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US asks private sector to ease bullet shortage
Financial Times ^ | May 26, 2004 | Christopher Bowe

Posted on 05/26/2004 6:53:33 PM PDT by NCjim

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To: Dog Gone
I'm suggesting that it's all relative in a capitalistic environment despite the government edicts

I guess once they get to the point where they are willing to pay $1 per cartridge and China has overrun Asia since our troops didn't have ammo, the "capitalistic" system will kick in and rescue the Republic.

Until then, only a fool would add production lines (or start a new one) for a product they can *only* sell to the gov't (without a long-term contract in place).

The free market system doesn't work when it's not even close to being "free".

61 posted on 05/26/2004 8:40:55 PM PDT by Mulder (Fight the future)
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To: varon
Isn't the usual process of wind-down after a victory?
Isn't it usual for need of troop strength to decrease after defeat of the enemy instead of a build-up?

That would be true if we were are the end of the war instead of just finishing
the 2nd campaign of that war. We need to built up the inventory and troop strength
in preparation for the next campaign, (Syria,) and the one after that, (Iran.)

62 posted on 05/26/2004 8:43:23 PM PDT by ASA Vet (Still waiting for the "overwhelming response.")
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To: Trinity5

Sorry, I was an adviser to the King Abdhul Aziz Motorized Rifle Brigade and my weapon was provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dam thing got me in trouble at every PX and APO I went into. MP's want to see you clear your weapon before entering... FN won't drop the hammer unless the mag is in. Often looked like a Laurel and Hardy routine... "Clear you weapon" ... "No, remove the mag and clear your weapon"... "Clear your weapon" ... "No, remove..."


63 posted on 05/26/2004 8:44:09 PM PDT by Feckless
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To: Buffalo Head
No, a victim of Bill Clinton not replacing training ammunition as it was being used and two unanticipated wars. Clinton was in office four years ago. How long will he be blamed?
64 posted on 05/26/2004 8:46:17 PM PDT by A. Pole ("Stating the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men." George Orwell)
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January 11, 2004

U.S. ammunition plant reaching its limit

65 posted on 05/26/2004 8:54:40 PM PDT by primeval patriot
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To: John Lenin
I have said numerous times that clintoon is also at fault. I just think that those now making these decisions should also share in the blame.
66 posted on 05/26/2004 8:57:49 PM PDT by inflation (Cuba = BAD, China = Good? Why, should not both be treated the way Cuba is?)
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To: A. Pole
Clinton was in office four years ago. How long will he be blamed?


67 posted on 05/26/2004 9:00:02 PM PDT by ASA Vet (Still waiting for the "overwhelming response.")
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To: Shooter 2.5
"Is it possible that they don't have a cartridge problem and they are having trouble producing quality projectiles?"

No. The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) has ramped up from a production level of 350,000,000 rounds per year to over 1.2 billion (the same as the peak during the Vietnam war). There is simply not enough equipment to produce more ammunition at this time. More capacity is being added, but it will not be on line soon enough to supply the current shortfall,

During the Vietnam war the government had another Government Owned, contractor operated (GOCO) plant at the Twin Cities Arsenal. It was operated by Federal Cartridge Company. It was dismantled in the late 1970's.

During the Vietnam war Remington, Winchester and Federal produced the extra ammunition needed. It takes time and money to convert commercial production to meet military needs. By the time such production could be on-line, the need may evaporate. Patriotism only goes so far. Without the prospect of a fair return on investment, why would a commercial business risk the investment? The contracts are awarded to the low bidder. At the same time, commercial ammunition offers greater profits. Commercial businesses have an obligation to their stock owners.

68 posted on 05/26/2004 9:36:44 PM PDT by Buffalo Head (Illigitimi non carborundum)
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To: longtermmemmory
"I think the problem is that our ammo has to be envirowacko freindly."

What on earth do you base your "thinking" on?

69 posted on 05/26/2004 9:39:59 PM PDT by Buffalo Head (Illigitimi non carborundum)
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To: MediaMole
"Bullets"

Please see ny previous post about incorrect terminology.

70 posted on 05/26/2004 9:42:20 PM PDT by Buffalo Head (Illigitimi non carborundum)
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To: Chewbacca
"the private sector stops producing military style ammo"

No it hasn't. Please get your facts straight.

71 posted on 05/26/2004 9:44:42 PM PDT by Buffalo Head (Illigitimi non carborundum)
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To: GSlob

I just got to thinking about what would have happened of if signed the UN gun agreement where we could have only gotten the rare metal they want to use for the bullets from mines in China.


72 posted on 05/26/2004 9:54:49 PM PDT by John Lenin
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To: Buffalo Head

No kidding, I saw a special on TV where the army was looking for more enviromentally friendly ammo for target ranges. Developmental at this time, or then again maybe past that. Anti-lead crowd.

Or how about the end run on clintons ban on selling US surplus ammo to the pesants as mentioned on a previous post. One company takes the surplus ammo apart and basically puts it back together and then sells it as remanufactured. Is that (clinton ban) stupid or what.

The surplus ammo you can buy is made overseas.


73 posted on 05/26/2004 9:55:40 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: Cold Heart
"....the army was looking for more enviromentally friendly ammo for target ranges."

<P< That dream has absolutely nothing to do with todays shortage of combat ammunition.

74 posted on 05/26/2004 9:58:05 PM PDT by Buffalo Head (Illigitimi non carborundum)
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To: Buffalo Head

I know it doesn't. You had asked where he got the idea about that type of ammo.

Myself, I'd like some depleted uranium in 7.62.


75 posted on 05/26/2004 10:03:46 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: Buffalo Head

Except for one tiny little detail. The civilian companies can make cases just like they always do and the only change may be the headstamp.

The major difference between the civilian and military cartridges would be that little thing on the end again. The bullet.

The problem at Lake City still may not be complete cartridges. The problem could still be just one of the steps in creating the cartridges. The bullet.


76 posted on 05/26/2004 10:16:57 PM PDT by Shooter 2.5 (Vote a Straight Republican Ballot. Rid the country of dems.)
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To: Feckless

FN Hipower? I guess the authorities frowned on removing that stupid magazine safety, like most owners of that otherwise outstanding firearm do.


77 posted on 05/27/2004 5:34:29 AM PDT by Rifleman
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To: NCjim
They're taking the wrong approach. What they need to do is swap out all of the 5.56mm uppers on their m4s to 7.62mm x 39 and use all of that captured AK-47 ammo that's lying around.

Better yet issue our guys captured AK's and let them go at it. The 7.62mm x 39 is a better round for close in work anyway.

78 posted on 05/27/2004 5:38:13 AM PDT by P8riot (A gun is merely a substitute for a penis, so when attacked by a mugger one should pull out a ......)
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To: Rifleman
It was a "loaner" so I wasn't going to do any mods. Was always on the lookout for one of the Sterlings lying around unattended although 12 RDs wouldn't have lasted too long.
It was a good copy of a fine weapon, though I'm not much of a 9mm fan.
79 posted on 05/27/2004 6:00:20 AM PDT by Feckless
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To: Buffalo Head
By the time such production could be on-line, the need may evaporate.

Exactly. Especially when you're banned by edict from selling any surplus ammo to the public.

Bush could fix this with a stroke of the pen.

80 posted on 05/27/2004 6:27:20 AM PDT by Mulder (Fight the future)
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