Issue link: http://trmagonline.epubxp.com/i/117780
Manufacturers today produce a wide array of less-lethal, impact and compliance munitions. Tis wide selection certainly allows an agency to tailor a munitions selection to specifc situations and responses. However, the number, style and types of rounds available can easily lead to some confusion. Regardless of which vendor or manufacturer your agency may favor, the choice of manufacturer or brand is not nearly as important as the choice of which specifc munitions will be authorized and when and how they will be applied in real-world situations. Understanding Differences Whether you have a small bore (12-gauge), big bore (37/40mm), or a combined program, understanding the diferent types of munitions available today, understanding the situational and tactical strengths and limitations of each, is foundational to selecting the right rounds for your program. Current nomenclature should be understood in order to make an informed, intelligent decision. In today���s tactical terms, you will often hear references made to less lethal rounds, impact munitions, incapacitation and compliance munitions. You may also hear phrases like kinetic energy rounds, shot bag rounds, bean bag rounds, and the worst term, rubber bullets. Te rubber bullets term is usually used by the media for impact munitions, so your public information ofcer also needs to be up to speed on proper terms. p Early compliance munitions included the wood dowel style of round, and the traditional, though often unpredictable, square shot bag. Modern less-lethal munitions are both safer and more accurate. Direct Fire: Flexible and Not Direct-fre less-lethal impact or compliance munitions are broken down into two primary groups, fexible and non-fexible. Flexible munitions conform to the shape of the target upon impact. Flexible munitions include shot/bean bag rounds primarily. While the manufacturers have researched and experimented with other mediums, the lead-shot-flled bag remains the most efcient and efective type of fexible munitions available. Weight and velocity will vary by manufacturer and type, but in general, 12-gauge fexible munitions are in the 40- to 50-gram range, while the 37/40mm munitions will weigh between 60 and 155 grams. Velocities will be slower with fexible munitions, because the weight is greater than in non-fexible rounds. Non-fexible rounds force the target to conform to them on impact. Examples include rounds such as DefTec���s popular Direct Impact series of munitions, any of the various ���Rubber Rocket���-style 12-gauge fn-stabilized rounds available, or the hard-hitting Sage KO-1 round. Te non-fexible rounds will be lighter, generally no more than 60 grams, but will have increased velocities, in some cases up to 500 fps. Te diferences in the type of round are important when you are considering all of the factors your personnel will be dealing with related to the application for the munitions you select. Injury Potential Injury potential is an important consideration when selecting lesslethal munitions, and should be specifc selection criteria. Flexible rounds, by their very nature (heavy, soft and slow) will generally provide fewer suspect injuries than the non-fexible munitions, which are light, hard and fast. p Non-Flexible compliance munitions come in a variety of shapes and sizes to allow a selection based on your environment, the offender, or the situation. The 12-gauge fnned rubber slugs are highly accurate, non-fexible rounds, and offer solutions for several potential situations. When you look at historical injuries associated with both platforms, you tend to see higher levels of injury with the non-fexible munitions. However, the non-fexible munitions generally provide exceptional accuracy when compared to the fexible rounds. Tis ���accuracy gap,��� to be fair, has closed considerably in the past decade with many of the fexible rounds today being capable of superb accuracy from 25 yards. So how hard are the non-fexible rounds? To determine this, we look to Durometer ratings, which indicate a general level of hardness for a given object. Tis hardness scale can provide you some assistance in making determinations as to the most appropriate nonfexible round for your application. www.trmagonline.com 43