A few more details, for anybody that's still interested.
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<br>About 30% of the gases flying out the muzzle are CO and H2, both highly unstable and desperately in search of oxygen molecules, in order to become the standard CO2 and H20 found in our atmosphere. But before they leave the muzzle they're simply part of the package of expanding gases, the powder burn long since complete.
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<br>The expanding gases do retain enough heat, however, to reach the flash point when striking the oxygen of the atmosphere. So when the CO and H2 leave the barrel they do oxidize ("burn"), and quite rapidly.
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<br>And yes, there's enough oxygen in the powder for it to burn completely inside the barrel.
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<br>I simplified all this, perhaps a little over-much, in my article in RIFLE, because most readers don't buy it for a chemistry lesson.
