often feature plasma projectiles, powered by water or other substances. However, these physics don't line up with real-world science. Plasma, in its form as seen in plasma guns, would behave differently underwater.

Plasma Behavior in Water

Plasma, a form of matter consisting of ions and electrons, does not behave similarly to traditional bullets. In water, the plasma would cool down rapidly, losing its energetic state and becoming ineffective. This is due to several factors:

Magneto Hydrodynamic Effects: Plasma would dance around and follow magnetic field lines, moving unpredictably rather than in a straight line. Thermal Absorption: Water acts as an efficient heat sink, absorbing the energy of the plasma and converting it to steam. This steam is not conductive, effectively neutralizing the plasma's energy. Conductive Nature: While water is a better conductor than air, it still does not sustain the energy required to keep plasma in its charged state.

Specialized Firearms for Underwater Use

There are specialized underwater firearms and ammunition designed to combat the challenges of water. For example, flechettes or darts are more effective underwater because they are long and thin, designed to travel well through water. The boattail rounds, which are commonly used in air, are not as effective due to the shape and drag.

Examples of Underwater Firearms

One notable example is the Underwater firearm, which is often used in specialized military and scientific applications. These firearms require a completely different approach to firing, often using specialized ammunition designed to reduce drag and improve performance underwater.

Conclusion

While it's fascinating to see underwater gun battles in movies and TV shows, it's crucial to remember that these depictions are for entertainment and not reflective of real-world science. Underwater firearms have significant limitations and challenges that are currently beyond the scope of typical firearms technology. However, advancements in technology and specialized designs may one day make underwater firearms more feasible.