Gov't Arsenals vs. Private - The Firearms Forum

dcriner · 10-03-2012, 07:28 PM

I seems that in the past, some of our most effective military firearms were developed and build by U.S. arsenals. Is the idea of government arsenals now obsolete?

jack404 · 10-03-2012, 07:29 PM

pretty much , nowdays it seems its all about appeasement

Jim K · 10-03-2012, 08:20 PM

During the Kennedy administration, the bean counters decided that a government arsenal (i.e., Springfield) was not cost effective and could be closed, and that the government's small arms needs could be met by private industry. I am neutral on that specific issue, but the decision had one unfortunate effect in that it took away almost all of the government's small arms design and production expertise. From that point, the government lost not only its own R&D but also its capability to evaluate design and estimate tool up and production time and cost.

Left to themselves, military planners, especially of the junior officer variety, tend to "ask for the moon" because they have no ability to understand how much said "moon" is likely to cost. Contractors, unfortunately, will try to give the government what it says it wants or needs. If the contractor personnel know that the job is impossible or will cost too much, they keep quiet - after all, their paychecks are on the line. With no government expertise to provide a source of sound estimates of cost and capaility, every small arms system tends to have cost overruns, poor performance, and a failure to understand the conditions encountered in combat.

Jim

10-03-2012, 07:28 PM	#1
dcriner V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 238	Gov't Arsenals vs. Private I seems that in the past, some of our most effective military firearms were developed and build by U.S. arsenals. Is the idea of government arsenals now obsolete? -->

10-03-2012, 07:29 PM	#2
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Gov't Arsenals vs. Private pretty much , nowdays it seems its all about appeasement

10-03-2012, 08:20 PM	#3
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Gov't Arsenals vs. Private During the Kennedy administration, the bean counters decided that a government arsenal (i.e., Springfield) was not cost effective and could be closed, and that the government's small arms needs could be met by private industry. I am neutral on that specific issue, but the decision had one unfortunate effect in that it took away almost all of the government's small arms design and production expertise. From that point, the government lost not only its own R&D but also its capability to evaluate design and estimate tool up and production time and cost. Left to themselves, military planners, especially of the junior officer variety, tend to "ask for the moon" because they have no ability to understand how much said "moon" is likely to cost. Contractors, unfortunately, will try to give the government what it says it wants or needs. If the contractor personnel know that the job is impossible or will cost too much, they keep quiet - after all, their paychecks are on the line. With no government expertise to provide a source of sound estimates of cost and capaility, every small arms system tends to have cost overruns, poor performance, and a failure to understand the conditions encountered in combat. Jim