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RECOIL TV: 45 ACP versus 9mm UNDERWATER



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In this installment of RECOILtv's Gun Room, we once again join Editor in Chief, Iain Harrison, beneath the shallow waves of CDI, a commercial diving facility. In all honesty, they can't really be counted as waves when you're in a big water-filled Conex box can they? Either way, we expand our very important and super scientific study of firearms and ballistics underwater. We had so much fun blowing up an AR and ripping an AK up a bit underwater last time, that we decided to take our viewers back to the 90s for another trial. The classic big boy round, the .45 ACP, versus the Euro-pellet 9mm. Represented, respectively, by a 1911 and a good ‘ol trusty Glock 17, we face the two calibers off in an underwater death match. Will the hardball .45 be able to trounce the high-performance duty ammo from the 9mm? Watch this duel to find out!
And be sure to let us know what other platforms or calibers you'd like to see under the waves! We are more than happy to oblige.RECOILtv is now supported on all of your favorite platforms! Search for the RECOILtv app in the App Store, Play Store, and on Amazon Fire, Apple, and Roku TV!
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4 Comments

  • Jeff says:

    “Watch this duel to find out!”

    Can’t. It ain’t workin.

  • Frank Pichler says:

    Why is there no information on bullet performance? What was the effective range of each? What was the loss in energy per inch/foot/yard traveled?

    Next time include revolvers. No gun stoppages and actual ballistic test.

  • David says:

    I’ve seen tests with ammo underwater before and overall the faster the round was the worse it performed for distance or staying intact. You would be safe from most rifle ammo with 2-3 feet of water between you, as it fragments and stops. Water while fluid, unlike air isn’t compressible, if you’re moving too fast it can’t get out of the way. This is why many people die jumping off bridges – they die on impact.

  • Mike says:

    Yeah, a revolver with hardball would be worth a look.
    Another thing to try would be shooting from above the water toward a target at various depths. Is it worth shooting at a target underwater? Anybody for ballistic gel?

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  • Why is there no information on bullet performance? What was the effective range of each? What was the loss in energy per inch/foot/yard traveled?

    Next time include revolvers. No gun stoppages and actual ballistic test.

  • I've seen tests with ammo underwater before and overall the faster the round was the worse it performed for distance or staying intact. You would be safe from most rifle ammo with 2-3 feet of water between you, as it fragments and stops. Water while fluid, unlike air isn't compressible, if you're moving too fast it can't get out of the way. This is why many people die jumping off bridges - they die on impact.

  • Yeah, a revolver with hardball would be worth a look.
    Another thing to try would be shooting from above the water toward a target at various depths. Is it worth shooting at a target underwater? Anybody for ballistic gel?

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