Pyrotechnic systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pyrotechnic system includes a combustible material in a housing having a first and second portion. The first portion of the housing can have an inlet for receiving combustion products and the second portion can have an outlet to propagate combustion between the second portion of the housing and the combustible material. The system can further include a combustible carrier material movable from the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing. The combustible carrier material can be ignited in a first portion of the housing and capable of sustaining combustion while being moved to the second portion of the housing. Additional embodiments can include a seal positioned to block a migration of combustion products between the first and second portions of the housing when the combustible carrier material is in the first portion of the housing. Still further embodiments can include a vent system located proximate to the first portion of the housing and the inlet wherein the vent system includes a passageway to allow combustion products to migrate away from the first portion of the housing and/or the inlet. In yet a further embodiment, the system can include at least one gasket positioned proximate to the outlet to prevent the migration of combustion products to the combustible material except from the outlet.