What does “XM” mean?

/ hsoi

XM193 ammo is fairly well-regarded. But exactly what does the XM stand for? You hear lots of explanations.

Here’s the definitive, right from ATK themselves:

XM193 ammunition is 5.56mm contract overrun material. It may not meet all of the mil-spec requirements, however, it does meet all requirements of commercial ammunition for pressure, form, fit and function.

There’s a little more to it as well, so clicky-clicky and read.

2 thoughts on “What does “XM” mean?”

  1. I’m not aware of the US military still using M193 for anything so it can’t be “contract overrun.” Unless they are making it for a foreign military.

    What seems more likely is “using our excess manufacturing capacity, keep making M193 the same way as before, even after the military switched to M855, and sell that product on the commercial market as ‘XM’193, since we can’t call it M193.”

    • Hrm. Good point. Only ATK would know for sure. Going back to that GunZone page, there’s no date indicating when that exchange with the ATK rep took place…. so it may well mean more like you’re saying.

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