Water Pistols...


Get a glock 17

The Glock 17 can be fired underwater using special ammunition and a
special
pair of spring cups that allow water to pass by them through the firing
pin
channel.

Just about any handgun will fire underwater -- at least once. :-)
However,
firing underwater is NOT recommended because it can have devastating
effects
on the pistol and the shooter -- a potentially dangerous activity that
should
only be utilized by trained personnel wearing proper equipment for
protection
against potential pressure wave effects of underwater detonation. The
shock/pressure
waves in water can really damage internal organs (ever heard of
lithotripsy?).

Shooting a pistol underwater can lead to property damage, serious
bodily
injury or even death.


NOTE: Glock, 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 primarly 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 (reliablity
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.

I recall a reported incident where a Glockster on a boating holiday
decided
to show some friends how his Glock would fire underwater (because Tommy
Lee
Jones said so in the movies). He stuck his hand overboard, pulled the
trigger and
came back with a bunch of shredded plastic and a badly injured hand.
Another reported case was the Glockster who decided to try out his
Glock 23
..40 S&W in the swimming pool after seeing pictures of Glocks being
fired
underwater on the web. He was totally submerged, with the gun, as he
fired at a piece
of wood on the bottom of his pool. The Glock did fire, the .40 S&W FMJ
round
left the barrel and went into the wood. The chamber also exploded and
implanted
shrapnel into his leg. Thinking that the water would muffle the blast,
he
did not wear hearing protection (the blast is actually about 4 times
louder
underwater). He is now mostly deaf in one ear and hears high-pitched
tones
most of his waking life.

As you can see, firing a pistol underwater is a *very* dangerous
endeavor.
Several things could happen:
1) the firing pin may be slowed enough to not detonate the primer
(without the maritime spring cups)
2) the pistol could blow up in your hand;
3) the concussion could damage ears, eyes or internal organs;
4) the bullet may not go where you intend it to.

Even if you have the right equipment, know what you're doing and follow
the
rules -- the risks for underwater firing are minimized -- but not
eliminated. Your pistol's barrel could be affected by water obstruction
and your body by
damaging concussion. By using hollow point bullets (water may cause the

bullet to expand in the barrel), high pressure ammo, etc. -- you're
asking for an
underwater kaBoom! It you fire near solid or hard objects, the bouncing

concussion can cause extensive, perhaps even fatal external/internal
tissue
injury. Why risk it?

Joe