hi everyone, i got a question that will seem dumb to some of you, but what kind of powder do modern semi-auto handguns use (9mm,38sp,45a). Im asking because in my firearms safety book it talks about cleaning black powder firearms and is showing a modern semi-auto and lists the instructions for cleaning it. so im interested to know what they use, black powder or smokeless? thanks for you help guys
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
what powder to use?
- Thread starter keiken
- Start date
Mike Irwin
Staff
Most modern firearms like semi-autos use smokeless powder based on nitrocellulose.
Semi-autos are best used with smokeless as black powder produces a significant amount of fouling that can quickly render a semi-auto inoperative.
Black powder, a combination of charcoal, sodium or potassium nitrate, and sulphur, is still used, but mainly in reproduction guns like cap and ball revolvers. Some do use black powder in cartridges like the .45-70 and .45 Colt. That was the original propellant for those cartridges, and the guns (and reproductions) are still readily available. It lends an air of nostalgia and is, in fact, in some competitive events, required.
Semi-autos are best used with smokeless as black powder produces a significant amount of fouling that can quickly render a semi-auto inoperative.
Black powder, a combination of charcoal, sodium or potassium nitrate, and sulphur, is still used, but mainly in reproduction guns like cap and ball revolvers. Some do use black powder in cartridges like the .45-70 and .45 Colt. That was the original propellant for those cartridges, and the guns (and reproductions) are still readily available. It lends an air of nostalgia and is, in fact, in some competitive events, required.
Heck, even most black powder shooters don't even use black powder any more, they use a black powder substitute called Pyrodex. Black powder can be somewhat dangerous to store and handle and Pyrodex is supposed to mitigate some of that.
As I've always understood it, black powder (or substitutes) basically explode when ignited and that explosion creates the chamber pressure that sends the bullet forward and out of the firearm. Smokeless powder that we use these days does not explode, but rather it burns VERY quickly and creates a volume of gas and that gas creates a tremendous pressure which send the bullet forward and out of the firearm. The pressure difference is quite measurable-- off hand, I think it's a good 4 to 5 times the amount of pressure in similar calibers, between black and smokeless, but I can't guarantee that's accurate.
One last thing... smokeless powder is obviously NOT without smoke... it just smokes one heckuva lot less than black powder.
As I've always understood it, black powder (or substitutes) basically explode when ignited and that explosion creates the chamber pressure that sends the bullet forward and out of the firearm. Smokeless powder that we use these days does not explode, but rather it burns VERY quickly and creates a volume of gas and that gas creates a tremendous pressure which send the bullet forward and out of the firearm. The pressure difference is quite measurable-- off hand, I think it's a good 4 to 5 times the amount of pressure in similar calibers, between black and smokeless, but I can't guarantee that's accurate.
One last thing... smokeless powder is obviously NOT without smoke... it just smokes one heckuva lot less than black powder.
You would have to contact some specialty manufacturer to actually receive loaded ammo in brass cartridge cases with black powder or a black powder substitute. Muzzle loading guns and cap & ball revolvers use it, but typically, cartridges (loaded ammo) isn't available with it.so for general purpose then black powder is not used as a normal powder in modern semi auto's
Mike Irwin
Staff
Black powder is classified a low explosive, whereas smokeless powder is classified as a flammable solid.