The big difference between standard ammo VS "Law Enforcement ammo"

[unionblue19]

I'm wondering what the major differences between LE ammo only and standard off the shelf bullets.

 

[rockhopper46038]

Sometimes just the price and the label

Sometimes they load it a little hotter.

 

[XtremeVel]

The big difference I see many times is the ammo packaged for LE is in boxes of 50 priced not too much more than the equal in boxes of 20.

 

[45fan]

Sometimes the price is the only difference. Sometimes the LE ammo is a more current design of that bullet. Depending on your source, it could be older stock that has been bought back from an agency that is changing calibers/ammo type.

 

[elwoodward]

how about this left side it LE right is off shelf
50 rnds | 20 rnds
lower cost | same cost 30 less rnds
brass cased | nickle case
plain box | more consumer visual box

 

[rustygunner]

Normally the only difference is LE ammunition comes packaged 50 to a box vs. 20-25 for the consumer stuff. As far as I know, that's generally true for most loads that are not sold to LE exclusively.
You can save a few dollars by purchasing the LE packaged ammunition.

 

[builder_one]

Also, the LE ammo will very likely use a low flash powder for low light shooting. This isn't always a guarantee with" civilian" available ammunition. Personal experience with Winchester Ranger T's and Fiocchi FMJ's at dusk, the Winchester was a very dim orange flash while the Fiocchi was a very bright yellow flash. I can see how this would be a large distraction.

 

[EPD1102]

Sometimes just the price and the label

Sometimes they load it a little hotter.

This is sometimes right but sometimes it's loaded lower such as the case with Federal reduced-recoil slugs that used to only be available as a LE round.

Everything that has been posted so far is sometimes true.

 

[K_W]

Unless it has changed, Federal's newest Hydra-Shok bullet (HST) is LE only per Federal's policies and is not loaded in any commercial ammo.

 

[TaunTaun]

Unless it has changed, Federal's newest Hydra-Shok bullet (HST) is LE only per Federal's policies and is not loaded in any commercial ammo.

Is that why I can never find any at the store? We making Federal want to sell them?

 

[TaunTaun]

Straight from Fed's website:

Load No
Caliber
Bullet Weight
Grains
Bullet Style
Brand
Use


P40HS1
40 S&W
180
Hydra-Shok® JHP
Premium® Personal Defense®



Compare
P40HS2
40 S&W
155
Hydra-Shok® JHP
Premium® Personal Defense®



Compare
P40HS3
40 S&W
165
Hydra-Shok® JHP
Premium® Personal Defense®



Compare
PD40HS4H
40 S&W
135
Hydra-Shok® JHP
Premium® Personal Defense®



Compare


Is there some supersecret squirrel ammo that only LEOs can get?

 

[45fan]

Actually yes, LE ammo is the only way Federal sells their 185gr hydrashok in 45 acp +P. It isnt always the easiest to find, so when I do find it in stock somewhere, I pick up as much as I can.

 

[K_W]

Is there some supersecret squirrel ammo that only LEOs can get?

The stuff you are referencing is not HST.

Id show the difference but I'm on my phone in Nowhere, Indiana at the moment.

 

[TaunTaun]

The stuff you are referencing is not HST.

Id show the difference but I'm on my phone in Nowhere, Indiana at the moment.

Not hyrda shok? Now you've got my attention. I'd like to know where I'm in error on this...

 

[cordex]

How about excise tax payments? Isn't LEO ammo exempt?

 

[K_W]

There is...

Vital Shock
Hi-Shock
Hyrda-Shock
and
Hydra-Shock Tactical

Hydra-Shock Tactical (HST) is the one they sell onlly to LE.

One of the ones you are looking for is P40HST2.


Here...
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/produ...s-40-sw-federal-le-tactical-hst-155gr-hp-ammo

 

[TaunTaun]

Has anyone done any looking to compare Hyrda-Shok (HS) or Hi Shok Tactical (HST) with EFMJ?

Had one of the Midwest Gun Exchange guys recommending some EFMJ over anything else recently...