No. 23FS-Rubber Fin Stabilized Round

This rubber projectile is not quite 2 inches in length and is 12-gauge in diameter. It weighs 0.2 ounces and has a maximum range of 250 feet when fired from a 12-gauge shotgun. The stabilizing fin makes it more accurate, although if it bounces off a hard surface, it can tumble or spin, making its' trajectory and effect largely unpredictable.

This round is effective for the dispersion of crowds, the disbursement of individuals in crowd control or civil disturbance situations. It can be effective against subjects who offer violent resistance.

When striking an individual, its relatively low velocity, large surface area, and rubber composition make it less likely to penetrate. Its effects are primarily to stun the individual and cause sufficient pain to cause them to withdraw or discontinue their violent resistance.

At the extreme effective range of 100 feet, the effects on the individual may be nearly trivial. At closer range, bruising can be seen. Rib fractures are possible if the chest is struck. At extremely close ranges of less than 20 feet, the projectile may penetrate the body, leading to fatal wounds.

The effects of this projectile striking the head are variable, but can be fatal, just like any violent blow to the head.

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Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001

United States Special Operations Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323

*This web version is provided by The Brookside Associates, LLC. It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. The medical information presented was reviewed and felt to be accurate in 2001. Medical knowledge and practice methods may have changed since that time. Some links may no longer be active. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.

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