"Lee Michaels" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:U.S. Brings Back the .45
After two decades of use, the U.S. Department of Defense is 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. And in the last few years, SOCOM
(Special
Quoted message said:Operations Command) and the marines have officially adopted .45 caliber
pistols as "official alternatives" to the M9 Beretta.But now SOCOM has been given the task of finding a design that will be
suitable as the JCP (Joint Combat Pistol). Various designs are being
evaluated, but all must be .45 caliber and have a eight round magazine (at
least), and high capacity mags holding up to 15. The new .45 will also
have
Quoted message said:a rail up top for attachments, and be able to take a silencer. Length must
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
Quoted message said: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
Quoted message said:easier to maintain than the pre-World War I M1911 (which is actually about
a
Quoted message said:century old, as a design). The Department of Defense plans to buy 645,000
JCPs.SOCOM will, with input from other branches, handle the evaluation and
final
Quoted message said:selection. This will take place this year, and if the military moves with
unaccustomed alacrity, troops could start getting their JCPs next year.
But
Quoted message said:don't hold your breath.
But the M1911 is still a mighty fine firearm.