What sidearm should replace the U.S. M9?

[Thernlund]

I'd like to see the Sig P220 replace it.

Realistically though, that's kind of spendy (Maybe? Depending on contract terms?). Cost is the only real con of the P220 in my book.

Glock 21 would probably be a good bet. Inexpensive and can take a real beating. And of course it's .45ACP.

Whatever the replacement, I agree with others. Due to the necessity of using ball ammo, the return of the .45 is long overdue.

Coronach pretty much said it (above), although, as I said, I'd prefer the P220 (rather than the 1911). The big draw of the 1911 is that there are no patents in force, so the military can solicit bids for them from pretty much everyone.


-T.

 

[-v-]

Something chambered in .50GI.

In all honesty, the M9 is fine, perhaps a CZ-75 or Hi-Power, both essentially the same pistol, with a proven track record.

 

[R12GS]

If you read about the CZ75s, their NATO testing is very impressive and they are the most widely used law enforcement and military pistol in the world.

CZ hasn't made over 2.5 MILLION CZ75's have they? Beretta has in their 92 platform. You might want to check the facts.

As for a military replacement for the M9. Its not the gun thats the problem, its 9mm ball that is. If the military is going to be subjugated to utilizing nothing but ball ammo, a .45 acp is needed. This problem would not exist if they were allowed JHP's, nontheless I digress, my own opinion would be for the HK45 or Beretta PX 45.

 

[jdh]

Beagle,

They take the TO&E (table of organization and equipment) list for the units to get the new guns count up how many are authorized and buy that many. No more no less.

 

[Gunsby_Blazen]

1911, but that aint going to happen...

 

[Rugerlvr]

 

[stevereno1]

I'd want a GLOCK 21SF.

 

[Josh Aston]

I'm with Coronach except that I don't see the plunger tube in a 1911 as a foible at all. I dropped the FLGR in my Kimber for a plunger.

Plunger tube isn't a guide rod. it's the small tube above the left grip that's staked on. It has a spring with plungers on each side that apply pressure to the thumb safety and slide release. The problem with it is that it's staked on and has a tendency to loosen or even fall off. Some manufacturer's (SV) have gone to a plunger tube that's machined into the frame rather than staked on.

Personally I'd stick with 9mm. No significant difference between 9mm ball and .45 ball, imo. I'd go with something like the Springfield EMP, but with a hi-cap polymer frame like the SV's and STI's. Make it in commander size for general issue and officer's size for the people that need to conceal their pistol. If they demand double action then something like the Para LDA. Compact version should hold 14 rounds and full size version should hold 19 rounds. Extended threaded barrels as an option for those that have the need for a suppressor. Stainless steel slide, aluminum/polymer frame. Coat all the metal parts in some sort of black finish. Update the muzzle end of the gun also. Eliminate the barrel bushing, extend the frame out all the way, get rid of the guide plug. Get rid of the swinging link also.

 

[stevereno1]

How about the S&W 686 without the hillary locks? .357 is a BAAAD mamma jamma!

 

[Defensory]

Posted by JShirley
BZZZZZZT! Bad choice. Anything with HK on it will be overpriced and (with few exceptions) have bad ergonomics and trigger.

Ah, a breath of fresh air! Another wise soul who realizes that HK is overpriced and has imperfections like any other brand.

 

[Rugerlvr]

No significant difference between 9mm ball and .45 ball, imo.

This guy would disagree with you: http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal Ballistics as viewed in a morgue.htm

 

[Defensory]

Posted by scurtis:
I think the new XD-45 Tactical w/thumb safety would be a nice option.

Any XD .45 with 4" or 5" barrel would be a big step up from what they're using now.

