Incendiary & Tracer Rounds in Handguns

[Wolfpackin]

I've seen these types of ammo available for the calibers I own, 40 S&W and 38 Special. I already did a search here but did not get all of my questions answered.

Sooooo:
What is the difference between the two?
Aside from the wildfire danger do these rounds pose any danger to the handgun or shooter? Will they cause excessive wear to the gun?
In a semi-auto, could the mechanics of the auto loading ignite a tracer round or set off the incendiary?
Any danger in using these rounds in a snubbie revolver?
Would the incendiary round be effective for stopping a threat (shooter) that's inside a vehicle like a van or box truck?
Does anyone know if these rounds are legal in Colorado?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm very curious about these rounds and want as much info as possible. Looks like fun

Thanks in advance.

 

[Super Trucker]

They sure do piss off the range master at the indoor range.

 

[tank mechanic]

Would the incendiary round be effective for stopping a threat (shooter) that's inside a vehicle like a van or box truck?

I would NEVER use either of the rounds in a self defense situation. Even if the situation was completey justified, just by shooting either of those rounds you have given the prosecutor a "magic bullet". He will make you look like a Dirty Harry that wanted to shoot fire and brimstone at innocent scumbags.

 

[trueblue1776]

there are many types and variations of these munitions, please forgive the general answers.

What is the difference between the two?

a tracer is phosphorus usually shows 20-200 yards (small arms) completely depending on caliber weight and speed, incindiary will have a charge of sorts designed to flare/detonate and incinerate a target.

Aside from the wildfire danger do these rounds pose any danger to the handgun or shooter? Will they cause excessive wear to the gun?

no and no

In a semi-auto, could the mechanics of the auto loading ignite a tracer round or set off the incendiary?

no, it takes a great deal of force to set off the chemical reaction, with the exception of some very dangerous antique munitions which should not be handled at all. If it rattles get rid of it quick (and don't shake it again), you dont want it!

Any danger in using these rounds in a snubbie revolver?

no, if you can find any that fit.

Would the incendiary round be effective for stopping a threat (shooter) that's inside a vehicle like a van or box truck?

not much more than any other round, these rounds were designed to be used in great quantity by means of belt/chain gun to destroy material targets. One round is not that special, with the exception of highly specialized true Raufuss (sp?) type rounds of larger caliber (think BMG).

Does anyone know if these rounds are legal in Colorado?

more than likely, they are no where near as dangerous as most people think, I believe the authorities in most places know this.

The truly radical incindiary rounds were designed for serious war fighting guns, the stuff you find at gunshows is novelty ammo, with the exception of NATO caliber tracers, they are real tracers. The 9mm, .40, etc. tracers are novelties and are fun but thats it.
For real power, you can find .50bmg rounds in all colors of the rainbow that can be quite authentic.

 

[Sunray]

"...the mechanics of the auto..." Neither has anything to do with how the pistol works. It's the bullet. The firearm has nothing to do with it.
Trace has a phosphorus based element in the base of the bullet that ignites in air. It's only purpose is to allow aiming without using the sights. All that W. W. II footage you see with visible bullets is trace. Aircraft and anti-aircraft guns used belts with a mixture of ammo. Trace was usually every fourth round. The standard RAF fighter MG belt had ball, trace, AP and incendiary, repeated.
Trace does not start fires unless the range is very dry. The element can and does break off, however the grass needs to be very dry for a trace element to stay lit long enough to start a fire. Most ranges won't let you shoot trace anyway. Just in case.
Incendiary ammo, not seen in pistol calibres, is intended to start fires. It's illegal, Federally, for that reason. However, it doesn't explode. More chemistry.
The ammo you're seeing is, like trueblue1776 says, is novelty ammo. It doesn't really explode or anything else. More chemistry.

 

[possum]

i know a little about the subject. or tracers in the military burn out to 900 meters IIRC.

i think that you would be fine shooting them, though i think it is very dumb in a handgun, but who am i to say? as long as you don't shoot to many to fast them you will be alright. just remember that they are burning alot hotter than normal, and the barrel will get smokin hot.

fyi the military uses two different types of 5.56 tracers, one that is orange tip and one that is red tipped. the red tip is used in m231's, and should not be used in m16's and saw'a if at all possible. the orange tip are the prfefered tracer for the saw and m16 and no tracers should be used in the sdm's.

 

[nemoaz]

I've seen these types of ammo available for the calibers I own, 40 S&W and 38 Special..

Gotta ask, why?

 

[Don Lu]

Gotta ask, why?

Probably just for the fun factor at night.

 

[Seancass]

i think about the only use for these is just having fun.

a good use of tracer rounds is to see how effective your backstop is. when a streak of light shoots off somewhere, you know your backstop isnt doing its job.

(this happened during a 4-H shooting practice. an instructor brought some tracer rounds just for kicks. they hit the dirt back stop and went strait up in the air. very cool and very alarming.)

 

[Sunray]

"...hit the dirt back stop and went strait(sic) up in the air..." That's the trace element breaking off the bullet. Not the bullet itself. It's also why some ranges won't let you shoot tracers. If the grass is very, very dry, it could start a fire. Mind you, it's unlikely as the trace element doesn't burn very long.

 

[Robo_Railer]

It's also why some ranges won't let you shoot tracers. If the grass is very, very dry, it could start a fire. Mind you, it's unlikely as the trace element doesn't burn very long.

Maybe multiple hits in the same spot would be bad, too. When my unit went to another base that had ranges which could handle full-tilt M60* fire (our base's range was only good for M16 and .38), we did start one small fire. Most of the backstop was pretty sandy, and there were lots of deep puddles at that end, so it didn't go very far.

I recall an apochryphal story about two cops chasing a fleeing suspect, cops and crook in cars. The passenger officer had some .38 tracer, so he "let one go" past the BG's window. End of pursuit.
These days, the cops couldn't have "exotic" ammo, couldn't fire on a vehicle except with heavy extenuating circumstances, and the agency (name/state withheld) probably wouldn't have a two-man car on the road.

"Tracer fire works in both directions." (The enemy can get a line on where you're shooting from, just as well as you can see where your bullets are going. )

EDIT: Maybe I should specify that * is the 7.62/.308 thingie, not a S&W product or the predecessor to the M1 Abrams.