Less Lethal shaped ammo - still using it?

Shaped ammo is fun for plinking and it has some unique applications. But it's not really the most reliable for personal protection from mag-fed markers such as the PepperBall TCP, First Strike FSC, Grimburg Gavle, or other lower powered options (Salt Supply, Byrna). The unique geometry of individual shaped and shaped modified ammo types varies and so does the spring tension, detents, and lube of your airgun from day to day and month to month. It's only a matter of time before you get a misfeed and the dreaded click without a shot.
No matter what you do you can't fully avoid this problem unless you switch to a revolver platform (Umarex). Misfires are really a big issue with shaped ammo. Don't believe me? Just watch my blooper reel and at least enjoy my pain.
#lesslethal
#grimburg
#airgunshooter
#pepperballtcp
#firststrikefsc

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

I've heard all of the fixes before. Rotate the follower, buy so and so's new follower, use a stronger spring, etc. These are all reasonable thoughts by people who legitimately want to help. However, unlike a firearm (which can also jam) when these airguns jam it's game over. You just simply don't have time to fix it during an encounter. The only sure fire way to avoid a jam is to use a round ball. I know it's not fashionable or fun but I'm just being honest with you. It's not my role to tell you what you want to hear. It's my responsibility to tell you what you need to hear!

[@-hopstar-]

This is why I grab my revolver with shaped ammo. Nothing can go wrong! Regards feeding, I tried manually loading shaped projectiles I made from sealing wax into my HDB. Ideal in a survival situation if I eventually ran out of balls. It essentially makes it single shot though, but I have a mould to make lot's. Whatever way the projectile sits in breach, if hastily loaded it shoots! Even backwards. Not ideal, but in a SHTF type scenario, unlimited reliable ammo can be made

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

Absolutely! The Umarex revolvers are great for shaped ammo. Mag-fed launchers not so much. As I tried to show everyone, shaped ammo CAN fire from the Tiberius T8.1/FSC/VKS platform but it also CAN jam.

[@Joreel]

This is why I stick with round ammo. I don't have to worry about jams., but that being said I do know that shaped rounds can be more accurate at a distance and can do more damage in some cases. If you like shaped rounds, more power to you 😊

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

Right! There are already enough variables with airgun reliability. Using round balls eliminates one major concern. Some really are in to them. Yes, more power to them. I'm in this for self defense and not play.

[@ThomasJay723]

Excellent information

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

Thank you!

[@ThomasJay723]

@@ScaredyCatTactical it’s playing on my TV now lol

[@blackpowderpapa]

Great information! I appreciate you sharing. I have never used a shaped projectile in all of my time of owning less lethal. I always figured some of these issues may come up. From the videos I watch I do understand that they definitely fly straighter and seem to be more consistent when they do work. Great content.

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

The benefits that are touted are a bit overstated by some. I find the round balls to be very accurate at up to 20-30 feet. They are cool looking though and salesmen market them aggressively.

[@blackpowderpapa]

@@ScaredyCatTactical I see, thank you for the honest opinion.

[@LessLethalOptions-82323]

Shape ammo for paint ball might make sense, as you have distance and accuracy to consider. For self defense, they will potentially get you hurt, or, in trouble with the law. A jury might feel that shape projectiles (specially with points or spikes), versus round ammo (especially not visually metallic), which to them, looks like a glorified BB or paint ball, may decide the shape projectile is proof that the accused deliberately with malice and for thought sought to make the launchers more lethal. This could cost one prison time, money, or both.

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

You are speaking the truth. Shaped HP68s look benign but some of the other types of shaped ammo I've seen looking like they were designed for penetration and lethality. That's a hard pass for me. We should bend over backwards to ensure that our Less Lethal ammo is as non-lethal as possible.

[@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904]

What a coincidence. I just tested my EDC TCP and it’s tomorrow’s video. It’s the only one I trust w shaped. I trust the parts and ammo I use in it. That said I keep another one in the car and it’s loaded with ball. Two FSC’s in the house are loaded with ball. I have tested the current iteration of my little Bumblebee on and off camera with shaped and it works every time, maybe because I don’t have it cranked up all the way with an extended chamber. It’s only around 25 J. But that’s why I want to use shaped because it just flies harder. This is how I try to achieve consistent power through the magazine while keeping it compact.

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

@@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904 I’ll be looking for your video tomorrow. It’s really a ratio of #shots vs #jams. It is subjective what everyone considers reliable. For me personally, the legal and physical risks of shaped ammo outweigh any advantages on FPS or penetration (a double edged sword).

[@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904]

Is there a legal issue with shaped ammo? I’m not looking for penetration. It’s only 25 J.

[@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904]

… And I avoid the sharp, shiny metallic pointy stuff

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

@@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904 I think it's more than there isn't as much of a legal issue with round balls. It's easier to defend their use and claim that they aren't ever intended to penetrate, only punch. I can see a prosecutor showing a picture of a shaped ammo that looks scary and spiky and making the case that the defendant sought out and purchased that ammo over a round ball. If the name of the product is "killer" or "deadly" then it can be used by them even more effectively.

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

@@airgunsanonymouslesslethal1904 That's the best plan. Metal core shaped ammo is probably less of a problem but those CA prosecutors sometimes go off the rails.

[@JayJone5169]

I have a mercury rise mub 50 and just a lil drop on carpet pops a spring outta place and cause all air too leak out barrel, them cheap launchers are crap for self defense and also the ltl alpha, they are garbage guns, i disassembled it and seals where good so springs or cheap!

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

I have never been tempted by low priced launchers. You typically get what you pay for. Quality over quantity is my philosophy for self defense tools.

[@JayJone5169]

@@ScaredyCatTactical Tru, I wouldnt buy another mub 50, I have to torpedo revolver and it's good quality compaired to the mub 50 but insides may have same problem and my hdp compact seems fine but I don't like built in mag feeds

[@dynamo4826]

Clearing a firearm jam takes a few seconds. Clearing an airgun jam takes minutes and often tools for disassembly. It's just a no go for me. In the court of public opinion shaped ammo is popular but in an actual legal court it's also a potential liability. Grimburg Less Lethal knows how to design real Less Lethal shaped ammo. Maybe their FAR projectile is better. But I bet the jam rate for anything U-shaped will never be zero.

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

You are right. It’s all about success vs failure and statistics. I personally don’t want to become a statistic so I prefer to be realistic upfront about how best to use these devices.

[@ronp1524]

Never had one jam VKS

[@ScaredyCatTactical]

@@ronp1524 The VKS doesn’t jam as nearly as much as the FSC/TCP platform. But try a different ammo or give it some time. Hopefully it’s not when you need it most that you get your first. It can happen. I just showed an example here.

[@dynamo4826]

@@ronp1524 Which shaped ammo variety do you sell? It's usually someone who's making slugs in their basement that says they never jam.