A projectile for use in a handheld weapon, comprising: a housing with a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween with a first length, the housing comprising: a hollow portion extending a first predetermined distance between the first end and the second end; a base positioned at the second end; and a cylindrical portion positioned between the first end and the base, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of angled relief cuts and a plurality of angled driving bands; and an insert (42, 42A) with a forward end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween with a second length, the insert (42, 42A) comprising: a cylindrical body; a nose portion at the forward end and integrally interconnected to the cylindrical body, wherein the nose portion tapers outwardly from a tip such that a diameter of the nose portion increases from the tip to the cylindrical body; and wherein the longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A) is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing, characterized by a plurality of cutout portions cut into a surface of the insert (42, 42A) and originating a second predetermined distance from the forward end at a point outside of the housing and extending along the cylindrical body a third length into the housing, wherein each cutout portion in the plurality of cutout portions forms a curved trough with a radius of curvature, and wherein each of said curved troughs is positioned at an angle (α) of between 2 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A). a housing with a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween with a first length, the housing comprising: a hollow portion extending a first predetermined distance between the first end and the second end; a base positioned at the second end; and a cylindrical portion positioned between the first end and the base, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of angled relief cuts and a plurality of angled driving bands; and a hollow portion extending a first predetermined distance between the first end and the second end; a base positioned at the second end; and a cylindrical portion positioned between the first end and the base, wherein the cylindrical portion comprises a plurality of angled relief cuts and a plurality of angled driving bands; and an insert (42, 42A) with a forward end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween with a second length, the insert (42, 42A) comprising: a cylindrical body; a nose portion at the forward end and integrally interconnected to the cylindrical body, wherein the nose portion tapers outwardly from a tip such that a diameter of the nose portion increases from the tip to the cylindrical body; and wherein the longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A) is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing, characterized by a plurality of cutout portions cut into a surface of the insert (42, 42A) and originating a second predetermined distance from the forward end at a point outside of the housing and extending along the cylindrical body a third length into the housing, wherein each cutout portion in the plurality of cutout portions forms a curved trough with a radius of curvature, and wherein each of said curved troughs is positioned at an angle (α) of between 2 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A). a cylindrical body; a nose portion at the forward end and integrally interconnected to the cylindrical body, wherein the nose portion tapers outwardly from a tip such that a diameter of the nose portion increases from the tip to the cylindrical body; and wherein the longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A) is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing, characterized by a plurality of cutout portions cut into a surface of the insert (42, 42A) and originating a second predetermined distance from the forward end at a point outside of the housing and extending along the cylindrical body a third length into the housing, wherein each cutout portion in the plurality of cutout portions forms a curved trough with a radius of curvature, and wherein each of said curved troughs is positioned at an angle (α) of between 2 degrees and 45 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis of the insert (42, 42A).