Ask Ian: .223 vs 5.56 and "Military Grade Ammo" (ad-free)

Finn Calmer Jessen

Same with danish AMA 9mm. It is loaded for submachine gun use, and should not be used in handguns. In the danish Home Guard we were prohibited from shooting AMA in the '80s. Swedish ammo was bought for pistol use.

Derek Putley

My personal experience with British issue 9mm ammunition was that it seemed to be loaded hotter than standard commercial 9mm, unless it was stamped 'pistol use only' or words to that effect.

JacksonCZ

MilSprec = low bidder At least it did when I was in the Navy Disheartening when it's on the life jackets

Reed Gregory

I’ve heard a bunch of crazy views about this subject even in gun shops

Michal

Thanks for answering my question!

Robert Rowe

Unless it's a cost plus contract for a USN ship or USAF aerospace system... Then it's built by the best connected contractors at the highest price + "creative accounting" over run co$ts. If it's for the army, low bid for anything actually ISSUED. For blue sky weapons systems, development goes to same class as big USN/USAF go fast stuff- then, a few billion$ in sunk development co$its later, cancel that program and issue those guys a trapdoor Springfield or such. If it's for the USMC, they can £u¿¡ng hold a bake sale or ask their mom.

Guido Schriewer

7,62x54R would be a great example. as 44-40 or 45colt with handguns. on old guns. 223/556 is much newer, of course. right caliber for gun is a jungle for newbies though. absolutely.

Daniel Ketchum

I thought some of the new military cartridges (M855A1, I think there may have been another too?) was higher pressure and known for breaking bolts and wearing out barrels particularly quickly. I agree that typical M193/M855 spec stuff is fine in anything.

EyeBall

While it is amazing that this question keeps arising, your discussion regarding SAAMI standard versus US military development is insightful.

David K. Jernigan

Surplus ammo made for sub machine guns is allegedly loaded to higher pressures, or has harder primer cups.

David K. Jernigan

Then there is the 38 auto, 38 super, 38 super+ saga where the 38 super keeps getting a name change with no change to the cartridge in attempt to prevent people from shooting it in guns chambered in 38 automatic.

Jerry Harkins

Guess my stockpile of old world AK ammo isn’t worth anymore than the regular stuff, damn. I’ll let the stalkers know…

Sometimes the military ammunition has crimped primers or primer and bullet sealants that are not usually found in civilian ammunition.

Mike DePolis

Thank you for shedding light on the truth of this. I've had this discussion with several people that held the misconceptions you talked about in here. You live up to your nickname again!

Sonny Hughes

Having worked in the defense industry for a very long time, I can certainly attest to the fact that "military grade" does most often mean "built by the lowest bidder."