M995 5.56mm AP ammo question

[Evil Monkey]

OK, I believe the M855 62gr 5.56mm ammo with the steel penetrator was designed so the M249 SAW could have better penetrative abilities than the old M193 up to 600 meters away. What had happened was that all 5.56mm weapons started to standardize on the M855.

What about the M995 AP round? Is this being used at all by our military? It should be even better than M855 in terms of long range barrier penetration so why don't M249 SAW's use the M995AP instead of the M855 green tip?

I can only look at combat footage and other such videos to see what they're using and I only see green tips and then a orange/red tip for a tracer. Just wondering why they don't use a better cartridge for the suppressive fire role.

 

[Jeremy2171]

The M995 IS linked and IS available if needed.

 

[SomeKid]

Question:

Since 995 is AP, and there are pistols that could accept it, isn't it illegal for usage by us common-folk?

 

[Evil Monkey]

Since 995 is AP, and there are pistols that could accept it, isn't it illegal for usage by us common-folk?

Yes its illegal but that's not the point. I'm talking about whether the military uses it or not.

 

[SomeKid]

Darn, I was kind of hoping I would be told I was wrong, oh well.

My understanding is it isn't used often, but is out there for those times when it is needed.

 

[HorseSoldier]

OK, I believe the M855 62gr 5.56mm ammo with the steel penetrator was designed so the M249 SAW could have better penetrative abilities than the old M193 up to 600 meters away. What had happened was that all 5.56mm weapons started to standardize on the M855.

NATO basically decided they were going to follow the US lead and switch to 5.56mm, but wanted more armor penetration than M193 allowed for. So NATO opted for the US caliber, but with a Belgian designed round with better penetration and better performance at longer range than M193.