Loaded in hot car

[xiph0s]

searched and found nothing.

I have a G26 that is a car gun until i get a suitable IWB holster for carry. Granted once i get that holster the gun will still spend time in my car while at work, places that prohibit ccw, etc.

My question is as follows:

The inside of my car gets fairly warm during the day. Especially in the summer time. I keep my G26 in the center console and have found that sometimes when i get back in my car after it has been sitting for a while that the gun is very warm to the touch.

Since i keep one in the chamber I am curious if it is possible for the inside of the car to get hot enough to create a condition where the round would discharge on its own. We have discussed what happens when a round is thrown into a fire, round pops off but doenst do much because the explosion is not directed. Whereas, if the round in the chamber discharges it would essentially be just like pulling the trigger.

Would it be possible if the conditions were just right that the gun would discharge the first round and continue to cycle? Or would it have to be extremely hot for this to happen?

The last thing i want to find when i get off work is that i have a new drainage hole in the bottom of my center console. Not to mention that would be a fun one to try and explain to both my coworkers and law enforcement.

any thoughts?

 

[Deus Machina]

It probably depends on the gun, but if it went off without any grip, it would likely not cycle properly.

I can see a round going off, but it's not likely. You need about 500 degrees to set a round off on its own. Keep it in the glove box or under a seat (check the laws, etc.) and it'll be fine.

 

[Jeff F]

I think the inside of the car would have to be on fire to get hot enough to cause a cook off.

 

[Soldiersurfs]

Not all military vehicles have A/C and we do alright in Iraq. And every Fob I have been to ammo was stored steel shipping containers , I promise you they get hotter then your car.

 

[ronwill]

I wouldn't worry about rounds going off in a car. I used to leave ammo in the car when I was stationed in Arizona with 115 degree Summers without a mishap. The heat required to cook off a round is quite high.

 

[indiandave]

I don't think your car can get hot enough for your gun to discharge. On Myth Busters the temp. for a cartridge to dicharge was something like 500 degrees.

 

[foghornl]

IIRC, the "Flash Point" for powders, primers, etc is above 325* F

Now, if the conole of the car was to bursy into flame...

 

[xiph0s]

wow. excellent response, i appreciate it.

i figured that the temp needed was really high. just making sure.

 

[OOOXOOO]

I live in Phoenix AZ and temps inside my truck have exceeded 150 F. I doubt that is anywhere near hot enough to set off a round. I've seen full autos shot till the barrel glows and it does not set off the round in the chamber. If you leave your gun somewhere where it gets glowing hot I would find a new place to store it.

 

[CWL]

Use simple logic.

If the gasoline doesn't cook-off, how will ammo? Gas and other solvents are a lot more volatile that bullets. What about people who keep matches & lighters, have they ever cooked off?

If a bullet is going cook-off it won't be just the one in the chamber, the ones in the mags will detonate as well.

As others have already posted, it will take about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Once again, you'll have more danger from your gas igniting than the bullets.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

This should be a FAQ.

It takes some 500-550 degrees - an oven set on broil - to self-ignite a round.

 

[jcwit]

How do you think they ship ammo? In a hot semi trailer, never heard of any rounds going off. Want to see a hot round try setting a shiny new round in the sun for an hour or two then try to pick it up. Its hot but it won't cook off.

 

[neviander]

From what I read, unless the bottom of your center console is your exhaust pipe, I wouldn't worry about cooking off just from greenhouse heat. Or if you're really paranoid, just don't keep one in the chamber; no risk of the barrel velocitatin' the bullet then