Does military use hollow points?
Sarah Oconnell
Published Apr 10, 2026
Despite the widespread ban on military use, hollow-point bullets are one of the most common types of bullets used by civilians and police, which is due largely to the reduced risk of bystanders being hit by over-penetrating or ricocheted bullets, and the increased speed of incapacitation.
Does the military use FMJ or hollow point?
Most NATO militaries use only FMJ rounds. This is due to an international treaty that was signed many years ago that forbids the use of expanding rounds. However, the USA never ratified that section of the treaty, and the US Army just recently adopted hollow point ammo along with the new Sig Sauer® M17 pistol.Are hollow points banned in the military?
While hollow points are commonly used by police and civilians, they are banned in international warfare under the 1899 Hague Convention's early laws of war that the United States has followed even though the U.S. government never ratified the agreement.Does the military use hollow tips?
Richard Jackson, the special assistant to the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General for Law of War, said the Army currently only uses hollow-point pistol ammunition for counter-terrorism operations. The change is based on the Army's desire for more lethal ammunition, Jackson said.Do Special Forces use hollow points?
Special Forces AmmoThe service already has several special-purpose 9mm rounds in the inventory, including 147 grain jacketed hollow-points. It's authorized for special mission units such as the 75th Ranger Regiment as well as military-police units.
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What ammo do Navy Seals use?
The M855A1, a 5.56 mm Ball ammunition, is an enhanced performance round for today's combat and training environments.Are hollow points more lethal?
Jacketed Hollow Point BulletsJacketed hollow points are considerably more lethal than regular bullet ammunition. While hollow points have never caught on with regular military forces they are quite common in the self-defense market.