Are armor piercing rounds legal for civilians?

A: Yes. Under federal law it is perfectly legal to make, sell and purchase “armor-piercing” ammunition as long as you have the proper licensing.

What defines armor piercing ammo?

The GCA defines “armor piercing ammunition” as: “(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.

Why does armor piercing matter more than bullets?

That’s because, when it comes to steel armor, velocity matters quite a bit more than bullet construction. Then there is the military definition of “armor piercing” which is pretty much any ammunition designed to meet a standard in perforating a particular type of armor at a specified distance.

How does bullet design affect armor penetration?

Although bullet design is an important factor with regard to armor penetration, the ability of any given projectile to penetrate ballistic armor increases with increasing velocity. Rifle cartridges typically discharge bullets at higher muzzle velocity than handgun cartridges due to larger propellant charge.

Why is armor piercing ammo banned for guns?

It’s important to note that armor piercing (AP) ammunition is not banned for rifles but for handguns. The primary goal of the law was to prevent the manufacture and use of handgun ammunition that could penetrate the soft body-armor of law enforcement officers.

What is the difference between armor piercing ammo and hollow point ammo?

In summary, armor-piercing ammo and hollow-points have the opposite effect when applied to handgun bullets — one increases stopping power at the expense of penetration, and the gains penetration at the expense of stopping power. Armor piercing rounds today are manufactured one of two ways.