Frangible ammunition can be used for a number of different reasons but most revolve around the point of safe training. Used by many different military's around the world for CQB training, frangible ammunition is designed to fragment on impact with a hard target like steel or concreate. Most of this type of ammunition is made up of copper alloy and a composite of sorts mixed with a bonding agent and pressed to shape with a high pressure method. This is to ensure that the projectile stays together while being fired through the barrel of the firearm but upon impact will pulverize into safer tiny fragments and reduce the risk of ricochet and injury.
The advantages of using this type of ammunition are listed by my class mates and made finding a different one very difficult. After reviewing an NRA website on the topic I realized that one of the coolest advantages of this type of ammunition is that it is most often made of non toxic materials unlike traditional ammunition made with lead that can be toxic if exposed to. This is amazing because the use of traditional ammunition outdoors will embed lead toxins into the berms and this can leach into the ground and eventually contaminate things like well water on the property.
Probably one of the biggest disadvantages of this type of training ammunition is that most people hear "training ammunition" and think less lethal or non lethal ammunition. The fact that most people have never heard of this type of ammunition means a lack of knowledge and a risk of misuse. If fired at another individual the user risks causing serious injury and or death to the individual fired at. If this type of ammunition hits an individual and fragments inside of them the risk of injury and or death is increased because unlike traditional ammunition that wants to pernitrate, frangible ammunition may break apart inside and damage multiple vital organs. Please be sure that anyone using frangible ammunition knows the risk involved and you should be able to reduce risk of injury.
Resources
Johnston, Jeff. “Frangible Ammunition: Pros, Cons & Myths.” NRA Family, National Rifle Association , https://www.nrafamily.org/content/frangible-ammunition-pros-cons-myths/.
Comments