As you certainly know by now, SIG SAUER won the Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) contract with a version of their P320. TTAG regularly reminded readers that the MHS contract wasn’t only about a pistol, it was about a pistol system that included suppressors (plus relevant parts like threaded barrels and tall sights) and ammunition, too. We thought SIG’s positioning as “The Complete Systems Provider” gave them a leg up through SIG suppressors and SIG ammo, but it looks like they actually partnered with Winchester to provide the Army with the copious quantities of gun food it needs. . .

Winchester® Awarded as Ammunition Supplier for the U.S. Army Modular Handgun System Program

EAST ALTON, Ill. (February 8, 2017) – Winchester has been awarded as the ammunition supplier for the U.S. Army Modular Handgun System (MHS) program, considered one of the most important military handgun contracts in recent history. Winchester will supply Full Metal Jacket and Special Purpose ammunition in support of the MHS program.

“This is a significant opportunity for Winchester to continue its steadfast support of the U.S. military, just as we have for decades,” said Brett Flaugher, President of Winchester Ammunition. “We are honored to work with SIG SAUER as part of the MHS contract.”

On January 19, 2017, it was announced that SIG SAUER would be the next supplier of pistols for the United States Army, replacing the M9 pistol, which had been in service members’ holsters since the mid-1980s.

Winchester, a current provider of ammunition to the U.S. government, collaborated with SIG SAUER in supplying ammunition for the rigorous MHS testing. The testing began in August, 2015.

“Partnering with Winchester to provide the U.S. Military with the Modular Handgun System is a point of pride for each and every employee of SIG SAUER,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc. “Winchester has a long history of supporting our service members, and we are honored to collaborate with them on this project.”

About Winchester Ammunition

A world leader in delivering innovative products, Winchester® is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work and a deep focus on its loyal customers. Learn more about the history of Winchester by visiting Winchester.com or connect with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Did lake city shut down while we weren’t paying attention? Last time I checked, the DOD hardly needed more ammo suppliers.

    • Nope. Lake City is in full operation. The majority of 9mm NATO rounds come from Winchester, not Lake City. Lake City makes almost everything else. You can see all the products manufactured by Lake City here: https://www.orbitalatk.com/products-services/. ATK split into two separate companies last year: Orbital ATK; Vista Outdoor Group. Orbital ATK is now the defense division, while Vista covers the law enforcement and commercial divisions.

  2. The WW 124 grain Nato ball load is the one that my Sigma prefers for accuracy. I’ve tried a wide variety of cheap and premium ammo. But it edges the others out in accuracy.

    Whenever I find a box or two, I buy it.

  4. As smoky and dirty as Winchester White box has been in my experience, the future battlefield is going to look like the War of Northern Aggress… sorry, Civil War again.

  7. Well yes the Army has an abundance of 9mm, why would they need Sig and Winchester both, they already are supplied by lake city, well the Army needs 40s&w they don’t like the 9mm ( see Army times )

    • “Well yes the Army has an abundance of 9mm…”

      Yeah, is the Army saying that regular, good ‘ole NATO-spec 9mm won’t run that gun?

      I can see an ammo bid for a load developed specifically for the matched silencers they plan to use, as an example, but they want range food as well?

      That makes no sense.

      Ooops, My bad, I forgot, common sense and the Army? There’s a laugh…

      • If I recall correctly from reading far too much of the actual MHS procurement/testing documentation, there was a requirement for specialized ammo to go with the guns, to include hollow point and possibly suppressor-specific stuff. Part of the MHS was testing more effective ammunition, which could have meant a different caliber or just better projectile designs. It’s also possible that Winchester came up with a new FMJ projectile profile and design and maybe new powder and a new pressure level, etc etc, and the gov’t ammo plants will begin making ammo to those specs licensed via Winchester.

    • The problem with the 40, being rather snappy, is that some snowflakes and women find it difficult to control. What about the NATO standard issue/problem? I doubt the cheapskate members will want to upgrade.

  8. Something is not right with this press release. The US Army runs it’s own small arms plants and has vast capacity.

    Perhaps they won a bid to be the Contractor Operator of the Government Furnished equipment.

  9. Lake City is run by Orbital ATK, it’s also a superfund site that has massive issues with hazardous waste. It started out as a Remington plant in WWII, I haven’t seen anything that suggests Orbital is up for replacement, but there were significant logistical issues for surge capacity for GWOT, so having second and third sourcing done is helpful, just getting the IDIQ approved is a big hurdle.

    Also, MHS won’t be using 40 either, its still 9, as ballistics for 9mm vs 10mm FMJ are all but identical, and the logistics train has left the station. Same reason as you won’t see non specialized applications of alternatives to 556.

  10. 1 box of Winchester wite box at your local big box = $15
    1 box of WWB with 10 inches of military procurement paper work and 20 lbs of QC documentation = $1500.

  11. Buy USA except when imported by Parent company then buy more! took them 1 hr to draw a number out of a hat for pistol choice, 2 1/2 years to get the politicians back pocket filled for approval! 6 more months to get Winchester off life support, etc: etc: might get a .45 faster!

  13. I’m a little surprised that Sig won’t be providing ammo too. The Sig Sauer operation is a one stop shop, manufacturing firearms, ammo, suppressors, scopes and a whole lot more.

    My own experience with Sig ammo has been great. It’s highly consistent round to round, accurate, good terminal ballistics, and is less expensive than many of the alternatives. (I’ve pretty much settled on Hornady Critical Duty and Sig’s V-Crown ammo for carry.)

    It seems to me that it would be easier, from a logistical perspective, to have to deal with just one vendor. Of course, there would need to be other vendors as a contingency.

  14. As i understand it, Winchester is just a brand owned by Olin Corp, who in some cases (such as with Lever guns) contracts out or licenses other companies to produce products. Their core business is Chlorine. Who will do this ammo and where, I do not know, but I would think somewhere in MI.

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