First the flint hits the frizzen, making a spark. The spark lights the fine gunpowder in the pan then the fire makes it's way to the hole and into the chamber, then the gun fires. Normal delay, 4-8ms. Occasionally there is a "hangfire", where the gun shoots a second or more late. And sometimes it doesn't fire - a "flash in the pan. Pictures here:
That depends on which response time you are looking at
Time to start delay timing (handle release)
Time to detonation.
The first is response to letting go, the second is the response time of the delay function before calling the function
void bang( void )
I'm curious where you got those numbers. That seems awfully fast.
Cool. The timing measurements shown on that page show a 40ms delay until the powder in the pan ignites.
I agree. Even a percussion muzzleloader using regular musket caps (which I used to enjoy playing with) can take as much as half a second to fire in normal operation. If the powder is a little damp, even longer. It's part of the challenge of hunting with antique weapons; the quarry can hear the snap of the priming before the main charge fires, and it has a little time to move out of your aim.
Safety SOP for a blackpowder gun that is hanging fire is to keep it pointed safely downrange for ONE MINUTE, then if you wish you can try putting on another cap/refilling the pan, recocking and try again (still keeping it pointed downrange).
Oops. Typo. 40-80ms. :(
Greene)
delay
To this day, I still can't type on an old style IBM Selectric typewriter because of the annoying delay between when I hit the key and the "chunk" sound of the ball hitting the platen.
Ed
Greene)
time.
results.
play
handle an
.25s delay
ISTR using an old brother electric (thermal?) typewriter/word processor. In one mode, the delay was in the number of characters typed, not clock time. That was REALLY disquieting! I think it caught up at the end of line. The purpose, of course, was to allow you to erase a one or two character typo before it was committed to the page.
Rufus
Greene)
find
front
digit
No, not just you.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required