Keefe Report: “A Paintball on Steroids”

by
posted on July 14, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
This week, “American Rifleman Television” will take you to Herstal, Belgium, for a look at the land, sea and air “Systems” FN builds for military customers around the world, including “pods” for helicopters and the remotely-fired FN DeFNnder. But Fabrique Nationale makes more than just guns. undefined

While there, FN’s Shane Healey ran me through FN’s Less Lethal offerings for its military and law enforcement customers, in particular the 15-shot semi-automatic FN 303 Less Lethal Launcher. Sometimes, a firearm shooting bullets is not the right tool for the job. Essentially, the compressed-air-powered FN 303 launches a fin-stabilized 18 mm projectile that weighs up to 8.5 grams. They are designed, in Shane’s words, “to inflict pain.” And as you can see from the accompanying video—this week’s Rifleman TV “Web Exclusive”—it is very accurate, with hits coming easily from 25 to 50 meters from both the handgun version (the FN 303P run off a C02 cylinder) and the shoulder-stocked 303. They can fire a host of different rounds, ranging from simple kinetic projectiles, to marking rounds to those with irritant agents. Notice the use of the term “less” lethal”—not “non lethal.” These are not toys, and the launchers and their projectiles are restricted to law enforcement and military only. undefined

Tune into Outdoor Channel on Wednesday evenings for the full episodes of American Rifleman TV.

Latest

Springfield Armory SA-35 4"
Springfield Armory SA-35 4"

Review: Springfield Armory SA-35 4"

Springfield Armory has made its SA-35 High Power clone even more appealing to those interested in a compact, concealed-carry pistol with a new 4-inch barreled version of its SA-35.

Legacy Sports International Expands Howa Bolt-Action Rifle Lineup

Japanese-made Howa M1500 rifles continue to be some of the best value-for-the-money bolt-actions on the market, and for 2026, the company is adding two new models, along with a new chambering.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 17, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Skills Check: The Tabula Rasa Method

Too many shooters step onto the range carrying the emotional residue of every missed shot, every bad stage and every ugly drill from the last six months like a tactical backpack full of disappointment. The Tabula Rasa method is designed to change that relationship.

Canadian Law Enforcement Agencies Select Federal Ammunition

Federal Ammunition will supply the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with rifle and shotgun ammunition, respectively.

Shooting Surplus: Finding Affordable Mil-Surp Ammo in 2026

Today, the market for mil-surp ammo is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago. If you're a military-surplus collector and shooter, what should you look for in 2026? Here's our guide.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.