diff --git a/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs b/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
index bb1754f06c..6c203f7676 100644
--- a/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
+++ b/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
@@ -34,13 +34,13 @@ public sealed partial class GunSystem
             component.Entities.RemoveAt(component.Entities.Count - 1);
 
             component.Container.Remove(existing);
-            EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(existing);
+            EnsureShootable(existing);
         }
         else if (component.UnspawnedCount > 0)
         {
             component.UnspawnedCount--;
             ent = Spawn(component.FillProto, coordinates);
-            EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent.Value);
+            EnsureShootable(ent.Value);
         }
 
         if (ent != null && ent.Value.IsClientSide())
diff --git a/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs b/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
index 2d8f5fdbfa..4ecd72561f 100644
--- a/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Client/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ public sealed partial class GunSystem : SharedGunSystem
                 if (ent!.Value.IsClientSide())
                     Del(ent.Value);
                 else
-                    RemComp<AmmoComponent>(ent.Value);
+                    RemoveShootable(ent.Value);
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ public sealed partial class GunSystem : SharedGunSystem
                     if (ent!.Value.IsClientSide())
                         Del(ent.Value);
                     else
-                        RemComp<AmmoComponent>(ent.Value);
+                        RemoveShootable(ent.Value);
                     break;
                 case HitscanPrototype:
                     Audio.PlayPredicted(gun.SoundGunshot, gunUid, user);
diff --git a/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs b/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
index 3a28c7cdb1..ef3127e39b 100644
--- a/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.Ballistic.cs
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@ public sealed partial class GunSystem
             component.Entities.RemoveAt(component.Entities.Count - 1);
 
             component.Container.Remove(existing);
-            EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(existing);
+            EnsureShootable(existing);
         }
         else if (component.UnspawnedCount > 0)
         {
             component.UnspawnedCount--;
             ent = Spawn(component.FillProto, coordinates);
-            EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent.Value);
+            EnsureShootable(ent.Value);
         }
 
         if (ent != null)
diff --git a/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs b/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
index 4a35e64c6c..2bb1dc8245 100644
--- a/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Server/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/GunSystem.cs
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ public sealed partial class GunSystem : SharedGunSystem
         // Do a throw
         if (!HasComp<ProjectileComponent>(uid))
         {
-            RemComp<AmmoComponent>(uid);
+            RemoveShootable(uid);
             // TODO: Someone can probably yeet this a billion miles so need to pre-validate input somewhere up the call stack.
             ThrowingSystem.TryThrow(uid, mapDirection, gun.ProjectileSpeed, user);
             return;
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Components/AmmoComponent.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Components/AmmoComponent.cs
index eb1328da4a..62af124252 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Components/AmmoComponent.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Components/AmmoComponent.cs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public partial class AmmoComponent : Component, IShootable
 /// <summary>
 /// Spawns another prototype to be shot instead of itself.
 /// </summary>
-[RegisterComponent, NetworkedComponent, ComponentReference(typeof(AmmoComponent)), AutoGenerateComponentState]
+[RegisterComponent, NetworkedComponent, AutoGenerateComponentState]
 public sealed partial class CartridgeAmmoComponent : AmmoComponent
 {
     [ViewVariables(VVAccess.ReadWrite), DataField("proto", required: true, customTypeSerializer: typeof(PrototypeIdSerializer<EntityPrototype>))]
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Ballistic.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Ballistic.cs
index b0f8ae15d6..a6a31bc992 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Ballistic.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Ballistic.cs
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
             {
                 entity = component.Entities[^1];
 
-                args.Ammo.Add((entity, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(entity)));
+                args.Ammo.Add((entity, EnsureShootable(entity)));
                 component.Entities.RemoveAt(component.Entities.Count - 1);
                 component.Container.Remove(entity);
             }
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
             {
                 component.UnspawnedCount--;
                 entity = Spawn(component.FillProto, args.Coordinates);
-                args.Ammo.Add((entity, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(entity)));
+                args.Ammo.Add((entity, EnsureShootable(entity)));
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.BasicEntity.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.BasicEntity.cs
index 14aeefb916..731e7a526d 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.BasicEntity.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.BasicEntity.cs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
             }
 
             var ent = Spawn(component.Proto, args.Coordinates);
-            args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent)));
+            args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureShootable(ent)));
         }
 
