New handgun for Army?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:18:49 -0500

The Army apparently is testing for a new side arm. My question to all the hand gun familiar folk on RP is, if you could make suggestions as to what side arm they could choose, what would it be?

Additionally I'd like to hear your thoughts on the current side arms we have in place. Why should we have a new one, what was good about the Barretta?

I've attached a toll vote of my favorite suggestions, but feel free to list more in the comments below

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 7 at 2015 11:22 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:22:59 -0500

can you add an "Other" category........Kimber makes some very nice handguns.

My recommendation for replacing the current weapon would be something made in the USA and a 1911....the Kimber Warrior SOC is an outstanding weapon.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-ii/warrior-soc-tfs

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 11:39 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:39:20 -0500

*Just remember discussing the SPECIFIC fielding of new equipment could be an OPSEC violation.*

I understand your piece is on opinion, just throwing it out there for the younger guys who might want to tell when their unit is getting then new ____ pistols.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 7 at 2015 11:45 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 11:45:53 -0500

I LOVE the Springfield XD .40! Unfortunately I feel the US military would require some sort of switch type external safety in addition to the trigger and hand guard depression safeties.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 12:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:17:29 -0500

I would go with Heckler and Koch. They make great firearms and some are already in use by DoD

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 7 at 2015 12:26 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:26:39 -0500

Former gun dealer here.

Although I love the XD, and would recommend it, as my preferred choice of the list, it won't meet the service needs.

1) External safety. I hate to say it, but we need a weapon that can be placed into a "safe" condition. The XD & Glock don't meet that requirement.

2) NATO round. Probably 9mm. I'd love a .40 or a .45 for takedown power, but .40 is generally a non-starter unless it's special operations. The .38 is just a scaled down 9mm.

Were I to guess, it would be the sig.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 1:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:14:40 -0500

Well my 2 cents is with an army cutting back in budget this is not the time to spend money on a new hand gun. The Berretta 92F is a fine weapon and does the job. Are there better weapons out there sure can we get better sure. But why when we don't have money for soldiers and training and everything else that is in the DOD budget this is one expense that we don't need. I say keep what we have until we have a need to change to something different or we have some extra budget to play with.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 1:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:19:58 -0500

I voted for the Springfield XD due to it being the best of the limited options available, however if the army feels the need to replace the sidearm as army times and military.com reported than my vote would truly go to "other" for the Beretta M9A3. With ambidextrous use and ability to interchange different size handgrips to cover the much complained issue by thouse with smaller hands. It already holds great accuracy and has a elegant design that allows for easy stowing and rapid deployment finally it has a mount bar for flashlights, lasers, and other accessories.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 7 at 2015 3:01 PM

SPC David S. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:01:47 -0500

My pick while not on the list is the CZ 75 SP 01. There is a tactical version with a decoder safety 9 mm NATO approved.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 3:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:03:44 -0500

Bring back the .45. This weapon has all of the knock down power we could ask for. I have a 1911 and a ruger P90, both are great sidearms but obviously the army's original 1911 is the favorite.

Response by CPT Christopher Goss made Mar 7 at 2015 3:12 PM

CPT Christopher Goss — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:12:57 -0500

I'm a HUGE SIG fan. P229 is an amazing sidearm. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and they require a little more attention than the Glocks, however, when given the attention they deserve, they are hard to beat!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 7 at 2015 3:14 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 15:14:44 -0500

It should be a .45 for sure. Marsoc just selected the Colt. I like the colt, tried and true. I am also partial to the Glock. I bought a Glock 21 Gen 4 recently. It is a really nice weapon. We need to get over the need for a safety selector.

Response by SPC Steve Spofford Ii made Mar 7 at 2015 9:38 PM

SPC Steve Spofford Ii — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:38:35 -0500

In my opinion the Smith and Wesson M&P 40 or 9 would be a better choice over any of those my reasoning being that the comb on the stock for the grip would be adjustable keep in mind we have females with small hands so too big of a fire alarm is going to be a problem for them to qualify with

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 9:31 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 09:31:19 -0400

Something to remember is that "Stopping power" and "Knock down power" are merely buzz words used by weapon manufacturers to boost sales. Unless you are talking about switching the type of ammunition from ball to hollow point. That's where you get actual noticeable differences in ammunition performance. Heavier hollow point rounds transfer more energy to the target, which causes more initial shock to the system. Lethality is still based upon shot placement though, so if you miss the target with a larger round you just have to reload more often.

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 17 at 2015 12:06 PM

MSgt David Haupt — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:06:28 -0400

News Flash "The Army" has been testing out a new hand gun since 2008. The glock will not make the cut...no external safety. Last I heard was the Springfield, Smith & Wesson MP series and the H&K all in .40. They had these three picked out but Congress would not approve because of the new spring retention rode they put in the Beretta. I personnel like the Springfield.

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Jan 21 at 2017 11:44 AM

PO2 Gerry Tandberg — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 11:44:50 -0500

Millitary.com posted the US Army on Thursday, Jan 19, 2017 awarded Sig Sauer a contract to make the next service pistol based on their P320; a polymer striker-fired pistol of modular design allowing customization, including changing from 9MM to 40 S&W. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/19/army-picks-sig-sauer-replace-m9-service-pistol.html?ESRC=dod-bz.nl
Although I’m familiar with, and fired many rounds of 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP in Glock’s, 1911’s, HK’s, S&W’s, and Ruger’s, I have no experience using the Beretta 92F. My MOS in the Navy never required me to be armed, therefore I thought it would be interesting to hear comments of Combat Veterans who were required to carry and used a handgun. During my active duty period pilots carried 6” S&W 38 caliber revolvers. An armed guard aboard ship carried a 1911A1 in 45 ACP. I’m fully aware opinions will run from A to Z. My personal preferences doesn’t really matter, other than I prefer a light weight handgun for carry purposes that I can shoot equally well as my full framed Kimber 1911 in 45 ACP; a weapon I prefer not to carry for self defense due to it’s weight and bulk as I no longer have a waist, therefore suspenders would be required for support. Additionally I prefer a DA or DAO for a carry weapon.

Army Picks Sig Sauer's P320 Handgun to Replace M9 Service Pistol

The U.S. Army on Thursday awarded Sig Sauer a contract worth $580 million to make the service's next service pistol.