The difference between using a projectile made from either hardened steel or tungsten carbide depends on the demands of the mission requirements and its parameters. In many instances, this is improved upon by using a projectile constructed of a hardened metal or something like tungsten carbide. Most jacketed high-velocity ammunition is armor piercing by the nature of the round’s velocity, whether it is labeled as such or not. Although armor piercing handgun ammunition does exist, it is not the norm.Īs mentioned previously, AP ammo behaves as such based on different characteristics of the round of ammunition in question. The velocity is the main drawback here as very few handgun cartridges are capable of generating the velocity needed. This evolution continues in the twenty-first century.Īs a side note, handgun ammunition is usually not made to penetrate armor. Throughout the twentieth century, armor piercing ammunition was constantly being upgraded in order to defeat personal body armor or flak jackets, metal vehicles and armored vehicles such as tanks or APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers) as new technology and metallurgy became available. By World War 1, ammunition was being developed to combat the armor on tanks and metal vehicles. Ammunition would be modified to meet this challenge.Īs warships were fitted with iron plating in the 19 th century, projectiles such as cannon balls were designed to defeat this armor. Suits of armor were made so thick and heavy that knights had to be lowered onto their horses using a crane and bigger horses were needed to carry such knights into battle.Įventually, the armored knight declined on the battlefield and gave way to cannons and muskets, but it would only be a matter of time until armor would make a comeback. Ironically, the use of gunpowder in cannons on the battlefield began the downfall of metal armor in warfare. SBR manufactures several types of AP ammunition using either hardened steel or tungsten carbide as the core of the projectile.Ī Brief History of Armor Piercing Ammunition Armor Piercing (AP) ammo refers to ammunition that will penetrate steel or armor based on the construction of the bullet, its profile and its velocity.
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