Why The US Military Wants To BAN 9mm Ammo!

Published on November 25, 2025
Duration: 10:34

The US military is internally discussing a potential shift away from 9mm ammunition due to its perceived ineffectiveness on the battlefield when using standard ball ammunition, which is mandated by the Hague Convention. This conversation stems from historical issues with handgun rounds against body armor and military-style rifles. A switch could significantly impact civilian ammunition availability, as the Lake City plant supplies a large volume of 9mm to the civilian market. The speaker suggests that while 9mm is popular for civilian self-defense due to available advanced ammunition and faster follow-up shots, military requirements differ.

Quick Summary

The US military is contemplating a move away from 9mm ammunition due to its limited effectiveness on the battlefield when restricted to Hague Convention-compliant ball ammunition. This restriction means military sidearms often lack the terminal ballistics needed against determined threats, unlike specialized civilian self-defense rounds. A potential switch could reduce civilian 9mm ammo supply by 30-40%.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Internal Military Communications on 9mm
  2. 00:16History of US Military Sidearm Caliber Changes
  3. 00:33Effectiveness of 9mm on the Battlefield
  4. 01:17FBI's Caliber Switch: .40 S&W to 9mm
  5. 01:42Miami Shootout and Handgun Effectiveness
  6. 02:22The Hague Convention and Ammunition Restrictions
  7. 02:41Military's Use of Ball Ammunition
  8. 02:56Problems with Ball Ammunition Penetration
  9. 03:44Real Conversation About Switching Calibers
  10. 04:03Impact on Civilian Ammo Market
  11. 04:16Lake City Ammo Plant's Role
  12. 04:47Civilian 9mm Ammo Availability Concerns
  13. 05:03Handgun Purchases by Civilians
  14. 05:26Detrimental Effects on Civilian Ammo Industry
  15. 05:29Speaker's Opinion on Military Caliber Choice
  16. 06:12Quality of US Army Sidearm Ammunition
  17. 07:13Detrimental Switch for Civilian Ammo
  18. 07:18Potential Caliber Switch to .40 S&W
  19. 07:31Ideal Military Handgun Caliber (7.5 FK)
  20. 07:46Possibility of 9mm Switch
  21. 08:06Consequences of a Military Caliber Switch

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the US military considering banning 9mm ammunition?

The US military is considering a shift away from 9mm due to its perceived ineffectiveness on the battlefield when using standard ball ammunition, which is mandated by the Hague Convention. This ammunition often lacks sufficient terminal ballistics against determined threats.

What role does the Hague Convention play in military ammunition choices?

The Hague Convention prohibits the use of certain types of ammunition, most notably hollow-point rounds, in warfare. This forces military forces to use full metal jacket (FMJ) or ball ammunition for their sidearms, which has different performance characteristics than specialized civilian self-defense rounds.

How would a US military switch from 9mm affect civilian ammunition availability?

A military switch from 9mm could significantly impact civilian ammunition availability. The US Army's Lake City Ammunition Plant is a major supplier of 9mm to civilians, and if production shifts, it could reduce the overall supply by an estimated 30-40%.

Why is 9mm so popular for civilian self-defense?

9mm is popular for civilian self-defense due to its balance of manageable recoil, allowing for faster follow-up shots, and the wide availability of advanced, highly effective self-defense ammunition that expands upon impact.

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