Dragon's breath (ammunition)

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Dragon's breath at night

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+34″ (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 USD per .410 gauge shell[1][5] and upwards depending on caliber and load. In January 2024, the cost for three shells of 12 gauge Dragon's breath ammo was $19.99.

Legality

United States

The sale of Dragon's breath rounds is illegal in several states (

fire hazard.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "AmericanSpecialtyAmmo.com". www.americanspecialtyammo.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Of Dragon's Breath and hammer-shells". TheFreeLibrary.com. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ "Precision Gun Works 12 Gauge Phoenix Burst / Dragon’s Breath Ammo PGW12PB - 5 Rounds per Box". Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  5. ^ "Precision Gun Works 12 Gauge Phoenix Burst / Dragon’s Breath Ammo PGW12PB - 5 Rounds per Box". Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  6. ^ "'Super Dragon' Dragon's Breath Ammunition 12 Gauge 2 3/4" - 5 Round Pack". Phoenix Rising. Retrieved 8 November 2022.