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Posted: 8/11/2008 9:18:30 AM EDT
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First off I am sure I will get flamed for this. So go ahead if you must as I really don't care if you do. Why Mil-spec? It seams that the Government, like all businesses seam to award to the lowest bidder? I understand I want what I carried in XXX conflict or when I was in I get that. But what about every one else? Is Colt and FN just the Cheapest for them or since they already had the contracts big green likes to tow the line. What Gives? |
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No, not lowest bidder, but best value. The TDP that Colt and FN must adhere to ensure that the QC/QA thresholds are met. Can better guns be built? Absolutely. Larue, Noveske, BCM and LMT build guns comparable to or in some instances superior to those makers. However, the hobby gun makers consistently build less expensive guns that do not meet standards- by your account then, they would be the lowest bidder, but not best value considering life cycle and consistency. |
.... well said. Mil-Spec while a genuine concern is also "coined phrase" much like "Tactical" or "Operator" or "Spec-Ops". Some manufactures use these term to sell overly expensive crap to the masses. Ahhh, gotta love marketing |
The notion that the contract goes to the lowest bidder is not really correct. First, the agency short lists those firms that have a credible case that they can produce good quality products. Only those companies are invited to participate in the bidding. So, the lowest bidder stands a real chance of never being invited to quote. As to why milspec, the best answer is that it is the only published spec out there. If a company is not building to milspec, what are they building to? With spec products, you can look at the list and know what quality standards your rifle has been made to. Without that, it could be the best rifle on earth, or the worst, and you have no way of knowing short of picking up the rifle and inspecting it yourself. Which, since milspec rifles are not available to the individual from any source, is exactly what you should do. |
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