Kombipatronen

Kombipatronen is a term used in German- and some Scandinavian-language sources to denote ammunition that combines two or more functionalities within a single cartridge. The precise meaning varies by time period and country, and there is no single universal definition. In historical firearms discourse, 'Kombipatronen' has sometimes referred to experimental or specialized cartridges that incorporated multiple payloads or propulsion methods in one case, with the aim of reducing reloads or expanding the cartridge's utility. In shotgun contexts, the term has appeared in reference to multi-projectile loads such as buck-and-ball or slug-and-shot configurations, although these are usually described with more specific terms in modern usage.

In contemporary practice, the term is largely archaic or used only in niche discussions. Modern ammunition naming tends to specify the exact payload (for example, slug, buckshot, blank, or signal charge) rather than using the umbrella term 'Kombipatronen.' Safety and regulatory considerations are significant, as cartridges carrying multiple payloads or unconventional designs may be subject to stricter controls, depending on jurisdiction.

Etymology: from German Kombi- 'combination' and Patrone 'cartridge.' See also: combination ammunition, multi-load cartridges, sabot and subcaliber systems.