What sidearm does the U.S. Military carry

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General Issue is an M9 (and thats a Berreta 9mm) > The parts are not interchangible with a normal Berreta 92 but close.

:)
 
Then when you shoot a bunch of old combines, look at what your .45 goes through and what your 9mm goes through, it seems that the 9mm has the .45 beat. From my flesh and blood observations of coon damage, penetration of various sheet metal and engine parts, I'm happy with a 9mm. Of course, I will provide a disclaimer that my observations are not completely scientific and COONS don't shoot back.
 
A few buddies in Homeland Security use the H&K in .40. I tease them with my USPc because they seem to like it a tad more. I know how how the two really shoot differently though. I like the P2000 feel, but I just can't get the DAO to work for me... :(

-bix
 
General Issue is an M9 (and thats a Berreta 9mm) > The parts are not interchangible with a normal Berreta 92 but close.

It's the exact same gun, just with different markings. I own both, and they're fully interchangeable with each other.
 
Military Sidearm

Any truth to the rumor that the US Military is going to award a large contract to Highpoint for their sidearm?
 
Any truth to the rumor that the US Military is going to award a large contract to Highpoint for their sidearm?

Nah, the real lowdown is that the US Armed Forces is going back to cap n' ball Colt SAA pistols so that our Operators can hide behind thick clouds of black powder smoke...
 
9mm?

Why do so many of the armed forces use 9mm? Only a few seem to use .40, and fewer use .45.

-WingNut
 
One Ruger contract was for the Army Tank and Automotive Corps (see the Feb. 2, 2005 release)
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/N-Fire..._Archive.html#

It's not "Army Tank and Automotive Corps," it's "Tank-automotive and Armaments Command."

Although they have since changed the name to the Army's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC).

TACOM (by whatever name) is a procuring agency (among other duties). Just because TACOM bought pistols, doesn't mean they are intended for U.S. Armor units or even *any* U.S. unit. TACOM does the buying for pistols intended to arm our allies as well, such as the Ruger's that went to Iraqi or Afghani security forces.

Here's the LCMC website:

http://www.tacom.army.mil/main/index.html
 
when i wasn in the navy I carried a beretta 92fs, quite like the one i own now. that one didn't have any plastic parts like mine does though
 
Beretta 96d Is Gone

The BERETTA 96D Brigadier is either gone or will be soon with the BORDER PATROL and CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION. CBP is only issuing the H&K P2000. The GLOCK 17 is still in service with former CUSTOMS Officers who have not transitioned over to the .40 caliber round. All the personel who were with the former I&NS have switched over to the .40 caliber with the H&K replacing the BERETTA.

Other branches of HOMELAND SECURITY have gone to the SIG 229 DAK.


Jim
 
Why do so many of the armed forces use 9mm? Only a few seem to use .40, and fewer use .45.

-WingNut

None of the Armed Forces carry .40s. The Coast Guard is NOT a part of the Armed Forces when it carries the .40, its a part of the Department of Homeland Security. When the Coast Guard is deployed as part of the Department of Defense they carry the M9. Not very many people in the military use the .45 because its not standard issue. The 9mm is standard issue.

Me personally, I'm glad we went to the 9mm, I'd rather carry it than the old Model 10's. Higher velocity and energy, more rounds in the gun, quicker reloads, more rounds on the belt, don't really see how it was such a big deal.

Maybe the Army got a raw deal, but the only people I really see complaining about the 9mm is the people on gun boards.
 
.357sig???..

