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.
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.
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.