Submachinegun, Cal. 45, M1.
Original "Trench Broom"
Posted on 01/29/2006 11:14:04 AM PST by John Jorsett
After two decades of use, the U.S. Department of Defense is getting rid of its Beretta M9 9mm pistol, and going back to the 11.4mm (.45 caliber) weapon. There have been constant complaints about the lesser (compared to the .45) hitting power of the 9mm. And in the last few years, SOCOM (Special Operations Command) and the marines have officially adopted .45 caliber pistols as “official alternatives” to the M9 Beretta. But now SOCOM has been given the task of finding a design that will be suitable as the JCP (Joint Combat Pistol). Various designs are being evaluated, but all must be .45 caliber and have a eight round magazine (at least), and high capacity mags holding up to 15. The new .45 will also have a rail up top for attachments, and be able to take a silencer. Length must be no more than 9.65 inches, and width no more than 1.53 inches.
The M1911 .45 caliber pistol that the 9mm Beretta replaced in 1985, was, as its nomenclature implied, an old design. There are several modern designs out there for .45 caliber pistols that are lighter, carry more ammo and are easier to maintain than the pre-World War I M1911 (which is actually about a century old, as a design). The Department of Defense plans to buy 645,000 JCPs.
SOCOM will, with input from other branches, handle the evaluation and final selection. This will take place this year, and if the military moves with unaccustomed alacrity, troops could start getting their JCPs next year. But don’t hold your breath.
Ridiculous, a kinder, gentler bullet ?
I carry a Glock G21 45 acp. I love it.
Hollow points are outlawed by the Geneva Convention. We won't
do that.
And here I was thinking we were going back to 45 vinyl records. ;~ )
I agree that its better to hit with a .22 than miss with a .44, but the .45 accuracy issue is all about the particular model and upgrades. My brother can empty the clip in five seconds and hit a hand sized target with every shot at 70 feet. I sure am glad he's MY brother.
Some time in the future -- about 50 years from now -- someone at the Pentagon will make the U.S. military switch back to 9mm/.38 cal pistol. History doesn't progress -- it just turns in circles.
I saw a guy put 5 in the x ring with a 1911 in three seconds from 50 feet.
Holding the pistol upside down, one hand on his knee, bent over and firing with his pinkie.
He was the coach of the USMC pistol team in 1975.
I guess you just have to shoot it right.
Dream on. They are far too expensive.
Ping...
It's a strong candidate for sure, but I'm not sure it meets the "rail on top" requirement mentioned in the article. Most of the newer .45 designs have accessory rails beneath the barrel, wonder if they want an AR-15 style picatinny rail too.
I wonder if Glock's .45GAP is in consideration, same ballistic properties, shorter cartridge.
If it was a military issue .45 then the most likely problem was that it was worn out. Most military .45s are 60+ years old very few military 1911's were built after WW2.
This is kind of misleading. The military isn't ditching the 9mm for the .45. Ruger was just given a contract by the U. S. Army Tank automotive and Armaments Command for their P95.
I carry a .45 and I think our troops should to.
This makes me think these guys are serious. Issuing 45's means no more fooling.
You lose accuracy with a heavier round.
The 9mm is not garbage. I can stop someone with a 9mm just as fast as I can with a .45.
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