         _recharge.Reset(uid);
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Battery.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Battery.cs
index 5ce43e246b..ecbd19d517 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Battery.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Battery.cs
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
         {
             case ProjectileBatteryAmmoProviderComponent proj:
                 var ent = Spawn(proj.Prototype, coordinates);
-                return (ent, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent));
+                return (ent, EnsureShootable(ent));
             case HitscanBatteryAmmoProviderComponent hitscan:
                 return (null, ProtoManager.Index<HitscanPrototype>(hitscan.Prototype));
             default:
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.ChamberMagazine.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.ChamberMagazine.cs
index 31fbde44f4..bd65ef5cf6 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.ChamberMagazine.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.ChamberMagazine.cs
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
         {
             if (TryTakeChamberEntity(uid, out chamberEnt))
             {
-                args.Ammo.Add((chamberEnt.Value, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(chamberEnt.Value)));
+                args.Ammo.Add((chamberEnt.Value, EnsureShootable(chamberEnt.Value)));
             }
             // No ammo returned.
             else
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem
         {
             // Shooting code won't eject it if it's still contained.
             chamberEnt = slot.ContainedEntity;
-            args.Ammo.Add((chamberEnt.Value, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(chamberEnt.Value)));
+            args.Ammo.Add((chamberEnt.Value, EnsureShootable(chamberEnt.Value)));
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Container.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Container.cs
index 999d5379a2..d9a7cb53c1 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Container.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Container.cs
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ public partial class SharedGunSystem
             if (_netManager.IsServer)
                 container.Remove(ent);
 
-            args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent)));
+            args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureShootable(ent)));
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Revolver.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Revolver.cs
index 45c133a4a5..f66950711e 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Revolver.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Revolver.cs
@@ -342,13 +342,13 @@ public partial class SharedGunSystem
                         component.Chambers[index] = false;
                         SetCartridgeSpent(ent, cartridge, true);
                         var spawned = Spawn(cartridge.Prototype, args.Coordinates);
-                        args.Ammo.Add((spawned, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(spawned)));
+                        args.Ammo.Add((spawned, EnsureShootable(spawned)));
                         Del(ent);
                         continue;
                     }
 
                     component.Chambers[i] = null;
-                    args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent)));
+                    args.Ammo.Add((ent, EnsureShootable(ent)));
                 }
             }
             else if (component.AmmoSlots[index] != null)
@@ -362,13 +362,13 @@ public partial class SharedGunSystem
 
                     SetCartridgeSpent(ent.Value, cartridge, true);
                     var spawned = Spawn(cartridge.Prototype, args.Coordinates);
-                    args.Ammo.Add((spawned, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(spawned)));
+                    args.Ammo.Add((spawned, EnsureShootable(spawned)));
                     continue;
                 }
 
                 component.AmmoContainer.Remove(ent.Value);
                 component.AmmoSlots[index] = null;
-                args.Ammo.Add((ent.Value, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent.Value)));
+                args.Ammo.Add((ent.Value, EnsureShootable(ent.Value)));
                 TransformSystem.SetCoordinates(ent.Value, args.Coordinates);
             }
         }
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Solution.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Solution.cs
index d04b3fad30..268b2a7473 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Solution.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.Solution.cs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public partial class SharedGunSystem
     protected virtual (EntityUid Entity, IShootable) GetSolutionShot(EntityUid uid, SolutionAmmoProviderComponent component, EntityCoordinates position)
     {
         var ent = Spawn(component.Prototype, position);
-        return (ent, EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ent));
+        return (ent, EnsureShootable(ent));
     }
 
     protected void UpdateSolutionAppearance(EntityUid uid, SolutionAmmoProviderComponent component)
diff --git a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.cs b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.cs
index 1e6a5c50e9..797a2f472d 100644
--- a/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.cs
+++ b/Content.Shared/Weapons/Ranged/Systems/SharedGunSystem.cs
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem : EntitySystem
         EntityUid? user = null,
         bool throwItems = false)
     {
-        var shootable = EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(ammo);
+        var shootable = EnsureShootable(ammo);
         Shoot(gunUid, gun, new List<(EntityUid? Entity, IShootable Shootable)>(1) { (ammo, shootable) }, fromCoordinates, toCoordinates, out userImpulse, user, throwItems);
     }
 
@@ -411,6 +411,20 @@ public abstract partial class SharedGunSystem : EntitySystem
         }
     }
 
+    protected IShootable EnsureShootable(EntityUid uid)
+    {
+        if (TryComp<CartridgeAmmoComponent>(uid, out var cartridge))
+            return cartridge;
+
+        return EnsureComp<AmmoComponent>(uid);
+    }
+
+    protected void RemoveShootable(EntityUid uid)
+    {
+        RemCompDeferred<CartridgeAmmoComponent>(uid);
+        RemCompDeferred<AmmoComponent>(uid);
+    }
+
     protected void MuzzleFlash(EntityUid gun, AmmoComponent component, EntityUid? user = null)
     {
         var sprite = component.MuzzleFlash;