armor piercing bullets

[Neo-Luddite]

The ss 109 and .30/06 m2ap have been specifically recognized as sporting rounds by ATF ruling.

This matters little except in such places that have passed state bans on AP (or, my favorite, 'metal piercing'-whatever that might be-- here in IL) but allowed that types of ammo specifically listed as sporting by ATF were just plain OK anyhow. Which means that, in the interest of logic, m2AP (the gold-standard for US AP < .50 BMG) is legal here in Illinois--but everything else is forbidden.

Any ammo restrictions are a slippery slope--never mind pointless--and watch out as handloaders are the next target of opportunity.

 

[LAR-15]

The laws deal with BODY ARMOR worn by police.

 

[gezzer]

And why are we allowed to have machined BRONZE bullets for muzzleloaders? Bronze was the best anti armor slug developed for ww1 machineguns.

What Bronze, ML are copper not bronze, do some research.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The laws deal with BODY ARMOR worn by police.

Okay, please post the laws that state they pertain to BODY ARMOR worn by the police. As far as I can ascertain, there is no mention in the law of what consistutes "armor" in the laws on "armor piercing" handgun ammunition.

 

[jkingrph]

Armor plate is different from steel plate ie sheet steel. I punched a hole through 1/2" steel plate using a 400Gr Barnes HP all copper bullet from a 458Win mag at about 40 yards. It made a clean hole and actually transfered the rifling pattern from the rifle bore to the hole in the steel plate.

 

[jkingrph]

Armor plate is different from steel plate ie sheet steel. I punched a hole through 1/2" steel plate using a 400Gr Barnes HP all copper bullet from a 458Win mag at about 40 yards. It made a clean hole and actually transfered the rifling pattern from the rifle bore to the hole in the steel plate.

Please excuse double post

 

[coat4gun]

Lots of mis-information of the subject of AP legality

Federal law relating to Armor Piercing ammo is in Title 18 Chapter 44 sections 921 and 922, I believe that while most of todays ammunition could be used in a handgun.. hence meeting the following test given it has the penetrator core, Federal law only restricts manufacture or import. Your State Law many vary from this.
For instance, beyond federal law, Pa only restricts use of AP ammunition in the commission of a crime.

921(17)(B) The term "armor piercing ammunition" means -
(i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a
handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of
tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or
depleted uranium; or
(ii) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber
designed and intended for use in a handgun and whose jacket has a
weight of more than 25 percent of the total weight of the
projectile.

Meeting the definition of AP ammunition only restricts the "manufacture or import" of said ammunition. It does not restrict the sale (as long as the seller is not the manufacturer), nor does it disallow the ownership or purchase of AP ammunition.

922(7) for any person to manufacture or import armor piercing
ammunition, except that this paragraph shall not apply to -
(A) the manufacture or importation of such ammunition for the
use of the United States or any department or agency thereof or
any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision
thereof;
(B) the manufacture of such ammunition for the purpose of
exportation; and
(C) any manufacture or importation for the purposes of
testing or experimentation authorized by the Attorney General;
Quote:
922(8) for any manufacturer or importer to sell or deliver armor
piercing ammunition, except that this paragraph shall not apply
to -
(A) the sale or delivery by a manufacturer or importer of
such ammunition for use of the United States or any department
or agency thereof or any State or any department, agency, or
political subdivision thereof;
(B) the sale or delivery by a manufacturer or importer of
such ammunition for the purpose of exportation;
(C) the sale or delivery by a manufacturer or importer of
such ammunition for the purposes of testing or experimenting
authorized by the Attorney General; and

The definitions of Manufacturer and importer are as follows... Manufacture does not include reloading for personal use by definition.

921(9) The term "importer" means any person engaged in the business
of importing or bringing firearms or ammunition into the United
States for purposes of sale or distribution; and the term "licensed
importer" means any such person licensed under the provisions of
this chapter.

921(10) The term "manufacturer" means any person engaged in the
business of manufacturing firearms or ammunition for purposes of
sale or distribution; and the term "licensed manufacturer" means
any such person licensed under the provisions of this chapter

 

[Funderb]

they don't want you to have AP pistol ammo, like the fiveseven, because they are afraid you will go on a cop killing rampage.
that's why fiveseven ammo is so expensive too, extreme limitations on import. Even the ball ammo peirces level 2 vests easily.

 

[kludge]

There is nothing illegal _at all_ with using AP bullets to reload your own AP ammo for 7.62 NATO.

Source?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Source?

2 posts above yours....

921(10) The term "manufacturer" means any person engaged in the
business of manufacturing firearms or ammunition for purposes of
sale or distribution; and the term "licensed manufacturer" means
any such person licensed under the provisions of this chapter

Personal use is not manufacturing.

Now, 7.62x51 comes under an additional area, in addition to the whole "can be fired from a handgun" thing.

7.62x51 is named specifically as AP in the following case:

7.62mm NATO AP (Identified by black coloring in the bullet tip. This ammunition is used by various NATO countries. The U.S. military designation is M61 AP)
7.62mm NATO SLAP (identified by projectile having a plastic sabot around a hard penetrator. The penetrator protrudes above the sabot and is similar in appearance to a Remington accelerator cartridge)

And from the same document:

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING CARTRIDGES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE DEFINITION OF ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION:
5.56MM (.223) SS109 and M855 Ammunition, Identified by a green coating on the projectile tip.
U.S. .30-06 M2 AP, Identified by a black coating on the projectile tip.

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/legal/armor.htm

 

[TexasRifleman]

that's why fiveseven ammo is so expensive too, extreme limitations on import

There are no limitations on the import of 5.7x28 SS195 or S197. In fact it's been cheaper than 5.56 lately.

It remains expensive for the most part because FN won't let anyone else make it, so there's no competition.

 

[highorder]

I have Armor Piercing 7.62x54R !!!! about 1000 rounds of it....silver tip

you might want to rethink the "armor piercing" statement. Eastern Bloc countries were very liberal with the projectile markings. You can ID your ammo here:

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo.htm

 

[CWL]

The purpose of the carbide tip in the 5.56mm NATO SS109 round is to facilitate spin balance while in flight and to facilitate yawing and fragmentation once inside the target. Losing stability after penetration into a human-sizd target, the bullet breaks apart where the carbide tip and lead base meet. This results in massive tissue damage.

It was NOT developed as an AP round.

 

[telecaster1981]

It's good to know that M2AP is ok...