legal question - AP ammo

[benogil]

Hypothetically speaking. Texas handgun law specifically forbids handgun AP ammo. Fine, I don't have any THV ammo.
But, let's say someone had a pistol in the 7.62x25 caliber, and had the Czech M48 ( steel core ) ammo for it. Now, given that AP and pistol ammo really don't belong in the same sentence, how does anyone interpret the legality of possessing steel core pistol ammo in Texas?

 

[codygjohnson]

If it hasn't been determined to be AP ammo by the BATFE, the DOJ or whoever makes the big decisions, then it's not AP ammo. Most steel core ammo is mild steel and not considered AP ammo.

 

[Texas1911]

If it hasn't been determined to be AP ammo by the BATFE, the DOJ or whoever makes the big decisions, then it's not AP ammo. Most steel core ammo is mild steel and not considered AP ammo.

Most steel core ammunition is comprised of more than just steel. If the core is solid steel, brass, tungsten, etc. then it is considered AP. If it has a second metal like lead in the case of 5.56 green tip, then it is considered non-AP.

 

[benogil]

Probably this fits the definition of non - AP, as it has a steel core, but a lead portion surrounding it.

 

[IXLR8]

Is this considered AP?
Lake City 5.56 M855 62gr 300rd Bulk Pack - This is XM855F3 62 FMJ with steel core penatrator. Brass is marked LC 09 with NATO headstamp.

 

[codygjohnson]

Is this considered AP?

No.

 

[robocop10mm]

Even if the M-855 ammo was AP, it still would not be illegal in Texas as Texas prohibits armor piercing HANDGUN ammunition. Steel core, black tip, AP 30-06 is perfectly legal in Texas because it is rifle ammunition.

As far as the steel core 7.62 X 25 ammo, I do not believe they can import this anymore. It "might" get you charged if it is steel core (even if it is mild steel).

 

[Texas42]

Even if the M-855 ammo was AP, it still would not be illegal in Texas as Texas prohibits armor piercing HANDGUN ammunition. Steel core, black tip, AP 30-06 is perfectly legal in Texas because it is rifle ammunition.

As far as the steel core 7.62 X 25 ammo, I do not believe they can import this anymore. It "might" get you charged if it is steel core (even if it is mild steel).

If you had ATF classified AP .223 in an AR pistol, that would be illegal, right?

I'm just curious. I wonder how that stuff would perform in such a short barrel.

 

[thorkyl]

Texas Statute on AP ammo

AP ammo is defined as;

(12) "Armor-piercing ammunition" means handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the purpose of penetrating metal or body

armor

and to be used principally in pistols and revolvers.

From chapter 46
PENAL CODE   CHAPTER 46. WEAPONS

Sec. 46.05. PROHIBITED WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs, or sells1) an explosive weapon;
(2) a machine gun;
(3) a short-barrel firearm;
(4) a firearm silencer;
(5) a switchblade knife;
(6) knuckles;
(7) armor-piercing ammunition;
(8) a chemical dispensing device; or
(9) a zip gun.

223 is a rifle round, primarily used in rifles
I would have to say that 223 AP is just like 762 nato AP in that they are not "used principally in pistols and revolvers"

 

[Eli]

IIRC it was to ban KTWs, tungsten, teflon-coated, etc.

Eli

 

[SIG_Fiend]

As if teflon coating even does anything for penetration other than look "evil" because of the whole Black Talon ordeal. lol

 

[Wolfwood]

brass jacket tungsten carbide bullets with diamond doped titanium penetrators.




dont ask.
that was a shiner black induced idea

 

[Eli]

As if teflon coating even does anything for penetration other than look "evil" because of the whole Black Talon ordeal. lol

Talons weren't Teflon coated, they were (and SXT still is) moly coated. The bans date to the mid 80s or earlier, well before Black Talons.

Eli

 

[benogil]

I thought it was targeted at thv's.

 

[robocop10mm]

The ban pre-dates the THV's. KTW was true AP ammo. Marketed to LE only. Very few made it to "the wrong hands" and no officer has ever been killed by "AP" ammo penetrating his body armor, so much for the "cop killer" bullets. The KTW is readily identifiable as the teflon coating on the bullets was key lime green. It went away when Dupont stopped supplying the teflon to the maker because of media pressure.

Even if you have M-855/SS-109 ammo in an AR pistol, you still do not have a problem as it is not AP. It is "enhanced penetration" ammo. The majority of the bullet mass is lead.