Steel core 7.62x39..?

[Shanghai McCoy]

What was the big deal back in the 90's about the steel core ammo for 7.62x39 ? As I recall it was banned from import but I can't remember why..?

 

[hso]

The excuse was the ban on new manufacture of "armor piercing" ammunition.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Didn't a lot of that stuff get imported from China before he ban?

 

[Charlie Horse]

It was. Most if not all of the Norinco flavor was steel core back in the good old days. Word is that BATF begged, cajoled, and all but threatened a maker of AR pistols to make a pistol version in 7.62x39mm in order to be able to say that it was an armor piercing handgun round so that they could exclude it from import.

 

[El Tejon]

Because some a-hole, who will not been mentioned on THR, made a handgun for .30RS.

 

[armoredman]

Olympic Arms was the culprit, IIRC, and the other gun manufacturers begged them NOT to make the AR-15 based 7.62x39mm handgun...the day it went up for sale, importation stopped. That's what i remember, without googling it.

 

[El Tejon]

Ok, cat's out of the bag now.

 

[jerkface11]

You can't really blame Olympic for the unconstitutional actions of the government.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I've got some of that pre ban, vest piercing stuff!

 

[mac66]

It was like $60 or 70 a case back then. I still have two unopened cases of it stashed away somewhere.

 

[Quiet]

And this is why, no USA manufacturer wants to make a 5.45x39mm pistol.
Fear it will get the inexpensive surplus steel-core 5.45x39mm ammo banned as AP handgun ammo.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

So we can still buy imported steel core 7.62 x 54R because no pistol uses it?

 

[armoredman]

Only pistols in THAT caliber were the converted Mosins used by the Israelis back in the day, if I remember correctly.
Sorry, El Tejon, but I see no reason to not tell the truth.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Isn't SS-109 steel core?

 

[cuervo]

Isn't SS-109 steel core?

With the way that BATF defines things, "penetrator" rounds are not considered AP.

I doubt the Chinese ammo would really pierce steel armor, but that's how it's classified.

 

[hatt]

You can't really blame Olympic for the unconstitutional actions of the government.

Always easier to blame someone else and not your poor voting record.

 

[Quiet]

Isn't SS-109 steel core?

Yes and BATFE exempted M855/SS109 ammo from being AP handgun ammo.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I wonder what they will call it when a cop gets shot with some ss109.

 

[benEzra]

Isn't SS-109 steel core?

It is primarily lead core with a steel cap over the core to protect it from deformation, giving it a little more penetration at long range. The steel is not that hard, though, so it is not AP (the military considers it standard ball).

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I just learned something! I have never cut one open. Thanks!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Well thanks for answering the question guys. I learned a lot.

 

[MartinS]

"You can't really blame Olympic for the unconstitutional actions of the government."

I don't. I just blame them for being selfish and stupid.

 

[GAF]

I have never seen steel core ammo make a deeper crater than its non steel core counterpart ( In various harnesses of steel). The problem with the steel core is that it will bounce back at you when shot at steel that the bullet cannot go all the way through.

The ban on importation of 7.62X39 was bogus.

 

[MartinS]

Two types of steel core. One is a mild steel core used for economy, cheaper than lead. The other is a hardened steel core used in AP ammo. The ban banned both.

 

[Blackhawk30]

You can't really blame Olympic for the unconstitutional actions of the government.
Oh yes I can,this is why I've never purchased anything from Olympic.