If you use frangible ammo, beware:

[EMDII]

Subject: OE18849 - Non-frangible ammunition poses ricochet Hazard.

Abstract:

After completion of a night-fire training evolution at the indoor range, what appeared to be a full metal jacket bullet was found lying in front of the target backstop on the ground. After closer examination it appeared to be nearly identical to our frangible (compressed copper powder) lead free rounds that are used for all indoor training evolutions. All firing on the indoor range for nighttime familiarization has been suspended. The vendor has been notified of the situation.

Reason for Message:

This notification is to inform the industry of the possibility of incorrect ammunition being bought and used on indoor ranges and the risk associated with ricochet.

Event Date:.............7/16/04
Unit Name:..............
NSSS/A-E:...............
Turbine Manufacturer:...

Maintenance Rule Applicability: NO

Component Information (as applicable):

Manufacturer: Bullseye
Model Number: 9 mm
Part Number: N/A

Description:

After completion of a night-fire training evolution at the indoor range, what appeared to be a full metal jacket bullet was found lying in front of the target backstop on the ground. After closer examination it appeared to be nearly identical to our frangible (compressed copper powder) lead free rounds that are used for all indoor training evolutions. These frangible rounds are not jacketed and are designed to disintegrate upon impact posing no ricochet threat
to the shooter. The round with the total metal jacket could pose a ricochet hazard as the metal jacket could stay together at impact instead of disintegrating. An unfired frangible round was cut open and compared to the round discovered on the indoor range. It was determined that the jacketed round laying on the ground was in fact one of the new frangible rounds. The ammunition normally used has no jacket but is identical in every other way.

Causes:

It appears that the vendor shipped us a different ammunition lot than what we normally receive. This new round is a frangible bullet on the inside but it has a total metal jacket on the outside.

Corrective Actions:

All firing on the indoor range for nighttime familiarization has been suspended. The vendor has been notified of the situation. If our current vendor is unable to produce a round that meets our requirements then a new vendor will be utilized. Two alternate vendors have been contacted and are shipping samples of their frangible ammunition for testing and evaluation.

Safety Significance:

Rounds that do not disintegrate on impact with the target backstop could ricochet and present a safety hazard to all personnel on the range.

Subject: OE18849 - Non-frangible ammunition poses ricochet Hazard.