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Have you ever participated in a live fire training exercise? If you have, you’ve more than likely been shooting non-lethal training ammunition. Non-lethals are a cost effective solution for departments looking to get practical, live fear training with actual duty weapons in group activities. Live action training is a key part of keeping an officer’s skills sharp. These training exercises force individuals to learn to work tactically as a group and help develop those relationships that matter most in the field.
If your department has never participated in a non-lethal training exercise, there’s a few key pieces of equipment you will need besides the proper certification and training. Two of the largest suppliers of non-lethal training ammunition and equipment are Simunition and Force on Force. To begin properly and safely, you’ll need three important things from them: a conversion kit for your firearm, non lethal ammunition, and protection.
Conversion Kits for Your Service Weapon
Each officer taking part in a non-lethal live fire training event will need to get a conversion kit for their firearm, such as the Force on Force 5.56 Bolt Conversion Kit or the Simunition Conversion Kit for Glock 17/22s. A conversion kit allows you to train with your actual service weapon, simulating live fire during group exercises.
No one knows your firearm as well as you do, and this allows you to get more practice time in in a very practical, safe way. Most conversion kits are easy to install and require no special tools, and are specially marked to immediately jump out at you as a practice tool rather than a normal fully functional firearm.
Non-Lethal Ammunition
Once you have your conversion kit installed, load up on the non-lethal training ammo of your choice. Most marking rounds come in various colors, allowing for team based training to occur (Red vs Blue, for instance). There are two primary manufacturers of non-lethal training ammunition available: Simunition and Force on Force.
Simunition Non-Lethal Training Ammunition is a favorite of law enforcement across the country. Simunition creates marking rounds for training situations that need to simulate the effects of 9mm and 5.56 live fire, as well as conversion kits to take any regular duty firearm and feed it non-lethal training ammunition. Simunition’s line of FX Marking and Non-Marking Cartridges come in multiple colors, are incredibly accurate, and match ballistics up to 25 feet away, making them an ideal solutions for training. Simunition believes that realism is the most important aspect of law enforcement and military training.
Force on Force feature a wide assortment of marking and non-marking rounds, conversion kits and accessories for departments that want to train with non-lethal ammunition. They feature up to a five-year shelf life, no gunpowder, smoke, or smell, are lead free, and known for being easy to clean up afterward, even machine washable. Force on Force is owned by Vista Outdoor, owners of other popular brands such as American Eagle, BLAWKHAWK!, Federal Premium and Federal Independence.
Shooting Accessories and Protective Equipment
Lastly, to protect yourself during a nonlethal training exercise from bumps and welts, be sure to wear the proper protection while training with non-lethal ammunition. At minimum, you should protect your face, neck, groin and hands during any exercise. Like any apparel or gear line, pieces from different manufacturers can be swapped in and out as budgets allow. Simunition and Force-on-Force both offer head protectors, neck protectors, gloves, groin protectors, vests and coveralls to protect you from accidental damage as well as protect your clothing underneath. Just put the equipment on over your normal duty uniform or tactical outfit, and you’ll be good to go. What’s unwise is going without.
Conclusion
Product demos, training programs, and certifications are available from both Force on Force and Simunition. These events are for military and law enforcement training instructors to become comfortable with the nonlethal ammunition and training gear, as well as provide examples of scenarios that can be run for LE professionals. If you are a licensed firearm instructor interested in becoming certified, you can find your nearest event below:
Force on Force Training & Certification
Simunition Training & Certification
Nonlethal training for many officers may be the closest they get to an actual combat situation, but for others it will be valuable experience that will hone their skills and empower them to make the right calls in tough situations. With the rise in gun violence and aggressive situations in recent years, officers and departments will face an increasing need for more training under live fire situations. Force on Force and Simunition are there to provide you with the non-lethal training and equipment you require.
Interested in training with non lethal ammunition? Streicher’s carries the full line of Force on Force and Simunition training products. To purchase in bulk on PO, register an account on Streichers.com and call 800-367-3763 to request Net Terms. Must be a licensed member of a department or agency.
