Air Freedom Rounds?

holstered · September 29th, 2009, 07:15 PM

Anybody know anything about these A.F.R rounds made by Extreme Shock? I know they are pricey. I went ahead and picked up a box of .40 and .45 cal. I don't want to tell you what I paid. Has anybody had any experience with these rounds?

cmdrdredd · September 29th, 2009, 07:19 PM

They are junk. Simply junk.

It's marketing, basically after 9/11 if I remember correctly.

I've heard nothing good ever, and I've found no testing of them against something proven.

Cuda66 · September 29th, 2009, 10:11 PM

Gimmick round.

I wouldn't trust 'em...

QKShooter · September 29th, 2009, 11:22 PM

All credit to Frank Borelli at Officer.com
To read the remainder of the article go there.

Moving on to the NyTrillium Air Freedom Rounds - AFR - I had to attempt a different testing process because they were designed for a different purpose and use. The AFR was designed for use inside aircraft against terrorists / hijackers. The intention of the designers was to create a round that was lethal to humans but would fragment to dust on impact with a hard surface such as the inside of the aircraft fuselage or the aluminum seatbacks in commercial aircraft. The Extreme Shock website that, most times, the AFR will even fragment upon impacting 1/2" sheet rock leaving nothing but small fragments and/or dust to hit the next layer of sheet rock and little to nothing that would present a threat to people on the other side of a contemporary residential wall.

The easiest test for this was to set up a small "wall" composed of standard wood frame, two layers of sheet rock - one on either side - and a paper target three feet on the other side of the wall from my shooting position. I loaded my magazine with six of the test rounds I'd been sent and fired them through my Springfield Armory 1911. All six rounds were fired through the wall. Five of them fragmented as they passed through the first layer of sheet rock as determined by the small bits and pieces that caused holes in the second layer of sheetrock. The paper target three feet beyond the "wall" and showed not any sign of having been impacted by any fragments or even dust that I could find.

With that kind of fragmentation and breakup being caused by sheet rock I had to wonder if the round would actually penetrate any tissue type of material. Out came another plastic milk jug full of pudding. One AFR round into it was sufficient to convince me that the projectile does indeed hold together to penetrate a bit and then start coming apart to deliver its lethal energy. The milk jug blasted apart in an almost straight tear up one corner, but the entry hole was nice and neat. Pudding was blasted everywhere, some of it landing on other target stands about six feet away. Conclusion? The AFR acts like it was designed to. It won't penetrate hard stuff but will drastically destroy softer tissue.

Like any specialty ammo, the EPR and AFR rounds aren't cheap. The AFR ammo runs about $2.50 per round. A 5 round pack lists at $16.29 with a 20 round box listed at $51.43 on the Extreme Shock website. The EPR rounds are priced slightly lower and you should keep in mind that the prices I'm quoting are for .45ACP ammo as that's what I tested and will get more of for my own use.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have no personal opinion as I have never tested it or shot any of it. QKS

digitalexplr · September 29th, 2009, 11:32 PM

This will answer a lot of your questions:

The Box O' Truth #23 - ExtremeShock™ Ammo and the Box O' Truth - Page 1

rljohns · September 30th, 2009, 12:01 AM

I tried both Fang Face and the Air Freedom in .40 S&W. I would for sure not buy the Fang Face again. They are very bad about seating into the brass after re-chambering a few times. That is un-acceptable for me. The AFR seemed to really destroy water jugs. I'm still not sure I would pay the price after reading the above demo.

dukalmighty · September 30th, 2009, 12:14 AM

I personally would rather buy 50 rounds of either Ranger Talon or Federal HST for under 30.00 per box,they have been proven to expand reliably in numerous tests and are cheap enough to test for functionability in your firearm

Sgt Z Squad · October 4th, 2009, 12:23 AM

Take a look at this website too for some extended discussion on the Exotic Ammo: Exotic Ammo FAQ

rhinokrk · October 4th, 2009, 01:10 AM

"Everyone was Kung-Fu fighting... Those cats were fast as lighting"

10thmtn · October 4th, 2009, 10:34 AM

Do a search - been beat to death before. Typical ultralight/ultrafast bullet - impressive cavity but poor penetration. If it doesn't reach the vitals, it doesn't count. Might it work? Sure. I prefer a round with better penetration.

