Tuesday, September 19, 2006

The Effectiveness Of The 5.56 mm

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- "The Army has completed a detailed study of the effectiveness of its standard-issue M855 5.56mm ammunition cartridge that is used in the M16 and the M4 rifles.

The study found no significant difference between the M855 and commercially available 5.56mm rounds during close fighting.

A team of military, scientific, medical, engineering and law enforcement experts conducted the study for the Army’s Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems located here.

“All of the rounds studied performed in a band of effectiveness that will produce excellent results in real-life situations,” Col. Mark D. Rider said.

The study sought to answer whether any commercial, off-the-shelf 5.56mm bullets that perform better than M855 against unarmored targets in Close Quarters Battle might be available.

It was limited further to determining if the Army could quickly purchase and field a possible replacement for the M855 and did not consider replacing the current inventory of 5.56mm weapons with weapons of another caliber.

“This was not a caliber study” Rider said. “However, it did find that the current family of 5.56mm weapons and the older 7.62mm M14 have the same potential effectiveness in the hands of a Warfighter during the heat of battle.”

The study also showed an increase in lethal potential when the marksmanship technique of firing controlled pairs, i.e. firing two rounds in rapid succession, was used.

Rider said the Army will continue to study variations in performance that some Soldiers and Marines to criticize the M855 while the overall majority are satisfied with its effectiveness.

He also noted that researchers believe that interaction between the weapon and the bullet may be the root cause of “through-and-through.”

In arriving at these conclusions, the team developed ground-breaking tools and methodologies that apply sophisticated modeling and equipment normally reserved for the study of high-dollar systems such as tanks and artillery to less costly weapons for the very first time.

As a result, new standards for testing small caliber ammunition are emerging that will help bring the science of more costly system to individual weapon.

Rider said that his organization is beginning to study how commercially available rounds perform against common battlefield barriers like body armor, car doors, and windshield glass compared to the M855. Answers to these questions will help improve the lethal capability of the ground forces for decades into the future, he said."

I do not know from what news outlet something this wicked came. It was sent to me, and not only appears genuine, but addresses the same fairyland issues that have been associated with the 5.56 mm round since it's introduction.

Fact: The M-16 and it's variants are capable of generating fire-superiority due to cyclic rate of fire, and nothing else. The weapons are relatively light, and so is the ammunition when compared to a 7.62 platform.

Fact: The 5.56 mm round in the military incarnation is dreadful at yielding one-shot-stops. Yes, there really is no such animal in a handheld weapon, but I employ cliches when necessary to make a point that is clear to gun-folken. The bullet is underpowered, undersized, and does it's task by having lots of friends join in.

Fact: One upon a time men were strong enough to carry battle rifles. Not so anymore, at least according to the US Military. The marvelous M-14 was dropped in favor of the M-16, and year after year the military talking heads trot out one ridiculous "study" after another to prove that the platform and it's munitions are effective.

Fact: They are not. Spray & Pray has replaced what professionals used to do in order to kill the enemy.

Fact: I have seen all of the above more times than can be easily remembered. Yes, I have also seen an enemy soldier take a 7.62 and ask for more, but that is the exception, not the norm. The norm with the 5.56 is aim for the head or wish you had.

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