Will Blocking a Gun Barrel Cause an Explosion? The Truth Revealed

Have you ever wondered if plugging the barrel of a gun, like in cartoons and movies, could actually cause it to explode? From Bugs Bunny to Indiana Jones, this trope is a classic way to escape danger. But is there any truth to it? Let's dive into the physics and real-world scenarios to uncover the facts.

The Physics of Firearms: How Guns Really Work

To understand whether blocking a gun barrel can cause an explosion, it's essential to know how guns operate. Most guns use an explosive charge to propel bullets. When the trigger is pulled, a firing pin strikes the primer, igniting a propellant. This creates rapidly expanding gases that force the bullet out of the barrel at high speeds.

Guns are designed to contain these gases safely. The idea behind the exploding barrel trope is that blocking the muzzle would prevent the bullet and gases from escaping, causing the internal pressure to rise beyond the barrel's tolerance, leading to a catastrophic rupture.

Finger vs. Bullet: An Unlikely Showdown

Could a finger, thumb, or hand actually block a bullet? The answer is a resounding no. Bullets are far denser than human flesh. They tear through flesh and shatter bones with ease. Fingers and thumbs are no exception.

Most gun barrels are also much thinner than the average adult finger. Even if you could get your finger into the muzzle, it wouldn't create a tight seal. The bullet would simply rip through your finger, allowing the gas to vent and limiting damage to the barrel.

Real-Life Examples: Accidental Gunshots

The internet is full of stories of people accidentally shooting off their fingers. In 2014, baseball player Jose Canseco shot off part of his finger while cleaning a gun. A similar incident occurred in 2015 when a police officer shot off part of his finger at a gun store. In both cases, the guns themselves suffered no substantial damage.

MythBusters Weigh In: Shotgun Experiments

The MythBusters team explored this topic with a shotgun, firing guns plugged with finger analogues made of ballistics gel. The most damage the gun sustained was minor bulging near the muzzle, while the fake hands were utterly destroyed. Fingers simply aren't strong enough to contain the gases or the bullet, so sufficient pressure can't build to cause an explosion.

When Barrels Burst: The Role of Solid Obstructions

While fingers are ineffective, other substances like soil, rocks, or mud can cause a gun to explode. These materials can travel deeper into the barrel and form larger, more solid blockages. The bigger and more solid the blockage, the more likely it is that the pressure from firing could overwhelm the barrel.

Historical Evidence: Exploding Barrels in the 19th Century

In 1880, Scottish scientist George Forbes wrote about gun barrels exploding when blocked by snow, earth, or grease. He noted that this phenomenon was "well-known," suggesting that exploding gun barrels were not uncommon in his day. Even everyday substances like soil can provide enough resistance to overwhelm the barrel's structural integrity.

Modern Tests: How Much Pressure is Too Much?

Ballistics expert Tom Roster tested a Remington Model 870 shotgun to determine how much excess pressure it would take to explode the barrel. The gun, designed for a maximum pressure of 11,500 psi, didn't fail until Roster reached 55,000 psi. At that point, the barrel burst spectacularly.

The Danger of Squib Loads

Another dangerous blockage is a squib load, where a bullet doesn't have enough energy to exit the barrel and becomes lodged inside. Firing another round with a squib load can cause the barrel to rupture or explode. Squib loads can result from poor manufacturing, old ammunition, or moisture contamination.

Cannons and Blockages: A Larger Scale

Large-caliber guns, or cannons, operate on the same principle as firearms and are also susceptible to explosions from blockages. While blocking a cannon is more challenging, it's not impossible.

Historical Examples: Tank Cannons in Wartime

There are numerous historical photos of tanks with burst barrels. One account from the Korean War describes how soldiers stuffed mud down the barrel of a North Korean tank. When the tank was fired, the barrel exploded, demonstrating the destructive potential of blockages.

Conclusion: Separating Fact from Fiction

While stuffing a finger into a gun muzzle won't cause an explosion, other types of blockages pose a real danger. Materials like mud, squib loads, or incorrect ammunition can create enough pressure to rupture a gun barrel, leading to significant injuries or worse.

Disclaimer: Do not attempt to replicate any of the experiments or scenarios described in this blog post. Firearms are dangerous, and improper handling can result in serious injury or death.