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M855A1 Ammo For Sale 1000 Rounds
Original price was: $900.00.$450.00Current price is: $450.00.
In Stock, and is ready for delivery!
M855A1 ammo is a popular 5.56x45mm NATO round, and Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo offers it to shooters who want the Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) used by U.S. troops.
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Description
Description
M855A1 Ammo for Sale Online 1000 Rounds
M855A1 ammo is a popular 5.56x45mm NATO round, and Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo offers it to shooters who want the Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) used by U.S. troops. On this page, you’ll learn what M855A1 is, how it compares to M855 and M995, and how to buy it in bulk. If you’re ready to order, go to the Where to Buy section below for current stock and purchase details. Otherwise, keep reading for key specs before you buy.
What Is M855A1?
M855A1 is the U.S. Army’s 5.56x45mm Enhanced Performance Round. It is a 62-grain rifle cartridge with a copper-core projectile that replaces the older lead-core design. It is the modern replacement for the “green tip” M855. It is designed to perform more reliably across barriers and to function consistently from a 20-inch rifle or a short 10.5-inch carbine.
The round uses a steel penetrator tip over a solid copper slug, eliminating the lead core. That is why the Army calls it more environmentally friendly: it leaves less lead on training ranges.
History
The M855A1 program grew out of complaints from troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the older M855 round showed inconsistent terminal performance against vehicles, barriers, and body armor at various ranges. The Army’s Picatinny Arsenal and Lake City Army Ammunition Plant spent years developing a fix, and M855A1 was type-classified and fielded starting in 2010.
It was not a simple change. Engineers had to address a chamber-pressure problem caused by the harder copper core, which required redesigning the case and propellant load. This led to the first major update to U.S. 5.56 ball ammunition in decades, and it remains the standard-issue round for M4 and M16 rifles today.
M855 vs M855A1 Ammo
The core difference is construction. M855 uses a lead core with a steel penetrator tip; M855A1 replaces the lead with solid copper and reshapes the penetrator to improve barrier performance.
- Evenness across barrel lengths: M855A1 was tuned to perform similarly from short carbines and full-length rifles. M855 loses velocity and terminal performance faster from short barrels.
- Barrier penetration: M855A1 was built to defeat steel, wood, and masonry barriers more reliably than M855.
- Environmental factor: M855A1’s copper core removes lead from the equation; M855 does not.
- Cost and availability: M855 is widely produced for the commercial market. M855A1 is not, as explained below.
M995 vs M855A1 Ammo
These two rounds solve different problems and shouldn’t be confused. M995 is a dedicated armor-piercing round built around a tungsten carbide penetrator core, designed to defeat body armor and light armor plate.
M855A1 is a general-purpose ball round with better barrier performance. It is not classified as armor-piercing ammunition. M995 is much more expensive to make and is tightly controlled, which is why it is not marketed to civilian shooters like M855A1-pattern ammo.
Features and Specifications
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Bullet weight: 62 grains
- Bullet construction: Copper slug with steel penetrator tip (no lead core)
- Tip color: Green with a light blue/silver tip band, identifying it visually from standard M855
- Case: Brass, Boxer-primed
- Corrosive: No. Standard cleaning procedures apply.
Performance and Ballistics
Independent and Army testing has shown M855A1 penetrating roughly 3/8-inch mild steel at distances approaching 400 meters, a meaningful improvement over M855’s barrier performance at similar range. Muzzle velocity runs close to 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel, with less velocity and performance drop-off from shorter carbine-length barrels than its predecessor.
The round also has a more predictable fragmentation pattern, which was one of the main issues the Army wanted to fix with the redesign. However, M855A1 is not a cure-all. It is still a 62-grain 5.56 round and will not outperform a dedicated armor-piercing load like M995 against hardened plate.