While the .45acp still has a strong following in US military spec ops circles. The 9mmNATO round is the standard for most US service members in the M-9. I've heard rumors and read gun factory items about new DoD service trials but most plans were either delayed or ended due to budget/politics. :rolleyes:
Some firearm sources have stated that the .40S&W is a better choice but I would pull for the .357sig. It's service use in many US law enforcement agencies like the US Secret Service and Texas Dept of Public Safety show it can work well with large groups.
More than likely the 9mmNATO/M-9 will last a few more years in US DoD service, until a new service pistol is awarded a contract and the DoD gets the $$$. HK would be my bet the compact USP made for the USSOCOM(Special Operations Command) looks very nice, :D. The SIGsauer model compact P-220 .45acp is a good design but not very ambi, :(.
Time will tell...
Rusty S
 
None of the Armed Forces carry .40s. The Coast Guard is NOT a part of the Armed Forces when it carries the .40, its a part of the Department of Homeland Security. When the Coast Guard is deployed as part of the Department of Defense they carry the M9. Not very many people in the military use the .45 because its not standard issue. The 9mm is standard issue.
Really? They're keeping both pistols? Or do individuals get armed with Navy M9s when they deploy under their DOD mission?
Is this document not accurate - http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/msg05/coast503_05.htm - in regards to the USCG keeping both ball & JHP ammo for their respective DHS and DOD missions?
 
As far as the millitary using hardball, FMJ, 9mm rounds. Has anyone shot any millitary ammo? I'd say it's loaded hot.

M882 is loaded to something around +P specs.

Is this document not accurate - http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/msg05/coast503_05.htm - in regards to the USCG keeping both ball & JHP ammo for their respective DHS and DOD missions?

Didn't read the document, but that makes perfect sense. MPs do the same sort of thing -- carry JHP ammo for CONUS law enforcement missions, but are required to carry FMJ ammo in combat zones.

While the .45acp still has a strong following in US military spec ops circles.

Most personnel who are assigned to SOF units and have a pistol assigned to them are using 9mm. Some units have either reverted to the 1911 or switched to something (in 9mm or 45) besides the M9 due to reliability and durability shortcomings with the M9 and/or a preference for the bigger round . . . but most of the pistol complaints I see and hear are problems with the Beretta specifically, not with 9mm as a service round.

I've heard rumors and read gun factory items about new DoD service trials but most plans were either delayed or ended due to budget/politics.

SOCOM was going to buy a new pistol, and then Big Army decided to jump on the program also. Big Army input and complications first delayed and then killed the program. Big Army decided to stick with the M9, SOCOM is continuing with a program to replace the M9 though the exact replacement is still being sorted out.

None of the Armed Forces carry .40s.

I'd go with the "never say never" on that one. I can think of at least one unit that is carrying 40S&W chambered handguns these days.
 
I really have to weigh in here. When in the U.S. Army as a pilot, I was issued a S&W M10 38 special with a shoulder holster. Of course that was 1963. The arms room had a bunch of wheelguns both Smith & Colt. Some pilots would carry the 45 if they could cage one. The theory of the wheelgun was that it could be operated with one hand-injuries in ejections and crashes were common(still are), and the revolver fired the 38 cal flares we had then. The rest of the Army (except CID, and later female MPs) were issued the 45.
Then came the 9mm issue. The real reason we adopted the 9mm and the Beretta design was political, not that it is not a good gun, I have carried it and used it and it worked fine for me.
After WWII we adopted the 7.62 for our M14, and then we stuffed it down the throat of all the other NATO nations. Then less than 10 years after that we went to the M16 and the teeny tiny bullet.
When it came time to get new handguns(and we did need new guns by then), we went to the NATO 9MM just to keep our allies quiet. Then we adopted the Beretta after it did pass the tests, along with a couple of other pistols. Made the Italians feel good maybe?
So in the mid 80s we started changing over. I was in the USCG by that time, and we still had a lot of 45s, as a matter of fact, we had to borrow M9s from USAR units to qualify with because we had not been issued enough M9s as of yet.
Now we have a military with the M9, not a bad weapon, but one does have to take care of it just like any other weapon.
I did a number of contracts as LE/Security trainer in various places after retirement, and sometimnes we had to carry the M9(if it was a US funded job), or sometimes some other weapons. Most of the time the weapons we trained the other guys with were provided by the US government. They were invariably Glocks (17s& 19s), or in a couple of cases, Rugers, always in 9mm. Glocks and Rugers were supplied because they were cheap and easy to train with. Likewise the most common long arm we trained folks with was the AK 47-same reasons.
The USCG today operates primarily as an LE agency, hence the HP ammo. If they were to be chopped to the Navy for some reason, I expect that they would be issued M9s by the Navy, or use ball ammo in 40 cal.
The Hague Accords are very interesting documents. They arose out of the Hague Conferences of 1899 and 1907, they do not specify ammo, just in very vague terms state that the ammo may not be designed for the specific purpose of inflicting more grevious injury than necessary. It is interesting to note that our armed forces can use BT HP ammo in sniper weapons because the HP is there for ballistic reasons and not to increase the injury to the target.
Our military buys lots and lots of weapons that are never intended for our troops, but are to equip "friendly" military or LE/Security agancies in other countries. They also buy thousands of weapons for the DOD Police and civilian guards who provide security and police services to military installations INCONUS, and some other places.
I seriously doubt that a general change in handgun from the M9 is in the forseeable future, we just have too much money invested in weapons, parts, training of armorers and the like.
I would carry an M9 today and not feel undergunned, as long as I knew the weapon had been properly cared for and serviced. Actually more often than not I carry a S&W 940 that fires guess what round?
 
