OK, educate me here regarding pistols and the US military.

[S&Wshooter]

Originally Posted by BurtReynoldsMoustache

Because we totally could've held off Soviet expansion all by ourselves.

Let me rephrase that: We shouldn't have done what all the cool kids were doing and stuck with the .45

[funkychinaman]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

Let me rephrase that: We shouldn't have done what all the cool kids were doing and stuck with the .45

Which is basically what we've done. We still use .45 pistols, and we've solicited bids for .45 pistols since the M9 decision. (The Mk 23) The cancelled JCP competition also specified for a .45 pistol.

[S&Wshooter]

Originally Posted by funkychinaman

Which is basically what we've done. We still use .45 pistols, and we've solicited bids for .45 pistols since the M9 decision. (The Mk 23) The cancelled JCP competition also specified for a .45 pistol.

But the official sidearm is the M9. I really wish they would have chose the Sig over the Beretta

[BurtReynoldsMoustache]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

But the official sidearm is the M9. I really wish they would have chose the Sig over the Beretta

Of what consequence is it to you?

[S&Wshooter]

Originally Posted by BurtReynoldsMoustache

Of what consequence is it to you?

Well, Sigs are fucking awesome. No explanation needed

[AdAstra2009]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

Well, Sigs are fucking awesome. No explanation needed

sounds like fanboyism to me

[S&Wshooter]

Originally Posted by AdAstra2009

sounds like fanboyism to me

Sigs aren't even my "thing" and I know they are awesome anyways

[Swordfish941]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

Well, Sigs are fucking awesome. No explanation needed

Fuckin' A!

[Clutch]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

But the official sidearm is the M9. I really wish they would have chose the Sig over the Beretta

The USCG has dropped the M9 in favor of Sig's P229. Also, I do believe that a bunch of P228s were requisitioned by the US Armed Forces as the M11, for people who were having trouble handling the M9.

Honestly, what would have been different if the P226 had been chosen? It would still have the same 9mm cartridge, people would still complain that it wasn't a .45, and I do suspect the SEALs would have still managed to find a way to break it - remember, the issues with the original M9s were discovered largely because SEAL teams were pumping extremely high-pressured ammo through the guns at their typical astronomical bullet-consumption rate. Maybe it would have taken a bit longer, but I put nothing past them.

Not saying the P226 is a bad gun...just that the Beretta doesn't quite deserve all of the crap that's been heaped on it.

EDIT: Just Wikipedia'd it, and while the above largely stands, the article concerning the M9 does say that the USCG has "mostly" replaced their M9s with P229 DAK, going on to mention that some Berettas remain for certain units. Take that as you will, as I didn't see an article to link to supporting that. Anyone more in-the-know care to elaborate?

[Krel]

Originally Posted by S&Wshooter

But the official sidearm is the M9. I really wish they would have chose the Sig over the Beretta

Can't say if this is really true or not. But back when the Beretta was chosen over the Sig, a gun magazine claimed the Beretta was chosen for two reasons. First, Beretta was willing to open a factory in the U.S. to manufacture the M9. The second reason given was that the Beretta had the length of barrel extending past the slide, allowing the military to use a suppressor by threading the barrel. Where with the Sig, they would have to use a special barrel.

David.