Primer Selection for Small Arms Ammunition
Abstract
The paper examines the arguments for and against the Army's prospective standardization of primers for 5.56-mm ammunition. The question is essentially whether one manufacturer shall continue to use primers containing basic lead styphnate in primers for the 5.56-mm cartridges that it produces at its own plant and at a Government-owned plant it operates or whether that manufacturer shall use primers containing normal lead styphnate, as do all the other six producers of these cartridges. Findings indicate that the continued use of basic lead styphnate would yield minor advantages in lower cost to the manufacturer, possibility in manufacturing safety, and in competitive environment, while standardization on normal lead styphnate would yield a minor advantage in primer performance and two significant advantages: a reduction in possible problems associated with future changes in cartridges and weapons and a reduction in the testing required.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0717356
Entities
People
- F. S. Atchison
- N. J. Asher
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses