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

Gotw Pws Uxr 1
Gotw Pws Uxr 1

Gun of the Week: Primary Weapons Systems UXR

Primary Weapons System took the consumer demand for modularity in firearm design to the next level with its UXR or User Xchangeable Rifle.

Heritage Rough Rider Now Available in .32 H&R Magnum

Long available only in rimfire chamberings, Heritage Manufacturing's popular Rough Rider revolver series is now available in the .32 H&R Magnum centerfire chambering for the first time.

Get Your Official NRA Licensed Merchandise!

It’s never been easier to show your pride in NRA than with a new line of NRA Official Merchandise!

The Armed Citizen® April 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.

Taurus' GX2 T.O.R.O.: Offering Affordability & Optics Readiness

As handgun optics are becoming more of a must-have accessory, Taurus is adding that option to its GX2 design with the GX2 T.O.R.O.

Review: Savage Arms Axis 2 Pro

The latest update to the Savage bolt-action rifle line, the Axis 2 Pro, is a feature-rich design that still remains affordably priced.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.