Does anyone measure barrel temp? At what temp is a barrel too hot and needs to be cooled?
A gun barrel can get incredibly hot, depending on the type of gun and how often it is used. A small handgun may only get warm after firing a few rounds, but a larger caliber rifle or machine gun can heat up to the point where it is too hot to touch within seconds of firing. The hottest parts of the barrel are usually near the chamber and muzzle, where the combustion from fired rounds is hottest. Gun barrels can reach temperatures well over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and even hotter in some cases.
With such high temperatures, iron gun barrels will start to glow red-hot after prolonged firing. This isn’t generally a problem with steel barrels though, as they have a higher heat tolerance. Still, both types of barrels will eventually overheat if firing is continued for too long without a break. This can cause the barrel to warp or even melt, rendering the gun useless.
So how do you keep a gun barrel from overheating? One way is to simply give it time to cool down between shots. This isn’t always practical though, especially in combat situations. Another way is to use a barrel cooling system, which forces water or some other coolant through the barrel to help keep it cool. These systems are generally only used on larger guns, such as machine guns, that tend to overheat quickly.
No matter what type of gun you’re using, it’s important to keep an eye on the barrel temperature. If it starts to get too hot, stop firing and give it a chance to cool down. Otherwise, you could damage the gun beyond repair.
Have more questions about gun barrels? Feel free to ask in the comments below.