Alternative Ballistics-less lethal option?

[sofbak]

Interesting idea from a Poway, Ca company being considered by some LE agencies. Looks good in principle, but there are some obvious shortcomings.

Web site:

http://www.alternativeballistics.com/

News article:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ferguson-police-experiment-with-alternative-gun-device-to-slow-bullets/

IDK, in a split second scenario I doubt a LEO would consider snapping this thing on the end of his duty weapon. And if he has a flashlight in one hand, and his weapon at the ready in the other, doesn't seem like this would be a "viable" alternative at all........

[bk23103]

This wouldn't have change a thing in the Ferguson incident.

[gvbsat]

This is just another "progressive" idea, and in my view, its a bad one. It is going to complicate the training of lethal force. Not to mention, in a hypothetical case this is to be used, will the LEO have the trigger discipline to fire only once? Will one round be enough to stop a charging perp? No, you pull your gun, you have depleted the options of less than lethal. Not to mention, they are using video game footage to sell it, yeah, thats real world... Fail

[billofrights]

Original article mentions it having the power to knock a person down. That isn't how physics works, despite everything you see in movies. If it did, every person that ever fired a shotgun would be thrown backwards 20 feet.

[1911su16b870]

Subject hath been posted herein prior-eth.

LE (most) can carry a bunch of other less lethal tools in the kit (Taser, bean bags, saps, batons, punches, kicks, holds etc.), IMO a dangerous precedent to make a most likely lethal tool a one shot (may-be) less lethal one.

[jaymz]

I can think of quite a few ways that this is a stupid idea.
3 seconds is about 2.5 seconds too long in a life or death situation.
Putting your hand that close/in front of the muzzle is always a bad idea, let alone under stress.
What happens if your first shot misses?
How do you "un-train" double-tapping?

[ConcealedKalifornia]

Anyone actually see a video of this in real life? I see lots of pictures, and a lot of animated videos, but nothing live action so far.

I would like to see someone actually shoot it and see if they can hit a target and such. Maybe test that "knockdown power" on a training dummy or something?

EDIT: Found a video finally. Two things caught my eye.

1: It took almost 4 seconds for the one guy that actually had it holstered to set it up and shoot. I am sure the bad guy will give you that time of course.

2: it doesn't seem very accurate. They had a few shots that hit dead center, but just as much that hit quite off, and one even seemed to curve a bit like a wiffle ball. These shots were within 10 yards as well. Good luck getting the device set up in time before you're stabbed.

Oh and BTW they are totally using the Mike Brown shooting to give themselves a bump in advertisement. Yeah, while bad guy is going for Wilsons gun, he will definitely be able to get that dumb thing on the muzzle. morons

[Click Boom]

Original article mentions it having the power to knock a person down. That isn't how physics works, despite everything you see in movies. If it did, every person that ever fired a shotgun would be thrown backwards 20 feet.

There is a ball that is just barely held on the end of the muzzle that the bullet impacts, and the ball and bullet go on their way. it would not knock anyone backwards.

It seems like a bizarre product but in terms of physics, I doubt it would have any considerable difference in felt recoil compared to a regular pistol round being fired.

[teg33]

I dont think any catridge of semi auto handgun have capability "knock down power".

[davidb]

Stupid any way you look at it

It makes the gun look like a toy or something used to play arcade games, what happens when you shoot the non lethal ball out and have to use deadly force the next shot...I'm not sure that would look good as it's illegal to paint or make your gun tip orange like an airsoft, let alone have it look like a toy, shoot one non lethal shot and then kill with the next when presumably the suspect still thinks it's not a real gun...I have no moral issue with that but I'm not sure what a good lawyer could do with it in court.

2nd how are you supposed to get a second non lethal shot if that is what's needed? Place your hand over the live muzzle to replace the ball?

[Jimi Jah]

This was solved decades ago with rubber bullets. The invention is useless unless you want to shoot golf balls with your Glock.

[Mute]

Mixing lethal and non-lethal into a single platform is a stupid idea.

[stix213]

I like that using this device you immediately have full powered follow up shots available if/when the less lethal device fails to subdue the target. That is an advantage over many alternative choices, such as tasers and pepperballs.

Seems like a genius idea to me.

[stix213]

This was solved decades ago with rubber bullets. The invention is useless unless you want to shoot golf balls with your Glock.

Nope, if you want to switch to rubber bullets you have to:

1) Remove magazine
2) Clear chamber
3) Insert rubber bullet magazine
4) Rack slide

While you are doing the above you are defenseless

With this device:

1) Pop on device

While you are doing that you still have a loaded and ready to fire firearm.

[gvbsat]

Nope, if you want to switch to rubber bullets you have to:

1) Remove magazine
2) Clear chamber
3) Insert rubber bullet magazine
4) Rack slide

While you are doing the above you are defenseless

With this device:

1) Pop on device

While you are doing that you still have a loaded and ready to fire firearm.

Are you forgetting the part about having to, put the single shot non lethal device on the, loaded firearm?