Army wants a harder-hitting pistol

[puzzled]

wasn't sure if this article had been posted or this would be the best place to share but thought it an interesting read.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/07/03/army-wants-harder-hitting-pistol/?intcmp=features

thoughts?
puzzled

[PolishMike]

Just because the its open caliber does NOT mean they are looking for a "harder-hitting" (stupid internet made up terms) pistol.

I would be willing to be a TON of money they stick with 9mm.

[pc_load_letter]

Cool, would be great to get a surplus M9. I regret selling my Beretta earlier this year.

[arrix]

Love this quote:

[seal20]

Quote of the day:

"I talked to a Chicago cop that shot a guy eight times with a .45 to kill him and that was a 230 grain Hydra-Shok," Langdon said. "And that guy now carries a 9mm …he realized that handgun bullets suck. "You have to shoot people a lot with a handgun."

[kentactic]

Pistols suck at killing people in general.

[Wrangler John]

That, my friends, is akin to trying to redesign the toilet seat.

Not much else is possible due to physics. Smaller lighter bullets traveling faster, or larger heavier bullets going slower, that's the reality. Smaller, lighter, faster, FMJ ball means less energy transfer, range and penetration. Larger, slower, heavier FMJ ball means bigger holes without much energy transfer unless something vital is hit, less magazine capacity, shorter effective range, and more recoil. Lengthen the case, add powder and the grip becomes a bit too big for smaller hands, every change has a disadvantage that outweighs the advantage.

Boost the energy in either and recoil becomes intolerable to the average person, as is noted. So what to do? Do nothing or redesign the pistol to handle the .40 caliber stuff? but the limit in stopping ability remains with the bullet not the cartridge or the platform. Maybe procure a new pistol and just tout it as the greatest advance in history, kind of like the M-16/M-4.

[barrage]

Always thought the Glock 22 would be the perfect Army pistol. Wonder what the military's apparent problem is with them.

[Manolito]

Polish Mike I would take that bet. Not because I think the round is good or bad but in order to get a new contract they are going to have to give the impression they are going to a harder hitting round. I will be surprised if we don't see the .45 with a new designed pistol not following the 1911 chasis it would open them to the criticism of going to 9 in the first place.

This has nothing to do with good or bad pistols this is 19th hole golf deals made at very high levels.

The debriefing of combatants has been terrible for the 9.

Just an opinion from someone who spent a lot of my life working for DOD.

I agree pistols are terrible at killing people the FBI statistics show most people shot with a pistol live.

There will be a resurgence of electric fired solid propellant rocket bullets. Or consumable case ammunition and then settle back down to a .45 and new delivery system as said above the newest and best science can offer.

[NytWolf]

Just because the its open caliber does NOT mean they are looking for a "harder-hitting" (stupid internet made up terms) pistol.

I would be willing to be a TON of money they stick with 9mm.

Sounds like you're a 9mm fan boy.
I'm starting to wonder how much 2000 pounds of Benjamins would be worth.

The article did say:

Soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have complained that the 9mm round is not powerful enough to be effective in combat.

and

The MHS will be an open-caliber competition that will evaluate larger rounds such as .357 Sig, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

[Sunday]

Always thought the Glock 22 would be the perfect Army pistol. Wonder what the military's apparent problem is with them.

Glock needs to lobby $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ the right people.

[coolie]

When using ball ammo, which our army must use, a bigger diameter hole in a combatant is going to be more effective. Am I missing something here? They would probably be better off with .40 s&w or .45. 10mm and .50 would probably be too much for the little guys and chicks in the army to shoot well.

[mif_slim]

Blasphemy! !!! Everyone knows a 45 will vaporize anything it touches!!

But on topic, I also put in vote that they won't change the pistol/caliber. No gain in performance in all standard pistol rpunds..

[Mr.Cip]

The MHS requirements sounds like a P320. Maybe that's the reason why Sig is moving most of their manufacturing to the United States...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bigred1]

The military just did testing on 45s a couple of years ago and didn't make a decision.
I don't care which side of the 9mm vs 45 you fall on. When discussing a caliber in regards to the Mil, you have to remember that it's going to be FMJ. We don't get the advantage of modern hollow points.
That quote about the Chitown officer and the hydro shocks raises a bunch of questions.
Was the perp on narcotics or hallucinogens?
Where those 8 center mass shots?

USMC already green lighted and fields 1911s. It's not with normal grunts but with force recon and such units.