Posted on 06/30/2016 3:44:49 PM PDT by PROCON
The Federal Bureau of Investigation awarded Glock an $85 million contract to produce 9mm handguns for the better part of a decade, according to the notice published Wednesday.
The contract marks a milestone in the history of FBI weapons as the agency famously ditched 9mm in the mid-1980s for a larger .40-caliber handgun. The return comes after 30 years of ballistic improvements to 9mm ammunition.
The contract covers five items that include a compact pistol, a full-size pistol, an inert training pistol, a Simunition training pistol, and replacement parts, according to the solicitation.
Specifications in the solicitation suggest Glock will be supplying the FBI with a Glock 19 compact and a Glock 17 for the full-size pistol.
Initial requests included a compact pistol with a barrel length between 3.75-4.25 inches, a minimum 14-round capacity, and night sights. And the full-size with a barrel 4.26-5.2 inches, minimum mag capacity of 16 rounds and night sights.
The FBI estimates spending between $20 million to $85 million in the next 10 years under the contact.
While the price may seem excessive, the contract may also equip 10 federal law enforcement agencies — ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, etc — and the Office of Inspector General for all federal agencies.
The caliber change comes 30 years after the agency’s high-profile response (dramatic among handgun aficionados) to a shootout that ended with the deaths of two agents who were essentially outgunned. The agency formally switched from revolvers to semi-auto pistols.
According to the American Rifleman, initially, the change was to a Smith & Wesson Model 1076 chambered in 10mm, which is on par with .40 caliber. But the results were poor and the agency replaced it with Sig 226 as a temporary fix. In 1997, the FBI officially adopted Glock .40 S&W pistols as the service pistol for agents.
They wouldn't be so bad if all the manufacturers didn't insist on stuffing them into undersized 9mm frames. The only .40s I've shot that were adequately sized for the round are an H&K and a Sig.
Think about it, Vike...
What better way to say “GFYourself” to the antigunners than a Pink Hello Kitty AR15?
Mrs. L and I are big Kimber fans.
L
I’m looking in the Alliant powder loading guide and they list a .357 load with their Power Pro 300-MP powder and Speer 125 grain Gold dot that shows 2000fps. I’m going to see if the local shop has that powder.
They also show the 170 grain Speer bullet at 1620 fps.
My trunk gun is a HK91A2,10 mags.
I thought Obama said the government can’t have guns because they’re dangerous.
With the exception of some crappy stuff, it’s mostly about what works for the owner.
My wife has a Sig P238, a very nice carry for a woman, fun to shoot. My daughter liked her Sig .40 in the police academy...especially with someone else paying for it. She’s not a fan of Glocks, either. Just doesn’t like the feel.
If I had someone else’s money, I’d have a roomful of guns. Like a fine woman, each one feels a little different and a pleasure to handle. With a few exceptions, my favorite gun is usually the one I am shooting at that moment.
The 1911 is like the Browning M2 .50 cal.
So what if the design is old, it is very effective.
I do shoot a Glock 19/9mm. It is a good target weapon, but for home defense I use a Taurus Judge. Shoots a .45 long colt or a .410 round. Much more damage than a 9mm.
I also have my grandfather’s 1911 issued to him in WWI.
Still functional. Still kick ass. When I am in the woods where hogs like to roam, I carry the 1911 and the Judge. I leave the 9mm at home.
The 1076 handles just fine. It was a single stack mag and the grip isnt too big around.
That should solve most problems.
Wow, that is a nice truck gun. I have a Springfield MiA Loaded National Match. I would have it as my trunk gun if I was not worried about it being stolen. The AK was bought from someone selling off guns quickly fo pay lawyers for a divorce. It is reliable, high capacity and I would not lose much sleep if it were stolen, If society gets worse I would add the M1A and bring it inside at night.
If things get bad I’ve got a registered sear pack for the 91.
Another thought here.
The sons of Obama carry 9’s
The FBI carry 9’s.
Why would the feds not want to outgun the bad guys?
Oh wait, the feds are not after Obama’s homeys, they are after the American taxpayer. My bad.
The Glock 19 is the quintessential 9mm handgun. If I had to be limited to one semi-auto handgun, it would be the Glock 19.
Wait, wait! Didn’t the FBI get schooled by the “my dick is so small .45 is my caliber crowd”?
My Daughter with her Colt H-Bar. We had been shooting on my parents land and it was cold for Florida. After shooting the H-Bar, we tried out an old High Standard Sentinel. She is just posing, we wore ear and eye protection.
“The modern ballistics make differences between the 9mm and 10mm moot at best.”
Not quite. I carry a 9mm in town, 10mm 220 grain hard cast for walks in the woods. Bullets tuned to hurt small soft bodied creatures don’t work so well on large tough creatures.
I’ve almost pulled the trigger (pun intended) on a Rowland conversion kit for a series 70 gov model gathering dust in the safe. It’s a sweet gun and the only thing holding me back is not wanting to beat it up. Ended up getting a G20, my carry load is only about 700 ft/lbs but the penetration is good and I don’t care if I beat it up, it was ugly when it came out of the box.
Would still like to own a 460 Rowland though, I’ve thought about getting my 625 reamed to take the round.
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