We noticed that the Heizer "Pocket AR" pistol is now on the market, chambered for 5.56 NATO with a 1" barrel. This inspired the question, can you actually set someone on fire with close-range muzzle blast?

The answer is yes, at least according to our history books! There are several accounts of Old West shootings that left peoples' clothing on fire. So we figured we would see if we could recreate the effect with a cut down 1860 Army "Avenging Angel" revolver.

It is worth noting that you cannot do this with smokeless powder, though. Smokeless muzzle blast doesn't have enough actual burning particulate matter to light a fire.