New Service Pistol: Here We Go Again

[MikeO]

"There is good news for airmen eager to replace the M9 service pistol: Final approval for a replacement program is expected at any time, which means testing and evaluation of a variety of pistols could begin early in 2014.

A three-year test and evaluation of commercial off-the-shelf contenders will determine the best pistol to replace M9s and the concealable M11s. The plan, developed in conjunction with the Army, has received the thumbs-up at the Pentagon, said Daryl Easlick, the modular handgun systems project officer.

The plan not only passed, it came through with no operational capability changes, a rare feat for any acquisition program."

More at:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307270003

[alfsauve]

There are a lot better alternatives than the M9.  I owned one and other than the very high capacity I couldn't find anything particularly to like about it.  The high capacity came with a rather large grip which didn't help either.

Go with something stock, off-the-shelf and be done with it.  Glock, S&W, or SA all would easily fill the bill.   Give each unit their choice of caliber (9mm, .40S&W, or .45ACP) as they each determine their need.  And choice of size to fit their mission, standard, compact, sub-compact. 

[JoeG]

I kept looking at buying the M9 because it was the service pistol but could never bring myself to do it. i suppose if I see a used one for dirt cheap I will pick it up...

I got to shoot a Sig 226 the other day (our county sheriff dept service gun) and didn't really care for it. Fat grip didn't fit my hand, didn't point well for me and the bore offset seemed excessive. Interesting when i talked to some of the sheriff deputies about it many said "its fine" without any real passion. Then when I talked to some of the more obvious gun nuts in the group, they had a list of why they wanted the department to change. Good Sheriff, so he is looking at giving them choices among the standard list. Might even let the 1911 users carry that if they self select.

It always surprises me when I meet folks that carry all day and don't seem to think about the details. I am picky about my tools so it would bug me.

[MikeO]

One size does not fit all; never has, never will.

Now there are several 9/45 pistols in use: M9, M9A1, M11, Mk23, Mk24, Mk25, M1911A1 (still), M45... even some Glocks.

If this actually starts and stops at a new service pistol, I will be surprised.

[Strider]

My old Marine unit actually trialed the M-9 way back when. I thought it to be an ok pistol, but too large for a 9mm and did not like the double/single action transition.

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

Definitely one size does not fit all. Unlike Joe, my Sig 226 feels like they used my hand for the mold and has been flawless going on a couple of decades now.

If this actually starts and stops at a new service pistol, I will be surprised.

It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

[MikeO]

Special Operations Forces Combat Pistol, Future Handgun System, Joint Combat Pistol, Air Force Handgun System, Air Force Future Handgun System, Modular Handgun System... here today, gone tomorrow.

[billt]

I've been reading about the M-9's "replacement" for the last 20 years. Yet they won't go away. The government has invested in far too many of these things to abandon them. Special Forces have gotten away from them, but for the masses the M-9 is going to be around long after we've all dissolved into dust.

[les snyder]

at the 2006 Ft Benning 3 gun match, Kyle Lamb (still on active duty and doing R&D for SF) shot on our squad, and was using a G35....