Posted on 09/25/2006 10:46:11 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
September 24, 2006: Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Defense began a search for a new .45 caliber combat pistol. Now that search has been mysteriously called off. The Department of Defense has announced, without any explanation, that is no longer looking for a new combat pistol.
Last January, after two decades of use, the U.S. Department of Defense appeared to be 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, as well as reliability problems with the Beretta. 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.
Back in January, SOCOM was given the task of finding a design that will be suitable as the JCP (Joint Combat Pistol). Various designs were to be evaluated, but all had to be .45 caliber and have a eight round magazine (at least), and high capacity mags holding up to 15. The new .45 was also to have a rail up top for attachments, and be able to take a silencer. Length was to 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 planned to buy 645,000 JCPs. But now, the troops are being told to keep their 9mm Berettas, and all the complaints they have about those weapons.
I am very aware of why the services decided to go back to the .45, my question is if this story has any real legs. To date I have not heard anything but full speed ahead with the Big Army .45 buy and small hiccup with SOCOM buy. Difference between the two the need or no need for an external safety. This article alleges that both programs have been stopped.
My .45cal Kimber, every time...
Wait till you see the SCAR.
Why ? Because 9mm bursts have more punch than a single 45 round.
BUMP
Yer' kidding. I'm no recoil junky, but a .45 ACP just doesn't kick that much to me. .45 Long Colt, now that's a horse of a different aphorism.
I grew up shooting a .357, my favorite "carry" pistol is a Witness 10mm. My Taurus 92AF 9mm is a pussy cat by comparison.
I tend to feel the same thing, that Special Ops will decide on their own and handle their own purchasing.
I tried one of the Kahr P45s and was very impressed. Glad to hear about your range report. Kahr IIRC likes you to run several hundred rounds through their guns to insure reliability prior to CCW carry. It's a strong contender for my carry piece.
ping for a Glock statement. Is this true? After market addition?
It would have to be after market and the smith would have to be an idiot.
Sure you're not thinking of the full-auto Glock 18, with its slide-mounted selector?
Have you ever fired a .44 Mag? A .454 Casull? The .45 ACP is mild compared to those.
http://members.aol.com/saftblok/
Fills me with confidence!
Yep, that was why I was at the range, just function firing. Problem is, for an old competitive shooter like me, keeping them in the black is always important. Closer to the center, the better. I have also put Black Talon through it, and other JHP, only had one stove pipe ejection so far, and that was the last round in the magazine. I am very impressed with the piece, and am happy with my decision to purchase it.
Gunner
I was criticizing the use of a .380 as a primary defense gun caliber.
Speed is good, accuracy is final.
Nope. The Colt .45 auto was a mighty strong handgun. I don't believe it was an ACP but a so-called Long Colt.
Kah-boom!!!!!
t> And there are glocks out there with external safeties. Iv'e seen photos of them.
t>ping for a Glock statement. Is this true? After market addition?
E>It would have to be after market and the smith would have to be an idiot.
49 posted on 09/25/2006 12:27:21 PM MDT by Eaker
The external safety on a Glock is the shooter who pulls the trigger!
Naw, shoot a .44 magnum for awhile -- that'll put the .45 acp into better perspective. The 1911 pistol and .45 acp ammo are a perfect marriage.
quite a bit of 10mm ammo is only loaded to 40 S&W specs...
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