The 45 ACP Hand Gun Is Back

The issue of 9mm vs. 45 calibers is relativelyI don't expect Glock to win a US military contract - the
unimportant in the military (any military) of today. It is likeAmerican military doesn't seem to like the idea of a
the US Army worrying itself sick about a saber for thepistol without multiple external safety levers and
cavalry. Some companies have come up with a lotmechanisms. Glock pistols, great as they may be, use
better solution to the pistol for today's soldiers andsimple, idiot-proof internal safety mechanisms. If the
Marines that don't need or wish to carry an assaultArmy did go with a Glock, it would be interesting to
rifle. LOAD and LOCK! A couple of thoughts andsee if they would adopt the new 45 GAP cartridge.
hopes. 1st-"Don't count your chickens 'til they'reSame caliber bullet, even available in the same bullet
hatched" We need to write/contact/input the testersweights, loaded into a shorter case - to allow for a
and decision makers and let them know WE want thesmaller handgun that takes advantage of modern
.45 ACP.propellants. I personally don't like Glock. I have large
Second-For the hundred, no thousand plus time a 9mmhands and shoot pistols with a double handed grip. I
bullet is .355 cal, a .45 is BIGGER thus it makes apersonally like the Colt 1911A1 series for its balance,
BIGGER hole in the target. This means more bloodweight, and comfort. But that's me. How about the
loss- which translates to the enemy gets killed and theUSP .45? SOFs of course have been using the Mk23
American hopefully comes home and tells hisfor some time.
grandkids about reality land versus the "High-Tech"Who buys isn't always who gets. The Army's
star wars game players.Automotive Tank Command has bought pistols for the
3rd-For the devoted 9mm types out there(yes youUSAF for example.SOCOM is the buyer; everybody is
with the coco-puffs) read the FBI report about thegoing to get these. That's what the "joint" in Joint
"Miami Shootout", after which they traded in their 9mmCombat Pistol means. SOCOM sure does not need up
pistols, because of the facts of bullet woundto 645,000 pistols over 10 years. Some things are
examinations. 4th-Check-out the winners of most allalready set. They spent the last year or so with
pistol matches: Almost everyone uses a 1911/1911A1 inmarket surveys, field suitability tests, etc looking at
.45 ACP! Remember folks-We are talking about thewhat's out there, trying stuff, deciding what they
ARMED FORCES of the USA...Sight Picture/Sightwanted.
Alignment!The Future Handgun System program wanted
There is a reason that most of the militaries that haveadjustable grips, accessory rail, threaded bbl, modular
tested it have rejected it. Now, if the military wants avariable trigger operating system (SA to DA to DAO).
smaller primary weapon, the weapon already exists inThe SOF Combat Pistol program wanted a 45 ACP
the inventory. It is the SOCOM pistol made by HK,and would have settled for another 1911. Those were
which for offensive purposes is a whole lot better thancombined into this Joint Combat Pistol (JCP) program.
the P90.They want a 45 ACP, not a 45 GAP. Don't be
Note that this contract is being let by USSOCOM. Thatsurprised if Glock can't even compete depending on
means it is for a sidearm, not a primary weapon. Andwhat the details are for the trigger operating system.
as a sidearm (meaning a secondary weapon carriedSome folks think they had the HK USP full size and
by someone who also carries a primary weapon,compact Tactical/P2000 in mind when they wrote the
usually a rifle), the M1911 .45 is superior to the P90 andspecs. Details will be in the RFP (request for proposals)
to the HK and definitely to the Beretta. Don't bethat comes out next.
surprised if a Glock wins this contract.