Ep 24. Firearms Folklore

For the twenty-fourth episode of season four of Mythbusters, the team delves into the world of firearms folklore. In this episode, they tackle a host of long-held beliefs about firearms and put them to the test. With their usual scientific method and humor, they take on some of the most widely held beliefs about guns, including their accuracy, stopping power, and even the infamous bulletproof car door myth.

The episode begins with a bang, as the team takes on the myth that shooting a gun underwater is identical to shooting it in the air. To test this, they rig up a pool with underwater cameras and a firing range with high-speed cameras. They then shoot bullets both in the air and underwater and analyze the results. What they find is both surprising and educational, as they uncover some often-overlooked factors that can dramatically affect the trajectory and power of bullets.

Next, the team takes on the myth that a bullet fired from a gun will always travel in a straight line. They set up a test that involves shooting several different types of bullets through a series of obstacles, including wood and bone. The results are eye-opening, as they discover that even small obstacles can dramatically alter the path of a bullet. The team also investigates the "curving bullets" myth, popularized by the movie Wanted, and determines once and for all whether it's possible for a bullet to change direction mid-flight.

Moving on to the subject of stopping power, the team puts several different types of bullets to the test to see which ones are the most effective at stopping an attacker. They also investigate the idea that a single shot to the head is a guaranteed kill and compare the results of a headshot to other vital areas of the body. As always, they use hi-tech cameras and sensors to measure the force and impact of each shot, giving viewers an up-close view of the physics at work.

One of the most intriguing myths they take on in this episode is the idea that a clay vase can stop a bullet. To test this, the team constructs a giant clay pot and shoots various types of bullets at it from various distances. The results are surprising and entertaining, as they uncover some unexpected factors that can affect a bullet's trajectory and power.

The episode also tackles the bulletproof car door myth, which has been a favorite of action movies for decades. To test it, the team utilizes a classic muscle car and a variety of guns and weapons. They shoot at the car door from different distances and angles, and viewers get to see the sometimes-hilarious results. Along the way, they also dispel other vehicular myths, such as the idea that a car can explode if its gas tank is shot.

Throughout the episode, the team provides fascinating insights into the science of firearms, dispelling some common myths and confirming others. They use their signature blend of humor and high-tech gadgetry to test each myth from multiple angles and help viewers better understand the physics at work. Fans of the show will delight in this episode, as it showcases the team's inventive testing methods and love of science. For anyone curious about firearms folklore, this episode is a must-see.