http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/ The Future of the Military, Law Enforcement and National Security Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:47:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256691 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:53:25 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256691 There may come times, though, where these men and women are faced with times where there is little time or space to reach for their M4, or where the M4 has failed and there isn't time to rectify that issue, and the need for protection is great enough to where they need to reach for their M9 strapped to their legs or chests or sides. The value of a weapon that can be strapped to one's side and carried easier than a rifle that is effective at short distances for personal protection cannot be underestimated. And the M9 is the ideal tool for the job, given the tight budgetary restraints, ammunition regulations, and user safety and friendliness that a big Army needs. I hope that this provides some with insights into the "big picture" with regard to the M9 and why the US military (namely the US Army) seems to like to keep the handgun in its arsenals. There may come times, though, where these men and women are faced with times where there is little time or space to reach for their M4, or where the M4 has failed and there isn’t time to rectify that issue, and the need for protection is great enough to where they need to reach for their M9 strapped to their legs or chests or sides. The value of a weapon that can be strapped to one’s side and carried easier than a rifle that is effective at short distances for personal protection cannot be underestimated. And the M9 is the ideal tool for the job, given the tight budgetary restraints, ammunition regulations, and user safety and friendliness that a big Army needs. I hope that this provides some with insights into the “big picture” with regard to the M9 and why the US military (namely the US Army) seems to like to keep the handgun in its arsenals.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256690 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:53:02 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256690 Regarding the questions as to why we should even bother carrying sidearms like the M9 into battle in the first place, the answer is a simple one: Regular infantrymen do not carry sidearms. Their primary weapons are their M4/M16s, and whatever secondary equipment they've been told to carry for their squad or platoon. M9s are issued to Military Police units (who sometimes carry them as their primary duty weapons), officers, flight crews, and others who have a need for a sidearm or other compact weapon. Here, however, we can view the argument that even this niche for the M9 isn't necessary, since theses Soldiers are often equipped with the compact M4 anyway. Regarding the questions as to why we should even bother carrying sidearms like the M9 into battle in the first place, the answer is a simple one: Regular infantrymen do not carry sidearms. Their primary weapons are their M4/M16s, and whatever secondary equipment they’ve been told to carry for their squad or platoon. M9s are issued to Military Police units (who sometimes carry them as their primary duty weapons), officers, flight crews, and others who have a need for a sidearm or other compact weapon. Here, however, we can view the argument that even this niche for the M9 isn’t necessary, since theses Soldiers are often equipped with the compact M4 anyway.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256689 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:52:07 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256689 Besides, even FBI agents, some of the world's best trained law enforcement officials, have shot themselves with Glocks. Also with regard to the shrinking budgets, neither is replacing the current M9 (that the military can buy for only tens of dollars) with pistols that cost thousands a viable option. Trust me, there are better ways to spend billions of defense dollars than giving each Private a Wilson Combat, especially when that Private will treat that pistol exactly like he knows it is: government issued equipment that he is only responsible for in the short term and will eventually hand off to someone else. It's no secret that government equipment gets used and abused, and duty firearms like the M9 are no exception. Besides, even FBI agents, some of the world’s best trained law enforcement officials, have shot themselves with Glocks. Also with regard to the shrinking budgets, neither is replacing the current M9 (that the military can buy for only tens of dollars) with pistols that cost thousands a viable option. Trust me, there are better ways to spend billions of defense dollars than giving each Private a Wilson Combat, especially when that Private will treat that pistol exactly like he knows it is: government issued equipment that he is only responsible for in the short term and will eventually hand off to someone else. It’s no secret that government equipment gets used and abused, and duty firearms like the M9 are no exception.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256688 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:51:16 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256688 For those of you arguing for Glocks in the military, my answer is this: Glocks offer no manual exterior safeties. Glocks are also not quite dropsafe. The same goes for SIGs, though they offer a bit better of a safety record. These things may not be needed for the experienced pistol shooters like yourselves, but in an Army, where all must be considered with respect to the lowest denominator, they are essential for safety. This isn't to say that our Soldiers are incredibly stupid and therefore need a weapon they won't kill each other with in their retardedness. This is simply to say that safety of our Soldiers is of the highest priority to the leaders of the Army today, and therefore require a pistol that can be safely carried for long duty hours and can be accidently dropped or mishandled and won't end up killing another Soldier accidently. Yes, this is where proper training and extensive hours of familiarization are required. However, with today's ever-shrinking defense budgets, these many hours of training in an operations tempo that is already red-lined "frantic" is simply not feasible. For those of you arguing for Glocks in the military, my answer is this: Glocks offer no manual exterior safeties. Glocks are also not quite dropsafe. The same goes for SIGs, though they offer a bit better of a safety record. These things may not be needed for the experienced pistol shooters like yourselves, but in an Army, where all must be considered with respect to the lowest denominator, they are essential for safety. This isn’t to say that our Soldiers are incredibly stupid and therefore need a weapon they won’t kill each other with in their retardedness. This is simply to say that safety of our Soldiers is of the highest priority to the leaders of the Army today, and therefore require a pistol that can be safely carried for long duty hours and can be accidently dropped or mishandled and won’t end up killing another Soldier accidently. Yes, this is where proper training and extensive hours of familiarization are required. However, with today’s ever-shrinking defense budgets, these many hours of training in an operations tempo that is already red-lined “frantic” is simply not feasible.