Less than lethal firearms

[PT-The Italian Commie]

Originally Posted by B__

My idea of less than lethal is reloading some 12g hulls with a little powder and a peice of dowling.

There's a lot of people here in Italy owning 12-gauge shotguns for hunting. There could be nothing better as a basis for a less-than-lethal/full-lethality combo weapon. You take one 12-gauge shotshell, unload it, then load it back with reduced powder charge and some grains of coarse salt (it's eventual to do this with a double-barreled, because the reduced charge wouldn't make a semi-auto cycle); the second barrel is loaded with normal buckshot or slug.

When you see the burglar approaching, you get in a good position to pinch him, and shoot the salt-loaded barrel being sure to hit his ass. Then scream. "AND THE NEXT ONE IS BUCKSHOT, PUNK!". You'll see him flee...

[PT-The Italian Commie]

Originally Posted by Armorer

One less favored model is the FN303 which uses encapsulated rounds that have stabilizes on the back end. The down side to the design is the ammunition itself-- those stabilizers must be infelxible to create sufficient air displacement. As such you're hitting people with plastic wads that are lethal.

The FN-303 is a better LTL than many believe/consider. It can be used combined with the M-16, the FN F-2000 and other assault rifles, providing police officers, National Guard personnel and military units with an efficient combo weapons in those areas or situation where a riot control operation can eventually turn out in a shootout that mandates the use of lethal ammunitions.
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FN FN-303 less-than-lethal launcher

The world is changing. Keeping the peace requires new tactics and equipment specifically designed for crowd control.

To meet these new requirements, FN HERSTAL of Belgium has introduced the FN-303 less lethal launcher. The first launcher to be fully developed around the "reduced lethality" concept, the FN-303 allows neutralization and seizure of suspects with maximum effectiveness and minimum risk. Born in the year 2000 as the XM-303, it is now available for Military/LE purchases.

The basis of the FN 303 concept lies in its ammunition. The .68 caliber, 8.5g weight projectiles utilize a fin stabilized polystyrene body and non-toxic bismuth forward payload to provide both a more accurate and greater effective range than other less lethal systems. The primary effect of the projectile is trauma, which directly neutralizes the aggressor. FN 303 projectiles have been specially designed to break upon impact, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of penetration. In addition, secondary effects from the projectiles can be delivered via a chemical payload depending on mission requirements.

Magazines are 15 round capacity with a clear rear cover to allow for rapid ammunition payload verification. Air canister capacity is 110 shots. The compressed air powered FN 303 launcher is designed to fire less lethal projectiles exclusively, with an effective range of 100 meters at a point specific target. It is made from durable, lightweight polymer and features comfortable ergonomics and an easy to operate safety. Furthermore, it has flip-up iron sights and the integrated M1913 rail can be used to mount red dot sights and other accessories. An undercarriage mount is available for the M4 and M16 style tactical rifles.

Airbank:
Portable, field support system (7000+ rounds capability). The AirBank is designed to store high pressure compressed air and control the filling process of the air reservoir for the FN 303 Launcher. Built in a waterproof, high impact wheeled transport case, the AirBank is composed of ABS engineering grade plastic case housing two fiber wrapped aluminum high pressure 4350 PSI cylinders. A fill control panel is fitted with the necessary components approved for high pressure compressed air service to safely and effectively transfer and control the filling process of an FN 303 Launcher reservoir when used by properly trained and qualified personnel.

TECHNICAL SPECS:
* Weight: 5lbs (Stand Alone), 4.9 (Undercarriage)
* Length: 29" (Stand Alone), 17.7" (Undercarriage)
* Projectile Weight: 8.5gr
* Mag Capacity: 15 round
* Propulsion Method: Compressed Air (cannister contained)
* Effective Range: 100 Meters

MANUFACTURER:
FN Herstal S.A. - Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre
Voie de Li?ge 33
4040 - Herstal, Belgium

PHONE: +32 (0) 4 240.81.11
FAX: +32 (0) 4 240.88.99
URL: http://www.fnherstal.com
E-MAIL: info@fnherstal.com


FN-303 launcher


FN-303 launcher leaflet as shown at the DSEi 2003 expo


FN-303 launcher in orange finish


FN-303 launcher - Undercarriage with M-16 rifle (I have better pictures if you want them)

Other images (the board doesn't lets me upload more than 4 images at the time):
http://www.impactguns.com/store/medi...rojectiles.jpg
Available ammunition loads for the FN-303 launcher

http://www.impactguns.com/store/medi...03_airbank.jpg
Airbank for the FN-303 launcher

http://www.quellesconnes.com/~anti-g...pg/preuve2.jpg
European (French or Belgian) police officer with FN-303 launcher

[PT-The Italian Commie]

More FN-303/M-16 combo pictures