The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

Does 9x18 Silver Bear hollow point ammo have a steel core like their fmj? Indoor range here doesn't allow steel core ammo. But Bear hollow point ammo is still much cheaper than other brands.
Good shooting to all, Nightwatch.

Steel core in any pistol round is ILLEGAL. Considered armor piercing. Perfectly okay in rifles...

To answer your question, all the bear ammo for pistols is a strange bi-metal jacket meaning it's some form of steel / copper jacketing. You can put a magnet up to the bullet itself and it will stick. Lots of ranges will prohibit this ammo as well. If they ask what you're shooting, just tell them 9mm... Seriously though, if you want to be legit then get something like Sellier & Bellot or other commercial grade ammo.

Magnet trick isn't always reliable. And not all steel core ammo is truly "Armor Piercing". the 7.62x39 Steel Core that Norinco sold in the US awhile back wasn't truly armor piercing, although the same sensationalists that call stock SKS's "assault weapons" would have you think so. If you've ever seen the difference between what "steel core" ammo results are versus true military production dedicated armor piercing rounds can do you'd know what the difference is. This from me a Desert Storm Veteran and avid collector/shooter of milsurp.