Frangible ammunition, designed to pulverize on impact with hard surfaces, minimizes the risk of overpenetration and ricochet. This specialized projectile is often marketed as a safer option for training and certain tactical situations where minimizing collateral damage is paramount. A typical example would be its use in close-quarters combat training within confined spaces or on shooting ranges with steel targets.
The reduced risk of unintended harm associated with frangible ammunition makes it a subject of considerable debate regarding its suitability for personal protection. Historically, law enforcement and military explored frangible rounds for specific operational contexts. This exploration fostered ongoing research and development into projectile design and performance characteristics. The resulting technological advancements have led to the availability of various frangible ammunition types on the civilian market, raising important questions about their effectiveness for self-defense.