Would a flamethrower explode if shot?

Since there is no ignition event, there would be no explosion. Although a bullet might be very hot for a few moments after it is fired (due to the friction and the explosion that propelled it in the first place), its temperature would be far too low to ignite anything.

Why is the flame thrower banned?

They have been deemed of questionable effectiveness in modern combat. Despite some assertions, they are not generally banned, but as incendiary weapons they are subject to the usage prohibitions described under Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

How do flamethrowers not explode?

Most important is that fuel in flame thrower doesn’t contain oxidizer. It needs oxygen in air to burn. So it can’t burn until it is expelled. Second is that the stream typically travels faster than flame can propagate along the stream.

How hot does a flamethrower burn?

The flamethrower works on the blowtorch principle. While the fuel is burning, the temperature of the flame reaches 1000°C. Lumber cuttings burn four times faster when ignited with flamethrowers than with torches made of various materials.

How long did flamethrowers last in ww2?

The M2 was the successor to the M1 and M1A1 flamethrowers. Although its burn time was around 7 seconds long, and the flames were effective around 20–40 meters, it was still a useful weapon….

What did ww2 flamethrowers use for fuel?

The upper compartment contained pressurized nitrogen that pushed the five gallons of fuel oil in the lower compartment through the barrel and into the flame gun. The fuel system for the E1 consisted of either diesel oil, fuel oil, or blends of gasoline and oil.

How far can flamethrowers shoot?

With the valve open, the pressurized fuel can flow through the nozzle. A flamethrower like this one can shoot a fuel stream as far as 50 yards (46 meters). As it exits the nozzle, the fuel flows past the ignition system.

Are flamethrowers legal?

In the USA Flamethrowers are federally unregulated and not even considered a firearm (ironic) by the BATF. No need for any NFA tax stamps, weapons licensing or even an FFL dealer. It’s the purchaser’s responsibility to ascertain that ownership and or use does not violate any state or local laws or regulations.

Are homemade flamethrowers illegal?

Flamethrowers. Flamethrowers are banned California. But, in general, use of the weapon isn’t governed by federal law. Deadliest feature: Flames from certain models can shoot more than 100 meters.

Is a flamethrower a gun?

Ironically, flamethrowers don’t qualify as “firearms.” The National Firearms Act defines a firearm as a weapon that expels a projectile by the action of an explosive, which a flamethrower does not.

How far could a WW2 flamethrower shoot?

The M1 and M1A1 were portable flamethrowers developed by the United States during World War II. The M1 weighed 72 lb, had a range of 15 meters, and had a fuel tank capacity of five gallons….M1 flamethrower.

How much is a military flamethrower?

Flamethrowers were gruesome weapons of war and so controversial that the U.S. military stopped using them after Vietnam. But as crazy as it may sound, they are available for sale to the public. A Cleveland startup called Throwflame is selling flamethrowers for $1,599 that can shoot fire for 50 feet.

Is it possible for a flame thrower to explode?

So the answer to the question is that it is possible but difficult to cause a flame-thrower to explode using small-arms fire unless you have a lot of luck or special ammunition. U.S. Troops using flame-throwers to clear brush.

What is the most likely outcome of a flame-thrower attack?

The most likely outcome is that it would kill or seriously injure the flame-thrower operator. Resistance fighter armed with a flame-thrower, August 22, 1944. But the real danger was from the nitrogen pressurized tank.

Could a flame-thrower kill a resistance fighter?

Resistance fighter armed with a flame-thrower, August 22, 1944. But the real danger was from the nitrogen pressurized tank. Though nitrogen is non-combustible, if the tanks were penetrated it would explode much like an aerosol can. The force of the explosion and the ensuing shrapnel could easily kill the operator of the flame-thrower.

Could a bullet hit a flame-throwing Rifleman?

Riflemen lead the way as flame-throwing Marines of the Fifth Division, crouched with the weight of their weapons, move up to work on a concentration of Japanese pillboxes. Photo: USMC So we have established that the two weapons are sufficiently similar that being hit by a bullet would have the same outcome.