# One s'more into the breech--misfire? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870 "2023-05-10T20:44:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/1 "2023-05-10T20:44:47Z")
If you jammed a marshmallow and graham cracker-based confectionary into the barrel of a gun, would it cause the gun to misfire, or would the bullet “clean” the barrel? ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/2 "2023-05-11T10:57:46Z")
It takes far more than a little confection to stop a bullet. From my understanding of the physics, most of the dessert would likely be pushed out of the barrel by the onrushing air pushed ahead of the bullet before metal and sugar even touched. Depending on how mashed up it was and how warm it was, some goo and crumbs might be left behind to get on the bullet and make it fly erratically. You will definitely want to clean your barrel well after this experiment. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/3 "2023-05-11T11:37:16Z")
Upvote for the title. > [@tofor](#): > > It takes far more than a little confection to stop a bullet. A gun barrel can be plugged with mud. Whether a s’more is enough would depend on the bore size. A .22 would fare worse than a shotgun. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/4 "2023-05-11T12:11:27Z")
No s’mores, but Demolition Ranch tried plugging the barrels of a shotgun with a lot of different things. Confetti, flour, beads, salt and rice, laundry detergent, hot dog, wood glue, spray foam, syrup, and BBs. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qGgbR25slDU/maxresdefault.jpg "Plugging the Barrel... with super weird things...") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGgbR25slDU) Make of that what you will. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/5 "2023-05-11T12:20:46Z")
Glad to see that was just a clickbait thumbnail, and he didn’t try to fire any of those while actually holding them. (Also without hearing or eye protection.) ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/6 "2023-05-11T12:53:36Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Demolition Ranch tried plugging the barrels of a shotgun with a lot of different things. Result: Most things just shot out (salt and rice being a notable exception). I stand by my statement that you’ll _probably_ be fine, but don’t go trying it, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/7 "2023-05-11T14:36:53Z")
I assume the backstory to the OP involves either a child or being drunk on a hunting trip. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/8 "2023-05-11T15:12:16Z")
“Hold my beer…” ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/9 "2023-05-11T15:16:34Z")
Bugs Bunny’s carrot-into-Elmer-Fudd’s-shotgun trick is apparently bad for the shotgun IRL. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nVuWs1n2sQk/maxresdefault.jpg "Carrot in a Shotgun In Real Life") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVuWs1n2sQk) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/10 "2023-05-11T19:55:23Z")
Tell the truth, @Darren_Garrison: the only reason you started this thread is because you thought up that pun and needed a place to show it off. Am I right? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/11 "2023-05-11T19:57:13Z")
Pun? . ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/12 "2023-05-11T21:45:48Z")
For non-confectionary based examples - > **[MythBusters Episode 75: Myths Redux](https://mythresults.com/episode75)** > > The MythBusters revisit several myths: firecracker in trombone mute, sniper shooting through scope, shotgun plugged by finger, two hammers exploding when struck together. > ### REVISITED: A shotgun plugged by a human finger will backfire and explode injuring or killing the shooter instead of the intended victim. (From [episode 43](https://mythresults.com/episode43)) > > RE-BUSTED > > The re-test used a 19th-century double-barreled shotgun made through Damascus welding. The first barrel was damaged by a ballistic gelatin finger, though not as seen in cartoons. A steel finger welded to the end of the second barrel simply made the whole tip of the barrel shoot off. > > ### SPINOFF: A .30-06 rifle fired while having a boresight still in the barrel will backfire and explode, creating a cartoon-like banana peel effect as shown in submitted photographs. (From [episode 43](https://mythresults.com/episode43)) > > PLAUSIBLE > > The Build Team’s test used a brand new rifle. The barrel split several inches when fired with a laser boresight in the barrel. The Build Team surmises that the banana-peel effect could be achieved if this were to happen in an older rifle that has endured more wear and tear from firings. So, of course, tons of factors. I have an inherited Damascus 20G double barreled shotgun that I wouldn’t dare to fire with a modern load, and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if any number of plugging options could cause it to fail. PLEASE NOTE - I also add to the many voices in this thread calling out to people to NOT “Try this at home”. It’s insanely dangerous, and no joke is worth risk of life or limb, which would be very possible. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/13 "2023-05-11T22:06:49Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Tell the truth, @Darren_Garrison: the only reason you started this thread is because you thought up that pun and needed a place to show it off. Am I right? I came here for that reason! I don’t have much gun experience, but just had to comment on the Shakespearean pun. Shakespeare has a comical incident involving a gun holster, as well as a character named Pistol. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/14 "2023-05-12T02:05:03Z")
Yes, I know diddly about guns, but the photo just looked super dangerous. Of course, it seems to me a shotgun shell is less of a problem than a bullet in that the explosive gasses can more easily escape around the projectile(s) if there is a small opening, but something that jams the relatively snug fit bullet projectile too much - well, the gasses have 3 options - front, back, or by opening up along the barrel. whichever direction has the easiest “give”. Toward the end of the barrel, the projectile likely has momentum on its side, but if a serious obstruction was ramrodded into place far down the barrel, my gut wonders if the situation would be different? ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-smore-into-the-breech-misfire/983870/15 "2023-05-12T15:16:43Z")
Shotguns are well known to “bulge” from barrel obstructions. One complicating factor for s’mores in the barrel is that marshmallow cream is possibly a non Newtonian fluid. I’m not sure about a melted marshmallow.