Why won't SSA sell 6.8 AP to the public?

[maximus83]

I've been checking out the 6.8 options again lately, and was looking at SSA's ammo. On the AP options, it says they only sell it to Mil/LE agencies. When I called, the answer is that they do this because that is the law. When I asked about specifics (which state reg, etc.), I could not get an answer.

Not trying to give SSA a hard time, I'm just curious, because I thought that there was actually no prohibition on public purchases of AP ammo in general (though I realize certain STATES probably have such prohibitions, but SSA is in Nevada).

Does anybody know what's up with this, and why they're doing it?

[maximus83]

Found a potential answer on a thread in TOS. Someone who sounds like they are from SSA writes: "SSA makes AP'S (tungsten core) under our type 10 license. We can only sell to government agencies, testing lab's or for export with State department approval." Etc.

I guess if the information presented in that thread is accurate, there is sort of a inconsistency by which public individuals are able to buy, own, sell, and use AP, but manufacturers are NOT allowed to sell directly to public. I did not know about the last part, the limitations on manufacturers. So, I guess the SSA policy on their site makes sense.

[40Arpent]

Given the overly litigious nature of our society, I wouldn't sell AP ammo to the public either, lawful or not.

[E53001]

i know its illegal to sell in Oregon, but you can own it if you buy it from somewhere else, weird i know, its like the whole Balisong knifes, we can buy them in a public SHOPPING MALL but illegal to carry... go figure

[dbrowne1]

I don't know all the details offhand, but in essence there is a federal ban on "handgun" ammunition that is armor piercing, and there is a definition of what that means based upon materials used in the projectile. This is why you can buy AP 30.06, .50BMG, and rifle calibers for which handguns aren't made - but not AP ammo in other calibers, including 5.56mm, for which pistols are made.

I can only assume that somebody out there makes a "pistol" in 6.8 and that is why it's categorized as AP that can be sold only to LE/Mil. If you dig a little you can probably find out.

[khc3]

Sec. 478.37 Manufacture, importation and sale of armor piercing ammunition.

No person shall manufacture or import, and no manufacturer or
importer shall sell or deliver, armor piercing ammunition, except:
(a) The manufacture or importation, or the sale or delivery by any
manufacturer or importer, of armor piercing ammunition for the use of
the United States or any department or agency thereof or any State or
any department, agency or political subdivision thereof;
(b) The manufacture, or the sale or delivery by a manufacturer or
importer, of armor piercing ammunition for the purpose of exportation;
or
(c) The sale or delivery by a manufacturer or importer of armor
piercing ammunition for the purposes of testing or experimentation as
authorized by the Director under the provisions of Sec. 478.149.

[T.D. ATF-270, 53 FR 10494, Mar. 31, 1988]


Sec. 478.11 Meaning of terms.

Armor piercing ammunition. Projectiles or projectile cores which may
be used in a handgun and which are 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 full jacketed projectiles 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. The term
does not include shotgun shot required by Federal or State environmental
or game regulations for hunting purposes, frangible projectiles designed
for target shooting, projectiles which the Director finds are primarily
intended to be used for sporting purposes, or any other projectiles or
projectile cores which the Director finds are intended to be used for
industrial purposes, including charges used in oil and gas well
perforating devices.

[TOrrock]

I can only assume that somebody out there makes a "pistol" in 6.8 and that is why it's categorized as AP that can be sold only to LE/Mil. If you dig a little you can probably find out.

You nailed it.

All it takes is for someone to make a barrel for a T/C Encore in 6.8mm, or an AR pistol in 6.8mm and that then catagorizes 6.8mm SPC as a handgun caliber, in which case AP ammo is illegal for civillians.

[khc3]

You nailed it.

All it takes is for someone to make a barrel for a T/C Encore in 6.8mm, or an AR pistol in 6.8mm and that then catagorizes 6.8mm SPC as a handgun caliber, in which case AP ammo is illegal for civillians.

To clarify, it is illegal for civilians to buy from a licensee.

It is not illegal for a civilian to make his own.

[crenca]

Here is a pistol in 6.8:

http://www.robarm.com/Forthcoming_Products.htm

scroll down about half way...

[TOrrock]

Here is a pistol in 6.8:

http://www.robarm.com/Forthcoming_Products.htm

scroll down about half way...

Fan****ingtastic......just like Olympic Arms in the late 80's that made 5 of their AR pistols in 7.62x39mm and got all that Chinese steel core ammo made contraband.