Ammo : What's The Difference?

[FUD]

I've noticed ammo labeled "Law Enforcement Only" (Winchester Ranger, their 'subsonic' line, etc.). Exactly what is the difference?

In my training, it was explained to me to use the best stopping round possible (hollowpoint VS FMJ, etc.) because there will be less chance of killing someone ... The theory is that if one hollowpoint will stop someone, it might two or three or more FMJs to do the same thing. The only difference is that now you've put more holes in the BG and there's a greatly likelihood that he could die from his injuries.

Assuming that way of thinking is correct, why don't civilians have access to the best ammo available?

FUD

Share what you know & learn what you don't

 

[johnwill]

I'm not sure that we don't have access to most of the same ammo. I've never seen anything that LEO's have that I can't get at the local gunshow. I know that some of the +P+ rounds are labeled LEO, but I don't want that for my gun anyway. If I feel the need for +P+, I'll just carry a larger caliber.

 

[FUD]

John, I'm not saying that I want "LE Ammo Only". I'm just asking why this category even exists? Why not allow everyone to be armed with the most effective stopping power ammo? Going back to my original statement of using less bullets to stop someone and there not have to put that many holes in a BG.

 

[Matt VDW]

In the case of high pressure (9mm and .38 Special +P+) ammo, the manufacturer will label it "Law Enforcement Only" to avoid being sued by someone who might injure himself by using it in a weak firearm. The idea is that the police departments who buy it sign a liability waiver and the "LE Only" label should keep it from reaching the retail market.

In the case of Winchester Ranger, this is a slightly modified and renamed version of the Black Talon. Winchester (Olin) pulled it from general distribution to defuse the media frenzy over it being "excessively lethal".

And then in some cases, I think the "LE Only" designation is just a marketing ploy to convince police departments that they're getting something "special".

 

[LIProgun]

Some of it is likely just marketing. That is, a way of appealing to law enforcement agency purchasers.

Some of it certainly has to do with the use of +P+ ammo, and liability. That is, there is no SAAMI spec for .38 Special +P+ or 9x19mm +P+ ammo. Since there is no spec, the company loading the ammo uses its judgment, or a specific request from a law enforcement agency, for the performance criteria. Obviously the potential liability for civilians using potenially overpressure ammo is greater than law enforcement agencies, who specifically request (or requisition) such ammo. Labelling it "Law Enforcement Only" could be a defense against a non-LEO's claim of injury or property damage caused by using such ammo.

Another reason is specific to Olin/Winchester, who voluntarily pulled the Black Talon line from non-LEO sale after all of the adverse publicity. Now called "Ranger," the BT bullet, with its "claws," is limited to LEOs, and a "declawed version" is offered to non-LEOs as "SXT" ammo. This way Olin can say to critics that it does not market such "controversial" to the general public.

 

[Jeff, CA]

Can you say "elitism"?

A while back I was looking for a sizeable quantity of #00 buckshot for a shotgun class. One of my local dealers told me he could sell me 5-round boxes of brand A, or, if I had authorization on "department letterhead", he could sell me the same thing in 25-round boxes.

It's a gun-control law (or policy) - it's not supposed to make sense (particulary considering that I ended up getting the 50-round white box of Federals at a local gun show for a lot less).