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Proposed Program for New 9-mm Handguns Should Be Reexamined

PLRD-82-42 Published: Mar 08, 1982. Publicly Released: Mar 08, 1982.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the Department of Defense's (DOD) decision to standardize its inventory of sidearms by purchasing all new, semiautomatic 9-mm pistols. GAO also looked at the feasibility of converting the current inventory of pistols to use 9-mm ammunition.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should reexamine the new 9-mm handgun program. Such a reexamination should consider all cost-effective options that can meet valid military requirements. For example, if standardization on NATO 9-mm ammunition remains the dominant requirement, it may be possible, over time, to convert existing .45-caliber pistols, as they go through needed depot overhaul to a 9-mm configuration. Ultimately, those pistols that cannot be economically converted should be replaced with new 9-mm pistols.
Closed – Not Implemented
Although the House and Senate Armed Services Committees denied funds for 9-mm handguns, the Army is proceeding to buy them using Coast Guard funds. The House Appropriations Committee denied fical year 1983 funds for .45 caliber hand gun parts and ammunition forcing the Army to buy the 9-mm. The fiscal year 1984 budget was $7.4 million for the first year's procurement for all of the armed forces.

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Topics

AmmunitionDefense cost controlDefense procurementFirearmsLogisticsMaintenance costsMilitary inventoriesStandardsMilitary forcesInternational organizations