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Since the Circuit Court’s ruling in Popow vs. Margate (476 F. Supp. 1237 (DNJ 1979), the courts have been telling us that we need to conduct relevant training. That training needs to address decision-making and judgment.


The left side of the frame and slide along with the factory sights.

 

Prior to the early 1990s, agencies tried to add realism to training in several ways. In the revolver era, primed cases loaded with a wax bullet were used. Today, you can buy pre-molded wax bullets. Back then, many people just pushed the case’s mouth into a block of wax. Unfortunately, flush-seated wadcutters have been mistaken for a wax bullet load.

 

Blanks were used as well. However, those can have their own issues in terms of how they are made.



Predecessors

By 1994, Simunitions brand FX marking rounds had hit the market and were making their way into law enforcement training. They required a ring that fit in each cylinder, which prevented a live .38 Special or larger case from chambering. The semi-auto pistol version was the same sub-caliber design we see today; it requires an after-market barrel that also prevents loading a live round.

 

T4E re-designed the attachment method for the different grip inserts. They did this instead of forcing users into a “one size fits all.”

 

My first exposure to them was in 1994’s National Tactical Invitational. Later that year, I took my first instructor class on these rounds.

 

While “Sims” has become a generic term for the non-lethal marking rounds, it is incorrect. The manufacturer was adamant that, because of other products—several of which are lethal—the marking rounds are the FX line.

 

Since then, other companies have brought similar products to market.


NLTA

Collectively, these rounds are now referred to as Non-Lethal Training Ammunition (NLTA).

Initially, these rounds were tightly restricted to law enforcement and the military—with good reasons—which had to do far more with safety concerns than perceived exclusivity, as I recall. Eventually, those restrictions loosened. UTM even taught instructor courses for decent, normal humans. I took my UTM course that way rather than through a governmental entity.

 

The blue paintball splatter on a plywood shoot house wall – from across the room.

 

Private training facilities, like Gunsite, were able to purchase and use the spectrum of NLTA for non-governmental students.

Unfortunate Change

Just after the shot – shooting groups on cardboard. The projectiles had no problem penetrating cardboard targets and backers.

 

A few years ago, that changed. There are different stories as to the “why” floating around the training community. Regardless of how it happened, none of the NLTA brands can be imported into the United States for use by non-governmental students at this time.

 

So, how do “we” fill the need for NLTA launchers and projectiles that can be in judgmental firearms and tactics training?

 

What about airsoft? Some of the minuses are lack of ruggedness, reliability, engagement distance, and accuracy. Some you barely feel, others let you know you have been hit.



An Answer

Enter Umarex and their T4E product line.

 

Several shots with the rubber ball projectiles from 7 yards.

 

I first saw these at SHOT last year. Umarex sent me one of the M&P models this spring. In addition to the M&P, they are also making versions of Walther’s PPQ, H&K’s VP9, Glock, and a revolver. Two of the Walthers are already optics compatible. The revolvers can be had in either .50 or .68 caliber.

Aside from the blue-coated slide, the M&P is visually identical to those I’ve been carrying for several years (absent the thumb safety). Mechanically, they function nearly identically. Blue is a common “Inert” color coding.

Magazine

The magazine requires a bit more force to seat—I believe that is a combination of the magazine and internal re-designs. The slide does not travel as far rearward when cycling as the actual pistol’s slide moves. 

 

T4E’s redesigned magazine has a cast top and stamped bottom. The projectiles are in the front, and the CO2 canister is in the rear.

 

The magazine is a combination of cast and stamped construction. A CO2 cartridge powers the projectiles. The cartridge is inserted into the rear of the magazine. Once seated, you tightened an Allen-head screw to puncture the seal while seating it. The projectiles are loaded into the top front of the magazine while the spring-loaded follower gets pulled down. Once loaded, it is seated like any other pistol magazine.

Construction

Like the actual pistol, the frame rail accepts a variety of weapon lights – including Streamlight’s TLR-7A.

 

The frame is a serial-numbered copy of the one on the M&P 2.0. It has the accessory rail, which is now ubiquitous on duty and defensive pistols. I attached two different pistol lights, and both fit like they do on a functional factory pistol. That combination fits quite nicely in a JM Custom Kydex outside-the-waistband holster designed for the M&P and those lights.



Projectiles

There are three different projectiles. One is made of a solid rubber. The second is a blue paintball round. The third is a clear plastic and blue colored ball that contains talcum powder. Both the second and third projectiles let the user and instructors know what was struck. While these projectiles are relatively new manufacturing-wise, they left their mark every time. 

The three different projectiles currently available – black rubber, blue paint, and blue/white talcum powder.

 

When using the T4E pistols and projectiles, you will need to use the same type of safety equipment as with any other NLTA pistols. After following the usual NLTA safety protocols, I had a student “shoot” my back with all three projectiles while I was wearing a thin shirt. Each of them stung as I anticipated they would. The blue paintball round impacted and left no doubt where it hit – as shown in the photo.

These projectiles travel at 355 feet per second, while other NLTA projectiles range from 360 to 524 feet per second.

Safety

Safety with these and any other NLTA firearm is paramount. Law enforcement has unintentionally killed too many of our own and the public with these. The industry-wide safety protocols and standards must be adhered to. That applies to what is and is not allowed in the safe area. As well as how all entering are searched.

 

That’s the mark left by a single blue paintball projectile on the back of my shirt. Three days later, its impact was still visible on my skin.

 

All participants must wear safety equipment that protects their eyes, face, neck, torso, groin, and hands.

 

T4E also has three long gun versions, two of which look like shotguns. All three are chambered for .68caliber projectiles.

Final Observation

Umarex’s T4E line provides a viable workaround for organizations unable to buy traditional NLTA.

RESOURCE:

T4E Training

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