Featured RECOIL TV: 45 ACP versus 9mm UNDERWATER Forrest Cooper October 14, 2020 4 Comments, Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More 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! <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> 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! Download RECOILtv for Android devices in the Play Store today: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.unreel.recoiltv Download RECOILtv for iOS devices in the App Store today: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/recoiltv/id1442187177 More From RECOILtv AR vs AK Underwater, who will win? Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
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?
