Winchester wins Army 9mm ammo contract

[GunnyGene]

I wonder if this will effect the civilian market (positive or negative)? Includes fmj & jhp.

Winchester has been awarded as the ammunition supplier for the U.S. Army Modular Handgun System (MHS) program, considered one of the most important military handgun contracts in recent history. Winchester will supply Full Metal Jacket and Special Purpose ammunition in support of the MHS program.

“This is a significant opportunity for Winchester to continue its steadfast support of the U.S. military, just as we have for decades,” said Brett Flaugher, President of Winchester Ammunition. “We are honored to work with SIG SAUER as part of the MHS contract.”

On January 19, 2017, it was announced that SIG SAUER would be the next supplier of pistols for the United States Army, replacing the M9 pistol, which had been in service members’ holsters since the mid-1980s. Winchester, a current provider of ammunition to the U.S. government, collaborated with SIG SAUER in supplying ammunition for the rigorous MHS testing. The testing began in August, 2015.

“Partnering with Winchester to provide the U.S. Military with the Modular Handgun System is a point of pride for each and every employee of SIG SAUER,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc. “Winchester has a long history of supporting our service members, and we are honored to collaborate with them on this project.”

More: https://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2017/03/03/winchester-seizes-major-army-handgun-ammunition-contract/

 

[Clovishound]

I hope the ammo they supply the military is better than the rimfire and primers I have gotten from them over the last few years.

I saw a thread where some folks had some WWB in 9mm that had some roll crimped rounds in the box. Very dangerous.

 

[GunnyGene]

I hope the ammo they supply the military is better than the rimfire and primers I have gotten from them over the last few years.

Whether they do or not depends on several factors. How well they control every step of the manufacturing process, how much destructive testing they do on the lots (sampling), and how much money they spend on doing both of those things. Some of that will be stipulated by the DoD in the contract and will drive the costs of production. If they won the contract based on lowest price, then DoD may not get anything of higher quality then you can buy at WalMart.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I wonder if this will effect the civilian market (positive or negative)? Includes fmj & jhp.

Hi,

For better than 40 years I've suggested the civilian arms and ammo industry exists primarily to keep factories open and ready for military contracts. And when they come in, the civilians see the negative effect in supply, and perhaps prices as well. While that's an overly simplistic statement on my part, I do believe there's a lot of truth in the concept.

Guess we'll see when Winchester gets rolling whether our civilian supply of 9mm is affected, at least from them. Perhaps other mfrs can and will take up the slack?

Rick C

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I wonder if it will be made in this country? (I hope so) I hear a lot of their 'White Box' ammo is made in Israel. :D

 

[powder smoke]

Winchester is only one of many suppliers although I do not use 9mm I do not expect
a major shortage. Those who roll their own will see little effect. I'm a 45 guy. ps

 

[daveg.inkc]

I hope the ammo they supply the military is better than the rimfire and primers I have gotten from them over the last few years.

I saw a thread where some folks had some WWB in 9mm that had some roll crimped rounds in the box. Very dangerous.

I use Winchester LP by the bricks. .41,.44M,.45 Colt,.45ACP. I like better than CCI. CCI's break thru at firing pin Leaves a black , smoky dent. All of my ACP's brass is Win.

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

I hope the ammo they supply the military is better than the rimfire and primers I have gotten from them over the last few years.

I saw a thread where some folks had some WWB in 9mm that had some roll crimped rounds in the box. Very dangerous.

I use Winchester LP by the bricks. .41,.44M,.45 Colt,.45ACP. I like better than CCI. CCI's break thru at firing pin Leaves a black , smoky dent. All of my ACP's brass is Win.

daveg.inkc,
I too have no problem with WWB. Actually with any other ammo. I have found that if you keep your
firearms well maintained, they will fire just about any ammo even close to spec. Even steel ammo.
My 1911s process crummy ammo as well as any Yugo Tokarev. And that is saying something.
Blackie

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

I wonder if it will be made in this country? (I hope so) I hear a lot of their 'White Box' ammo is made in Israel. :D

Jimbo,
I have a couple of boxes of WWB that that are strange looking. No ctg count on the boxes
except fine print on one side. And there is a disclaimer on top of the box
that says " Not labelled for individual sale". There are usually 103 to 104 ctgs in a box.
Have not shot any yet.
Blackie

 

[Rick Courtright]

except fine print on one side. And there is a disclaimer on top of the box
that says " Not labelled for individual sale". There are usually 103 to 104 ctgs in a box.

Hi,

I've seen a similar disclaimer on ammo intended for sale to the LE market. But that was long ago, and it was in standard 50 round boxes...

Rick C

 

[Johnnu2]

I've always been a bit skeptical about the quality of military ammo. I realize that they are produced for a very different purpose than civilian usage. That being said, many years ago I tested some .45ACP mil. ball ammo (from the 1960's, maybe early 70's vintage too). I tested in an old 1917 Colt DA revolver. The military ball 'grouped' in about 1 foot groups. I took the brass home and reloaded with good quality lead SWC's and (granted a lighter load of) good powder and primers. That old 1917 was grouping well under 3-4 inches at 25 yds. with my handloads. I often wonder if the lousy ammo gave rise to the belief that the old 1911 .45 autos weren't accurate... (?).......... J.

 

[DGW1949]

I admit that I don't keep up with who is supplying what to the gov't. That said though, Winchester has been marketing their version of the 124FMJ/9MM NATO round to the public for quite a few years. If I had to guess, my guess would be that if their new contract does lead to a shortage within the civilian market, that's where we'll see it first.

DGW

 

[DeletedMember275]

An interesting sidelight (to me, anyway), is that a whole bunch of people (supposedly in the know) were convinced that the Army absolutely WOULD NOT buy another pistol chambered for 9mm. One thing noted about the proposal for the Modular Handgun System was that a caliber was NOT specified, and many people assumed that whatever was chosen, it would be in either .40 S&W or .45 ACP (or GAP). Supposedly the Sig pistol can be converted to other calibers, but I personally doubt that we'll see it happen.

 

[DeletedMember275]

An interesting sidelight (to me, anyway), is that a whole bunch of people (supposedly in the know) were convinced that the Army absolutely WOULD NOT buy another pistol chambered for 9mm. One thing noted about the proposal for the Modular Handgun System was that a caliber was NOT specified, and many people assumed that whatever was chosen, it would be in either .40 S&W or .45 ACP (or GAP). Supposedly the Sig pistol can be converted to other calibers, but I personally doubt that we'll see it happen.