Advanced Ballistic Concepts has announced an improved version of their MI-3 tethered prefragmented bullet. The MI-3 features 3 radially fragmented bullet sections, tethered together to form a sort of three-ended “bolas”. The MI-4 adds a central, untethered slug. From the press release:

Jan 2015, Advanced Ballistic Concepts is releasing the newly improved MI-4 series products. The new design incorporates a new 4^th center projectile (Center-Slug™) that travels to the shooters final aim-point to further enhance the benefit of the Multiple Impact Bullets design. The new MI-4 products when accurately fired at center-mass results in 4 wound channels delivering tremendous stopping power.

*“ We have dramatically improved what is already being called the worlds best personal defense Ammo ”. By adding the new Center-Slug™ to the original Multiple Impact Bullets; we have combined the High-Hit Probability of the original interconnected web-like (aka: WEB–SHOT™) coverage of the 3x outer fragments with aim-point accuracy of the deeper penetrating new Center-Slug™.

* “ You have to shoot one to truly understand how big of a leap forward this new Ammo is!”

*TODD KUCHMAN (Co-founder)

HAND GUN Mi-4^™ Strike SHOTGUN

Since its debut 12 months ago at SHOTSHOW 2014 sales of the Original Mi-3™ (3x part bullet) design have exceeded expectations. Consumers that appreciate the advantage ofIncreased Hit Probability will now hit their center point as well. The new Center-Slug™ is housed in the front of the bullet like a nose cone and flies independent of the tether system down the center of fire to the final aim-point of the shooter to add one more level of stopping power.

View this (2min) video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Lr-MG3DeU

SCIENCE of the SHOT: By using the spin from rifling to instantly/rapidly spread 3 identical fragments out from the original center of rotation, the pattern increases in size up to 3x faster than Buck-shot. This expanded pattern is ideal for C.Q.B. / Personal defense. The fact that the fragments remain tethered together result in a pre-determined ~14” (Handgun) or ~24” (Shotgun) maximum diameter spread to focus the stopping power to original line of fire. This mitigates the risk of collateral damage do to errant projectiles (I.E. Infinite expanding buckshot). Simply stated, this ammo improves the shooters chances of striking their intended target sooner with less risk to bystanders.

I have my doubts about this sort of ammunition. Due to the large volume occupied by the bolas assembly, the powder charge is reduced versus conventional ammunition, which will negatively impact the energy of the round. Each individual bola segment does not seem to have much sectional density, and I doubt the round could achieve anything like FBI penetration levels under controlled conditions. There may be significant risk of the payload not unfurling, or failing to stabilize properly. I suspect the ammunition will be relegated to “curio” status quickly, especially if the price of MI-3 ammunition (about $4 a round) is anything to go by.