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| Science & Technology |
| Is the Beretta A3 Ready to Be the Military's Next Sidearm? |
| 2016-11-13 |
| [Shooters Log] The military is making noises concerning a new sidearm. There is some controversy. Handguns, for whatever reason, seem to come with more emotional attachment and a sense of history than the rifle. I believe, that as a close quarters combat pistol, the Beretta 92 is lacking the most important attribute a sidearm should have and that is wound potential. There is junk science in the world, and I choose to ignore it--as will most professional soldiers and peace officers. Beretta A3 with ammunition box pistol case The Beretta A3 is the latest in a long line of 9mm Beretta military handguns. There is much to be said for the military simply ordering the pistols they need without going through a cumbersome trial. Congressional oversight is all well and good, after all, it is our tax money (As if congress has a good record for spending our money). The pistol should be vetted in an exhaustive trail but that isn’t that difficult. All it takes is time, personnel, and ammunition. The Beretta A3 isn’t a new pistol but a modified Beretta M9/M92. Senator John McCain felt that the Army should choose the caliber first. From his report: "The Army plans to conduct ’an open caliber competition,’ which means the choice of caliber is left up to the discretion of industry. But the caliber of the cartridge and the type of bullet it launches is arguably the most important performance component of the handgun," the report states. Army officers have made comments such as ’just buy a bunch of Glock 19 9mm pistols’, a reasonable trend. There are certain requirements in the Army circular for the MHS pistol (Army Modular Handgun System) that cannot be met by many pistols but which may be met by the Beretta A3. The A3 is an updated Beretta 92. That isn’t a bad thing as the Beretta’s primary advantage is reliability. It is accurate enough for any foreseeable handgun task. Con't. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #15 #7 P.S. - I have a .40 G22 because even my wife can handle it and it weighs less than 1.5 lbs. The standard. Great weapon - most police and sheriff's departments use it. |
| Posted by: Tennessee 2016-11-13 20:19 |
| #14 WTF is a .45 like? Like jumping off the couch, but in your arms instead of legs. There is a little bit of a report as well. And yes. Yes I do like 45. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2016-11-13 18:52 |
| #13 I have a 1894 Winchester saddlegun in .44 Magnum. Fun |
| Posted by: Frank G 2016-11-13 17:12 |
| #12 Had the pleasure once of firing a .40, 9mm, .357 mag and a .45 in order. The 3.57 was the most cannon like, followed by the .40. The 9mm reminded me of my .22. Then there was standing next to the guy with the .50.....oy. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2016-11-13 17:02 |
| #11 WTF is a .45 like? Not quite as bad as your 'hand cannon', but still more of a shoot-look-shoot type. Just shooting for quick fire (squeeze, squeeze, squeeze) should only be done by a very well trained individual otherwise the spread is only good at close hand to hand range (which, by the way, is when you need a .45). |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2016-11-13 15:53 |
| #10 Proves my point, Skidmark. Only Americans would convert uzi to 45 ACP. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-11-13 14:34 |
| #9 My best 45 is Israeli, Grom. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2016-11-13 14:26 |
| #8 I fired a .357 magnum and that was like holding onto a cannon going off. The glock I fired was easy. WTF is a .45 like? |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2016-11-13 13:55 |
| #7 P.S. - I have a .40 G22 because even my wife can handle it and it weighs less than 1.5 lbs. Almost went with the CZ P-09, but it was a bit too heavy for her during multiple round firing. Still a great pistol, though. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2016-11-13 12:38 |
| #6 .45 ACP is more difficult to shoot by some segments of our 'gender neutral' armed forces. Heavier weapon and a bit more of a kick. Again, we'll force everyone to the lowest denominator. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2016-11-13 12:33 |
| #5 Americans: you really love your 45. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2016-11-13 12:16 |
| #4 Happy owner of both calibers. If the need arises, will use the one most handy. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2016-11-13 11:50 |
| #3 The .45 ACP will stop most anything on two legs It was adopted to stop a four legged creature, in the US cavalry early in the 20th Century. So, if it can drop a horse, it can drop a human (or a drug crazed Moro) is just another plus in its factor. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2016-11-13 08:09 |
| #2 Number of bullets is more important than caliber. Then how handy it is. |
| Posted by: Crolunter Wittlesbach4284 2016-11-13 01:59 |
| #1 9mm is a useless piece of crap wouldn't stop a small cat much less an angry person with a knife or gun. You want a pistol that ends arguments...and due to the stress of close combat a weapon that doesn't require a crack shot. The .45 ACP will stop most anything on two legs and you can hit them anywhere and the argument is over...even if they are wearing a bulletproof vest the punch will break ribs and knock the wind out of them I don't understand why our ordinance geniuses can't buy a weapon that kills people effectively. |
| Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom 2016-11-13 00:51 |