The US Army’s Modular Handgun System is slated to move forward, downselecting in August of this year from a reported 12 submitted proposals to only three, in preparation for the final competition. The program solicitation was released in September with a deadline of the 1st of February, but the deadline for submissions was extended to February 12th. Now, it seems the Army is in review of the proposals and is poised to choose the final three entrants, one of which will become the next US military standard issue pistol. IHS Jane’s reports:
The US Department of Defense (DoD) will downselect a total of three preferred bidders in the third quarter of 2016 as its Modular Handgun System (MHS) programme continues on course despite recent calls to replace the effort with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution.
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Entrants are understood to include Beretta’s APX, Ceská zbrojovka’s CZ P-09, FN Herstal’s Five-Seven Mk 2, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) and Smith & Wesson’s M&P polymer handgun; the Glock 17 and 22; and Sig Sauer’s P320. However, sources informed IHS Jane’s that the DoD had yet to make a final decision regarding calibre of the MHS, although 9×19 mm and .40 calibre appear to be favourites at the moment.
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The DoD has now begun an evaluation programme of the 12 weapon systems. A downselection to three is expected to be made in August, leading the way into a nine-month production verification test (PVT) programme. Following the successful conclusion of the PVT, a preferred bidder will be selected ahead of low-rate initial production and first deliveries to US armed forces.
Earlier this year, US Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley questioned the need for the program, suggesting instead that the Army procure Glock 19 handguns off the back of a SOCOM contract for those handguns. We discussed this suggestion, and explored a few other possibilities for procuring new handguns in previous posts.
Read more on thefirearmblog,com
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p320-full.aspx
Glock 17 is 9mm and 22 is .40cal.
Glock 17: 17+1, see website for 22 mag load.
We will be watching this closely, I personally have never shot the new Sig’s but I would like to. Sig’s customer service at SHOT 2016 was terrible, I would hope that things there improve soon
I know, Sig puts out all this media stuff for us to digest, but when it comes down to interfacing with a human at a place where you are showing your product, perhaps their people skills don’t match up to the quality of their guns. I myself put my MK25 in mothballs in favor of the G19. I would like to see the Branches all adopt the G19.
I don’t see that happening. I think if it does, it isn’t gonna make a difference. The pistol isn’t a messiah and they do break, especially when I run them. I don’t care what the military or these “special” units select. Its more of a political and budget based decision, that what would run best. DA pistols offer the best performance for people of all experience. Strikers have their limitations as far as your skill level across the board. This is why DA shooters win more in competition than striker fired competitors.
The G19 is a great weapon for military use. You can teach anyone how it operates in ten minutes with a high degree of proficiency. The armorers only have to keep track of 34 spare parts.
However, they won’t change guns anytime soon as the military does shoot pistols all that often. They are not being issued as frequently overseas due to the utility of the M4. (I think the USMC was the first to do that.) Why fix a problem that isn’t a statistical issue in a time of budget cuts?
Rick-A buddy of mine was at Sig last week and saw the proposed military P320. The group was admonished not to photograph the gun. They got a 20% below dealer price deal on accessories and he came home with four 21 round mags and a holster for the 320. They had about 40 people shooting new 320’s. He hadn’t shot the gun before. Came away impressed. Said through many thousand rounds in the group (gun dealers and families) there were zero malfunctions. Also had some comments about what Sig is doing to improve service.
you’re gonna make me spend more money. Sadly I won’t be able to shoot for a bit, I sorta sliced the end of my trigger finger off at my day job. typing this with a huge ass bandage and a finger super glued back together
Sorry about your finger buddy. If you want to Send the MP5 to Kansas, I promise I’ll take good care of it until you’re healed…..