[Balbino]

I keep hearing they are looking for a replacement for the M9 (Beretta) and they want to go back to a .45. First off, is this true? Second what is taking so long to pick one (if they havent already)? And does anyone know what the criteria for selection is? Or know a list of guns that are being considered? Personally if I were picking Id want:
1. DA/SA or DAO with second strike capability.
2. External safety
3. 10 or more rounds in mag
4. Ultra reliable
5. Good price (this last one pretty much excludes everything that I know of)


I could probably over look one of these criteria if other critera was good. (except #4)

 

[fatcat]

Yes that are looking for a .45... Thank God!... Not sure of the choices now, they have changed since the last time I read.

 

[einzelherz]

the program was to select a new pistol from calibers .223 - .45 with mag capacities of 8+ for auto and 6+ for revolver. The idea was to have a pistol and suppressor combo that reduced something like 45db (impossible with today's technology)

it got canned last year, like most contests like this. the benefit of this is that the pistols that various companies submitted will now be filtering into the civvie market (albeit at grotesque prices) since these respective companies spent a decent amount of money already and don't feel like getting completely reamed.

 

[Janq]

Yes....they and para-military organizations too are looking to restandardize toward the future on .45ACP and .40S&W.

IIRC the Air Force has a program in play at the moment toward this while the Marines (or maybe it was the rmy) just recently ended their own programtoward seeing what the market had available and/or could develop.
That program ending and not being followed up does not mean the initiative is not ongoing. That kind of thing happens all the time in govt. with RFI, RFP, and RFQ opportunities. Effectively Uncle Sam asks hey is such a thing possible muchless viable, suppliers please tell me what you can do with this dream/spec. Suppliers respond in kind and hope that Sam will then buy into it beyiond just asking. Sam says thanks for the information, no thanks right now...but we'll keep this information under consideration toward future review. 6, 12, 18, 24 or months later boom a new RFP or RFQ pops up via the CBD (Commerce Business Daily) and boom you got Uncle Sam's boys walking around with SCARs and going ship to land aboard rigid hull inflatables for rides in HMMWVs.

All of the above and much more were once just an RFI or RFP, before eventually bcoming an RFQ toward policy & practice.
For those not familiar with govt. procurement below is an example link to a real RFP (request for proposal) that occured back in '01 via the DoD out of the Aberdeen Proving Ground toward polling the market for a .45 ACP chambered combat pistol as per the CBD; http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cg...SdocID=560426183021+5+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

- Janq

 

[Gun-Nut]

Rumor was, that this is the reason the HK45 came to be. This is one of the reasons HK enlisted the help of Larry Vickers to design a new sidearm for the Army.

 

[Adler]

Its also why we got the SA XD45, the new tactical Taurus 24/7, the S&W M&P 45, and the Beretta PX4 in 45acp

 

[Adler]

oh and the new FNP 45acp

 

[Vostok 7]

Is the Taurus 24/7 OSS pretty good? I kinda like 'em.

Vostok 7

 

[brucelee]

Whats wrong with the 1911?

 

[Adler]

Low capacity, high weight, wrong trigger system.

Its pretty much all outside the guidelines I have read.

 

[Hans]

Low capacity, high weight, wrong trigger system.

Its pretty much all outside the guidelines I have read.

So, the problem with the 1911 is that it's the 1911.

Peace,
Hans

 

[Janq]

Low capacity, high weight, wrong trigger system.

Its pretty much all outside the guidelines I have read.

Agreed and ditto.

Everyone wants a big hard hitting caliber sidearm with a frame mounted safety...but then beyond that higher capacity than 7 is mandatory and they want modern configurability toward either SA or armorer conversion capability to DA/SA, as well as all the new school goodies like frame rails, firing pin safeties to be drop proof, and being made of ultra lightweight strong as steel materials with anti-marine environment sealants/coverings as well.

Basically the same stuff we civilians desire and appreciate.
No way I'd carry my full steel with rail Sig GSR 1911 to combat, or even as a duty rig. It's just too friggen heavy empty never mind with 8+1.
It would though make for a great bludgeon when emptied.

- Janq

 

[Adler]

Yeah about the only thing the could do is make it with a stainless slide and an aluminum frame. But I think the 1911, requiring so much hand fiting versus other designs woud lose the bidding war as well as parts and labor costs do to the fdact thinhgs rarely seem to just drop in.

Personally Id like to see the SIG 220. I just like all metal guns.

 

[Jeremy]

My guess is that that is the reason Sig made a SAO 220 with a saftey. The GRS is biggr and heavier but the 220 and 220 carry models are almost identical to the 226 which already has a good US following. Making the 220 in a SAO with saftey would appeal to the military but unfortunatly I can't see them spending the $$$

 

[Adler]

Yeah well last time SIG actually was the cheapest bidder per gun with the 226. Beretta got it cause they charged less for parts and service.

Im sure we wouldnt have heard half the bitching if the govt would have just poined up the extra cash...or let Beretta make the damn M9 in Italy.