Dragon's breath is a special type of incendiary-effect round for

shotgun A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, peppergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long gun, long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge (firearms), cartridge known as a shotshell, which discharges numerous small ...

s. Dragon's breath consists primarily of

magnesium Magnesium is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mg and atomic number 12. It is a shiny gray metal having a low density, low melting point and high chemical reactivity. Like the other alkaline earth metals (group 2 ...

pellets/shards. When the round is fired, sparks and flames can shoot out to about , although, some sources claim it extends to . Dragon's breath is normally chambered in 12-gauge -inch () shot shells. The rounds are safe to fire out of an improved cylinder bore as well as a modified-choke barrel, common on many shotguns.

Overview

While its combat or tactical usage remains undocumented, the visual effect it produces is impressive and entertaining, similar to that of a short-ranged

flamethrower A flamethrower is a ranged incendiary device designed to project a controllable jet of fire. First deployed by the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century AD, flamethrowers saw use in modern times during World War I, and more widely in World W ...

fireworks Fireworks are Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large numbe ...

. The safety aspects of the ammunition are disputed, as the magnesium shards burn at approximately , which is enough to light a person, or house, on fire.

Legality

The sale of dragon's breath rounds is illegal in several US states (

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, and

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

) and shipping may be restricted in other locations and cities due to their inherent fire hazard. Dragon's breath ammunition is alleged to have been the cause of a 2024 wildfire in

Ocean County, New Jersey Ocean County is a List of counties in New Jersey, county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area. The county borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east and in terms of total area is the ...

References

{{reflist Magnesium Paramilitary cartridges Shotgun cartridges Incendiary weapons

Overview

Legality

See also

References