Federal 45 auto, 230 grain, FMJ. The box does say Range-Target-Practice,,, but wondering why, technically, the disclaimer. Goes bang every time and makes a fairly large hole.

My guess would be because it is 230 grain FMJ. LE got away from FMJ and went to HP many years ago to avoid the issues of richochet and over penetration.

The answer above is possible, but it may also be LE ammunition contracts specify certain production and inspection protocols and this ammo didn't go through the process. I've seen 5.56 mm ammo boxes marked similarly.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I've seen this stuck on ammo lots that had demonstrated some defect that did not render the ammo unsafe, but might render it unreliable.

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Now go make God proud...

I first saw such notices on military .38 Special ammo produced during the 1960's. 130-grain FMJ-RN, actually pretty anemic stuff.

I figured they were trying to prevent pilfering of military ammo for civilian uses, maybe thieves would have some difficulty selling the ammo to local cops (yes, cops like a bargain when they can get it).

The .45ACP pistols provided excellent service through two world wars and a dozen other conflicts using 230-grain ball ammo. Most of my 1911-type pistols (1914 through 1945 production) are iffy at best with SWC or HP ammo, but perfectly reliable with ball ammo. As long as the ammo is proven to be 100% reliable in your pistol I see no reason not to use it for defensive purposes, especially if that is all you have on hand.

I used to buy ammo for my department before I retired. We issued 40 but allowed both 9 & 45, so I bought all three both duty and range ammo. We generally bought Federal American Eagle ball ammo for the range as our duty ammo was also federal. Sometimes, not always, ball ammo came marked "Not for LE use" because its not their premium ammo, its range ammo. We also authorized both .357 and .38 for for off duty but we specified the carry ammo. We did not allow ball or any non-hollow point ammo for carry.

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Support your Police, & NRA

So funny, it all depends on your locale, when I was a noob, we were issued .38 LSWC for duty, .38 HBWC for qualification. The older guys and white shirts often 'forgot' and left five or six wadcutters in thier weapon after qualifing since they shot softer. (I have seen the effects of target wadcutters on humans and would not hesitate to carry them.)
When the boneheads (oops meant bosses) decided to jump on the eurotrash (uh 9x19) bandwagon they specified fmj rounds. I don't know what was worse, the through and throughs, the spray and pray attitude facilitated by high capacity magazines or the anemic wounding effect of a round nose bullet design.

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Certified Curmudgeon

Likely originally purchased for an LEO contract, and then rejected for whatever reason (surplus, unacceptable, whatever). Wholesaler packages it and sells it to you.

Alternatively, marked as such because it didn't meet the "FBI standard" for expansion/penetration (naturally, because it's nonexpanding ball ammo). I can't remember ever seeing it on any boxes I've bought, but I've only bought a few boxes of factory ammo in my life.

Here's a better explanation:
Not for law enforcement use | The View From North Central Idaho

Thanks for all the responses,,, great forum here.

I wonder if it has anything to do with tax-exempt status?

I was under the impression that some LE ammo is exempt from certain taxes when sold to a LE agency.

I've seen plenty of Federal 5.56 marked "Not For Duty Use". It was explained to me that was because the ammo did not meet certain standards. Not sure what it did NOT meet because I was told it met velocity standard. Maybe cosmetic?

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Make it to a price point. As long as it goes bang and leaves the gun it's OK

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Forum consigliere

I much prefer the ammo boxes that say "For law enforcement use only".

Like my two boxes of 147gr. Hydra-Shok +P+ in 38spl, and my two boxes of 124gr. HST +P in 9mm.

That's the good stuff.

Got a couple boxes of CCI 9mm HP @ a gun show 10yrs ago- they were bulk boxes of 250 Didn't have any problems.

Where on the box is the info printed on? Is it part of the actual printing on the box or is it stamped onto the box?

Federal's RTP is just basic commercial range ammo, so it's surprising that this ammo would be marked with anything similar to "not for LE use".

This was no add-on stamp,,, was printed on the box with all the other info.

Don't you just hate it when somebody has actually done the research and pretty much ends the speculation?

My theory was that the LE ammo had to go through a higher level of quality control, and/or might be a bit hotter.

Poof! Another balloon burst.