On the AR forum, some members posted that they had blown primers on the black box. I have XM193 for my 2 ARs, and they have worked perfectly. In my opinion, any time they start adding more letters to "M193", that is not a good thing. Just my opinion. They used to sell a 3rd tier of M193, I believe is was XM193PD or something, and it was of a lower level in quality control.
My understanding is that they are exactly the same, the C standing for "Commercial". Thats why it has the fancy box, and the other is mil spec style box.
Roll Tide!
Posts: 1163 | Location: Hoover, AL | Registered: November 06, 2006
Hi, here is what a Federal customer service representative sent me when I asked a few questions about the XM193 A, B and C. If you believe Federal then…
“The XM193 that we are selling is "first quality" ammunition made at Lake City. This ammo did not go thru the military acceptance procedure, if it had, you wouldn't be able to purchase it, as it would then be "mil-spec". The suffixes as you guessed only indicate the packaging configuration.”
XM193 is XM193!
I hope this info is helpful. Gary Gronfor Federal Product Service Dept.
Originally posted by smdardin: Hi, here is what a Federal customer service representative sent me when I asked a few questions about the XM193 A, B and C. If you believe Federal then…
“The XM193 that we are selling is "first quality" ammunition made at Lake City. This ammo did not go thru the military acceptance procedure, if it had, you wouldn't be able to purchase it, as it would then be "mil-spec". The suffixes as you guessed only indicate the packaging configuration.”
Federal Cartridge Company is owned by Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK). ATK is the operating contractor for the Defense Department's Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. ATK is allowed by the DoD to make "commercial" 5.56mm ammunition on a non-interference basis at Lake City - it keeps equipment in use and the plant personnel employed during the [peaks and] valleys of production. It is made on the same production equipment as mil-spec ammo; just without the QC.
Posts: 4819 | Location: Virginia | Registered: November 04, 2005
Without the QC that is for sure. That stuff looks like it was swept off the floor and dumped in a box. I feel for the premium Federal charges the stuff should be a lot better looking and I have real lots of negative feedback on AR15 forums. I still think this stuff is rejected from some contract somewhere.
Posts: 121 | Location: Sugar Land Texas | Registered: December 30, 2007
IIRC, the XM193 comes off the line w/o the QC in Federal packaging. The XM193PD are the Government's QC rejects and the "floor sweeps", packaged in bulk (usually 500 round boxes).
Posts: 4819 | Location: Virginia | Registered: November 04, 2005
Originally posted by smdardin: Hi, here is what a Federal customer service representative sent me when I asked a few questions about the XM193 A, B and C. If you believe Federal then…
“The XM193 that we are selling is "first quality" ammunition made at Lake City. This ammo did not go thru the military acceptance procedure, if it had, you wouldn't be able to purchase it, as it would then be "mil-spec". The suffixes as you guessed only indicate the packaging configuration.”
XM193 is XM193!
I hope this info is helpful.
Can't say much more then that. They are both made at Lake City. Look at he bottom of the rounds and they will be stamoed with "LC" and a year such as "08" which is the date of manufacture. I have found when I buy the Federal in the bwown boxes, it might be a few yers old and I don't think that is a big deal. If you buy American Eagle or even Speer LE Lawman they are usually 2008 production, or at least where I buy them. I get 500 rounds for $189. Gary Gronfor Federal Product Service Dept.
