9mm SMG Ammo

[nklf]

A friend of my has some 9mm +P+ ammo that he got some years back in a deal with a SMG. Supposedly it is driving a 124gr bullet at 1450 fps and is for SMGs only.

The boxes are marked "50 ROUNDS 9 mm BALL L7A1". Below the description is a circle with a vertical line and horizontal line intersecting in the center and a black dot the same size as the circle.

Does anyone know what this ammo is and what it is worth in the current market? He has over 1100 rounds.

 

[slimshady]

What is the headstamp? Could be this stuff. AFAIK in a carbine or SMG it works OK, used to be popular among SMG owners. Too hot for most handguns though.

"Department of the Treasury
ATF Office of Public Information

For Immediate Release FY-97-6
Contact: Vickie Saunders Date: November 7, 1996

HAZARDOUS AMMUNITION

Washington--The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has been advised by Hirtenberger AG, Hirtenberg, Austria, that certain 9Xl9 mm
caliber ammunition produced by Hirtenberger is unsafe for use in any handgun.

The ammunition, designated L7A1 and produced ln the years 1990 through 1992, was produced for the British Ministry of Defense specifically for use in submachineguns under adverse conditions. The ammunition was loaded to produce pressures far in excess of that intended for use in handguns.

The manufacturer advises that up to 12 million rounds of this ammunition has recently been sold on the world surplus market. The ammunition can be identified by the following head stamp located on the bottom of the cartridge case

12 O'clock position: HP
3 O'clock position: 90, 91, or 92
6 O'clock position: L7Al
9 O'clock position: the marking of a cross within a circle

This ammunition should not be fired.

We are not aware of any of this ammunition being imported into the United States. ATF will take action to prevent the commercial importation of this
ammunition.

For additional information, contact, Mary Jo Hughes, Chief, Firearms and
Explosives Imports, (202) 927-8320. "

 

[tommygun2000]

Its Hirtenberger 9mm subgun ammo. it was around several years ago @ $116.00+- per can from several vendors. I bought mine back then from Ammunitionstore.com in Ohio back then.

I've fired thousands of them through my Uzis and its probably the best performing 9mm subgun ammo that was ever around. It is hot stuff.

Not recommended for pistols, although I've also fired in Ruger P85 and P89 with no ill effects. Shoots almost flat @ 100yds.

Value? Its worth what ever someone will pay for it as its not available from any vendors anymore.

Many people put away a bunch of it as "rainy day ammo" and small stashes of it pop up for sale every once in a while.

It should have a red primer sealer on it.

Get all you can if its offered reasonably priced.

 

[nklf]

Thanks Tommygun. My friend got this years ago and was told "it is highly desirable". He is not really interested in selling, but was curious what it was bringing in the current market. I told him it was not bringing that much of a premium but said I would post here and see what the experts say. Like a lot of us he keeps some ammo stashed away for a rainy day, political unrest or SHTF. If anyone wants to PM me I will pass on contact info, but he is not a motivated seller, just curious.

 

[tommygun2000]

You're Welcome!