Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges containing the same, and methods for forming the same. The firearm projectiles are formed from a compacted mixture of metal powders that includes zinc and iron powders and which may include an anti-sparking agent. The compacted mixture is heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. The frangible firearm projectile may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does not include forming a liquid phase of any of the metal powders or utilizing a polymeric binder. A majority component of the frangible firearm projectile may be iron. One or more of zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form a minority component of the frangible firearm projectile. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid.

A shotgun shell incorporates a traditionally-configured shotgun shell and housing having a choke secured within the shell between the pellets and the charge.

A shotgun shell incorporates a traditionally-configured shotgun shell and housing having a choke secured within the shell between the pellets and the charge.

A less-lethal projectile is disclosed herein. The less-lethal projectile can include a case having an interior; a powder charge located in the interior; and a projectile located in the interior, adjacent to the buffer, wherein the projectile is formed from a material comprising a bearing material and a weighting substance dispersed within the bearing material.

Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.

Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.

Herein we describe barrel-cleaning cartridges which can be loaded into a firearm and then fired to perform the task of cleaning the barrel of said firearm. The barrel-cleaning cartridges include a propellant, a flexible textile that assumes a general cup shape within the cartridge, and a particulate obturating media, some of which is encircled by the flexible textile. These components combine to form a good gas seal and to clean the barrel of a firearm, including elements of the barrel having variations in diameter. The obturating media comprises particles having an average particle size greater than 212 microns, and an average specific gravity greater than 1.1, and a hardness of less than 7 on the Mohs scale.

Herein we describe cartridges, including for shotgun shells, utilizing a particulate obturating medium to provide a gas seal. The obturating medium comprises particles having an average particle size greater than 212 microns, and an average specific gravity greater than 1.1. Such cartridges are particularly useful as shotshell cartridges used as blanks, less lethal loads, hunting loads, target loads, and barrel-cleaning loads. Methods for loading and use are described, as well as different particulate obturating media.

Herein we describe cartridges, including for shotgun shells, utilizing a particulate obturating medium to provide a gas seal. The obturating medium comprises particles having an average particle size greater than 212 microns, and an average specific gravity greater than 1.1. Such cartridges are particularly useful as shotshell cartridges used as blanks, less lethal loads, hunting loads, target loads, and barrel-cleaning loads. Methods for loading and use are described, as well as different particulate obturating media.

Frangible firearm projectiles, firearm cartridges, and methods for forming the same. The projectiles are formed from metal powder and include an anti-sparking agent. One or more of iron, zinc, bismuth, tin, copper, nickel, tungsten, boron, and/or alloys thereof may form the metal powder. The projectiles may be formed from a compacted mixture of two or more different metal powders. The anti-sparking agent may include a borate, such as boric acid, zinc chloride, and/or petrolatum. The anti-sparking agent may be dispersed within, and/or applied as a coating on, the exterior of the projectile. The compacted mixture may be heat treated for a time sufficient to form a plurality of discrete alloy domains within the compacted mixture. Such domains may be formed by a mechanism that includes vapor-phase diffusion bonding and oxidation of the metal powders and that does form a liquid phase of the metal powder or utilize a polymeric binder.