An adaptive projectile for small caliber firearms includes preformed submunition elements deployed in a radiating pattern by a spreader upon impact with a soft target, such as the body of an assailant. But when initial impact is with an intermediate hard obstacle, a pressure- sensitive link disables the spreader so that the submunition elements will not deploy but instead become locked into a unitary, monolithic body capable of penetrating the hard obstacle. The nose of the projectile is a hollow ballistic penetrator that restrains the submunition elements upon impact with a hard object. The submunition elements rest on a base. For protection inside the gun barrel and during flight, the adaptive projectile is partially wrapped by a thin jacket that fractures and/or peals away upon impact with a soft target.