Here we go again: yet another new Army Pistol

[Shooter5]

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/06/17/xm17-modular-handgun-system-beretta/28871119/

Don't hold your breath.

[bruce]

Meaningless. The only pistol that the armed services will buy will be one that will fit the hand of the relatively small weak hands of women. Replacing the M-9 would be fine as it is simply to big and clunky for a 9mm. But, there will be no return to a larger caliber pistol round. The women wouldn't hear of it.

[Mike Josephic]

I think the only caliber for a replacement that will be seriously considered will be back
to a 45 ACP. That is implied in the article. The 9MM Beretta in the current conflicts has
been seriously lacking in many aspects based on the military press I read.

[joem]

I shoot a bunch of .45's, however the .40 S&W IMHO would be a good choice. A top quality steel pistol with hot loads should fill the requirments nicely.

[Tuna]

You will never see the .40 S&W or the .45 acp as standard USGI issue. The 9mm is here to stay as long as the US is in NATO. NATO is not about to change to a different round. The .40 SW is now starting to decline is popularity and many Police Departments are dropping it in favor of the 9mm. And not only because of the women but there are many men who cannot handle it. The firearms themselves in general are also not holding up well to the constant use by the police. They did much better with the 9mm.

[BlitzKrieg]

In a society that is challenged to get the concept of Dental Floss, its no small wonder
they keep trying to make a case for 9mm.

Teaching dental hygiene, like teaching soldiers / police to shoot pistols is just too hard, we can't take time to do training

[Richard H Brown Jr]

Make it simple. 1911a1 frame with slides that fit for .22lr (USAF only), .38, 9mm, 10mm, .40, and PBUHN .45acp.

RHB

[John Sukey]

The only possible criticism I can think of about the 1911 is it is not double action. Give the women an M16. or one of the Berretas.
As for the 9mm being NATO standard, I do believe this country is quite capable of providing enough 45 ammunition for our troops.
Unlike 9mm, people shot with a 45 usually fall down!

[pmclaine]

If this happens it is a political response to Berettas pro Second Amendment stance when Dear Leader was pushing gun control.

The Army just bought years worth of spares for the M9 and with budget cuts coming like they are expenditures on a piece of gear of last resort does not make sense.