US Army’s new handgun will be a Sig:

[Darth]

Just as was planned by the government backscratching.

Meaning?

You didn't see The criteria list?

It couldn't have been more blatant if they said:

"The manufacturer we are looking for must have 2 words in their name, and they must both start with an S.

And end with an "ig" or "auer."

 

[Podmonkey]

You didn't see The criteria list?

It couldn't have been more blatant if they said:

"The manufacturer we are looking for must have 2 words in their name, and they must both start with an S.

And end with an "ig" or "auer."

No I didn't. The FBI tried the same thing, that I know. Clearly many orginizations see promise in the P320. I see no problem with the SIG being targeted unless procurement costs are out of whack with its competitors. I don't see what the problem is, the P320 is a good gun with a lot of versitility and I don't even have one. Maybe I need to rectify that.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Not the video I saw. It failed the mud also (same format). This guy sort of copied the MAC format. Well not sort of he totally copied it. The torture tests are about as important to me as shooting through frying pans. As long as it works under reasonable circumstances it's good with me. I'm not going to get tackled into mud then sand then dirt then a swimming pool then have to shoot 10 through a frying pan. At least I hope not cause I will be screwed! If they make that AREX in a compact if might be a good choice. All frying pan jokes aside.

True enough. But in combat or SHTF.... I'd take the one that works every time with no lube full of sand. REM Oil may be hard to come by.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I am not a huge pistol fun but I am very pragmatic about service use and critical duty.
Some of the best pistols on the market have adopted Glock design and directives.
I had to carry and shoot a 92F in the service and when I think about the glock it would have been the perfect pistol.
There is nothing too special about the glock only that it is the most reliable pistol on the planet, pretty accurate and
endless aftermarket support. The glock is like the AK of the pistols.
It seems to me perfect for any Army as it is perfect for endless other armies and agencies.
It might seem boring but like I said, I see pistols more like tools.

I agree the glock is very robust but you are right about one thing. They are boring as hell. my g19 is by far my least used pistol. They have absolutely no character. But that's all personal preference. One thing that I don't think is arbitrary however is the grip angle. Some people like it some hate it. I really don't like it compared to say the more natural 1911 but can be overcome with training. An experienced shooter can get the hang of a pistol switching from one platform to another within minutes.

In combat? Not much really, last ditch option for when everything else has failed. And for officers not serving on the line. Since a military handgun will spend the majority of the time in the holster it should be as light as possible so as not to unnecessarily encumber the soilder. 1911s are not light. Since military handguns are of secondary importance they should not be any more expensive than necessary. Polymer is cheaper than steel. The 1911 is an all steel gun. And that 15-18 rounds of 9mm is better than 7-8 rounds of .45 shouldn't require explanation. The 1911 is a fine gun and I want to have one asa range toy someday, but it is silly to expect an over 100 year old design to remain viable indefinitely. You don't see our troops in combat with 1903 sprinfields do you? And the 1903 is also a wonderful rifle, just not for combat anymore.

You make some good points but I really dislike when a designs' age is used as a factor. Although not quite as old as the 1911 the AK and AR are still king. I have a feeling in 30-40 years they will still be doing pretty well unless we've gotten to phased plasma rifles in the 40 watt range by then.

 

[ECU Pirates]

I'm guessing the takedown might play a part in the decision also. Not having to pull the trigger would look good to uncle sam.

 

[Darth]

No I didn't. The FBI tried the same thing, that I know. Clearly many orginizations see promise in the P320. I see no problem with the SIG being targeted unless procurement costs are out of whack with its competitors. I don't see what the problem is, the P320 is a good gun with a lot of versitility and I don't even have one. Maybe I need to rectify that.

Nobody said there was a problem, but the list was made in such a way that their decision was made beforehand. I suppose that is a bit of a problem.

 

[ECU Pirates]

Nobody said there was a problem, but the list was made in such a way that their decision was made beforehand. I suppose that is a bit of a problem.

Where is the list?

 

[Podmonkey]

Nobody said there was a problem, but the list was made in such a way that their decision was made beforehand. I suppose that is a bit of a problem.

I would imagine that favoring or targeting a specific design before a trial is commonplace and nothing new. The Army wanted the P320 but did t he trials for due diligence or even just for appearance sake. The only thing that would cause me to cry foul is if the Army could have gotten on of the competing guns for significantly less money. SIG probably put a good deal together though, I'm sure they did not want to lose this contract like they did against Beretta the last time around. It may have been a killer deal indeed if SIG was getting desperate after failing to get the FBI contract which was also stacked toward the P320. In the end the Army selected a very serviceable pistol and that is all that matters in the end.

 

[Darth]

Where is the list?

I thought on this site...It ended up with Glock making a "4.5 Gen Glock" to specifically meet those ridiculous requirements.

Let me look, because they specifically disqualified Walther and Glock by name.

It was just a few months ago...I'm not going crazy right?

 

[Darth]

It was something like this, but on a more unbiased site:

F.B.I. Selects New Duty Pistol!

Where they made it obvious exactly the gun they wanted. "No finger grooves. Barrel this exact length. Etc."

I don't think my memory is slipping me that much...

 

[meketrefe]

I agree the glock is very robust but you are right about one thing. They are boring as hell. my g19 is by far my least used pistol. They have absolutely no character. But that's all personal preference.

Your avatar is an AK. Cheap and super popular. nothing too exciting. They just work.
When the SHTF the last thing one is going to be thinking about is character, beauty and fashions.
Anyone with little training can be super accurate with a G19 and that is why they are so popular aside of being
the most reliable pistols on the planet .. boring? perhaps... I also get bored of my nail guns.
For show and tell I will bring a flintlock in 300 blackout.

 

[ECU Pirates]

Most reliable at blowing up due to unsupported chambers maybe......... HA

 

[ECU Pirates]

It was something like this, but on a more unbiased site:

F.B.I. Selects New Duty Pistol!

Where they made it obvious exactly the gun they wanted. "No finger grooves. Barrel this exact length. Etc."

I don't think my memory is slipping me that much...

Glock still won the contract for them. If it was rigged then they did a bad job of it.

 

[meketrefe]

Most reliable at blowing up due to unsupported chambers maybe......... HA

How many 40 caliber pistols blow up of any brand on average?
The fault relies with the reloaded 40 caliber brass. If it has been compromised it should not be used
for reloads, specially hot ones.
If one wants to reload then buy another barrel with more support like other pistols therefore sacrificing reliability.
For critical duty, reloads are not a primary concern.