What's spiked ammo?

[riggee]

There was a small reference to this in an article I was reading on something else but it didn't actually explain what it is.

Spiked like 'spiking a drink'? How do you spike ammo?

or is it something else?

[bunnybuster]

Spiked ammo is loaded with a deliberate overcharge to damage/injure the user and the firearm/weapon.

In the instance of mortars/grenades it has an instantaneous fuse to destroy the user.this has been used probably as long as the weapons have, items are"leave-behinds" to appear tempting to the enemy to re-use.

This is a psychological weapon as well as physical so troops distrust their logistics security.

There are reports of this in current fighting in countries hitting the news.

Be Safe, BB.

[tiki]

Was it Vietnam this really got started?

I vaguely remember something about them instructing troops never to use anything from an enemy cache as they had ammo with the powder replaced with dynamite or this kinds of things.

[Gregg]

This subject resurfaced in a few circles recently after the Syrian Government began doing it against the relebs there.

The concern for recreational shooters outside of this is that in X amount of years once the particular conflict is over someone buys some mil-surp ammo and gets a spiked cartridge in the mix.

Whether or not it has actually happened to a civilian shooter in the past I couldn't say, but that's the concern.

If you're not shooting mil-surp you've nothing to worry about here.

[Tiiger]

Was it Vietnam this really got started?

No doubt it's been done in all major conflicts.

As far as Vietnam goes, from what I know of it the whole spiked ammo thing was more the US military telling their soldier not to use found ammo, and creating their own spiked cartridge in enemy chamberings to demonstrate what would happen if found and fired.

I don't know that it was actually done much though?

(Anyone who knows their history better feel free to correct me.)

[pmomd]

In the instance of mortars/grenades it has an instantaneous fuse to destroy the user.this has been used probably as long as the weapons have, items are"leave-behinds" to appear tempting to the enemy to re-use.

Seeing a spiked mortar go up in smoke must be a sight.

[Tiiger]

I believe with mortars the practice is/was to tamper with the fuse for instant detonation.

Leaving your enemy to set off what is effectively a mega pipe-bomb in their own lines while chasing you.

[riggee]

Seeing a spiked mortar go up in smoke must be a sight.

I reckon

[creet]

Must be some terrifying s**t being in one of these conflicts as a soldier (talking good guys, not insurgent nut jobs)

Imagine pulling the trigger on something after a unit mates rifle exploder yesterday?

Faaaaaark that!