The SS 90 Bullet was discontinued and replaced by the SS190 bullet in about 1991. The SS 190 is composed of a steel jacket, a steel tip like the one used in the NATO 5.56mm bullet, and an aluminum core. This replaced the plastic core and the steel jacket of the SS 90. The outer shape of the bullet was changed and the bullet was seated deeper into the case in order to reduce the overall length of the round by 3mm.


The weight increased from about 1.5 grams to 2 grams, so the velocity was reduced from about 850 m/s to 715 m/s. The modified round required only a minor change to the P90 magazine, and to the rifling (9" in place of 7" twist.) These changes were motivated by :

a) the requirement to penetrate the NATO CRISAT target composed of 1.6mm of titanium plus 20 layers of Kevlar.    The SS 90 was effective against kevlar, but limited if hard plates were added.

b) the need to reduce the length for use in pistols, the SS 90 made the pistol grip too long.

c) the trajectory of the SS 90 in soft tissue was curved and unpredictable.    The new bullet is more accurate, penetrates the CRISAT target at over 150 meters and has a more predictable effect in soft tissue.  



The AP bullet with sabot was abandoned due to cost and to difficulties with accuracy.    In the present range we have the SS 190 ball, L191 tracer, the Sb 193 subsonic and the T 194 training (soft core for indoor ranges).