Posted on 09/26/2016 5:16:28 AM PDT by shove_it
The U.S. Army has dropped Smith & Wesson from its Modular Handgun System competition, according to a Sept. 23 report Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation made to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Smith & Wesson, which was partnered with General Dynamics, was one of five gun makers competing to replace the Army’s M9 9mm pistol.
“We and our partner in the pursuit of the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System, or MHS, solicitation to replace the M9 standard Army sidearm have been notified by the Department of the Army that our proposal was not selected to advance to the next phase of the competition,” according to the SEC report.
TheFirearmBlog.com was the first to report the news about Smith & Wesson.
(Excerpt) Read more at kitup.military.com ...
I own an M&P and can say it is a good but not great gun. Oh, and it’s made in the US, which makes it an enemy of the state under the Obama administration.
From what I understand, the Army is looking at going to hollow point ammo which should help with 9mm stopping power.
I know they wouldn’t do it but I would like to see them go either Glock 20 or 21. 45 standardized to a “NATO” +p power level with 230 grain hollow points and 12 rounds in the mag or full bore 10mm 180 grain hollow points with 15 in the mag. Both would be marginally better than 9mm in a combat environment.
But,,,, with new hollow point ammo, I think the 9mm will make a fine combat sidearm and I fully expect that is what we will end up with.
I too have a couple of government model 45s, they are works of art and I would use either to protect myself but technology has moved on. There are better options now.
“Oh, all right, I’ll bite. What politically incorrect thing did S&W do recently?”
BINGO!
“The larger issue is why are they focused on 9mm and not other rounds?”
It is cheaper and lighter. Less material goes into the round so it will always cost less to make. Less material also means for the same weight, you get more rounds. Same reason the soldier not carries a .22 caliber rifle rather than a .30.
Hollow points are banned in international warfare. Hollow points would be used against US civilian targets.
SWHC opened down ~4.5% and is falling fast.
I lived through the transition from .45 to 9mm.
My issued .45 rattled when I walked around and it was kind of a guess where the bullet was going to land when you pulled the trigger but it fired every time.
I was issued 2 different M9s during my time in service, both of them were new and shot tight groups but both broke when shooting quals. Not a confidence booster. I’m assuming they eventually worked out the manufacturing issues but it left me not comfortable with that weapon system.
The FBI studies were based on shooting jello and on an estimate of adequate penetration for civilian law enforcement purposes. The underlying assumptions and techniques my not apply to military needs.
It’s handy that we have not declared war and are not fighting a signatory to any accords that I am aware of. In addition, we are not a signatory of those accords either.
In addition, I think using the same documents, the 50 cal. sniper rifle on human targets would be banned also.
Actually the FBI studies exhaustively review autopsy and medical reports of wound channels and actual penetration. Doctors could not tell the difference between wounds created witness 9mm, 40 cal and 45 cal weapons.
FYI: The Germans came up with the three round burst idea. They had it on their caseless experimental rifle.
The M16A4 Rifle was created for and by the USMC, not the A2. The Army just took forever to field the A2’s to every one.
Ruger American in 9mm or 45Auto is excellent. On par with a 1911.
I bet the HK VP9, they just brought out a flat earth color and a threaded barrel model I have my shooting eye on...
Wonder what the short positions were prior to the announcement.
Why? Sig, HK, CZ are excellent handguns. Are you familiar with them?
Springfield Armory makes a fine selection of well-made and well-received handguns. Are they not considering this company?
Yup. NYPD had to modify them to help prevent zipper leg.
S&W couldn’t get the package price up past $5000 per pistol?
The Army puts the required specifications then companies respond with weapons for evaluation. Springfield may not have responded.
Quote: “I bet the HK VP9, they just brought out a flat earth color and a threaded barrel model I have my shooting eye on...”
You can never tell. The SEALS just switched from the Sig to the Glock. I like the VP9 and P320 over the Glock. Then again, Beretta also has an entry. I just wish the Army would get on with making a decision.
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