Military Handgun Ammunition

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Rich Miranda

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I did a search but either my search terms were off or this topic hasn't been discussed (which would be hard to believe)...

What type of ammunition does the military use in handguns?

Do they use one type for training and another for combat?

Does it vary by branch?
 
I did a search but either my search terms were off or this topic hasn't been discussed (which would be hard to believe)...

What type of ammunition does the military use in handguns?

Do they use one type for training and another for combat?

Does it vary by branch?
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As far as I know, most of the US military uses 124 gr. 9mm NATO FMJ for duty use and for training purposes.

It's my guess that some units may use frangible ammo for specialized training purposes.

The US Coast Guard does use the .40 S&W when they are on land in the US.

Some SF units do use .45 ACP, but if it's not FMJ, I don't know what it is.
 
It was actually the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907. Not the Geneva Convention. And IIRC, the US did not sign it, they just observe it out of respect and decency for other nations. I believe it's also limited to FMJ by the Law of Armed Conflict. The LOAC is only technically legal for when Congress declares war, but the US plays by those rules to keep "conflicts" more politically correct.


US Spec Ops have used JHP's, such as Winchester Black Talons, before. I would be willing to bet, they still do.

USAF personell who serve as crewmembers on military aircraft may or may not carry 9mm JHP ammo in their M9's when they are transporting passengers in the CONUS. ;)
 
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They even used FMJ rounds in the .38 revolvers when they carried those. The generic 130 grain ball ammo is pretty much equivalent to what they used.
 
Scorpion said: It was actually the Hague Peace Conferences of 1899 and 1907. Not the Geneva Convention. And IIRC, the US did not sign it, they just observe it out of respect and decency for other nations. I believe it's also limited to FMJ by the Law of Armed Conflict. The LOAC is only technically legal for when Congress declares war, but the US plays by those rules to keep "conflicts" more politically correct.

This is my understanding also. It is surprising how many international treaties we have refused to sign, yet honor right down to the dot.

Cordially, Jack
 
It is surprising how many international treaties we have refused to sign, yet honor right down to the dot.
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As well it SHOULD BE. We should follow such agreements because we WANT to. Not because we HAVE to. Plus, if for some reason we decided we NEEDED another option, we allow ourselves to exercise those other options. As arrogant as it sounds, we are a great and honorable country. We do try to do what's right. But being told that we MUST do something by countries that were or could be our enemies; and that we don't totally trust; is not putting the security of our country and people first. No one questions us because they know they can trust us. Yes, it's arrogant. We ARE better than most other countries in the world. We can be trusted to do the right thing. Unfortunately, there are those in D.C. that want to give up our sovereignty to be part of a world government.
 
Hollow points ar outlawed by the Hague but that is only in wars among nations other than that the military can use hollow points although we don't normally except for some special units. they can also use them on M.P. Duty in CONUS at the base /Unit commanders discression. I have some Military Black Talons Headstamped WCC 95
 
All that being said, the US winchester NATO 9mm seem to be pretty hot (aka +P+) load isn't it. And it is in very small uses in military battles anyways, Right?.

Hollow points or FMJs, I wouldn't want to be shot with a hot 9mm.

I bought some (20 box's) Fiochhi 9mm FMJ +P+ 115g with the NATO Cross circle and blue sealer around the primers. Those are some kicking stuff, and unlike the regular Fiocchi they don't have that big Fiocchi flash.
 
Thirty-odd years ago when I was in the USAF, we carried S&W .38s with 4" barrels. The ammo we were issued was 130 gr FMJ at (according to my chronograph) about 630 fps.
This ammo was guaranteed to **** off, but not injure, any 60 lb Cub Scout in poor health.

Hard to believe, but when we were acting as couriers for Top Secret Cripto documents, this is all we had. We were instructed to shoot the documents if we were about to be captured. That was pretty funny, since the bullets wouldn't penetrate the plastic folders, much less the hard "cookies" inside!
 
US Spec Ops have used JHP's, such as Winchester Black Talons, before. I would be willing to bet, they still do.
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I'd be willing to back you on that bet, Scorpion_tyr, with everything I have. I can think of no surer bet.

It is surprising how many international treaties we have refused to sign, yet honor right down to the dot.
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It's not ENTIRELY about honor. Remember, FMJs are cheaper to produce consistently than JHPs and tend to feed more reliably (especially in dirty/sandy guns).
I suspect the US Military tradition of using FMJs is as much practical as political.
 
I'd be willing to back you on that bet, Scorpion_tyr, with everything I have. I can think of no surer bet.
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It's a safe bet alright ;)

It's not ENTIRELY about honor. Remember, FMJs are cheaper to produce consistently than JHPs and tend to feed more reliably (especially in dirty/sandy guns).
I suspect the US Military tradition of using FMJs is as much practical as political.
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Good point! Probably very true. I bet the cheaper part is more important than the feeding part though :(
 
I got out of the Marines in late '93. At the time, we were still using 230gr FMJ for the remaining supply of 1911A1s and 115gr FMJ for 9mm. From what I understand, 124gr is the standard now for 9mm, but it wasn't when I was in.
 
We can be trusted to do the right thing.
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Well now that Bush is out of office that might be true.

Unfortunately, there are those in D.C. that want to give up our sovereignty to be part of a world government.
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Like I said Bush is out of office so we can start buying the country back from China and the rest of the world.


9x19mm 124gr fmj ~1263 fps 36,500 PSI
Nothing in the surplus channels for them, that I see.
 
I wouldn't take any bets on what Spec Ops troops use. If they are willing to go into a foriegn country with no identification and sterile weapons why would they care about ammunition type or the Hague accords? I believe that the .50 BMG round is designated for use as anti materiel only but they have been used on bad guys for quite a while now.
 
If they are willing to go into a foriegn country with no identification and sterile weapons why would they care about ammunition type or the Hague accords?
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They wouldn't, and don't. That's the point.
 
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