The following is an excerpt from a CNA survey concerning the currently issued small arms of American forces. There is quite a bit in there about the M4, however I have had little time on either the M16 or the M4. On the other hand, The Bull has spent many hours with the handguns mentioned and the various types of ammo these weapons fire. I found this little bit to be very interesting.
The CNA surveyors also asked Soldiers for their opinions on possible improvements to their small arms. The top request from Soldiers was for more knock-down power, reigniting the debate over America’s small arms caliber choices.
“When speaking to experts and Soldiers on site, many commented on the limited ability to effectively stop targets, saying that those personnel targets who were shot multiple times were still able to continue pursuit,” the report said.
A full 20 percent of M9 users said they wanted a new weapon, and “some were more specific and requested a return to the Colt .45 for standard issue pistols,” including others who asked for hollow-point ammo.
Hollow point rounds have been deemed illegal for military use.
Well, I hate to say I told you so, but I did tell you so! 
This is what happens when Washington starts trying to become more European and when the Pentagon fails to remember the lessons of the past.
This is not the first time that the U.S. Army has found that their new sub-caliber sidearms to be less-than-adequate in a fire fight with determined enemies. The first time was in the Philippines when the Army .38’s failed miserably and lead to the re-issue of the .45 Colt revolvers. Most folk think that the weapon issued was the 1911 .45 ACP. Wrong! It was the venerable .45 Colt, sometimes erroneously called the .45 Long Colt, in the single action Colt Peacemaker. With the advent of the model 1911 the military had everything it could ever ask for: A fine, tough, reliable semi-auto sidearm chambered for a powerful round of proper caliber, (i.e.: anything starting with a “4″…), the good ol’ .45 Automatic Colt Pistol.
Perhaps the current group of folk in that five-sided bird cage in D.C. will take a moment to review American History, see the error of their ways and return us to a full caliber sidearm. Hell, danged near anything of heavy bore is better than the 9mm P.O.S. the troops must carry now!
Lessons learned, eh?
Bull, out.
I think they should return to the .45ACP.
And they should also change from the 5.56 to the 6.5. Barret builds a functionally identical 6.5. It is a much better round.
The rounds I carry are all handloaded. I use Starline nickel plated brass, 9 grains of Unique powder, and a 250 grain Speer Gold Dot hollow point bullet for everyday carry. That chunk is traveling along at about 975 feet/second and gets the job done. For hunting I alternately use the Penn 285gr. \”Thunderhead\” full-caliber flat nose lead bullet or the excellent RCBS 270SAA bullet that pops out at around 282 grains. The RCBS also functions perfectly in my Winchester \’94 Trapper. I generally load these with IMR 4227 powder. Speaking of powder, I\’m falling in love with the Trail Boss. Fills that big case up nicely!
I\’m considering switching my carry load to a 255 grain SWC and 40 grains of black powder.
Not that I think that’s the best all around round (I’d vote for .45acp) but because I’m selfish and I’d love to see mil-surp .44 mag ammo hit the market.
Maybe I could afford to shoot my S&W Mod.29 more than a box every three months
Alabama Bloggers Carnival – 06/04…
Good Monday to everyone, and Welcome to the Alabama Blogger’s Carnival!
I’m pretty happy with the turnout we had this week.
First up, due the to the drought, Lake Martin is having issues…
(Lake Martin Voice) Lake Martin’s water lev…
Alabama Bloggers Carnival – 06/04…
Good Monday to everyone, and Welcome to the Alabama Blogger’s Carnival!
I’m pretty happy with the turnout we had this week.
First up, due the to the drought, Lake Martin is having issues…
(Lake Martin Voice) Lake Martin’s water lev…
Love the idea! Give the lads a choice between the .44 Mag and the .45 ACP — that ought to lower the price of those rounds! Hell, I’d even vote for the .41 Magnum as a third option
I also wanted to echo BWH’s sentiments about the 7.62 mm round — what a**hat thought a .223 round would REALLY be superior?? Go Back now!
And let’s start a real war of words (potentially anyway) — I’m in the market, so who do you recommend for a 1911 in .45 ACP and why?
PJ
However, if a rough and tumber no non-sense standard 1911 is what you are looking for, (you know, something reliable and that can be upgraded as you have the time and money), then go with the Springfield Armory ‘G.I.’ 1911.
If your .45 ACP doesn’t have to be a 1911, then look at the Ruger 345 or the high capacity (14 rounds fully loaded) Springfield XD45.
The next .45 I get is going to be a Springfield Mil-Spec
I could not agree with you more about reintroducing the .45 M1911’s back the troops. The stopping power of this ‘old iron’ would give our troops more firepower to stop Johnny Jihad in his tracks even when they are hopped up on illict drugs (which have been found in their safe house). The other little known and unreported thing is that these so called holy warriors have been found dead with, you guessed it Colt M1911’s on them. I feel feel that it is time to reevaluate why we sacrificed a great side arm for hig capacity and NATO compatibilty.