[USMCVet]

I hate to light up the "defense acquisition system new guy" light, but a contract for $1.9M does NOT mean that you can get the old calculator out and divide by 1,100 pistols!

The contract would include everything from the writing of the requirements, building a detailed specification for the design, competing the different designs, selecting the winner, testing the new weapon in operational tests, logistic support packages, training, documents, etc. If we are going for a design that takes new ammo into the system, then we have to buy ammo for everybody.

That's what the $1.9 Mil is for, Big Guy...

[Warlord David]

"The contract would include everything from the writing of the requirements, building a detailed specification for the design, competing the different designs, selecting the winner, testing the new weapon in operational tests, logistic support packages, training, documents, etc. If we are going for a design that takes new ammo into the system, then we have to buy ammo for everybody."

Geeezzzzzzz, Can't the miltary buy their weapons like everybody else, instead of making it more complicated than it has to. I can see if their buying a new weapon, but a 45, give the Marines a break!!!!!!!! This does not require rocket science.

[Batrachian]

I said in my post that it might include administrative costs, but that still means $1,727 per pistol. You don't think the secretaries, bureaucrats, and bookkeepers are going along with the pistols, do you? $1.9 million for 1,100 pistols is steep, no matter how you slice it.

Besides, with the ball ammo that the military has to use, .45 stopping power isn't that much better than 9mm. We'd be much better off replacing the M16, which really lacks stopping power.