Frangible ammunition is a term that often pops up in discussions among shooting enthusiasts, but what exactly is it?
Frangible ammunition is designed to disintegrate into dust upon impact, minimizing penetration and reducing the risk of collateral damage.
Most frangible bullets are typically made from compressed powdered metals, like copper or tin, that form a fine powder. To keep the powder in the shape of a bullet, various metals are used as binding agents.
The result is a bullet that shatters into tiny, harmless fragments when it hits a steel target or other hard surface.
Why Use Frangible Ammo?
Traditional ammunition types, such as jacketed hollow points or full metal jackets, are typically made from solid metals, such as a solid lead core. Their design ensures that they remain intact upon striking a target, which aids in effectively transferring energy at the point of impact.
However, there are several situations where using a bullet that fragments into pieces upon bullet impact is ideal.
During close-quarter training, law enforcement and military conduct exercises and drills in tight and small spaces. Shooting traditional ammo close-quarters produces a ricochet hazard, which can cause severe injury or death. Frangible ammo dramatically reduces this risk of ricochet.
Frangible ammo removes the over-penetration of traditional bullets in walls and targets as the round will disintegrate, making it ideal for close-quarter shooting in structures.
In line with reducing over-penetration, frangible bullets can penetrate soft tissue (or a soft target) without completely fragmenting as the bullet would against steel. This can come in handy for self-defense and hunting.
The Pros and Cons of Frangible Ammo
Frangible ammo has its advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional lead bullets. Let’s discuss them.
Pros:
Reduced Over-Penetration: The main selling point of frangible ammunition is its ability to disintegrate on impact, which reduces the risk of over-penetration. This makes it safer in populated environments or close-quarters situations where over-penetration could harm bystanders or damage property, for example, when a bullet does not hit its intended target.
Decreased Ricochet Risk: Traditional bullets can ricochet off hard surfaces, posing a danger to the shooter and others nearby. Frangible bullets, however, break apart upon impact, significantly reducing this risk. When shooting steel targets for instance, many shooters will shoot steel with a minimum distance of 7 yards. With frangible ammo, you can get much closer without issue.
Environmental Friendliness: Unlike traditional lead-based bullets, frangible bullets are often made from non-toxic materials, making them a more environmentally friendly choice.
Cons:
Limited Range: Due to their design, frangible bullets may not retain their velocity as well as traditional bullets, limiting their effective range.
Less ‘Stopping Power’: Frangible bullets may not deliver the same ‘stopping power’ as hollow-point bullets, which expand upon impact to cause more damage. In line with this, frangible bullets might not penetrate through specific barriers well.
Limited Penetration: If you had to shoot through a barrier or wall, firing a frangible round may not penetrate as the round may disintegrate entirely upon impact.
Cost: Frangible ammo is often more expensive than traditional ammo, which might deter some shooters.
When to Use Frangible Ammo
Given these pros and cons, when is the best time to use frangible bullets?
Frangible ammunition shines in specific scenarios. It’s ideal for shooting in close quarters or indoor firing ranges where over-penetration and ricochets are significant concerns.
It’s also commonly used when shooting steel targets due to its reduced ricochet risk. Furthermore, if you’re conscious about the environment, opting for frangible ammo is a great way to reduce lead exposure and pollution.
Frangible Ammo for Self-Defense: Yay or Nay?
The debate on whether frangible ammo is suitable for personal defense is heated. On the one hand, its reduced risk of over-penetration can be a significant advantage in a home defense scenario, where a missed shot could potentially harm innocent bystanders or damage property by going through walls and furniture.
However, critics argue that frangible ammo lacks the stopping power required in self-defense. Traditional hollow-point bullets are designed to expand upon impact, causing larger wound channels and stopping an assailant more effectively.
At Tactical Hyve, we are proponents of using frangible ammo for self-defense, especially if you live in a condo, apartment, or a home with others whose rooms may get in the line of fire. Based on our testing, frangible ammunition has enough power to stop threats at close distances. Of course, the type of frangible ammo you use will matter. But overall, it is a good option.
As a precautionary measure, we always recommend having hollow points in another magazine handy–just in case.
Ultimately, the choice of ammunition you use for self-defense will depend on various factors, including your level of training, the layout of your home or property, and your personal preferences.
Recommended Frangible Ammunition
Watch A Short Video On Frangible Ammo
Frequently Asked Questions
Are frangible bullets lethal?
Yes, they can be. While frangible bullets are designed to break apart into metal dust upon impact to reduce over-penetration and ricochet, they can still be lethal. When a frangible bullet hits a soft target, like a person, it can fragment and cause significant damage, especially at close range.
What does a frangible bullet do to your body?
When a frangible bullet hits a soft target, it’s designed to break apart and fragment. This fragmentation can cause multiple wound channels, leading to significant trauma, especially at close range. The actual effect can vary based on factors like the specific type of frangible bullet used, the distance from which it’s fired, and where it strikes the body.
Do police use frangible rounds?
Yes, law enforcement (and the military) use frangible bullets, but their use varies widely and is usually dependent on the policies of each department.
Typically, they are used for close-quarters training but can be used in actual close-quarters combat. Again, the actual application for frangible ammunition will vary among law enforcement agencies (and military units).
In Summary
In conclusion, while frangible ammo might not be the best fit for every scenario, it certainly has its place. It offers unique advantages that can make it the right choice under specific circumstances. As with any tool, understanding its strengths and limitations is critical to using it effectively.
So next time you’re at the shooting range, why not try frangible ammo?
