[HOE] Fw: [TML] Firearms in Vacumn

[Shane.Mclean@t-online.de (Shane Mclean)]

Hey guys and gals,
                        I got this from the Traveller list (not bad to get a
reply 11 mins after posting, huh?).  It makes sense form my chemical
knowledge (less than John, though).  Hopefully we should get some more
science-babble from some other guys on it - I'm doubly hoping the NASA
scientist on the list replies, 'cause he probably has exposure to research
on it.
        This also points out some stuff concerning temperature, etc that
cruel Marshalls (none of them in the Deadlands milleu, are there? *grin*)
could use to upset thier players.
        I'll post a more final definitve answer when one of the science-guys
comes on.

                        Shane

John T. Kwon fromt he TML had this to say:

> Modern firearms use smokeless powder, which is either a
> single or double-based nitrocellulose compound.  That is,
> it's either nitrocellulose, or nitrocellulose soaked in
> nitroglycerin.
>
> In any case, they contain their own fuel and oxidizer.  The
> amount of air in the cartridge effectively contributes
> nothing to the reaction.
>
> The primers today are commonly lead styphnate and some other
> compounds such as PETN, some ground glass, etc.  Once again,
> they contain their own oxidizer and fuel.
>
> Firing a modern firearm in a vacuum will work just fine.
>
> I would be careful of other extremes found in space.
> Extremes of temperature in particular.  If you're standing in
> direct sunlight, the temperature experienced by your weapon
> may go high enough to cook off the ammunition (I'm thinking
> that standing in sunlight on the moon would be a risk).  If
> you're standing in the shade, the temperature might be low
> enough to make the receiver or bolt too brittle to handle the
> stress of firing.
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