Is Bigger Better? Current Ops Reignite Bullet Controversy

Few things elicit stronger views in the military than debates about small arms. Whether it's the merits of the M4, or in this case, the size of the rounds, there are some very strong opinions on the subject. The Associated Press today takes an interesting look at how recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have given new ammo (yes, a bad pun) to those who argue that the 5.56mmM855 is the wrong round. "The smaller, steel-penetrating M855 rounds continue to be a weak spot in the American arsenal," AP reports. "They are not lethal enough to bring down an enemy decisively, and that puts troops at risk, according to Associated Press interviews."

The M855, as the article explains, was developed to penetrate Soviet armor at longer distances than the types of battles today's soldiers are seeing. "Much of today's fighting takes place in close quarters; narrow streets, stairways and rooftops are today's battlefield," the article says. "Legions of armor-clad Russians marching through the Fulda Gap in Germany have given way to insurgents and terrorists who hit and run. Fired at short range, the M855 round is prone to pass through a body like a needle through fabric."

The Army has a long history of defending its choice of firearms to the bitter end (the development of M16 being a good example). So, it's not surprising that in 2006, when the Army conducted a study looking at alternatives to the M855, it concluded there were "no significant difference between the M855 and commercially available 5.56mm rounds during close fighting." And although the study didn't look at other calibers, it also said the 5.56mm was just fine.

When it comes to firearms, it's interesting to see what specialty publications are writing. Petersen's Rifle Shooter Magazine, for example, which recently took a look at the performance of firearms in current military operations was actually upbeat on the M16, but took a similarly critical view of the M855. The magazine had this to say:

Regarding terminal performance, there is no doubt the M855 ball round is quite lethal out of the M4 carbine. However, many of the 3-7th Cav’s veteran NCOs with heavy combat experience in Iraq wished it packed more punch. Fighting room to room, engagement distances are up close. In such an environment, where the insurgents they face may be doped up on narcotics, they wanted a threat to drop instantly--not stay on his feet for a couple seconds still capable of triggering off another burst.

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“I shot an insurgent in the stomach with a 7.62mm M14, and it buckled him over,” Sgt. John Gibson commented. “Another one I shot with the 5.56 M4 took three rounds to put him down. Sure, he died, but I wished he’d gone down faster.”

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So while the troops were generally satisfied with the M4’s performance, they felt the reduced barrel length affected the 5.56’s muzzle velocity enough to diminish its terminal performance. That said, there is no death ray round that slays with every pull of the trigger--not 6.8mm SPC nor even the well-respected 7.62mm NATO.

Don't expect the Army to change course anytime soon, however. As the AP article notes, service officials say the answer is better aim, not bigger bullets.