Byrna KINETIC Less-Lethal 12-Gauge Round — Patrol-Ready, Accurate to 100 ft
Introduction
When situations call for force options between hands-on control and lethal rounds, modern less-lethal munitions give officers additional tactical choices. The Byrna KINETIC 12-gauge less-lethal round is designed to deliver accurate, frangible impact out to 100 feet while operating without traditional gunpowder, producing a much quieter report than standard shotgun rounds. For agencies building safer escalation-of-force toolkits, this round is worth evaluating.
Why this round matters for law enforcement
- Extended range and accuracy: The patented fin-tailed design provides accuracy out to around 100 feet, making it useful in both close and mid-range engagements where precision matters.
- Quieter discharge, lower flash: Because the round contains no gunpowder and is powered by a primer only, the perceived report is significantly reduced — about 16 times quieter than a standard shotgun blast. That lowers the chance of startling bystanders or creating additional chaos at an incident scene.
- Frangible projectile & payload options: The round uses a frangible construction and a clamshell/wad design to reliably align in the barrel and break on impact — important for minimizing over-penetration and downstream risk.
Operational Use Cases
- De-escalation / compliance: Provide a higher-tier nonlethal option for suspects who resist but do not present a lethal threat.
- Crowd/containment: When used with appropriate policy and distance, it offers an option to influence behavior at standoffs or crowd incidents.
- Special operations / corrections: Useful for planned entries or corrections scenarios where reduced noise and predictable stopping effect are desirable.
Technical & Compatibility Notes
- Shotgun compatibility: Works with standard cylinder bore and improved choke shotguns; not recommended for chambers longer than 3″. Designed primarily for pump action or single-shot shotguns and will not cycle most semi-autos because they contain no gunpowder. They can be manually cycled and fired through many semi-autos.
- Report level & recoil: The round registers about 117 dB and has almost no perceived recoil — helpful for officer control and limiting hearing concerns during deployment. Follow agency hearing protection policies.
- Storage & shelf life: No expiration; store dry and at moderate temperatures for best longevity.
Legal, Policy and Training Considerations
- Policy alignment: Less-lethal rounds are use-of-force tools — include them in your use-of-force continuum, SOPs, and reporting requirements. Clarify allowable target zones, standoff distances, and medical response obligations post-deployment.
- Medical & aftercare: Train officers and medics on the expected effects and required medical checks after impact — even “less-lethal” impacts can cause serious injury if used improperly.
- Procurement & jurisdictional limits: Certain states and territories restrict shipment of these rounds. Confirm local law and procurement rules before purchase.
Pros / Cons — Quick Reference
Pros
- Accurate to around 100 feet; fin-tailed design
- Quieter than conventional shotgun rounds; minimal recoil
- Frangible construction reduces over-penetration risk
Cons / Cautions
- Restricted in some jurisdictions
- Will not cycle most semi-auto shotguns — manual cycling required
- Still requires robust policy, training, and medical protocols
Practical Procurement Checklist For Agencies
- Confirm local legal status and receive approvals from legal/oversight.
- Test compatibility with agency shotguns (choke, chamber length, cycling).
- Build a training block: live-fire familiarization, scenario drills, medical response training.
- Update SOPs to include deployment circumstances, documentation and review processes.
- Order small pilot quantities and measure outcomes before full roll-out.
FAQs
Q: How far is the effective range?
A: Up to 100 feet with consistent accuracy.
Q: Does it contain gunpowder?
A: No — the round contains no gunpowder and is powered by a primer only.
Q: Will it cycle my semi-auto shotgun?
A: Generally no — because it contains no gunpowder the round will not reliably cycle most semi-automatic shotguns. It was designed for pump action or single-shot shotguns and can be manually cycled in many semi-autos.
Q: Are there shipping restrictions?
A: Yes — certain states and territories restrict these rounds. Always confirm before ordering.
Reasons for Acquisition – Customer Reports
Reduced shoulder burden & improved accuracy (user-reported): Patrol units and training groups report that, when switching from conventional “rocket/torpedo” less-lethal rounds, shooter shoulder burden from recoil is heavily minimized and accuracy increases significantly — a benefit attributed to the primer-only propulsion and frangible projectile design.
To request a capabilities statement, catalog, or obtain quotes — contact us today at contact@palisadesdefense.com or call 1 (855) 406-7573. Our team is ready to help you find the right solution for your mission requirements.
