Smith & Wesson touts new .45 to military

UPI ^ | 5/15/07 | n/a

[AngryJawa]

The XD has a very compact grip, and the balance of the weapon is superb. It’s not an issue for that weapon.

As in all things gun-related, preferences are personal

I liked the XD 45 and thought the ergos were good. Then I fondled an M&P and was even more impressed. Your mileage may vary.

All this is irrelevant as I'll still be sticking with my 8 + 1 government 1911 anyway. Personal preference.

[Spktyr]

Nope - and the best part is that the similar agreement they signed with Boston? Yeah, it’s still in effect, since they discovered that they couldn’t get out of it.

If they were held to the Boston agreement, that means that they can be held to the HUD agreement under future administrations - unless they repudiate it now, while they can, while the current administration supports such a move.

[Spktyr]

Read on. They’re still following the agreement to some degree, and they’re still being held to their Boston version of the same agreement.

They’re legally required to stick with it.

[green iguana]

The only acceptable handgun calibers begin with a “4” - as in “.40”, “.41”, “.44” and “.45”.

Handgun eh? I'll take a .357 mag then over anything you listed.

[BronzePencil]

Great picture - Okinawa - only reason I recognize it I just read - With The Old Breed - by EB Sledge - a fellow Alabaman

[Spktyr]

I’ve test fired both. The M&P feels impressive, but doesn’t shoot well, IMHO. The XD feels *and* shoots impressively.

This Browning HighPower guy likes them so much, he’s going to be buying a pair of them - one 5” Tactical and one 3” Compact.

[AngryJawa]

This Browning HighPower guy likes them so much, he’s going to be buying a pair of them - one 5” Tactical and one 3” Compact.

Outstanding! Enjoy![/surpressed jealousy] 8^)

Ever fondle a Steyr MA-9 or .40?

[FlipWilson]

Hey, Baretta makes a .45 now in the Px4 series. Shoots very nicely even with the shorter barrel. I think Baretta is going to make the M-92-2 in a .45 as well.

[BobinIL]

While I am a huge 45 fan, the 40S&W is probably the best all around auto handgun cartridge ever devised. Best balance of size and power. In my opinion the Glock 22 would be a fine military sidearm.

[PapaBear3625]

if I’m out of ammo and the supplies stop coming, I’d prefer being able to scarf ammo from the enemy dead or their stores and continuing the fight with a lighter hitting 9mm

If you're in a situation where you're able to get enemy ammo, you will have enemy firearms also available to fire that ammo too

[Spktyr]

I’ve handled the MA-9, but was wasn’t actually impressed.

[NVDave]

And I’ll take a .44 Magnum or .45 WinMag over a .357. Every time.

[Dumpster Baby]

In a FMJ round, the would ballistics for the 9mm Parabellum/Luger are pathetic. It is little wonder than a guy has to put a half-dozen rounds into a target to get some results. The only thing more pathetic than the 9mm Luger is the .380 (aka 9mm Kurtz) that the Europeans use for their police sidearms.

Size of the wound channel is everything.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

I just wanted to post a few things that people have mentioned. Someone talked about matching ammo for rifle and pistol. As someone mentioned, no one in the service carries both. It is usually one or the other, at least as far as T/O (Table of Organization) is concerned.

Worrying about scarfing up ammo of your enemy to shoot is so down on the list of things to consider, it’s not worth mentioning.

I love the idea of going back to one of the best pistol rounds ever created (.45 ACP). Most of us in at that time felt they should have never left it.

I like the idea of a .45 with more mag capacity. Of course in the Marine Corps 7 rounds did provide 7 kills.... : )

What I don’t like is the polymer frame. I’m not sure that would stand up to the beating that would be required of the pistol. Sure, it’s easier to clean but it’s not as if it is so difficult to clean traditional .45’s. I’ve been doing it for many years.

If concern over cleaning is so paramount, then go to those BEB rounds (Brass Encassed Bullets). The whole advantage to those is that they are supposed to let out less carbon, thus less cleaning.

Do not go to a sub-compact. This is not designed for conceal carry. This should be a full size pistol.

[NVDave]

How does the XD handle as the magazine empties?

The #1 annoying gripe I’ve got about polymer pistols is the “wrist flip” you start to get when you’re down to the last two or three rounds in the mag.

[B-Chan]

GLOCK pistols are assembled in the USA, last I checked.

[green iguana]

Oh I’m with you there. Just wanted to point out that they don’t all have to start with a ‘4’.

[Spktyr]

They are now - at the time of the 9mm USM contract, they weren’t.

[calex59]

Yo! Company went bankrupt after the agreement with the Clintoon regime. New owners picked up the pieces, starting with the name, the patents, and little else, and repudiated the deal. Am I the only one who remembers this? (Am I going mad? Anyone?)

You remember it right, we virtually ran them out of business after their British owners caved to the Dems.

[Spktyr]

It handles very well. The wrist flip issue is all but nonexistent. Certainly no worse than some Commanders I’ve fired over the years.