Ep 12. Hollywood Gunslingers

In this episode of MythBusters, the team takes on the challenge of testing out various Hollywood gunslinging myths. One such myth involves the common movie trope of shooting a gas tank to cause a fiery explosion. Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman start off by setting up a controlled environment to test if this is a plausible scenario.

They start off by shooting a gas canister with a projectile and observe how it reacts. They then move on to shooting a gas tank fitted with an explosive charge and examine the results. The team also explores the effects of water, dirt, and other materials on the explosion to determine how accurately they are portrayed in movies.

The MythBusters team also tackles the myth of whether or not people could use colt revolvers to shoot accurately while jumping off a horse. They enlist the help of professional horse riders to test the accuracy of shooting targets while on horseback. The team also explores other aspects of this myth, such as how to ensure safety while jumping off and on a horse that is in full motion. The results of this experiment are both surprising and entertaining.

Another myth they take on involves the common movie cliche of pistols being able to shoot through metal doors. Adam and Jamie use a variety of pistols and revolvers to attempt to shoot through different types of doors made of various materials. They start with wooden doors and move on to metal doors to see whether this movie cliche has any truth to it. The results are both interesting and unexpected.

The team also tests out the effectiveness of using a gun as a melee weapon, as depicted in movies. They use several types of guns, from rifles to pistols, to determine the potential damage they can cause. They also demonstrate different techniques for using the gun as a club or striking weapon.

Finally, the team explores the effectiveness of the common movie trope of shooting the lock off a door to gain entry. They use different types of locks and firearms to determine if this is a plausible tactic in real life. They also examine the effects of ricochet and stray bullets on surrounding objects and people.

Throughout the episode, the MythBusters team provides a variety of interesting and informative experiments, as well as fun and entertaining banter. Their dedication to exploring common Hollywood gun myths and testing their accuracy in real life makes for a fascinating and entertaining watch. Whether you're a fan of action movies or just interested in the science of guns, this episode of MythBusters is sure to satisfy.