Friday, December 5, 2014

U.S. Army Seeks New Sidearm

U.S. Army seeking new sidearm to replace Beretta

 

Beretta M9
 In a move that should surprise exactly no one, the US Army has announce plans to replace the Beretta M9 service pistol. Troubled by the current pistol's heavy weight, long trigger pull, 2x4 shaped grip, spotty reliability, and brick-like ergonomics, the Army is seeking a modern alternative.

Just like it has for nearly every year of the Beretta's 30 years of service.

The announcement comes on the heels of an order for an additional 100,000 M9 pistols.

Cynics point to Washington, DC's miserable winter weather and the potential suppliers' sunny facilities as a reason for the proposed change.

HT Drudge, Washington Times
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3 comments:

  1. ArcherDecember 5, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    I've heard that one of the submitted contenders is a variant of the S&W M&P series.

    I've not fired one, but I hear enough good things about them that I want to fire one.

    What I wonder is why they're seeking a new pistol, and not just going with their other "new" pistol, the "Pistol, Compact, 9mm, M11" (a.k.a. a SIG SAUER P226/228/229).

    Not to get cynically conspiracy-minded, but when the military signs a contract with a manufacturer for a specific model, demand for that model goes up, which means civilian prices on that model go up. Often way up, higher than a lot of people can afford. Coincidence?

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  2. Charlie FoxtrotDecember 5, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    I'm going to bet that this current study will remain just that - another study. However... "Modular" is being thrown around like it is this year's "Eco". To my limited knowledge, SIG has the only modular pistol around....

    The Smidt is a fine firearm. if I wasn't so heavily invested in Glock fanboy t-shirts, jackets, hats, range bags, battle flags, etc, I just might go with the M&P line. However - that would be a lot of extra money sunk in Apex triggers. To the point: the wife chose an M&P 9 and 9C, and she's NEVER wrong.

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  3. Braden LynchDecember 6, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    I assume that they will still be going with 9mm. If that is the case, they have a nice list of striker fired (and potentially polymer) pistols that would be inexpensive and easy to maintain. I love the Beretta, but it is long in the tooth and there are some great newer options out there.

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