Our next Military Issue Pistol??

It would have to win a competitive trial. Special Ops Command issued some specs in an RFP (Request For Proposal), and then big Army jumped on an tweaked the requirements, then they backed out. Right now it remains to be seen if/when the JCP (Joint Combat Pistol) program will resume. However the original RFPs clearly indicate that the Army wants a "flat, dark earth" color frame, changeable backstraps, SFA (Striker Fired Action) or DA/SA action, a manual safety, and .45 ACP caliber. The Air Force has also put out an RFI (Request For Information) to see what's commercially available with similar attributes, but in .40 caliber or larger, and the requirement for both a fullsize and compact pistol. I'll try to get you link tomorrow if they haven't been posted by then.

S&W's M&P 45, H&K's HK 45, Glock's new G21 SF with manual safety, FN's FNP 45, and Taurus' Mil. Pro 45 Tactical are all clearly designed to be ready off the shelf when/if the JCP pistol program is resumed. It likely will be resumed with all chatter, RFPs, and RFIs of various origin within the DoD. Under their Department of Homeland Security reassignment the USCG also got in on the new DHS purchase of 40 S&W SIG P226 and P229 pistols. I suspect the other branches within the Armed Forces will undoubtedly have some pistol envy that will further fuel the desire for a new sidearm.

I think there's little subterfuge as to S&W's intention behind this pistol.

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Or this one or this one or this one or this one...

It seems more likely that these are all JCP leftovers; not necessarily meant as M9 replacements.

I think that the HK .45 will be the next choice myself.

not much to add other than I'm disappointed nobody mentioned Beretta's possible future bid.

http://www.berettausa.com/product/spotlight/4_ of spotlight_pistol_px4stormpistol45.cfm

The new Beretta Px4 Storm .45 Special Duty pistol is the most advanced sidearm of its kind, bar none. Designed to meet the rigorous specifications of S.O.C.O.M., the Px4 Storm .45 SD provides maximum firepower in any environmental and special duty situation.

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Let me say this, I don't know about military approval of a .45 caliber S&W
M&P, but our local PD rangemaster had a 9m/m and a .40 for test and
evaluation just recently. He said that if he were outfitting a brand new
police department [where the agency furnished the officers weapons];
that either gun would likely be his choice, based on how well several
officer's shot these firearms. So too answer your question, I think you
are right on target by think'in that the .45 caliber S&W M&P might be
the next U.S. service pistol~! I cant wait too shoot one myself.

I think they need to quit wasting more of our money switching handguns and just use what they already have. When the M9s can no longer be rebuilt, and they need to switch that is fine.

Are they M9s worn out, or does someone just want a new gun at tax payers expense?

Wishful thinking....You need to go back into the history of why the 9mm was chosen over the larger bores w/o debate......Everything today is "Economics & Politics"..... Nothing has changed in these intervening years.......

The M9 isn't going anywhere. They just bought a bunch more. The military is short on funds as it is and just doesn't have the money to replace the standard service handgun. Maybe some spec ops type guys will get something new, but that's about it.

Yada yada yada blah blah blah. Like I said in my post the other day about changing rifles, everyone ooing and aahing over a change needs to realize that changing weapons for the military is not the same thing as you personally going out and buying a new carry piece. Or even a police department changing pistols.

Changing the issue sidearm for the military would involve buying tens of thousands of pistols, replacing mountains of 9mm ammo, and retraining hundreds of thousands of people. All of which (pistols, ammo, and people) are scattered at bases all over the United States and the world. And that's just in the active Army. Sorry, that's my slice of the pie. Multiply that by a few by the time you include the rest of the active services, the Reserves, and the National Guard.

All of which will cost many billions of dollars and take years to do. For what improvement? Yeah, the Beretta is a cheap piece of crap and the locking blocks (is that it?) break and it's chambered in that communist 9mm caliber and it was a political deal to get it accepted. We should replace it with the New and Improved Blank in the all-American Blank Caliber (probably .45) that will be infinitely better.

But it will still do the same job about as well. Remember, we are talking ball ammo and pistols that are used and abused by people who often don't know how to take care of them or just don't care. And people that have a 9mm usually have an M4 too. Which is a much more capable weapon than any 9mm. So unless you are high speed and really need a good pistol (i.e. SF) then the Beretta will probably continue to work just fine.


Sorry for the rant. I'm tired of everyone going "Oh, the military absolutely needs to get THIS to replace THAT" without bothering to consider the cost and scale of the project compared to any real benefit.

Don't hold your breath.

And if they ever DID replace it, I don't want a pistol with a 6.5 lb trigger pull.

But yes, the original issue Berettas ARE starting to wear out. My little brother just went through OSUT at Knox, same as I did in '91, and the issue M9s are falling apart. When I was there, we had M-16 A1s and literally the prototype M-1 tanks to train with. Training units always have the oldest gear, because they have to train the new troops in it before they go to line units.

This was my first impression of the military. "If they spend so much on defense, and we have the best gear in the world, where the heck did all the money go? Because they certainly didn't spend it on anything I see here."

But as long as we are pretending to follow the Hague accords, (which we never signed,) and using fmj ammo, we should be using a .45. Again, don't hold your breath.

In combat terms, it's splitting a hair. If you are actually using a sidearm, this means that all other levels of force, including your rifle have either failed or are inappropriate. Having a .45 means you are only a little less screwed than you are with a 9mm.