Can Bullets Go Off if You Drop Them? (2024)

• August 13, 2021

Being a gun owner can lead to many questions, including how to operate and maintain a firearm. For example, people may wonder if a bullet can accidentally go off and cause significant damage if it’s dropped. The firearms safety education professionals from Online Texas LTC, a premier provider of online LTC classes, offer examples of how a bullet could potentially go off if it’s dropped and tips to help you avoid these types of errors to keep your family safe and your gun in good shape.

Likelihood of a Cartridge Going Off

A bullet isn’t likely to go off when you drop the cartridge for various reasons, including how it lands. Most dropped bullets land tip first on a floor or the ground. When this happens, the bullet will land in a way that prevents the impact from being sufficiently forceful to cause the bullet to fire. Significant impact to the primer would be needed to cause it to discharge. This is extremely unlikely to happen from it simply being dropped.

Hitting Other Objects

In rare instances, what the bullet lands on could make it go off. For example, if you drop your cartridge near a steel object and it lands at the perfect angle with enough force, the bullet could go off. When there’s enough force, the impact on the primer would mimic the impact of a firing pin after the trigger of a gun is pulled. It’s good practice to be mindful of your surroundings when handling ammunition. Even though discharge from being dropped is extremely unlikely, many individuals clean their guns and unload them in areas where no one else is nearby.

Various Issues to Avoid

Dropping a bullet could lead to other problems for gun owners, which include bending a cartridge, deforming the tip of the bullet, and ruining the handgun’s chamber. When this happens, it could prevent you from hitting your target correctly, whether you’re shooting for protection or during recreational activities like hunting. Dropping bullets could also cause the round to jam in the gun, especially if you drop them in the mud, dirt, or snow. When this happens, you could transfer water, sand, mud, and other substances to the firearm’s chamber and cause damage.

Prevention Tips

The best way to prevent accidents from happening is to practice gun safety rules at all times. You can do this by practicing and learning more about firearms by enrolling in a gun safety course. This class can give you additional information regarding laws and regulations and safety strategies when it comes to storing your handgun, shooting your firearm, changing bullets, and various maintenance tips.

Whether you already own a firearm or you’re considering purchasing one, it’s essential to know how to use it safely. Online Texas LTC is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training available. Whether you simply need to learn how to handle a gun and shoot safely or you want to take a Texas license to carry online course, Online Texas LTC has what you need. Give us a call today at 512-675-2124.