News Winchester Wins $16 million FBI Ammo Contract For .40 S&W Industry News January 6, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Find out more about how we test products. Written by Jacki Billings Winchester Ammunition will supply the Federal Bureau of Investigation with .40 S&W ammo, a contract that is worth $16 million according to the FBI. Despite the contract being awarded in September, an official announcement from Winchester was made last Thursday. Under the contract, Winchester will provide a variety of ammo to include full metal jacket (FMJ), bonded jacketed hollow point (JHP) service cartridges, and frangible training rounds to federal law enforcement. Though the feds announced in mid-2016 that agents would be making the jump to 9mm with the Glock 19M serving as the organization’s official sidearm, the FBI says the need for .40 S&W still exists. “As a deliberate and planned phase of the Federal Bureau of Investigation transition to a new pistol caliber, the agency requires a .40 S&W ammunition contract to support the currently issued legacy pistols which are incrementally being phased out,” the FBI said in the original solicitation. Winchester alluded that its 180 grain JHP was a formidable contender in the bidding and evaluation process due to its reverse -jacketed, bonded bullet. The ammo maker says the JHP is capable of penetrating a variety of intermediate barriers all the while producing consistent penetration paired with reliable expansion. The JHP uses a nickel-plated cartridge that resists corrosion in addition to cleanly feeding and extracting, according to Winchester. The cartridge’s design culminates with flash suppressed powder, meeting the FBI’s darkened range requirements to ensure agents’ night vision is not compromised while firing. “The FBI uses one of the most rigorous ammunition tests ever developed and we are very proud that Winchester has been identified as having the best product performance,” explained Matt Campbell, vice president of marketing and sales for Winchester. While the FBI selected its primary supplier of .40 S&W cartridges, the bureau is still on the prowl for 9mm ammunition to fill Glock 19M magazines. A solicitation issued in September 2017 requests a variety of 9mm rounds to pair with the Glock service pistol. With a contract estimated at $35 million, the bureau is expected to make an award announcement sometime in the third quarter of 2018. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