September 29th, 2009, 10:11 PM	#3
Cuda66 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: minnesota Posts: 485	Gimmick round. I wouldn't trust 'em... __________________ One man's theology is another man's belly laugh. --RAH

September 29th, 2009, 11:22 PM	#4
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,473	This is the only actual review that I have ever read. All credit to Frank Borelli at Officer.com To read the remainder of the article go there. Moving on to the NyTrillium Air Freedom Rounds - AFR - I had to attempt a different testing process because they were designed for a different purpose and use. The AFR was designed for use inside aircraft against terrorists / hijackers. The intention of the designers was to create a round that was lethal to humans but would fragment to dust on impact with a hard surface such as the inside of the aircraft fuselage or the aluminum seatbacks in commercial aircraft. The Extreme Shock website that, most times, the AFR will even fragment upon impacting 1/2" sheet rock leaving nothing but small fragments and/or dust to hit the next layer of sheet rock and little to nothing that would present a threat to people on the other side of a contemporary residential wall. The easiest test for this was to set up a small "wall" composed of standard wood frame, two layers of sheet rock - one on either side - and a paper target three feet on the other side of the wall from my shooting position. I loaded my magazine with six of the test rounds I'd been sent and fired them through my Springfield Armory 1911. All six rounds were fired through the wall. Five of them fragmented as they passed through the first layer of sheet rock as determined by the small bits and pieces that caused holes in the second layer of sheetrock. The paper target three feet beyond the "wall" and showed not any sign of having been impacted by any fragments or even dust that I could find. With that kind of fragmentation and breakup being caused by sheet rock I had to wonder if the round would actually penetrate any tissue type of material. Out came another plastic milk jug full of pudding. One AFR round into it was sufficient to convince me that the projectile does indeed hold together to penetrate a bit and then start coming apart to deliver its lethal energy. The milk jug blasted apart in an almost straight tear up one corner, but the entry hole was nice and neat. Pudding was blasted everywhere, some of it landing on other target stands about six feet away. Conclusion? The AFR acts like it was designed to. It won't penetrate hard stuff but will drastically destroy softer tissue. Like any specialty ammo, the EPR and AFR rounds aren't cheap. The AFR ammo runs about $2.50 per round. A 5 round pack lists at $16.29 with a 20 round box listed at $51.43 on the Extreme Shock website. The EPR rounds are priced slightly lower and you should keep in mind that the prices I'm quoting are for .45ACP ammo as that's what I tested and will get more of for my own use. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have no personal opinion as I have never tested it or shot any of it. QKS __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp*

September 29th, 2009, 11:32 PM	#5
digitalexplr Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 655	This will answer a lot of your questions: The Box O' Truth #23 - ExtremeShock™ Ammo and the Box O' Truth - Page 1 __________________ XD9sc XD40 Service Mossberg 590a1 NRA Life Member

September 30th, 2009, 12:14 AM	#7
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6,383	I personally would rather buy 50 rounds of either Ranger Talon or Federal HST for under 30.00 per box,they have been proven to expand reliably in numerous tests and are cheap enough to test for functionability in your firearm __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

October 4th, 2009, 12:23 AM	#8
Sgt Z Squad Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 46	Take a look at this website too for some extended discussion on the Exotic Ammo: Exotic Ammo FAQ __________________ Certifed Sig Classic Pistol Armorer USMC: 1975-1979 Lawdog: 1980 to ??? Soldier of Christ: January 2000 to Eternity A Sheepdog who has found the Shepherd Romans 5:8

September 29th, 2009, 07:19 PM	#2
cmdrdredd Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 698	They are junk. Simply junk. It's marketing, basically after 9/11 if I remember correctly. I've heard nothing good ever, and I've found no testing of them against something proven. __________________ No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. -Thomas Jefferson You can trust to luck or fate if you want but as for me, I carry a Glock.

September 30th, 2009, 12:01 AM	#6
rljohns Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 629	I tried both Fang Face and the Air Freedom in .40 S&W. I would for sure not buy the Fang Face again. They are very bad about seating into the brass after re-chambering a few times. That is un-acceptable for me. The AFR seemed to really destroy water jugs. I'm still not sure I would pay the price after reading the above demo.

October 4th, 2009, 01:10 AM	#9
rhinokrk Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 783	"Everyone was Kung-Fu fighting... Those cats were fast as lighting" __________________ Get the U.N. out of the U.S. Get the U.S. out of the U.N.

October 4th, 2009, 10:34 AM	#10
10thmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Posts: 656	Do a search - been beat to death before. Typical ultralight/ultrafast bullet - impressive cavity but poor penetration. If it doesn't reach the vitals, it doesn't count. Might it work? Sure. I prefer a round with better penetration. __________________ The People ARE the Militia, and have a DUTY (not just a right) to be both armed and proficient in the use of said arms. Ex-Army officer; Hurricane Andrew Relief, FL, 1992; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1993 NRA Life Member; Range Safety Officer Glock 26, CT Laserguard, Smartcarry

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