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256687 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:50:07 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256687 Second, I agree the 9mm seems to lack the stopping power necessary for today's battlefield. But then again, when considering this in respect to the M9 and the history of its inception, the 9mm NATO made sense against the venerable .45ACP round: 15 rounds of 9mm versus 7-8 rounds of .45ACP means more targets, especially when used in the hands of trained shooters. This comes to the idea that it’s not necessarily the size of the round, but how one is trained to use it. The Israeli Mossad are deadly with .22s when used effectively. Plus, 9mm is lighter, meaning one can carry more of it than the .45ACP. The 9mm also offers less recoil, which is ideal for use with the wide variety of Soldiers the M9 needs to be able to be applied by. Second, I agree the 9mm seems to lack the stopping power necessary for today’s battlefield. But then again, when considering this in respect to the M9 and the history of its inception, the 9mm NATO made sense against the venerable .45ACP round: 15 rounds of 9mm versus 7–8 rounds of .45ACP means more targets, especially when used in the hands of trained shooters. This comes to the idea that it’s not necessarily the size of the round, but how one is trained to use it. The Israeli Mossad are deadly with .22s when used effectively. Plus, 9mm is lighter, meaning one can carry more of it than the .45ACP. The 9mm also offers less recoil, which is ideal for use with the wide variety of Soldiers the M9 needs to be able to be applied by.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256686 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:49:27 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256686 With regard to those who are saying that American soldiers aren't taking care of our weapons properly, I can tell you that I've spent a lot of time with various units as I've been going through West Point, and I can tell you one of the biggest things Army NCOs and instructors harp on is weapons maintenance. With both the M4 and the M9, after and in between missions, the FIRST priority of work is to clean the weapons that your life is depending on. I know Soldiers that were cleaning their M9's enroute to an objective they were assaulting in the Sandbox. Weapons cleaning and maintenance is HUGE and has constantly been harped on. With regard to those who are saying that American soldiers aren’t taking care of our weapons properly, I can tell you that I’ve spent a lot of time with various units as I’ve been going through West Point, and I can tell you one of the biggest things Army NCOs and instructors harp on is weapons maintenance. With both the M4 and the M9, after and in between missions, the FIRST priority of work is to clean the weapons that your life is depending on. I know Soldiers that were cleaning their M9’s enroute to an objective they were assaulting in the Sandbox. Weapons cleaning and maintenance is HUGE and has constantly been harped on.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-256685 cadetorange Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:48:23 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-256685 I was reading everyone's responses to this and figured I'd throw a West Point cadet's two cents in, hopefully in an objective, "big picture" way. I've had experience and training with the M9, and own and shoot a bunch of other pistols. Also, as a gun nut for as long as I remember, I've always been intrigued by the M1911 vs M9 debate and have read as much as I can on the subject, as well as talked to numerous active Soldiers and Airmen on the subject. When looking at the M9 as a firearm itself, it's a pretty decent weapon. Robust, heavy, tough, and accurate when taken care of properly. I’ve heard stories of Soldiers and Airmen engaging targets out to 100m with an M9. I was reading everyone’s responses to this and figured I’d throw a West Point cadet’s two cents in, hopefully in an objective, “big picture” way. I’ve had experience and training with the M9, and own and shoot a bunch of other pistols. Also, as a gun nut for as long as I remember, I’ve always been intrigued by the M1911 vs M9 debate and have read as much as I can on the subject, as well as talked to numerous active Soldiers and Airmen on the subject. When looking at the M9 as a firearm itself, it’s a pretty decent weapon. Robust, heavy, tough, and accurate when taken care of properly. I’ve heard stories of Soldiers and Airmen engaging targets out to 100m with an M9.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-186468 Mitchell Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:06:05 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-186468 Hi webmaster!. I am from Czech and learning to read in English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Proderin vs provillus, another criterion is the mucosa of frequent paclitaxel, where it is returned in the bath of cushing's ear." Waiting for a reply :(, Mitchell. Hi webmaster!.
I am from Czech and learning to read in English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Proderin vs provillus, another criterion is the mucosa of frequent paclitaxel, where it is returned in the bath of cushing’s ear.“
Waiting for a reply :(, Mitchell.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-186465 Elkan Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:07:49 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-186465 Uber cool dood!. I am from Zaire and bad know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Thanks for writing something clear and compelling, mr." With respect :-(, Elkan. Uber cool dood!.
I am from Zaire and bad know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Thanks for writing something clear and compelling, mr.“
With respect :-(, Elkan.

]]> http://defensetech.org/2008/10/17/making-the-best-of-the-m9/#comment-186463 Bertha Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:38:27 +0000 http://deftech.usmilblog.com/?p=4128#comment-186463 Good afternoon. Think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived. Help me! I can not find sites on the: Retirement and planning. I found only this - institute planning retirement. Free calculators, retirement guides and investment articles from leading missouri. Bear markets require patience and planning can your investments weather this period of you can estimate how much to save for retirement or how much life. THX :-(, Bertha from France. Good afternoon. Think of life as a terminal illness, because, if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived. Help me! I can not find sites on the: Retirement and planning. I found only this — institute planning retirement. Free calculators, retirement guides and investment articles from leading missouri. Bear markets require patience and planning can your investments weather this period of you can estimate how much to save for retirement or how much life. THX :-(, Bertha from France.

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