RCMP Pistol Trials
- Thread starter RPIcka
- Start date
The mag disconnect is the government's way of making the pistol safe for the officers, in theory if the officer is losing his/her pistol in a fight they can hit the mag release and drop the magazine then it cannot be used on them.
- Location
- On the beach
Sounds like the CAF
MP are replacing our P225 with P226 in the near future(2018ish) and potentially the P229 for smaller hands. That said, I don't think they have considered the risk of two types of mags on one shift.
....I'm with you on that! And I sure tried to keep my original issued 5" Model 10 but to no avail! (The Governments own Legislation prohibited private purchase of"surplus" Gov. owned Firearms)....David KToo bad we were never given the option to purchase............damn.
....It also provides a discrete way to render the pistol "safe" ( simply slip the magazine into a pocket ) when dealing for example, with the violently Mentally Ill in places such as a Hospital, where there's no place to other wise store it......David K
....To be fair, bear in mind that the earlier serial numbered "C"prefixed Model 10s were deemed unsafe for use with the + P ammunition, and even the very late issue "C' series were only to be kept in-service for limited use until they could eventually be replaced.....David K
To answer the original question, the RCMP had a few pistols in the trials - but truth be told, the 5946's were rumoured to already be at the armoury in great numbers whilst the so called trials with the other pistols were underway. The Glock, the Beretta 92, the Sig 226, the 5946 and a Ruger pistol were all tested. There may have been more, but I can't remember that far back anymore, in fact breakfast this morning is a little blurry. The test was actually quite intensive and the Smith 5946 actually did very, very well in all of that. The other pistols reported to have some issues here and there, but it is quite clear that the there was some kind of "relationship" between the bureaucrats in the RCMP and Smith and Wesson. I would not be at all surprised if there were a few kick-backs in all of this - but that is only speculation.
When we switched from the revolvers, there were many old-school guys that really were attached to the old .38's. We then went through a SARP training course and were issued the 5946's which did not win me over right away by any stretch of the imagination. That being said, after a couple of years where I shot mine - a lot - I gradually have become very, very attached to it - just like anyone one would if you carried it on your hip for years. I have come to the point where I like it more than most pistols. After much dry firing and after knowing a few good buddies at the armoury, my trigger has really smoothed out and I routinely shoot my crowns with it.
The 5946 pistol itself is very well made and is robust as any gun on the market IMHO. The ergos are excellent. The sights are quite good. And I have never had a jam in literally thousands of rounds. The only time I have seen these pistols malfunction is when some moron does not bother to clean his/HER gun or lubricate it properly - no surprise to any of the gun nuts on this forum though. Accuracy of these pistols if well above average if the shooter does their part.
Now, to quell the rumours of a new pistol - there isn't one - and there are no tests being done to replace it anytime soon. The armoury has enough spare parts to rebuild these brutes for years to come - and thank God, because I just don't feel like changing at this point in my career. The M&P is NOT on the table. There were some serious quality control issues and reliability issue with a number of departments in the States that went to that pistol and the RCMP dropped the idea altogether. I was actually at the armoury in Regina the day they were talking about it. I do know that Smith and Wesson offered a beauty of a deal to the RCMP to make the switch, but the service side of the contract was very, very expensive. Smith instead did a special run of 5946's for the RCMP along with a plethora of new parts - and we are set for years to come.
The crappy end of the stick is that these guns are prohibited. I want to own one and since the RCMP in their infinite lack of wisdom will not sell these guns to us upon retirement - it will mean that I will probably never be able to own one of these pistols. If you have a 5946, hang onto it - they are a fine example of a decent pistol.
That is my $.02 on this subject. Hope it answers the original poster's question.
We had the 5946 before the RCMP, so we can't blame them for it....haha,
On a serious note, much of what saskcop has said is largely true. The extractors were a weak point of the gun and would chip and break once in a while. The guns are accurate and durable otherwise. That said the triggers are way too heavy and "stack" or get a little heavier as they are pulled. The good shooters do well with them...but the good shooters do well with whatever you give them. The Ergos although not bad, are problematic. The bottom of the trigger guard needs to be ground away, if not it builds up calluses on your swearing finger's second knuckle. S&W did this with the excellent PPC9, which is built on the 5906 / 5946 frame. Reliability is good but keep it lubed well.
When switching to P226's (DAK's) scores went up universally with all shooters. What is important is the non-gun people who shoot the P226 DAK much better than the 5946....the 5946 is very labour intensive to learn to shoot well. Like I said before the "gun guys / good shooters" do well with whatever they are given.
and now the Air Marshalls have Glock 19's! Well the S&W domination has finally been cracked by Glock.....we shall see if the rest of the Force follows in the future now. Don't kid yourself on the idea that a new gun will not be bought because a new holster was just bought....that is applying way too much common sense to the issue....much crazier things have happened.
Rich
On a serious note, much of what saskcop has said is largely true. The extractors were a weak point of the gun and would chip and break once in a while. The guns are accurate and durable otherwise. That said the triggers are way too heavy and "stack" or get a little heavier as they are pulled. The good shooters do well with them...but the good shooters do well with whatever you give them. The Ergos although not bad, are problematic. The bottom of the trigger guard needs to be ground away, if not it builds up calluses on your swearing finger's second knuckle. S&W did this with the excellent PPC9, which is built on the 5906 / 5946 frame. Reliability is good but keep it lubed well.
When switching to P226's (DAK's) scores went up universally with all shooters. What is important is the non-gun people who shoot the P226 DAK much better than the 5946....the 5946 is very labour intensive to learn to shoot well. Like I said before the "gun guys / good shooters" do well with whatever they are given.
and now the Air Marshalls have Glock 19's! Well the S&W domination has finally been cracked by Glock.....we shall see if the rest of the Force follows in the future now. Don't kid yourself on the idea that a new gun will not be bought because a new holster was just bought....that is applying way too much common sense to the issue....much crazier things have happened.
Rich
from what I heard one of the individuals involved in the selection of the 5946 is married to a exec of S&W's daughter. Seriously, was told that by a few people. Also told that strippers made frequent trips to a variety of hotels during the trials, all paid for by a large sporting company. Having heard that one in regard to a few other trials and other companies, I wouldn't doubt it.
Now my question is, lefty 5946? Just swapping the mag catch over? Too lazy to go grab mine and see if it can be done.
Now my question is, lefty 5946? Just swapping the mag catch over? Too lazy to go grab mine and see if it can be done.
I find the choices by various law enforcement around the world to be interesting. Especially, if you look at the U.S. Where everything from 9 to 40 and even 45 is offered in just about any firearm, but Canada has lots of variety too between agencies.
Do other forces also use the 5946?
Do other forces also use the 5946?
