[Warlord David]

"The contract would include everything from the writing of the requirements, building a detailed specification for the design, competing the different designs, selecting the winner, testing the new weapon in operational tests, logistic support packages, training, documents, etc. If we are going for a design that takes new ammo into the system, then we have to buy ammo for everybody."

Geeezzzzzzz, Can't the miltary buy their weapons like everybody else, instead of making it more complicated than it has to. I can see if their buying a new weapon, but a 45, give the Marines a break!!!!!!!! This does not require rocket science.

[USMCVet]

The system is complicated because we require a higher standard of uniformity and reliability and we have found that our good old corporations will cut corners when they get the chance. Our Marines' and soldiers' lives literally depend on the quality of the equipment and ammo that we get and those of us that have bought stuff don't cut corners.

"Off the shelf" quantities don't do it either - we get much bigger quantities than most firearms customers.

Remember that wonderful story during the Vietnam War where Colt workers were "straighting" below-standard M-16 barrels by beating them on the shop floor? Or the numbers of M-16s that jammed up solid during firefights? We don't put up with that anymore.