The U.S. Army is currently adopting requirements for the Modular Handgun System (MHS) that will initiate a handgun competition to replace the M9 pistol. The Army requires the MHS to be more effective, accurate, and reliable than the M9 pistol.[1]
The MHS requirement calls for a non-caliber specific weapon with modular features to allow for the adaption of different fire control devices, pistol grips, and alternate magazine options. The weapon will fit various hand sizes and will mount targeting enablers using Picatinny rails. The new weapon will incorporate detection avoidance by having a non-reflective neutral color and will be operable with sound and flash suppressor kit in place.[1]
So who do guys think will be the big players in this? Right now all I can think of is the MODULAR Sig P250. :bad: …and kinda unrelated but according to a Beretta rep via a nutnfancy youtube video from Shot Show 2011, the PX-4 .45 was the only pistol to pass all trials at JCP.
The initial JCP specs were pretty well tailor made for the HK45 and Hk45c - I would think that they and the P30 in 40 S&W would be strong contenders for this.
You sort of have it backwards. The HK45 was made specifically for the JCP. That’s why so many HK guns win contracts, because they build them specifically to compete in contracts.
From recent discussions I think the CPD is complete down at benign and industry should see the Sources Sought this year. With the Tea Party pushing for more cuts it will be interesting to see if this requirement survives.
The way I understand it, the concept and concept models of the HK45 might have started before the JCP, but the production pistol itself (which came a good bit later) was designed around the parameters of the JCP.
Yeah that’s pretty much what I meant to say, still trying to get used to the iPhone. I got the info from ToddG’s interview with LAV and Ken Hackathorn.
Given the current problems with 9mm, .40, and .357 generation 4 Glocks, I think that jumping on the Glock bandwagon at this time would be foolish for the DOD. Right now, the only manufacturer that can handle extreme agency testing, has as wide an array of fire control options as DOD wants, and is a superior pistol in suppressed variant is H&K. Glocks are not nearly as reliable as H&Ks when it comes to suppression reliability. Probably the best option is to jump onto the CBP/BP contracts for .40S&W P2000s so that there is also a P2000SK model for compact use. The P30/P30L can be used as a full sized alternative too as it shares almost all the same features of the P2000 series.
That was written w the HK45/HK45c in mind. Don’t know how much of the specs will carry over, but by “modular” they then meant full size and compact, adjustable grips, and options for fire control systems, as in a DA/SA, DAO, and LEM w safety. From the original solicitation:
Safety Mechanisms: As a minimum, the handgun shall have internal safety mechanisms in place such that a loaded cartridge will not fire if the weapon is dropped from a height of 5 feet onto a concrete or other hard surface. The weapon shall also have an external, manually operated safety button/switch operable with one hand.
If manual safety wasn’t a concern, then I’d say Glock needs to jump on this, but then again, they’re not asking for a AK like pistol, they’re looking for an M4 in pistol form.
IMO, if the Army adopted the HK P30 over the Beretta M9, we’d probably have the best side arm we’ve ever had.
