Thursday, July 9, 2015

Long overdue upgrade to service sidearms

In a significant doctrinal shift, the U.S. military is relegating full metal jacketed (FMJ) pistol bullets to a training role, and will be adopting modern hollow point designs similar to those used by most domestic law enforcement agencies and citizens who carry handguns for self-defense.
The stunning announcement was made at the U.S Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey yesterday during the military’s two-day “industry day” for the Modular Handgun System (MHS), which will conclude today.
Link

Not only is the Army actively looking for the replacement to the underwhelming Beretta 9mm, DoD is finally looking to move from standard ball ammunition to the more effective hollow points. This has been a bone of contention at least since adopting the M9 and discarding the reliable standby, the M1911 .45. I remember that transition well.....and it's left the U.S. military under-gunned ever since.

Kudos for finally [though long overdue] taking care of our service members [SOF not included; they've had the HK45CT and MEUSOC .45's for quite some time now.

7 comments:

  1. I'm surprised given that during my 25 years of service the party line was always that hollow-point ammunition was a violation of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). I carried both the 9 and the 45 at various points in time and definitely would prefer the 45.

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    1. The U.S. is/was not a signatory to the Hague Conventions which outlawed the military use of expanding ammunition.

      Personally a fan of the .40 for EDC....I too, think going back to the .45 is a brilliant move. Too many cases to count, of the underpowered 9mm decidedly not doing the job in Iraq and AFG.

      Delete
  2. Bigger is better ;) But then I was always the guy who volunteered to carry Ma Deuce around.

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    1. Now that's just being a glutton for punishment. I remember as a very young PFC/Track Commander....lugging my .50 to the motor pool during alerts in Germany.

      No thank you.

      Delete
  3. My birthday is coming up and I'm torn between http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765698_-1_757955_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y and http://www.fender.com/guitars/telecaster/modern-player-telecaster-plus/0241102542.html#q=Modern%2BPlayer&qSubmit=&start=1
    I have the distinct impression that the guitar will Still available somewhere done the road. The .40? Not so much

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My maxim is that the zombie apocalypse could occur at any time....it's always best to ensure that you and yours are well stocked for defense, before seeing to your entertainment needs.

      My eldest daughter however, plays guitar and would likely disagree with me.

      Delete
    2. You've sold me. And they're already among us. I have lots of guitars. >;-)

      Delete

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