Why The US Military Wants To BAN 9mm Ammo!

Published on September 29, 2025
Duration: 10:34

The US military is reportedly considering a switch from 9mm ammunition due to its perceived ineffectiveness on the battlefield, particularly when using standard Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds mandated by the Hague Convention. This contrasts with civilian use where hollow-point ammunition is legal and highly effective. A military caliber change could significantly impact civilian 9mm ammunition availability, as a large portion is produced at the Lake City plant for both military and civilian markets.

Quick Summary

The US military is reportedly considering a ban on 9mm ammunition due to its ineffectiveness on the battlefield, largely because the Hague Convention prohibits expanding rounds, forcing the use of less effective Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition. This contrasts with civilian use where hollow points are legal and highly effective. A military caliber change could reduce civilian 9mm ammo availability by 30-40%.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Internal Military Discussions on 9mm
  2. 00:16History of US Military Sidearm Caliber Changes
  3. 00:33Ineffectiveness of 9mm on Battlefield
  4. 01:17FBI's Switch from .40 S&W to 9mm
  5. 01:42Miami Shootout and Handgun Round Effectiveness
  6. 02:22Hague Convention and Ammunition Restrictions
  7. 02:41Military's Use of Ball Ammunition
  8. 02:56Problems with Ball Ammunition Penetration
  9. 03:35Military Cannot Use Best Ammo Available
  10. 04:03Impact on Civilian Ammo Market
  11. 04:16Lake City Ammo Plant's Role
  12. 04:47Loss of Civilian 9mm Ammo Supply
  13. 05:039mm Dominance in Civilian Handgun Market
  14. 05:26Detrimental Effect on Civilian Ammo Industry
  15. 05:30Speaker's Opinion on Military Caliber Switch
  16. 06:12US Army's Worst Sidearm Ammunition
  17. 06:45Loading with Winchester White Box on Battlefield
  18. 07:13Switch Detrimental to Civilian Ammo
  19. 07:18Potential Switch to .40 S&W
  20. 07:31Ideal Military Caliber: 7.5 FK
  21. 07:46Real Possibility of 9mm Switch
  22. 08:00Past Military and FBI Caliber Switches
  23. 08:07Detrimental to Civilian Ammo, Great for Soldiers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the US military considering banning 9mm ammunition?

The US military is considering a ban on 9mm ammunition due to its perceived ineffectiveness on the battlefield. This is largely because the Hague Convention prohibits the use of expanding ammunition, forcing the military to use standard Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds, which offer less terminal ballistics compared to civilian hollow-point ammunition.

What is the Hague Convention's role in military ammunition choices?

The Hague Convention is a set of international laws that prohibits the use of certain types of ammunition in warfare, specifically mentioning expanding bullets (like hollow points) that cause unnecessary suffering. This forces military forces to use non-expanding ammunition, such as Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds, for their sidearms.

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

A military switch away from 9mm could significantly impact civilian ammunition supply. A large volume of 9mm ammo for civilians comes from the US Army's Lake City plant. If the military stops procuring 9mm, production for civilian markets could decrease by an estimated 30-40%.

Why is 9mm ammunition so popular among civilian gun owners?

9mm is the most popular handgun caliber among civilians, with a significant majority of new handgun owners purchasing firearms chambered in 9mm. This popularity is driven by factors like manageable recoil, availability of effective self-defense ammunition, and the widespread use of 9mm in popular handgun models like the Sig Sauer P365.

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from GFG

View all →