M855 verus XM855 versus IMI M855

[Lone_Gunman]

I have a couple of questions about this ammo.

I have seen what appears to be M855 ammo (62g green tip) 5.56 ammo listed on the ammoman.com and ammotogo.com websites, but it is usually listed as XM855.

What is the deal with this, and how are they selling military ammo? I thought selling military ammo was forbidden, and only components or reassembled rounds that had been demilled first was allowable?

Is this ammo rejected and thus being sold?

Also how does Israeli Military Industries ammo (specifically their M855) compare? Is IMI good ammo? Wideners has some IMI M855 with the NATO headstamp on it. Israel is not part of NATO. So why would IMI brass have the NATO cross on it?

 

[Z-Michigan]

IMI is top quality ammo. You may also want to consider Lithuanian GGG ammo, which is NATO spec and top notch (supposedly Lapua helped set up the plant).

I've seen varying reports on XM ammo. My understanding, which may be wrong, is that it's made in the military plant, to military specs, but is an amount or lot that exceeds the military requirements and is therefore available for civilian sale before it ever becomes govt-owned ammo. I have also read that it is rejects that don't meet quality control, but I have no idea if that's correct and wouldn't be surprised if it's errornet falsehood... but I have also read reports of XM193 (not XM855 for whatever reason) occasionally blowing up an AR-15, so who knows.

I actually choose IMI or GGG ammo over Federal XM ammo when the price is same or less, and those two are usually less than Federal. But this is just what I do, not based on actual side by side testing or anything.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone else know why it is labelled XM855?

 

[Match14]

Here's one article that attempts to answer your question.

http://www.thegunzone.com/556xm.html

 

[HorseSoldier]

Also how does Israeli Military Industries ammo (specifically their M855) compare? Is IMI good ammo? Wideners has some IMI M855 with the NATO headstamp on it. Israel is not part of NATO. So why would IMI brass have the NATO cross on it?

They sell it to various NATO members, including the US military.

 

[JWF III]

My understanding, which may be wrong, is that it's made in the military plant, to military specs, but is an amount or lot that exceeds the military requirements and is therefore available for civilian sale before it ever becomes govt-owned ammo.

That's my understanding pertaining to XM ammo.

Wyman

 

[Nugilum]

As TGZ is dedicated to the debunking of rumors and correcting that which propagates along the "gunshop grapevine" (and its Internet equivalent, AR15.com), ...

That gave me a good chuckle.