Marine Corps to replace all pistols with the SIG M17

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1942bull

1942bull

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The Marine Corps has ordered 35,000 Sig M17 pistols to replace the Beretta M9s, the Colt M1911 A1s, and the Glock M007s. The M17 is the compact pistol option not the full size duty pistol (M18) that the Army is purchasing. Apparently the decision was based upon design features of the M17 and the new ammo that has been developed for it. It is not a long article, but, it is here, if you want to read it. I was surprised that they are going all SIG compact.
 
Coop45 said:
Hmmmm? The same Marine Corps who gave us XM16E1 rifles without cleaning gear? Those guys?
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Are you sure that wasn't the Army that did that? Were the Marine Corps completely wedded to M14 at the time?
 
Not a fan of the M17 platform, but the one thing they got right was the positive manual safety. Otherwise, command mandated Condition 3 carry would have made a glorious return to prominence.
 
I had no clue that the US Force even had place to replace the M9 or change Calibers at all.
 
Coop45 said:
Actually, every squad in Foxtrot 2/3 had a M14 to provide cover for Marines with jammed M16's. This was still common practice when I left in July 1968.
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Why didn't the Marines simply stick to the M14 until the M16's kinks were worked out? I have heard stories from Army Vets that quite a few soldiers at that time kept using M14's or even captured AK-47's.
 
whm1974 said:
Why didn't the Marines simply stick to the M14 until the M16's kinks were worked out? I have heard stories from Army Vets that quite a few soldiers at that time kept using M14's or even captured AK-47's.
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You will have to ask that question to the admiral in charge.
 
whm1974 said:
Not sure why you edited your post, but whatever... Anyway what happen to the M14's the Marine's had?
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No idea. We were not inside the wire even when we had a place to defend which only happened for a short time. We were extreme campers. Everything came in by SeaKnight.
Momma thought it was weird that I could only sleep on the floor fully clothed with my head covered up so they loaded me up and took me to a lake to live in a tent with a cot for two weeks. LOL!
 
Coop45 said:
You will have to ask that question to the admiral in charge.
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The Corps followed the DOD policies of that time. McNamara approved the M16 to replace the M14, and that became destiny. He also saved a couple bucks per M16 by not corrosion proofing the bolt and chamber to meet tropical conditions. Since the gun did not have the power of the M14 with its 7.62 ammo it froze and jammed too often. Fortunately, Marines got the M16 after the Army had the initial problems, which had been minimized, not eliminated, when Grunyts started to be issue the M16. The M14 was and is a superior rifle, but it had many inherent problems too though not as devastating as the M16. From first days in infantry and for two years my primary weapon was an M1. I had it on my shoulder aboard ship during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I went to Nam with one, and was issued an M16 there. Fortunately, as a staff NCO combat photographer I could just carry a 1911 A1 because I was mostly shooting a camera until the SHTF like in Hue City. Still, the M1 would be my choice from the three rifles if I had had the choice.

The Corps began to equip it infantry with a M27 (H&K) a couple years ago because it was overwhelmed with complaints about the M16/M4 platform. It is the new Marine battle rifle. The Army is developing a replacement for the M16/M4 platform, but it is about five years away from being issued. It is likely to be a new type 6.5 mm round. The Corps Has indicated that it will adopt it once it is approved by the Army assuming it works as well or better than the M27.
 
I got a CPO Plain Jane full sized P320 and was surprised at how quickly I warmed up to it. Mine's in 40S&W. Of course all the issues had already been ironed out. Sweet shooter.
CraigC said:
I haven't bought one but was sorely tempted by the Legion version of the 320. Seems like a fantastic pistol. I stepped backwards and got an M9A3 instead. :p



Yep.
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CraigC said:
I haven't bought one but was sorely tempted by the Legion version of the 320. Seems like a fantastic pistol. I stepped backwards and got an M9A3 instead. :p



Yep.
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Eh, been seeing Legion 226 and 229s in that price range. I'd be hard pressed to buy a 320 over either of those, myself.
 
Coop45 said:
You will have to ask that question to the admiral in charge.
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Altho the USMC IS part of the USN, pretty sure that decision rested with a USMC General, not an Admiral.
Anytime the Army moves in a direction, especially in small arms, the Marine Corps tries to follow as long as it makes sense, Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command, told Military.com at the annual Sea-Air-Space exposition on Wednesday.
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1942bull said:
The Corps began to equip it infantry with a M27 (H&K) a couple years ago because it was overwhelmed with complaints about the M16/M4 platform. It is the new Marine battle rifle. The Army is developing a replacement for the M16/M4 platform, but it is about five years away from being issued. It is likely to be a new type 6.5 mm round. The Corps Has indicated that it will adopt it once it is approved by the Army assuming it works as well or better than the M27.
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So what is wrong with the current M16/M4 rifles and carbines? I thought any issues with the platform had more to do with the limitations of the 5.56x45mm cartridge then anything else.
 
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