http://www.thegunzone.com/black-talon.html Absolutely the best article on the subject I have ever read.
I don't think the rumor that they are armor piercing helped any. Just wondering since I worked for a Class III dealer back in MD and he bought a stash and I got some in 9mm, .40, and .45 when I had the chance. I used to have one that mushroomed perfectly after shooting into some soaked phone books. Wish I had it to take a picture of it. That's what I'm currently carrying as well.
I don't know of any such ammo restrictions in GA. Winchester pulled them for marketing and legal reasons, but if you can find Ranger SXT it is the same stuff. It is my understanding that New Jersey doesn't allow expanding ammo.
Why? They prefer ammo that goes through walls and vests? I guess for Jersey that makes sense. Kind of a crowd control.
I'm not an LEO (yet) and I've been carrying Ranger in my carry weapon for 2 months now. The key is not the legality of possessing it (anyone can). The key is finding a shop that will sell it to you. If you really want a box, PM me and next time I'm down in Hinesville at Mission Essential I'll pick up a box. I can meet halfway from wherever (preferably near a range ) and exchange it.
It's marked that way, but it's not illegal for non-LEO to have. Winchester usually only ships it to cop shops though, but it can be found with a little looking.
The Talons just got bad publicity because a couple of crazies used them in shootings and the press took it from there. If you want Ranger SXTs try Classic in Chicamauga, Ga. They usually have some in and they have good prices on ammo and guns.
Absolutely not! I've been carrying 180gr .40cal Ranger-Ts for four years now. There is no (Georgia) state or federal law that restricts civilian use of ammunition that is marked "Law Enforcement Only."
Excatly nvsble, the "Drive-by Media" put it out that the black coating on the Talons was "teflon armor piercing" and that was the end of it. You can tell I'm a "Ditto-head," can't you, with the "Drive-by Media" reference?
I can get some Rangers if I want them. I have a box of US Treasury Department 38 +P+ controlled expansion JHP's I got from a Secret Service Agent I'm friends with - talk about a kick. Not bad for a little 38.
I have some Winchester Western Division ammo for .38 special. It says on the box "Super X High Velocity 150 Gr Metal Piercing Cartridges" The muzzle velocity stated on the box is 1065 ft/sec and 377 ft lbs of energy. I am not sure what year these were made, but it is a box of 50 cartridges with a price of $5.73 written on it.
You can get regular Winchester SXT's those are about the same as Black Talons. I carry them in my .38. They aren't really "evil" or anything... they are just really sharp and tend to cut through gloves and such when the ME is doing an autopsy and digging out the bullet. Not good with a lot of perps having diseases. There are rounds that expand a lot better and do more damage. They were just dumb enough to call it something that sounds really bad and has the above mentioned criteria. These guys have much better ammo. http://www.extremeshockusa.com/