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contact:
Karen Lutto
Lutto PR (press office)

Matteo Recanatini, Marketing Manager
LE/DoD Division
Beretta USA Corporation



UNITED STATES ARMY LAUNCHES NEW YEAR WITH PURCHASE
OF 25,403 U.S. MADE BERETTA M9 PISTOLS

ACCOKEEK, MD (January 17, 2008) — Beretta has just announced that it has been awarded a multi-year contract by the U.S. Army to deliver M9 pistols to servicemen and women as part of the U.S. Government commitment to ensure the operational safety and readiness of U.S. Armed Services worldwide.


The contract is for 25,403 M9 pistols with deliveries starting in June 2008 and continuing until February 2010. The U.S. Army also reserves the right to purchase additional M9 pistols as needed to meet their needs. All of these M9 pistols will continue to be manufactured at the Beretta U.S.A. facility located in Accokeek, Maryland.


“Beretta is always honored to assist the U.S. Armed Forces in defending our country,” stated Jeff Reh, Vice-General Manager for Beretta U.S.A. Corp. "The Beretta M9 pistol remains the most reliable and well-tested handgun in the U.S. military inventory, with tests resulting in an average of only one malfunction every 20,500 rounds fired. U.S. Government witnessed testing at our factory has confirmed this remarkable reliability.” Mr. Reh added that, “Beretta U.S.A. Corp. has supplied the Beretta M9 pistol as the standard sidearm for the U.S. Armed Forces since 1985 and continues to make investments in manufacturing capability, R&D and product development to serve the needs of the U.S. Military and Homeland Defense community. “


"We are proud to be able to provide the U.S. Armed Forces with a reliable, robust sidearm that will perform when needed to defend the lives of our servicemen and women”, said Elio J. Oliva, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Law Enforcement and DoD at Beretta U.S.A. Corp. “We understand that the M9 is not a primary weapon system and that it is often used a weapon of last resort, in close quarters and under demanding conditions. When U.S. servicemen deploy their M9 in theater it needs to work. All 350 employees at Beretta U.S.A. understand the importance of this mission and remain committed to delivering the highest quality products to our Military”, said Mr. Oliva.


“Each of our M9 pistols is test fired with proof rounds and tested for accuracy at 50 meters”, said Gabriele de Plano, Vice-President of Product Development at Beretta U.S.A. Corp. “We have continued to invest significant resources to improve the quality and already impressive performance and reliability of the M9 through the years. We have also developed new accessories such as high-lubricity sand-resistant magazines to deliver improved performance in the unique environmental conditions of the Afghan and Iraqi theaters”, added Mr. de Plano. Each Beretta M9 pistol ships with 15-round standard magazines and is designed to accept 20-round magazines.