Military Use of M855A1 Ammo
M855A1 has been the U.S. Army’s standard-issue ball round for the M4 carbine and M16 rifle since it replaced M855 in front-line units starting in 2010. It’s loaded under military contract at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Missouri, the only facility currently producing it.
Because it’s made only for military contracts, there is no dedicated commercial production line for M855A1. Every round that reaches the civilian market comes from surplus, pulled-bullet inventory, or secondary-market channels.
When Will M855A1 Be Available?
M855A1 is available now, but not like standard commercial ammunition. Since all of Lake City’s production goes to military contracts, there is no scheduled commercial release date. Supply depends on surplus lots becoming available, so that availability can change without notice. That scarcity also drives the higher price than standard M855, often several times more per round.
Civilian Use and Availability
Civilians can legally buy M855A1 in most states. Federal law classifies it as rifle ammunition, not armor-piercing ammunition. However, some states restrict ammunition by construction type or sales channel, so check your local and state regulations before ordering.
One practical note unrelated to legality: many indoor ranges use a magnet test on ammunition and do not allow anything with a steel core or penetrator tip. This rule affects M855A1 just like standard M855, so check your range’s ammunition policy before bringing a case.
Where to Buy M855A1 Ammo?
Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo offers M855A1 ammo for sale online in 1000-round cases, sourced through verified surplus and secondary-market channels, not imitation commercial clones sold under the same name. To buy, check current stock in the Where to Buy section and complete your order through a licensed dealer with verifiable documentation.
If you want the round the Army trusts for barrier penetration and uniform performance across barrel lengths, order your 1,000-round case of M855A1 ammo from Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo today. Check current availability in the Where to Buy section and secure your case before the next batch sells out.
FAQ
- Can civilians buy M855A1? Yes, in most states. It is legal rifle ammunition under federal law, though a few states have their own restrictions. Check local law before ordering.
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Is M855A1 legal? Yes. Federal law doesn’t classify it as armor-piercing ammunition, so it’s treated the same as standard rifle ammunition for purchase purposes.
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Is M855A1 armor-piercing? No. M855A1 is a general-purpose ball round with improved barrier penetration. The dedicated armor-piercing round in the 5.56 family is M995, which uses a tungsten carbide core.
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What grain is M855A1? 62 grains, the same bullet weight as the standard M855, but with a copper core instead of lead. If you need M855A1, check current availability in the Where to Buy section and order while stock lasts.
Delivery Info
- Standard and Express delivery services are available for all items.
- Shipping costs are calculated at the checkout page (after delivery option & destination confirmation).
- Tracking is available for all delivery options.
- Items are delivered during standard business hours.
Reviews (5)
5 reviews for M855A1 Ammo For Sale 1000 Rounds
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Nathan Brooks –
I purchased the M855A1 Ammo 1000 Rounds and was impressed with how carefully the order was packaged. Everything arrived well protected and organized, and communication throughout the order process was professional.
At the range, the ammunition performed consistently during my session. Overall, I was pleased with the condition of the order, the careful handling, and my experience with Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo.
Jordan Reynolds –
The M855A1 Ammo 1000 Rounds order was packaged securely and handled with care. Communication was professional throughout the process, and everything in the package was organized and protected. Overall, I was pleased with the service and attention given to my order.
Connor Mitchel –
My order was packaged securely and arrived in excellent condition. I especially appreciated the careful handling and professional communication from Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo. Overall, the ordering experience was smooth and well organized.
Nathan Brooks –
The overall ordering experience was fine, but the outer packaging could have been more secure when it arrived. Fortunately, the contents were protected. I would like to see stronger packaging on future orders.
Mikel T –
I ordered 1,000 rounds of M855A1 from Smoky Mountain Guns and Ammo and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from a smaller retailer, but they exceeded expectations. The order shipped fast, was packed securely, and tracking updates were accurate the whole way. Ammo arrived in perfect condition, no dented boxes or missing rounds. Communication was clear if I had questions. I’ll definitely be ordering from them again.