 

[Josh Aston]

This guy would disagree with you: http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal B...a morgue.htm

And he's entitled to that opinion. Fact is though, handguns are weak (obviously excluding the monstrous pistols here). The only gauranteed way to put a person down right now with a pistol is a CNS hit. The measly tenth of an inch difference between .45 and 9mm isn't going to matter. Put the bullet where it matters and it'll do it's job. Wound channels between .45 and 9mm have been shown to be remarkably similar. There's not going to be a vast difference between the internal damage each causes. Shot placement is the number one factor in stopping power. IMO, caliber doesn't even rank in the top 10 factors.

Personally I'm gonna pick a gun that I shoot well (happens to be a HiPower). I'm going to load it with ammo that's proven reliable in it. And I'm going to practice and not worry about whether or not the latest hollow point is any better than the ones that currently reside in my magazine.

 

[Nikon777]

The Glock 21 aint gonna happen. The grip is too big and it has no external safety. The 1911 isn't reliable enough IMHO. The logical 45 would be the Smith M&P.

 

[Cliff47]

ParaOrd 14-45. 1911 ergonomics, SA and DA, high capacity .45 ACP. What's not to like??

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I've always liked the 1911 and there are a zillion manufacturers making them now.
Also the XD45 with the thumb safety would meet the requirements, give them more capacity (than a single stack) and should fit most hands.

Just don't let them get near semi-wadcutters!
(I'm sure you are all jelous of my cell phone's superior optics)

 

[Marshall]

Well,

In 9mm:

The Hi Power would be the obvious choice. It's a combat weapon and was designed to be a combat weapon. Being single action, hi capacity, dependable, reliable and perhaps the most ergonomic pistol on the market for fitting different sized hands makes it the top 9mm choice.

In .45ACP

The S&W M&P comes to mind. (I don't care for the 9mm & 40 S&W versions as much) In comparison with other polymer .45's on the market, such as the XD45, it's ergonomics are much better for fitting an array of people. I'm not hating on the XD. In 9mm and 40 S&W, give me the XD.


If Beretta made the PX4 in .45 I would take a hard look at it too.

 

[Storm]

Hk45

 

[R12GS]

This guy would disagree with you: http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal B...a morgue.htm

oh no not that article and guy again. There have been numerous threads on a great deal many forums, questioning how he a police officer would spend so much time in a morgue and not what all other major cities nationwide do with their medical examiners. Not to mention the astronomical claims of the number of suicides per day he stats.\

If Beretta made the PX4 in .45 I would take a hard look at it too.

Take a hard look my friend http://www.berettausa.com/product/product_pistols_main.htm They've been out for a couple of months now.

 

[MEH]

GLOCK 18

 

[Floppy_D]

P226. Good enough for the Team guys, good enough for me.

 

[everallm]

@R12GS

The 1,000,000th CZ 75 was manufactured 12th October 2007 and strangely enough the Beretta has never been capable of being NSN certified......

 

[R12GS]

The 1,000,000th CZ 75 was manufactured 12th October 2007 and strangely enough the Beretta has never been capable of being NSN certified......

What does an airworthiness certification have to do with numbers manufactured? Regardless what I do know is that the US military initially ordered 500k and the French Gov't 230K 92FS' back in the mid 80's. That does not include the numbers manfactured for the Italian police and military as well, nor the general sales for the public at large. The CZ may indeed have been issued to more agencies or armies, but the numbers manufactured and issued is somewhat suspect vs the 92. If you believe that CZ has sold more then, thats on you.

 

[bannockburn]

My choice would be a SIG P220 .45 ACP, with the SIG P220C for those who might require a more compact pistol. As to being suitable for women, small hands, etc., I still remember letting my very petite 16 year old sister shoot my Browning BDA .45 for the first time. She put 5 rounds all in the black at 30 feet. Now I have to admit that my particular BDA took a back seat to no other pistol in the accuracy department. Still no one ever had any trouble shooting that gun, in adition to it being very easy to use, had a decocker, and was extremely reliable.

 

[pfc.pennington]

well considering that 95% of the use of our sidearms is just to qualify, I dont mind my m9, and for the nine mil skeptics, like the seals say TWO TO THE CHEST AND ONE TO THE HEAD