In 2005, Beretta U.S.A. Corp. received 13 contracts for M9 pistols and component parts from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. Many of the U.S. Army purchases were multi-year contracts lasting five years, from which over $31 million dollars in purchase orders have since been issued to Beretta U.S.A. Corp.


In addition to the M9, Beretta U.S.A. has developed the M9A1 pistol which incorporates various enhancements such as integrated Picatinny rail, enhanced grip checkering and magazine well modifications to allow for quicker tactical reloads. To date Beretta U.S.A. has supplied over 4,000 M9A1 pistols to the United States Marine Corps.

About Beretta Law Enforcement:

In addition to producing the celebrated M-9 pistol, the official sidearm of the five branches of the US Armed Forces, Beretta also outfits law enforcement and homeland security agencies across the United States.

Through its recently-launched Total Solution™ system, Beretta combines the strengths and core-competencies of every company within the Beretta Holding Group to provide optimal products and services to the Law Enforcement and Defense community. Beretta’s Total Solution™ provides a complete array of products to suit diverse regional conditions and meet agency objectives and needs. These include the polymer Storm family of products (Cx4 carbines and Px4 pistols), the Benelli line of shotguns, including the M4 Super 90, adopted by the United States Marine Corps, the SAKO and Tikka line of sniper rifles, the line of shotguns and pistols offered by Stoeger, and the hi-tech line of optics manufactured in the US by Burris. Beretta also operates several armorer and tactical training schools across the United States. For additional information, visit berettaLE.com.

About Beretta:

Beretta established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 16 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. For additional information visit www.berettausa.com.
 
Beretta M9- General issue military wide
1911- Still used within some special op units in the Army, marines
M11(Sig P228)- As mentioned used in military investigative units, also have seen pics of the Army's version of SWAT using them. Also some in JSOC.
G19- Assymetric Warfare Group, some in JSOC.
G22- Certain unit that falls under JSOC.
 
1911- Still used within some special op units in the Army, marines
The M1911A1 was listed as a current air base defense weapon in Airman Magazine The Book 2007 http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0307/defense01.shtml.
I did not ever hear of, nor see them issued to regular rank and file Airmen while I was in. Like the M-14 listed on the same page it's no doubt issued only for specialized missions such as those performed by Air Force Office Of Special Investigations (AFOSI) or Air Force Special Forces.
 
Use of JHPs in US Army MP duty M-9s in CONUS...

I served 04 yrs in the US Army military police in the early 1990s/late 1980s. I used a Beretta 92F/M-9 model for about 2.5yrs. In CONUS law enforcement or as the MPs say; "law and order missions" we NEVER used any JHP 9mmNATO loads, I wish we did but we DID NOT. We did use standard milspec FMJ 124gr 9mmNATO rounds.
Now in today's US Army CONUS, DoD/083 police officers MAY use JHP rounds in the M-9 duty weapons but I'm not sure if US Army MPs/MPI or CIDC/DST(drug surpression) agents use JHP rounds in the duty M-9s and/or M-11s.

I'll have to go check this information out at www.militarypolice.com .

Rusty S
 
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IMGA0225.jpg

My 1911A1 in Iraq - 2007
 
The M1911A1 was listed as a current air base defense weapon in Airman Magazine The Book 2007 http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0307/defense01.shtml.
I did not ever hear of, nor see them issued to regular rank and file Airmen while I was in. Like the M-14 listed on the same page it's no doubt issued only for specialized missions such as those performed by Air Force Office Of Special Investigations (AFOSI) or Air Force Special Forces.

I was a USAF SP and never saw anyone carry a 1911. There is one former SP I know of on another board who was issued a 1911 at one of his assignments. The M-14 sees use with the PJ's and I am sure TACP's and CCT.
 
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