The Gen 5 Glock tried to correct some of the previous issues in the other generations....but launched problems on it's own. Trigger pins working their way out when firing and issues with the slide lock mysteriously holding the slide back randomly. In addition to this the classic issue of the frame flexing with a light attached under recoil, causing malfunctions. Now with Gen 4 & 5 the dust cover is hollowed out more than previous Generations to accommodate the dual recoil spring. Means less material, when squeezed with an attached light causing malfunctions by retarding the movement of the slide....so only clip on lights can be used that don't impart force into the dust cover. Gen 5 was made for the FBI but was also made for the US Army RFP.....in a hurry....when they were going to be booted for not meeting requirements. Glock rushed the Gen 5 to market to meet those requirements before it had everything ironed out. In the end they lost out to Sig P320...threw a fit and sued and had that lawsuit dismissed in rapid order as well. Too bad the challenge up here couldn't be dismissed as fast, maybe then our CF would get a new handgun quicker.
By the way, Sig P320 was no stranger to being rolled out with problems, before submission to the US Army...and sold by the boat-loads to consumers, they experienced the problems of having no disconnector and too much mass in the trigger allowing for firing when dropped just right...or an internet dude hitting the back of the slide with a hammer (kind of weird). These flaws were corrected in new production....and old guns but only if you sent them in!!! (How much money did Sig save by not doing all the guns as they knew not everyone would send the old guns in!!!)
The upgraded S&W M&P with the much more flat type trigger is an awesome feeling gun (and I generally despise S&W autos) so they will be a strong contender in this trial with a good price point to match. I like Walther the best but don't rule out other guns, especially ones you don't need to pull the trigger to take apart. They are all good and of course Glock has a very good chance of winning.
It will be controversial, there will be political influences and lots of happy and unhappy people in the end. What I don't like hearing is "just buy this, because it works and everyone else uses it" "and be done" comments. Keep the options open, try and keep the trial fair and maybe look for the newest very best option. Whatever is picked will be around for a very long time to come, so do it right....with our tax money.
Rich
By the way, Sig P320 was no stranger to being rolled out with problems, before submission to the US Army...and sold by the boat-loads to consumers, they experienced the problems of having no disconnector and too much mass in the trigger allowing for firing when dropped just right...or an internet dude hitting the back of the slide with a hammer (kind of weird). These flaws were corrected in new production....and old guns but only if you sent them in!!! (How much money did Sig save by not doing all the guns as they knew not everyone would send the old guns in!!!)
The upgraded S&W M&P with the much more flat type trigger is an awesome feeling gun (and I generally despise S&W autos) so they will be a strong contender in this trial with a good price point to match. I like Walther the best but don't rule out other guns, especially ones you don't need to pull the trigger to take apart. They are all good and of course Glock has a very good chance of winning.
It will be controversial, there will be political influences and lots of happy and unhappy people in the end. What I don't like hearing is "just buy this, because it works and everyone else uses it" "and be done" comments. Keep the options open, try and keep the trial fair and maybe look for the newest very best option. Whatever is picked will be around for a very long time to come, so do it right....with our tax money.
Rich
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