Fear & Loading: HE Shotshell

by
posted on August 3, 2016
guyimg_lede1_8735-for-ann-possible-lead.jpg

It’s not often you get a chance for an up-close-and-personal inspection of gear designed for the military or silver screen, so when Frag12 asked me to take catalog photos of its shotshell—that explodes on contact with its target—I jumped at the chance, even though BATFE rules required I’d be working with an inert version.

Before you ask, I know even jokingly putting a single match head in the thing would break so many laws that they wouldn’t bother making a key for my jail cell. In fact, anyone from SOCOM who wants to take a close look is welcome to give it a new research home. I’d need official ID, and expect a signed receipt we can get notarized, though.  

Call me paranoid, but there’s good reason. Here’s the company’s look at what a live version does and a snippet of Discovery Channel’s coverage earlier this year.  

I received the guts—the most interesting part, anyway—of the company’s 3-inch, 12 gauge shotshell, which sheds its chamber-friendly polymer skin upon firing. The manufacturer, Frag12, has tested the load extensively in Benelli shotguns and it’s been in at least one movie.

Spring-loaded fins deploy once it ditches the hull to stabilize flight. Effective at up to 200 meters (video), it should help those who go in harm’s way maintain a safer distance when breaching doors, disabling vehicles or temporarily stunning their adversary. The explosive arms 3 meters from the muzzle.

Payload is 3.4 grams of RDX, European nomenclature for the active ingredient in C4. Ignition starts with a standard 209 primer and muzzle velocity is 900 fps. In-flight weight is 42 grams, although mine weighs less (did I mention this thing on my desk is inert?). Here’s the complete Frag12HE shotshell specs.

The warhead—their term, not mine, please no 2 a.m. raids—is thin and light, so there’s not much shrapnel produced, making it obvious it isn’t designed to replace the M203 grenade launcher. It’s a breaching tool and makes cool explosions, at distance, safely.

I’d love to test working versions, but there’s that BATFE thing. Of course, if someone from Delta picks this up—not that the unit really exists, although I am close enough to Fort Mackall that grenades and automatic fire lull me to sleep most nights, hint, hint—and decides real testing is needed, I’d love to be there. In fact, I’m going to include a clause in that receipt, notarized, with witnesses, by the way.  

Latest

Century BFT 01
Century BFT 01

New For 2024: Century Arms BFT74 & BFT556

Century Arms expanded its AK-style BFT rifle line in 2024 with two new models chambered for 5.56 NATO and 5.45x39 mm, respectively.

Preview: Armaspec SRS AR-15 Kit

This Armaspec upgrade to the AR-15’s standard buffer and spring includes a trio of interchangeable buffer weights that allow the user to tune it to his or her rifle/load.

Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive KelTec KS7

Join American Rifleman staff on the range this week with a unique version of KelTec's KS7 bullpup shotgun.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 1, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hydra Weaponry Expands To New Facility

Hydra Weaponry—the designer and manufacturer of the modular Marck-15 Hydra Weapon System and Maine’s largest firearm employer—has expanded into a larger facility.

Review: Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine

The M4A2 Patrolman’s Carbine from Bushmaster Firearms is the first in a line of AR-15s designed to bring back the standard, carbine-length firearms that have long been a staple of American shooting enthusiasts.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.