| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| The Debate Goes On. U.S. Army seeking new sidearm to replace Beretta 9mm. |
| 2014-12-05 |
| For almost 30 years, the Beretta has been the sidearm of choice for the U.S. Army — but now the Pentagon wants a new pistol, and has put out the word to gun manufacturers: Let the bidding begin. An Army spokesman said to CNNMoney that officials will be requesting a proposal for a new standard-issue sidearm in January. Smith & Wesson and General Dynamics have already put their names in the ring, and announced the entrance of the M&P to the competition. A U.S. Army contract is not only a financial windfall, but a boon to the maker’s reputation. Guns chosen by the military frequently hit cult status and are often portrayed in Hollywood action flicks, from James Bond dramas to more modern-day, fast-action thrillers. The Beretta M9 has been used by the Army since 1985 — and was actually the “lethal weapon” in the 1987 hit, “Lethal Weapon.” U.S. Army officials haven’t specified if they want lighter handguns, like the Glock model frequently used by police. But it has already switched from the heavy wood-and-metal M-14 of the Vietnam era to the mostly plastic M-16 — and then, to the even lighter M4, CNNMoney said. The 9mm vs. the .40cal vs. the .45cal. debate again. The comments in the article are more interesting than the article. One pistol that was not mentioned is one which I'm curious about. It is the FN57. This, as you might recall, is the pistol which terrorist (and former military shrink) Nidal Hasan shot up Ft. Hood. The pistol is a high velocity 5.7 x 28 mm round with a muzzle velocity of about 2000+ fps. The pistol is pricey. I don't know much about its reliability. |
| Posted by:JohnQC |
| #10 M&P 40 is supposedly one of the front runners |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2014-12-05 22:28 |
| #9 Austin, TX shooter downed at 100 yds with M&P 40.. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2014-12-05 22:25 |
| #8 Double Plus Colt 1911 |
| Posted by: linker 2014-12-05 19:16 |
| #7 There was that superb .45 cal they were using in 2011, oh, wait, I mean 1911. |
| Posted by: KBK 2014-12-05 17:56 |
| #6 Or they would require the firearm to have so many safeties on it as to render it unsafe and unusable. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2014-12-05 16:57 |
| #5 I wouldn't procure till 2017. The diversity whores in DoD will insist that it would have to be usable by people who can't handle the needed caliber to drop a target on their ass even if you didn't kill'm. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2014-12-05 16:50 |
| #4 I read in the local newspaper that an experienced police officer had a discharge of his duty weapon while going off-duty. He was exiting the police car when his weapon discharged There was no mention of how this happened. The last I knew, they were carrying Glocks. I seem to recall they went from a 9mm Glock to a 45cal Glock. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2014-12-05 16:29 |
| #3 Whatever it is, you can bet that it will be polymer frame, dead simple to maintain, and a more powerful round than the 9mm parabellum. Big question is will they go with a striker fired weapon instead of a hammer fired one? |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2014-12-05 15:24 |
| #2 The "Lethal Weapon" in those movies was not the firearm, it was Mel Gibson's character, Riggs. I swear, journalists are idiots when it comes to firearms and having their entire vision and judgement clouded by irrationality. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2014-12-05 15:20 |
| #1 The FN 57x28 Pistol is a quality pistol though mostly plastic and overpriced considering what is available now. Reliable; probably, as it IS an FN. Even with AP (military or LE only) rounds it won't penetrate body armor with plates any better than a 5.56. When you check reloading data the bullet is just a very light version of the 5.56/.223 family. Small caliber vs. Large. Comes down to what is desired, many Spec Ops who have used the Beretta favor the 45. Depends on the mission. |
| Posted by: tipover 2014-12-05 12:33 |