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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
I did not know the M9 was pushed by the Air Force - I find it incredible that the AF or blue Navy would even have a dog in the hunt. The SOC needs to do like Reaper said in another post - basically become a branch. Own promotions, own procurement, etc.
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Doc:
The 9mm cartridge was pretty much mandated by congress. During that time -- mid 80's -- there was a lot of political push towards being more like the Europeans and the 9mm issue was part of this mess. I also think that DoD wanted to standardize pistol cartridges with NATO. Guys who knew better were ignored. SF wasn't a branch at the time and there was no USSOCOM or ASOC to project intent and influence the RDTE system. However, there was SWCS and to my recollection, no comments or input were given by SWCS concerning the 9mm issue.
I was fortunate to listen to the Colonel who OIC'd the pistol evaluation as he gave a breifing on this particular test. The test had to be textbook in terms of perfection due to the immense pressure of DoD and the companies who submitted pistols for evaluation. I dare say that it was easier to test the M-1 Tank.
There was enough pressure placed on the system by others to allow some .45 M-1911's into the test. I don't think any of them even 'placed' in any of the tests. In other words, they all showed failures of one sort or the other while any one of the 9mm competitors didn't. I can recall my surprise to learn that the 1911 was on the low end for a dust test that is done with all firearms. Fired while in a dusty environment much like the fine dust in a desert. The 1911's were at the bottom of the list in this particular test.
The proponents of the .45 M-1911 claimed that the failures were due to the use of .45 ACP ammunition that wasn't the traditional issued WCC .45 ACP. I believe they were probably right but that is now history. The DoD and congress basically mandated the 9mm cartridge and the 1911s failed in so many of the evaluations that nothing more could be said.
Colt did offer to convert the 1911's to 9mm at a significantly lesser cost than buying a new pistol. Unfortunately, the requirements document demanded more things than anyone could do with the 1911 frame.
'Serpent 6' knows exactly what he is talking about and I bet the AMU is submitting a pistol that meets the requirements established by SOCOM. I would not blame the AMU or any company for that matter on the item they submit for evaluation. They only respond to a very detailed requirements document that is more than likely extremely unrealistic in its demands. The fellow who authors the requirements document is taking input from the 'field' so if anyone has problems with these things -- an operator somewhere is the one who is behind the performance demands that result in a typically competitive grade of pistol.
Gene
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