AFTE Store - Non-Lethal Handguns and Rubber Bullets – Characteristics, Modifications, and Conversions

The firearm regulations in many countries do not allow civilians to possess firearms for self-defense. However, in the countries of Eastern Europe, specially designed “non-lethal” or “less-lethal” weapons are permitted. Besides self-defense electric shockers and tear-gas sprayers, traumatic handguns using rubber bullets have become popular. The rubber projectiles discharged from these handguns are designed to not cause lethal wounds. The casework shows that the velocity and energy of cartridges with rubber bullets can be easily increased by powder augmentation of the cartridges. The original cartridge can also be modified in order to discharge metal projectiles instead of elastic rubber projectiles. Moreover, the design of most traumatic handguns using rubber bullets is similar to the design of conventional firearms, so after minor modifications, they can be turned into handguns discharging “lethal” ammunition.