UNDERSTANDING SAAMI’S HIGH STANDARDS
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) was established in 1926 at the request of the federal government. Driven by safety, the goal of SAAMI was to publish industry standards for interchangeability, reliability and quality in regard to arms and ammunition. SAAMI’s current mission statement is, “To create and promulgate technical, performance and safety standards for firearms, ammunition, and components; and to be the preeminent global resource for the safe and responsible transportation, storage, and use of these products.”
This all sounds rather bureaucratic but even though it was created at the behest of elected politicians, SAAMI isn’t a government agency. It’s the organization that—to put it simply—makes it possible for you to purchase a .270 Winchester rifle and then buy .270 Winchester ammunition that will safely and effectively work in that rifle. Buying ammunition that works in your gun might not seem a big deal, but that’s because after almost a century it with little or no regard as to why it’s even possible.
