Tee_Edwards & Seph:
The Steyr pistol you're referring to is intended for Law Enforcement use only. The cartridge is also for use in a sub-machinegun. The "armor-piercing" aspect of the cartridge refers to body armor (ballistic vests), as opposed to, say, 1/4" steel plate.
The BATF ruling is in concert with world-wide governmental efforts to create a new generation of firearms and high-lethality ammunition that are restricted from civilian ownership and/or use. The arguement in support of this is that "criminals are using better weapons, so the 'authorities' need an advantage". Of course, and by definition, criminals don't obey laws; and regularly avail themselves of banned items through theft, extortion, or financial incentive if it serves their purposes.
The exact same "reasoning" has been historically advanced to justify harsh (including death) sentences for the possession of the long bow, broad sword, crossbow, katana, chain mail and medieval armor, and (for the "modern world"
automatic weopons. And, historically, any "advantage" generally evaporates after a relatively short period of time.
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As to the original topic:
EAA .45 ACP Witness Compact - I can double-tap a .45 with a fair degree of accuracy, but I never understood why I should use two 115 gr 9mm slugs when one 230 gr .45 ACP will get the job done . . . and
Beretta 96 (.40 S&W) with Meprolite tritium sights
- OR -
Taurus PT-101 (.40 S&W) with standard adjusable sights
For those who are unfamiliar with them, the Beretta and Taurus are physically identical, with minor internal differences. Taurus, a Brazilian company, manufactured the Beretta (Italian) design under license; and then gradually evolved their own product line in various popular calibers (they had a .40 S&W available before Beretta did).
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