Can a gun fire in a vacuum?

Question

Now, it is known that combustion needs to take place in the presence of Oxygen. So this is why some shows like Firefly ("Our Mrs. Reynolds" Episode) stated that some guns have to be fitted with a vacuum case that allows a propellant-based slugthrower to be fired in hard vacuum, or it will not fire.

But, the reaction of the propellant going all the way back to basic black powder supplies its own Oxygen. In the case of Black Powder it's from Potassium Nitrate (KNO3).

So, which is accurate? Can it fire in a vacuum or can't it?

peacock bla bla · Accepted Answer

Gunfire is a controlled contained fire which expands and propels a projectile out of it's confinement. There must be oxygen, fuel and heat present to have fire. At first glance one would think since there is no oxygen in VACUUM that a gun could not fire, BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE
There is oxidizer present within gunpowder sufficient to fire the gun. Guns can fire underwater too, but when the gun barrel is filled with water there may be enough resistance within the barrel to cause it to burst. In space however, not only can the gun fire, but likely better than on Earth, since as stated earlier the water in the barrel offers dangerous resistance, air in the barrel offers a minute amount of drag as well, in space, a gun shot would have no air resistance and thus more muzzle velocity than on Earth.

Christopher · Answer

The second case presented is also possible, since you only need a force for the bullet to be fired from the gun.that's my guess.

XRON · Answer

Yes it is possible.
I have been bounty hunting in space for a while and my sponsors(jillete and rebolk) only provide me with metal slugs.

Anonymous · Answer

yes. you're right, the powder contains it's own oxidant like all good explosives do.

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Can a gun fire in a vacuum?

4 Answers