Why not buy in on the big US buy of the new Sigs? We are allies.
I agree on the revolver call. I'd pack one of my S&W snub M19s if I felt the need. Not going to stop a charging bear, but it might adjust the attitude of a two legged predator.
IMHO there is much more of a "political" problem with standardizing on the US choice of SIGS. IMHO that political influence comes from offshore as well as internal influences.
The 357 round may not stop a charging bear but it will break some major bones and slow it down until a kill shot can be made or the bear runs off to die.
I've had more than one major altercation with bears and a semi auto pistol wouldn't do the job.
Now, what my uses for a handgun would be are much different from the uses the military and police would be.
This is going of the track and I apologize but I've seen pistols used close up and personal in use under stressful conditions. 22rf pistols can be extremely effective when used by someone that knows how to use them properly. One quick shot in each lung and one over the heart will effectively put an end to 99% of threats. One round to the groin or kneecap won't be lethal but it will certainly discourage the aggressor from further actions.
25/30/32/380 pistols were issued because all were tested for their incapacitating ability and found to be acceptable for the purposes they were issued to defend against which was incapacitating an immediate threat.
The larger/heavier calibers do the same job but better for the most part. The advantage of hi cap magazines is obvious.
Then there is the last ditch alternative where the pistol becomes and effective club. That's when you want and need a HEAVY HANDGUN.
Whatever sidearm the CAF is issued will be just fine for its intended purposes. Cheap, manageable, effective from point blank to 7 or so meters in stopping a two legged aggressor.
As for the BHP still being acceptable? Maybe, from my limited information with old/retired acquaintances, new in wrap spares were starting to run out 30 years ago. I suspect the situation is much worse now but alternative sources for the spares from commercial and surplus suppliers is still viable enough to keep our present stash functioning for quite awhile. I recently saw a holstered pistol on the belt of a young officer that definitely wasn't an Inglis BHP. So there are already other alternatives in the system.
As far as black barrels?? That's a new one on me. I did see a surplus, civilian owned, Inglis BHP with a black barrel this past spring. The barrel was an aftermarket replacement of course.
