Is there a test or criteria a bullet must meet to be classified as armor-piercing? And...do FMJ 5.56/.223 projectiles propelled at .223 Rem/5.56 X 45 velocities really meet the criteria???

Just asking out of ignorance on the subject.

Not sure if this is still valid:
"The definition of ap ammo is at 18 USC 921(a)(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.

(C) The term `armor piercing ammunition' does not include shotgun shot
required by Federal or State environmental or game regulations for hunting
purposes, a frangible projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile
which the Secretary finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting
purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the Secretary
finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge
used in an oil and gas well perforating device."

The current issue seems to be caused by the AR style pistols being sold chambered for .223/5/56
C.G.B.

Doc,

The ammo the BATFE wants banned is specifically made with a steel core to pierce armor.

It is Milsurp ammo.


.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921


From the federal code, "armor piercing ammunition" is defined thus:

(17)

(A) The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.



(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.


(C) The term “armor piercing ammunition” does not include shotgun shot required by Federal or State environmental or game regulations for hunting purposes, a frangible projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile which the Attorney General finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the Attorney General finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge used in an oil and gas well perforating device.
You can read the BATF letter asserting that they have the authority to ban this ammunition. The letter is a compilation of mischaracterizations and illogic. It starts out with the purpose of the law:

The M855 62gr penetrator ammo is not technically armor piercing. It was developed to be a more stable bullet on impact & not cause as much tissue damage as the 55gr bullet. It was also designed to penetrate a metal helmet.
It will only penetrate 3mm in steel plate where as the real 5.56 armor piercing ammo will penetrate to 12mm.
This is at least what I understand about the ss109/m855 ammo.

The M855 has a very small steel penetrator tip that is less than 20gr. The main composition is lead and copper. It is a poor performing AP round and is poor on soft targets as well.
I personally don't care for the ammo but I don't want to see the government banning the ammo. This is nothing more than a backdoor entry to ban firearms.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
(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 from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass , bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium;

So Barnes is banned?
And all the others who makes Africa solids?

The important bit is: (i) a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely from brass

Where a bullet is made from copper or cannot be used in a handgun, this definition does not apply.

The Barnes spitzer solids were halted a year or two ago for this reason- government BS. Last i heard, Barnes filed an appeal. Not sure why rifle bullets even got a restriction.

Ken, for a couple reasons. First understand that I am not for any ban. Reasons, because some idiot decided to turn an AR15 into a handgun. Because the 223 is a handgun round as well with the Encore and Contender. They still don't know really what to do with those.

Just my opinion.

I went shooting yesterday evening with a LE officer who is one of my parishioners. He flatly stated that law enforcement thinks its bs, as "any rifle round will go through the standard armor, and wearing the stuff that would stop a rifle round is hell."

That said, I agree with Larry, that because of some Maroon sawing off the recoil tube on an AR, and fitting a 7" barrel, and calling it a handgun, the Antis now have a reason to claim its armor piercing ammo.

Why give the Antis any more "ammo"?!

friar