Frangible Ammunition
Definition
Projectiles composed of compressed metal powder (copper, tin, or zinc) designed to disintegrate on impact with hard surfaces; leaves no intact recoverable projectile; identified by metallic dust and fragment pattern in wound or scene debris.
- Construction
- Compressed metal powder (copper, tin, or zinc)
- Behaviour
- Disintegrates on impact with hard surfaces
- Recovery
- No intact projectile recoverable
- Scene evidence
- Metallic dust and fragment pattern
Common questions
Why would frangible ammunition be used instead of conventional bullets in some settings?+
It is designed to minimise ricochet and over-penetration risk, commonly used in training environments with steel targets and in some tactical scenarios where reducing collateral penetration through walls or barriers is a priority.
How does the absence of an intact bullet affect firearms identification in a case involving frangible ammunition?+
Without a recoverable intact projectile, examiners cannot perform standard rifling comparison on the bullet itself, so identification relies more heavily on cartridge case markings, scene debris analysis, and any partially intact fragments recovered from the impact site.
Can frangible ammunition still cause lethal wounds despite disintegrating on impact?+
Yes, at close range or against soft tissue rather than a hard surface, frangible rounds can still transfer substantial energy and cause serious or fatal injury, since the disintegration behaviour is primarily triggered by impact with hard, non-organic surfaces.
Related terms
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- Federal HST
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- Glaser Safety Slug
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- L21A1 AEP
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- LEOPA
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- M62 Tracer
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- Sinterfire
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- Winchester Ranger T-Series
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