Sidearms & Scatterguns Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

[stork23raz]

Weather or not its true, I have read that the Military is possibly looking into running another trial for a new combat pistol around 2012. I know they regulary run test on possible future weapons.

Does anyone know of any pistols that are planning to compete in the trials? I figure Sig, Beretta at shot show was saying the new miliitized version of the PX4 would, maybe FN.

What is everyones opinion on pistols that might or should compete? Anyone think the M9 will acutally be replaced?

Of course no civilian or civlian company can really thrash gear like the military can. The money is just not there to test stuff like the military can.

I think of course if a new pistol is selected, there is a good chance the civilian market will prob see a up in sales of the pistol.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Pistols are not a primary military weapon. Kind of limited.

You may or may not have trials, if you do, the military will set standards and anyone who makes a pistol meeting their standards will probably submit an example.

However, I don't see the military changing pistols for a long time, at least not in my life time.

With today's economical problems, I'm sure the Military will end up getting cuts like everyone else. Plus being involved in two wars, I doubt pistols are a high priorty.

We all (on internet gun sites) have our favorites, and our opinions on what the military needs, but we don't get a vote.

If I were to get a vote, I would vote to put the funds on more important task, like teaching soldiers to shoot what they have, mainly the rifle.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

If I were to get a vote, I would vote to put the funds on more important task, like teaching soldiers to shoot what they have, mainly the rifle. </div></div>

Amen! An effective rifle marksmanship program and lots of training ammo would go a long way. A pistol is a pistol.

 

[stork23raz]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

i agree, with you. pistols are not primary weapons. if the military spent alot of time teaching people how to actaully shoot would be probaly the best money spent by our military force. Marksmanship/tactics should be a top priority. The man on the ground with his rifle will always be the most powerful weapon.

This is more of a theory thread. I personally dont see them changing either. Goverment is cheap to begin with and the economy is crap so. The beretta has been in service for 20+ years. m16 platform been around for 50 -60+ years. 1911 been around for 100 years. At somepoint they will upgrade. people are always talking what will be next rifle platform. they got the m16s, m4,s hk416s, scars, m14s, m21s. its an evolving process. From my understanding the Sig beat out the M9, but the price was higher so the goverment took the lowest bidder(big supprise). Technology and design are kind of peaking. You really cant get more power or range but from my point of view its about reliability and durabilty cause everything else is pretty maxed out on engineering. Weight, strength and firepower are all limited to materials used and common sense. So companys designing the current and next generation of pistols are really gonna have to push there engineering and testing teams to the edge to get the advantage. yea i guess you could make a 10-20 thousand dollar pistol out of only the materials with the latest techonoly but the military nor the common buyer is not going to pay for that. The weapons of the next 50 years will be cool, but how much better can they be than what we got.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Do you really think there have been any meaningful innovations in pistols since 1986?

All I have seen is minor stuff, like sights, magwells, etc. The basic designs of pistol (Traditional double action, single action, and striker fired) are still basically the same.

It seems to me that revolvers have seen more innovation than pistols. At least they are being made out of new materials (think of the Smith PD models).

If anything, pistol culture has changed in the last 25 years with concealed carry becoming more popular, but there has been very little innovative progress. Most of the guns I'm shooting would have been just fine in 1986. If anything, the fit and finish we can demand is better due to modern machining processes, but that's about it.

 

[stork23raz]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

well this could be about any platform not only pistols. assualt/battle rifles, snipers platforms.

materials, machining tolerances, and what the human body can carry and acutally shoot. It seems for the most part they are all hitting hte pinicle. I guess next would be sci fi engery & laser weapons(of course that wont have for along time, the cartdrige will be around for many many years, maybe another houndred or two+). For example the 408 cheytac, cool, hits made out to 3000 yards. Sure they could build a monsterous rifle that shoot a several thousand grain bullet out to 5 miles but its not practical.

Thats what im saying. What would they pick next, why, yea its the small features they are upgrading, cause the overall design is pretty much maxed out. That goes for all cartridge based platforms. The designs have been engineered to max. Is there a point in upgrading cause of 1 or 2 little feature.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Every time this rumor surfaces, a sister rumor usually tags along that Glock wants part of that pie so they'll redesign the existing platform to include double-strike capability and a manual safety, and will agree to build it in the US.

 

[Rookie]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Biggest evolution in pistols since 1986 are striker guns in my opinion. I know Glock had them then but no one else did. Now everyone makes em.

 

[BigBoss0311]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

HK's P7 is striker fired.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

The HK VP-70/Z (ca. 1970) was striker-fired, DAO, polymer framed and had no manual safety.

 

[Jedi5150]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Keep in mind I'm not Mil or even prior mil. But from an outsider's perspective, the only change I could see them making would be to switch over entirely to the M11 and put the existing M9's in Reserve/ Guard units. From what I've read and heard, the M11 (along with the other SIG variants) are widely respected for their reliability even in dusty conditions. Not to mention you'd be using as platform already approved and in-use.

 

[Awesymoto]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

Beretta just won a contract if i do remember correctly for an ungodly amount of M9's.... I do not see the stingy Marine Corps fielding a new pistol except for the MEUSOC 45.... Think of the logistics... New parts... everywhere, New training for armorers, New training for coaches, etc, New holsters, New mags, and what are they going to do with the current crap load of M9's...

Am I defending the M9? Hell no, but until a much simpler design, with fewer parts, and a higher reliability rate (which will prove hell against the M9) comes out... I don't see the Military changing. Who knows though my 2 cents

 

[scsbronco]

Re: Next Military Combat Pistol Trials

What options are out there? From what I have read the government does want a polymer gun.