Chemistry:Dragon's breath (ammunition)
Dragon's breath is a special type of incendiary-effect round for shotguns. Dragon's breath consists primarily of magnesium pellets/shards. When the round is fired, sparks and flames can shoot out to about 100 feet (30 meters), although, some sources claim it extends to 300 feet (91 meters).[1] Dragon's breath is normally chambered in 12-gauge 2 3⁄4″ (18.5 mm × 69.9 mm) shot shells. The rounds are safe to fire out of an improved cylinder bore as well as a modified choke barrel, common on many shotguns.[2]
Overview
While its combat or tactical usage remains undocumented, the visual effect it produces is impressive and entertaining, similar to that of a short-ranged flamethrower or fireworks.[3] Some enthusiasts claim that the rounds are often used as a distress signal, similar to a very short duration emergency flare gun.[citation needed] The safety aspects of the ammunition are disputed, as the magnesium shards burn at approximately 3,000 to 4,000 °F (1,650 to 2,200 °C), which is more than enough to light a person, or house, on fire.[1][4]
Compared to mass-produced shotgun ammunition, the pyrotechnic shell is somewhat expensive, costing $3 United States dollar per .410 gauge shell[1][5] and upwards depending on caliber and load.
Legality
United States
The sale of Dragon's breath rounds is illegal in several states (Alaska, California , District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts , Maryland, and New York) and shipping may be restricted in other locations and cities due to their inherent fire hazard.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "AmericanSpecialtyAmmo.com". http://www.americanspecialtyammo.com/products/12-gauge-ammo/. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ↑ "Of Dragon's Breath and hammer-shells". TheFreeLibrary.com. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Of+Dragon%27s+Breath+and+hammer-shells%3A+from+bizarre+to+basic,+these...-a0119780242.
- ↑ Action movie gunfight with simulated Dragon's Breath shotgun blasts, accessed 1 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230331180155/https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/inside-the-john-wick-4-explosive-dragons-breath-shoot-out.html
- ↑ "Precision Gun Works 12 Gauge Phoenix Burst / Dragon’s Breath Ammo PGW12PB - 5 Rounds per Box". Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20160118111838/http://www.ammunitiondepot.com/12-Gauge-Phoenix-Burst-Dragons-Breath-Ammo-p/pgw12pb.htm. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
- ↑ "Precision Gun Works 12 Gauge Phoenix Burst / Dragon’s Breath Ammo PGW12PB - 5 Rounds per Box". http://www.ammunitiondepot.com/12-Gauge-Phoenix-Burst-Dragons-Breath-Ammo-p/pgw12pb.htm. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
- ↑ "'Super Dragon' Dragon's Breath Ammunition 12 Gauge 2 3/4" - 5 Round Pack". https://www.phoenixrising.store/12-gauge-super-dragon-dragons-breath-ammunition.html.
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