Be an informed consumer!

[K.L. Davis]

Not sure if this was already covered... the thread started out talking about MilSpec and seems to have degraded into a dick measuring standard.

The "MilSpec" exists to protect Uncle Sam's investment - to make sure that the 10,000 barrels he is buying are the same as the two sample barrels that were tested - that said, it is an antiquated system and a lot of folks on both sides of the purchasing would like to see the move to "performance based standards."

Simply put, rather than tell the manufacturer: "you will make your barrels from X steel, and plated them with Y to a standard of 234... blah, blah, blah" - many people would be much happier with a performance standard... something like: "the barrels will have this accuracy standard, they will withstand this pressure, this environmental corrosion test, and heat to XXXX, and will have a service life of XXXX number of rounds without accuracy degrading to worse than XXXXX - and we don't give a shit how you do it."

A performance based requirement allows for innovation and competition... the classic example is the space program - the requirement was "get to the moon... couldn't begin to tell you how you will do it, no one has ever done it"

There are already waivers in specifications to allow for end performance acceptance... and often they result in improved products.

Bottom line is the MilSpec is a standard... the best? No, but it is a standard that allows the purchaser (you) to at least know what they are getting... but in many cases there are things that do not meet the MilSpec, but are actually better products; anyone that has ever wiped their ass with MilSpec toilet paper can attest to that.

[T2C]

I have to agree with K.L. Davis' post. If the U.S. Government inks a 5 year contract with a firearm manufacturer and a better, more cost effective, way to manufacture a more durable part is developed the vendor should have the lattitude to provide the new part.

If the new part exceeds the original requirements established by the U.S. Government, everyone wins.

[C4IGrant]

I have to agree with K.L. Davis' post. If the U.S. Government inks a 5 year contract with a firearm manufacturer and a better, more cost effective, way to manufacture a more durable part is developed the vendor should have the lattitude to provide the new part.

If the new part exceeds the original requirements established by the U.S. Government, everyone wins.

Colt has done this many times. The manufacturer must demonstrate why it is better though.


C4

[C4IGrant]

Thanks K.L. for your post.



C4

[sheperd80]

Thanks for the effort on this.

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[chriscw81]

Great post!

[CHawks_12]

Awesome post!!!


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[William B.]

there are things that do not meet the MilSpec, but are actually better products; anyone that has ever wiped their ass with MilSpec toilet paper can attest to that.

Awesome post. I'm not going to lie, though. My butthole puckered when you said that.

[quaesitor logica]

Not sure if this was already covered... the thread started out talking about MilSpec and seems to have degraded into a dick measuring standard.

The "MilSpec" exists to protect Uncle Sam's investment - to make sure that the 10,000 barrels he is buying are the same as the two sample barrels that were tested - that said, it is an antiquated system and a lot of folks on both sides of the purchasing would like to see the move to "performance based standards."

Simply put, rather than tell the manufacturer: "you will make your barrels from X steel, and plated them with Y to a standard of 234... blah, blah, blah" - many people would be much happier with a performance standard... something like: "the barrels will have this accuracy standard, they will withstand this pressure, this environmental corrosion test, and heat to XXXX, and will have a service life of XXXX number of rounds without accuracy degrading to worse than XXXXX - and we don't give a shit how you do it."

A performance based requirement allows for innovation and competition... the classic example is the space program - the requirement was "get to the moon... couldn't begin to tell you how you will do it, no one has ever done it"

There are already waivers in specifications to allow for end performance acceptance... and often they result in improved products

Bottom line is the MilSpec is a standard... the best? No, but it is a standard that allows the purchaser (you) to at least know what they are getting... but in many cases there are things that do not meet the MilSpec, but are actually better products; anyone that has ever wiped their ass with MilSpec toilet paper can attest to that.

Love this post. Puts the "TDP" and "MILSPEC" in its proper perspective. Something to be exceeded. IMO the TDP and the sweet no-competition deal Colt got from the government hurt them as free market competitors and it shows now.

[MarshallDodge]

Excellent post KL Davis!