Is the BAT bullet still around?

F

FUD

Moderator
About two decades ago (when pistols did not feed hollowpoints that well) a company (forgot the name) came out with the "Balistic Action Trama" (BAT) bullet which would feed like a FMJ round. I bought two hundred rounds back them (they weren't cheap), fired off a couple of magazines and put the rest away for a home emergency situation.

Just curious if they can still be purchased (if so, WHERE) and how they would compare in stopping power to modern bullets? Neither Marshall & Sanow or the Fackerites make any reference to them.

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
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[This message has been edited by FUD (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
Hello. I still have a box or two of it sitting around. I don't recall the exact figures, but Marshall and Sanow don't rate it any better than more readily available 9mm high performance ammo. It is not in the same league as the stuff from CorBon and Triton.
I think, but am not sure, that they rate it about 86% OSS. Testing it years ago, it gave decent accuracy and expanded in various wet media, but I was concerned about the nose plug that flies from the line of trajectory in the event that one had to make a "rescue" shot or fire in close proximity to someone not needing to be shot. The BAT does take a bigger plug out of rubber tires, but that's about all I could find it to excell at other than feeding which you mentioned. I've not seen any of it commercially for a long time.
Best.
 
I thought it was "Blitz Action Trauma" and it was based on the same principal as the Glaser Safety Slug. Somehow I think the Glaser has more jury appeal . . .
 
The MEN 'Quick Defense' and Geco 'Action Safety' (aka 'BAT') were designed to duplicate the external profile of a standard ball (FMJ) projectile for feeding reliability while retaining the terminal advantages of an expanding projectile. The brass projectiles were formed with a hollow-point cavity; however, the openings were covered by different means. The 'Action Safety' used a polymer nose cap, which was ejected by propellant gases passing through a vent drilled through the axis of the projectile. The 'Quick Defense' used a thin metal fairing over the hollow-point. Upon impact with flesh, the fairing was intended to collapse into the hollow-point cavity, which would then expand as normal. The projectiles of the 9x19mm 'Quick Defense' and 'Action Safety' both weighed in at 86 grains, giving velocities in the range of 1300-1400 fps. Worldwide, the 'Action Safety' was probably the most popular; however in Germany, the 'Quick Defense' was reportedly used by the Bundesgrenzchutz.

The name 'Blitz Action Trauma' was given by the US importer of the Geco 'Action Safety'. However, the brass construction of both designs causes them to run afoul of legislation intended to ban projectiles capable of defeating soft body armor, such as the purpose-designed THV and KTW. The 'Action Safety' is still available in the US for LE/government purchase through Old Western Scrounger.


[This message has been edited by Daniel Watters (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
I have not seen any in about 6 or 7 years now but I heard that they can still be had... for $80-100 per box of 50 rounds. Fortunately my friend and I still have about 10 boxes each. We kept them to use as carry/self defense ammo in any 9mm pistols which are not reliable with HP bullets.
 
The original BAT/GAS bullet was constructed either of solid brass or bronze, which Watters stated was outlawed by the 1986 cop killer bullet law. Shortly thereafter a new version was offered that was made of solid copper.

------------------
/s/ Shawn Dodson
Firearms Tactical Institute
http://www.firearmstactical.com
 
You mean these (whoops, those) are illegal?
Please advise so I will know if I still have a few boxes. They are/were very accurate and the tip flew off and was harmless after about 15 yds.

Seriously, are these considered cop killers? I have been using as carry rounds as in the BHP they weigh about the same as an empty mag.
 
To the best of my knowledge you're not breaking any federal law by possessing or loading your gun with the old version of the BAT. The 1986 law banned new production handgun ammunition constructed of certain "hard" metals that "could" perforate soft body armor at typical handgun velocities. I believe it also enhanced the penalty for criminal misuse of cop killer bullets made from these metals. You might want to investigate state and local laws just in case.

------------------
/s/ Shawn Dodson
Firearms Tactical Institute
http://www.firearmstactical.com
 
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