Navy drops Sig and goes H&K

[ericire12]

http://pistol-training.com/archives/2436

Blockbuster announcement today made during the pistol-training.com/HK get together at HK’s booth this morning. HK has won a contract to provide HK45 Compact pistols to the U.S. Navy special operations community, replacing the SIG P226 for personnel in certain roles. Specifically, the model will be the HK45C-SD with threaded barrel and special sights for intended use as a suppressed weapon, taking the place of the now-discarded Mk23 “SOCOM” pistol.

[MikeO]

The foot is in the door? The nose is in the tent? For .45s for everybody else in the military eventually I mean? Some will dream so?

I've shot the G30, XD45C, M&P45C, USP45C, and HK45C. Liked 'em all.

[Neon Knight Anubis]

I guess it may happen again, albeit a slow bleed. If I'm correct I think the Air Force is still looking at the 45 and I know the Marines are still interested as they have expanded the issuing of the M45 in MARSOC but I really don't think we'll be changing out small arms in any large number for another generation at least. That is, unless DC and big Army change their minds.

[Timothy]

I wouldn't read too much into this.  Most squids, myself, my brothers and general "Black Shoe" types can go an entire career without even having to qualify with a handgun and rarely are we REQUIRED to do so!  I had to ask and was lucky enough to work with a Rifle/Pistol Instructor back in the day.

What the Spec Ops fellas use has always been a little off the path of the rest of the Navy.  Beretta has the contract for 500K M9's at the moment.  The Pentagon won't budge on that for the forseeable future.

[MikeO]

Don't forget the up to 14 _million_  more new M9 mags they contracted for even before the latest M9 contract. I agree, looks like the M9/M9A1 will be around a little longer than many had hoped.

Some have been trying hard to change: there was the SOF-CP (Special Operations Forces - Combat Pistol), then FHS (Future Handgun System), then JCP (Joint Combat Pistol), then CP and FHS again, then AFH (Air Force Handgun), then AFFH (Air Force Future Handgun), then MHS (Modular Handgun System)... all gone or going nowhere anytime soon.

I was issued the M15 (S&W .38 revolver), the M1911A1 (mine was a Remington), the M9 and M11 (SIG P228). Liked 'em all.

[Sponsor]

[ratcatcher55]

I wouldn't read too much into this.  Most squids, myself, my brothers and general "Black Shoe" types can go an entire career without even having to qualify with a handgun and rarely are we REQUIRED to do so!  I had to ask and was lucky enough to work with a Rifle/Pistol Instructor back in the day.

What the Spec Ops fellas use has always been a little off the path of the rest of the Navy.  Beretta has the contract for 500K M9's at the moment.  The Pentagon won't budge on that for the forseeable future.

The two USNR officers I worked with (O-6,O-4) had never had any weapons training in their MOS (163).
We took the O-4 to the range before she left for Bahrain and ran her through the M-4, M-9 and M-11 so if she had to pick one up she would know how to get them running.
We worked on the O-6 so he went to some DTI courses and actually enjoyed them. He's come to the dark side.

[Timothy]

Sounds familiar ratcatcher.....read OPNAVINST 3591.1E

It basically says unless your job REQUIRES you to carry a sidearm, you don't have to take the quals....

I have an aquaintence, recently retired, who's O-6 wife is currently in Pakistan.  The Navy ran her through a course in order to familiarize her with basic function and such.  Thirty years in the Navy and never handled a firearm and proabably never will aggain when she gets home.

She's up for Admiral too!

[tombogan03884]

 When your RIFLES have a 16 inch bore, and your issue "Close combat" equipment is a Marine Battalion who the heck needs a pistol ?

[Timothy]

When your RIFLES have a 16 inch bore, and your issue "Close combat" equipment is a Marine Battalion who the heck needs a pistol ?

Tom, you know we don't got no mo' Battleships in commision........Big MO was the last I think!

But your point is well taken.......

[jnevis]

Also note that it only affects the SpecWar community so far.  Straight MAs will continue with the M9, NCIS/Investigators will stay with the M11.  Aircrew will be split.  One squadron I was in had the Sigs and the one I just left had the Berettas.  Of course the first was a TacAir unit so it had to fit in a vest and the other was a C-130 unit so there was room for the M9.

I can safely say that I have been qualified in one or both for well over half my career.