SAAMI
Definition
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute; the US voluntary standards body that publishes chamber and cartridge drawings and maximum average pressure (MAP) specifications for US commercial and military cartridges.
- Type
- US voluntary standards body
- Primary publications
- Chamber and cartridge drawings, maximum average pressure (MAP) specifications
- Scope
- US commercial and military cartridges and calibres
Common questions
What does SAAMI stand for?+
SAAMI stands for Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute. It is the voluntary standards body in the United States that publishes specifications for ammunition and firearms chambers.
What key specifications does SAAMI publish?+
SAAMI publishes chamber and cartridge drawings plus maximum average pressure (MAP) standards for US commercial and military calibres. These specs ensure ammunition performs safely and consistently across different firearms.
Why do forensic examiners need to know about SAAMI?+
Forensic ballistics examiners use SAAMI specifications to verify cartridge and chamber dimensions, identify calibres, and understand pressure limits. These standards serve as the reference baseline for dimensional and pressure analysis in ballistic examinations.
Related terms
- CIP
- Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives; the European proof body that standardises chamber and cartridge specifications for European...
- Ball Propellant
- Spherical or slightly flattened-sphere propellant grain used in pistol and some rifle cartridges; meters consistently through powder dispensers and produces a specific...
- Belted Case
- Cartridge case with a raised band (belt) ahead of the extractor groove that controls headspace; found in large-calibre magnum cartridges including .300...
- Berdan Primer Pocket
- Primer pocket with an integral anvil post and two offset flash holes; the primer cup has no anvil. Standard in European commercial...
- Boxer Primer Pocket
- Primer pocket with a single central flash hole; the primer anvil is integral to the primer cup. Standard in US commercial production....
- Extruded (Stick) Propellant
- Cylindrical rod-shaped propellant grain with single or multiple perforation; dominant in medium- and slow-burning rifle propellants for 5.56mm, 7.62mm NATO, and larger...
- Gilding Metal
- 90 percent copper and 10 percent zinc alloy used for bullet jackets in most commercial FMJ and jacketed pistol ammunition; softer than...
- GRC Database
- General Rifling Characteristics database maintained by the FBI Laboratory's Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; includes an ammunition component section that references headstamp codes...
- Headspace
- The dimensional distance from the bolt face to the datum line in the chamber at which the cartridge case head rests; excessive...
- Imperial Calibre Notation
- Calibre designation using decimal fractions of an inch, often with a name suffix indicating the designer or intended firearm (e.g. .45 ACP,...
- IOF
- Indian Ordnance Factory headstamp code (produced at Khadki / Kirkee, Pune); the primary Indian government producer of 9x19mm, .38 Special, and 7.62x51mm...
- LC
- Lake City Army Ammunition Plant headstamp code; the primary US military ammunition producer for small-arms calibres including 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, and .50 BMG.
Explained in these topics
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