Types of Less Than Lethal Ammo

<a href="/products/miscellaneous/less-lethal?pagesize=120&ScrollPos=9629">Less than lethal ammo (which may also be referred to as less lethal ammo or even as non lethal ammo) is a special class of ammo that can be used in a responsible manner to minimize the risk of serious injury or death, while still producing a deterrent to violent and/or hostile targets.

Some types of less than lethal ammo require a specific platform - as in the case of pepper balls, which are (generally) fired by basic paintball guns. Others may require a conversion kit, whereas some types of non lethal shotgun ammo can be fired from a standard shotgun with no conversion or modification needed.

This short guide will cover some of the main types of less than lethal ammo.

First, let’s talk about the distinction between non lethal ammo as compared to less lethal ammo and less than lethal ammo.

The name non lethal ammo is seen by some as a misnomer because when less than lethal ammo is used irresponsibly, such as when it is fired at sensitive areas or at close ranges, it can result in serious injury, even permanent injury or death.

As a result, these grades of ammo are sometimes referred to as less lethal ammo or less than lethal ammo.

That said, what are some of the most common types of non lethal ammo?

Here are some of the most common types of less than lethal ammo, in no particular order.

Pepper Balls

Pepper balls are basically paintballs filled with a powderized chemical irritant, sort of like a dry form of pepper spray. On contact with a target, the pepper ball bursts, releasing the irritant, which can cause a burning sensation on the skin, and in the mouth, eyes, and nose.

Rubber Bullets

Rubber bullets, which may or may not require a special platform (depending on caliber) or a conversion to a specific firearm, are designed to create blunt force trauma and debilitating pain on contact with a hostile target. Rubber bullets must be used in a responsible manner and fired at non-sensitive areas, such as below the belt and at extremities, in order to produce the deterrent effect desired.

Polystyrene Bullets

Some non lethal ammo consists of a polystyrene bullet and stabilized with shot, which adds mass to the shot. Like rubber bullets these are designed to produce blunt force trauma and pain on impact, resulting in the desired deterrent effect. Also like rubber bullets, they must be used in a responsible manner, and not aimed at sensitive areas, in order to minimize the risk of serious injury.

Some are very accurate and those that are weighted properly and spin stabilized have much greater effective ranges than other forms of less than lethal ammo.

Foam Baton Rounds

Foam and sponge baton rounds are like rubber bullets but they can be less dense and may be designed to distribute blunt force trauma over a greater surface area, further reducing the risk of serious or permanent injury when used in a responsible manner. Depending on the caliber of the projectile and the type of cartridge that fires it, they may require a specific platform.

Wooden Bullets

Wooden bullets, such as wooden baton rounds, are made with a wood projectile that is lower in density than lead or bismuth, and so when used appropriately, can be less lethal.

Many wood bullets and wood baton rounds are not designed to be fired directly at hostile targets; they are designed to be skip shot - that is, fired at a hard surface like blacktop or concrete, which causes them to lose some of their energy and bounce upward into the target at leg level.

Like the other forms of non lethal ammo mentioned here, the deterrent presented by wood bullets is one of blunt force trauma and pain.

Bean Bag Rounds

Bean bag rounds are another form of less than lethal ammo that consist of a cloth or a synthetic body weighted with shot. Because they are enclosed in a cloth body, the force of impact is distributed over a wider surface area, resulting in a lower likelihood of serious injury or death - again, assuming that they are used in a responsible manner.

Non-Lethal Shotgun Ammo

There are also some classes of non lethal shotgun ammo that don’t require any modifications to the gun. For instance, the non lethal 12 gauge ammo at the previous link is loaded with a drag stabilized tear-shaped bag weighted with 9 shot. This non lethal 12 gauge ammo can be fired from a standard 12 gauge and produces a muzzle velocity of 270 FPS with a max range of 75 feet. They are much slower than standard shotgun payloads even though they are weighted with shot, producing blunt force trauma and pain rather than serious injury, when fired at non-sensitive areas and used responsibly.

Some non-lethal shotgun ammo is designed for breaching doors - not striking human targets. See the previous link for more information.

There are other types of less than lethal ammo in addition to the ones mentioned here, including marking rounds that are used for training as well as to identify culprits. If you have questions about the types of non lethal ammo covered here (or others) get in touch with us directly for more information.