Why The US Military Wants To Switch From 9mm Ammo!

Published on June 23, 2026
Duration: 10:34

The US military is internally discussing a potential switch from 9mm ammunition due to limitations imposed by the Hague Convention, which restricts the use of hollow-point rounds on the battlefield. This forces the military to use full metal jacket (FMJ) or ball ammunition, which the speaker argues is less effective for incapacitation compared to modern civilian self-defense ammunition. A switch could significantly impact the civilian 9mm ammunition market, as the Lake City Ammunition Plant is a major supplier.

Quick Summary

The US military is exploring a switch from 9mm ammunition due to the Hague Convention, which bans expanding rounds like hollow points on the battlefield. This forces the use of less effective ball ammunition, prompting discussions about a caliber change that could significantly impact civilian 9mm ammo availability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Internal Military Discussions on 9mm
  2. 00:13Historical Sidearm Caliber Changes
  3. 00:32Effectiveness of 9mm on the Battlefield
  4. 00:46Reasons for Military Caliber Switch
  5. 00:53Civilian 9mm Ammunition Capabilities
  6. 01:12FBI's Caliber Decisions (.40 S&W to 9mm)
  7. 01:20Miami Shootout and Handgun Limitations
  8. 01:34The Hague Convention and Ammunition Laws
  9. 01:53Limitations of Military Ball Ammunition
  10. 02:09Frustration with Military Ammunition Restrictions
  11. 02:21Impact on Civilian Ammunition Market
  12. 02:41Lake City Ammunition Plant's Role
  13. 02:51Potential Civilian 9mm Shortage
  14. 03:089mm Dominance in Civilian Handgun Market
  15. 03:24Personal Opinion on Military Caliber Choice
  16. 03:41Frustration for Soldiers and Leadership
  17. 03:54Quality of Military vs. Civilian Ammo
  18. 04:17Current Battlefield Ammunition Landscape
  19. 04:29Potential Switch to .40 Caliber
  20. 04:47Ideal Military Handgun Caliber (7.5 FK)
  21. 04:57Possibility and Uncertainty of a Switch
  22. 05:07Impact on Soldiers vs. Civilians

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the US military considering a switch from 9mm ammunition?

The US military is considering a switch from 9mm ammunition primarily due to the restrictions imposed by the Hague Convention. This international law prohibits the use of expanding ammunition like hollow points on the battlefield, forcing the military to use less effective full metal jacket (FMJ) ball ammunition.

What is the Hague Convention's impact on military ammunition choices?

The Hague Convention dictates that military forces cannot use ammunition designed to cause excessive suffering, such as hollow-point rounds that expand upon impact. This means the US military is limited to using ball or full metal jacket ammunition for their sidearms, which may not be as effective for incapacitation.

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

A significant portion of civilian 9mm ammunition is produced at the US Army's Lake City Ammunition Plant. If the military shifts away from 9mm, production at this facility for civilian markets could decrease substantially, potentially leading to a 30-40% reduction in available 9mm ammunition for civilians.

What are the perceived limitations of military-issue 9mm ball ammunition?

The speaker argues that standard military 9mm ball ammunition, like Winchester white box, is less effective for incapacitation because it tends to penetrate targets with minimal internal damage. This can result in multiple shots being required to stop an attacker, especially in close-quarters combat.

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