For several years, it has been rumored that US Army would soon be abandoning the Beretta M9 for a new, more modern service pistol. This Digital Journalist reported on the Army’s apparent search for a new service pistol last year with an op-ed piece titled “Top 3 guns for the U.S. Military’s next service pistol.”
Now, according to a report on Guns.com, it appears as though the army is extending its deadline for solicitation, allowing companies more time to develop the perfect sidearm for the Army.
The deadline for the Modular Handgun System program was originally this month. (January, 2015) However, the Army posted a special notice on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website announcing the delay. In the notice, the Army says it wants to “allow for improvements” on the project and that it may conduct another industry day to address changes to the project.
According to the original RFI posted on the FedBizOpps website, the Army wants its new service pistol to fit more soldiers hands, have the ability to hit a four-inch target at 50 meters at least 90 percent of the time and be compatible with accessories like tactical lights, lasers and suppressors.
