TSA handgun contract draws ire of firearms makers.

GovExec.com ^ | July 16,2003 | Richard H.P, Sia

[heckler]

Through a series of missteps, the Transportation Security Administration has run afoul of the world's leading gun manufacturers in an attempt to award a three-year, $5 million contract for the semiautomatic handguns it plans to give commercial airline pilots to defend their cockpits.

The agency drew the heaviest fire after it appeared to bow to pressure from the office of Rep. J. D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., to drop a possible deal with the Austrian gunmaker Glock and focus instead on buying guns from venerable Smith & Wesson, an American-owned firm based in Hayworth's district.

[Poohbah]

They haven't ACTUALLY withdrawn from the agreement. It's merely not being enforced at this time.

[gnarledmaw]

"No sane gun company CEO or board will ever think about selling it's customer base out again..."

Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. There was no way for them to get out of the agreement. Its presently "unenforced". Id bet that some of you were the ones ignoring the boycott anyway.

Because CEOs know that some will go back to their favorite brand regardless of what the company pulls, firearms companies will buckle under future pressure knowing full well that after a brief drop off in demand that they will be back. The only way to teach these companies that we mean business is to drive the offender out. There is no other option.

Its really too bad that a fine company like Safe-T-Hammer got involved but, until they find a way out or get gov to lift the agreement, they can stuff it.

[El Laton Caliente]

Back when I reloaded, I carried a 1 3/4" barreled snub nose loaded with what was a cross between an inverted wad cutter and a semi-wad cutter over a charge of bull's eye. The bullets were cast by a man in S. Missippi who had done a lot of expansion experimenting. They had a very deep hollow point on a semi-wadcutter type bullet.

The results were amazing! In wet newspaper or wet sand the bullet would end up 4" deep and 3/4" plus in diameter. Just the thing in a cockpit where you do not want over penetration.

[ALASKA]

All the guys at my favorite gun shop/shooting range carry USP's and swear by them.

I carry a USP Compact everyday. With a Bladetech holster, it is the ultimate CCW in my own personal, correct opinion. But I could be wrong........

[Dead Corpse]

BS. Care to read the link I posted above?

ST: So how did you get to where you are today, no HUD agreement, no Boston consent decree?
Scott: As noted the new administration in Washington has informed us it has no interest in pursuing any aspect of the HUD agreement. I believe they have a realistic approach to addressing issues related to firearms and crime. They do not believe in blackmailing a legal industry that manufactures and distributes a legal product in compliance with a host of federal, state and local laws.
ST: And what about Boston?
Scott: We had a number of discussions with Boston over the impracticality of the consent decree and its impact on S&W.When Boston dropped its suit against the other manufacturers we asked to receive the same consideration. Like others in the industry we are willing to address issues and solutions that are practical and in everyone’s interest. Boston had found that working with the industry was more productive than expensive litigation. In our case they did ask the judge to vacate the consent decree and allow us to pursue the same positive course of action as other manufacturers.We are very appreciative of the cooperation and understanding we received from the plaintiffs’ representatives while we worked our way through the difficult issues with Boston.

[johnb838]

I got a Ruger 9mm semi, also American Made!

[Shooter 2.5]

Take me off your ping list.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Bingo.

[Poohbah]

I read the link.

Scott: The HUD agreement was with the Clinton Admin-istration. The Bush Administration has now gone on record saying it doesn’t intend to enforce it and doubts its legal standing.

It's not being litigated, so the issue of the BUSH administration doubting its legal standing is moot.

The agreement is STILL there, awaiting a liberal Democrat in the Oval Office to bring it back to life.

[gnarledmaw]

"...the .50 cal handgun sure is a slap in the face to the anti-gunners."

A short term setback on the leftist PR front. To them its more important to build up customers and keep the company alive than anything else.

[gnarledmaw]

Youre not on my ping list. You responded to my post.

[Prof Engineer]

We own 2 Smith & Wesson revolvers and we are real, real happy with them.

I've been really happy with the Ruger Blackhawk since my teens. I have a second cylinder for my 357 to go down to that little 9mm round.

[ASA Vet]

but I wouldn't run out and buy a Glock without spending an entire weekend performing the Manual of Arms (Pistol) with it.

I can't think of to many better things to do on a weekend, (or every weekend.)

[frostbit]

There are THREE safeties on all Glocks. The infamous trigger safety, a firing pin block, and a drop safety. All are passive, and deactivated when the trigger is pulled.

When the trigger is pulled, the weapon fires. Just like a revolver. Except the Glock has extra safeties that a revolver doesn't.

If some moron has it pointed at his leg when he pulls the trigger, he will shoot himself. No amount of extra safety features will prevent stupidity, as evidenced by numerous AD's with ALL weapon types.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He didn't say what the problem was exactly but I got the impression there was an alignment problem as the empty shell was ejected. Just polished up the inside and trimmed the trigger. He also installed Trijicon night sights which are helpful in low-light conditions. The trigger is light and deserves respect.
btw, do you have any experience with .357 Sig rounds ?

[No.6]

Or, *gasp* since we supposedly trust these air marshalls, we could give them a firearms allowance and tell them to buy the firearm they themselves are best and most comfortable with.

[No.6]

^ read "pilots" not "air marshalls"; my error.

[Poohbah]

I can't think of to many better things to do on a weekend, (or every weekend.)

Going to church. (Racking the slide during the Eucharistic Prayer is a big no-no, even under the Novus Ordo missal from Vatican II.)

Playing with my daughter.

Um...how to put this delicately...keeping the Fetching Mrs. Poohbah...satisfied. (And it's lots of fun for me, too :o)

And the beat goes on...

[Chancellor Palpatine]

If you bring it in a bag, disassembled, and don't make too much noise, is it appropriate to clean it during a homily?

;)

[ASA Vet]

Mine worked great right out of the box, the only work my gun smith did was to install the Trijicon night sights.

Zero knowledge here regarding .357 sig.
My next handgun will be in .460 roland.