Marines, I need some information. Will you help, please? Vanity

9/6/2015 | Jim Porter

[righttackle44]

I need a little information, folks. I am not knowledgeable about fire arms. But what is NOW the official U.S. Marine side arm. Is it the Beretta 9? Was it the Glock 9 or Glock 18? Was it EVER the Glock?

If it used to be the Glock, when did the change come about?

Thanks, folks. I'd really appreciate your help. And, by the way, no, I am not asking because I want to buy one.

(In Army ROTC, I was still getting uniform demerits by the beginning of the second semester. Do you think a responsible person would sell one to me? I doubt it.)

[jospehm20]

The Beretta M9 and M9A1 is the official sidearm. The Colt M45 CQBP is the sidearm the MEU SOC and MARSOC use.

[Jack Hammer]

You’re venturing into hazardous waters anytime you start a gun thread here.

But just to get the ball rolling, I believe the Corps uses the Beretta 92 as their issue sidearm.

I’ve seen USMC embassy guards carrying .357 revolvers.

Glock is also excellent, as is any SIG.

Many love their Smith and Wessons and/or Rugers.

Personally, I go for the 1911 .45.

By the time this thread reaches 200 posts, you’ll see that everyone has a different answer.

Very few of which will specifically address the question as written.

[jospehm20]

Wikipedia says that the Glock 19 was adopted by MARSOC in February of this year but i have not seen any marines carrying one here in Afghanistan yet. I have seen them carrying the Beretta and the Colt.

[T-Bird45]

josephm20 had the correct answer immediately after your post so I’m adding some other info for improving your gun lexicon. Glock’s model number system begins at 17 and there never was a 9, except in the sense that numerous Glock models are made in the 9mm caliber. As to the “Glock 18,” it is a select-fire handgun, capable of fully-automatic operation. There are many “war stories” surrounding it but it’s safe to say there’s likely never been one in the hands of more than a very few special ops Marines, if ever.

[Nervous Tick]

I love all my kids. Er, sorry, handguns. Each shines and achieves in its own way; each has its flaws; each needs its own brand of feeding and TLC to do its best.

I will endeavor to give each one of the little guys and gals a hug today. :-)

>> By the time this thread reaches 200 posts, you’ll see that everyone has a different answer. Very few of which will specifically address the question as written.

You’re a prophet! Or something.

[eartick]

I got bit by a squirrel once.

It was carrying a glock

[blueheron2]

I recently read the military was looking for a new side arm. A Sig model was supposedly leading the field because of its ability to be configured in three different calibers and different size grips.

I don’t know if that info was current. Anyone know what’s going on or how the bid process turned out?

[Cvengr]

Correct. There are also official moves to shift from the M16 to the carbine variant due to more recent MOUT missions.

[Vaquero]

It’s the wussification of America. .45 too big for widdle boys and girls to heft and shoot accurately. (BTW I use my 1911 as a break from the pounding of my .44 mag Redhawk or my hot loaded .45 Colt Vaquero....it helps keep the flinching down)
I would suggest a good compromise between size and capacity would be a double stack in .40 S&W or .357 sig.

[imardmd1]

.44 Win Mag Desert Eagle

[mountainbunny]

Anyone can get used to anything. People get used to lighter weight guns, but there isn’t that much difference between, say a Glock 17 and a smaller 1911. IIRC, the Glock 17 is around 22 ounces without the magazine.

My go-to carry is my 1911, and it is perfect. I’m a petite woman just over 5 feet tall. Unloaded, mine weighs 25 ounces, stock. With my grips and the magazine (7+1), I’m guessing a bit over two pounds (32 ounces).

It feels fine concealed - not too heavy. I normally carry an extra magazine, too.

I occasionally carry a full sized Kimber 1911. The weight is fine, but I find it harder to conceal naturally because I’m short.

[Vaquero]

I can shoot just about anything. But carry is another thing. My back is a chiropractic nightmare. And my hips are non existent so things on a belt tend to slide down. I used to carry a redhawk .44 magnum hunting back 20 years or so ago. Well over 50 ounces it was not fun to carry but doable back in my mid fourties. Now, when I do carry (pretty safe community here.....so far) it is a little Colt Mustang.380 I slip in my ubiquitous utility vest pocket. It would be great to be young again

[major_gaff]

I was in the Corps when we switched from the 1911 to the Baretta 9mm. I think the .45 I was issued landed at Iwo...it was old, the slide rattled and wasn’t very accurate. I shot expert first time out with the 9mm. I had read somewhere that the Sig was in competition with Baretta for that contract. I love my P226 .40 S&W...drive tacks with it at 25 yards...not sure why the Corps chose Baretta...the Sig is a far superior weapon, IMHO.

[lostboy61]

Left Alaska ten years ago and always carried a wheel gun in a should holster.(.454) Yes it’s a pig but it will put down a brownie. Have CCL for the last five plus years with the XDM .40 cal. With two extra mag’s my hip were starting to kill me. Just picked up a XDs 9mm 3.3 and my hips and back thank me every morning. It’s hell getting old!

[captain_dave]

“Uniform demerits”? R.O.T. C., you know, really stands for “Remedial Officer Training Course”.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

;)

[logi_cal869]

I got bit by a squirrel once. It was carrying a glock

I got bit by a Glock once, just a bit too squirrely on the range...

[BlueNgold]

The M4 is the wave in all services. The 16A2 is on the way out.

[righttackle44]

Thank you.