US Service Pistol Trials Collection

[Redcoat3340]

Was considering trying to collect all (some) of the pistols that were part of the 1979 or '84 (XM9) or '89 (XM10) US service pistol trials.

I've got a couple already: S&W 459, Beretta 92s and 92fs, and Star m28. Also have a Sig P6, which is kinda,sorta like the Sig P226. And the Ruger p85 is financially achievable for me and my budget.

But at looking at some of the others....Walther P88, the actual Sig 226, the H&K's and Steysr....I'd be getting into some serious money trying to collect that bunch. (More money than I want to put into it I'm afraid.)

Wondering is anyone has ever taken their collecting in that direction. It's certainly interesting reading the history of the selection process...and, considering we're going through it again, it's timely.

But expensive.

I'd like to figure out a lower cost way to do this. Anyone have any ideas, suggestions, comments?

 

[RON in PA]

Don't forget that at least in the first trials, 1911s and S&W 38 special revolvers were tested along with the new guns. The revolvers actually did well in certain categories.

 

[C0untZer0]

I remember being at the Walmart in Leesville, LA. around 1984, looking at the HK P7M8 and the clerk tried to sell me the Beretta. He told me the Beretta felt better in the hand, was higher capacity and had won the pistol trials.

I'm so glad I bought the P7M8

 

[jmorris]

I am all for having one of everything, just not as interested in owning things I dislike. Like the Ruger p85 for example.

 

[stoky]

I like Rugers, the P85 being just about the only exception. Maybe Ruger made it just to show that no manufacturer is perfect.

Don't forget that at least in the first trials, 1911s and S&W 38 special revolvers were tested along with the new guns.

Very worthy additions to the collection, IMO.

 

[Redcoat3340]

Ron, did a quick bit of research and couldn't find any reference to revolvers in the 1979 trials. Wonder if you could steer me in a direction where I might find out which ones were used. I've got a couple of S&W revolvers but am always looking for an excuse to buy more.

thanks.

 

[strambo]

I'd say an actual P226 should be next as it was #2, arguably the better gun, and selected by NSW.

 

[DMK]

What was Colt's entry?

 

[joem1945]

I've had a ruger P 85 for years. I put adjustable sights on it and shoot it sometimes. Much better with adjustable sights.

 

[RON in PA]

Redcoat, Re: the testing of revolvers, I'm going by a memory that's probably over 30-35 years old. I believe they used S&W model 10s. Based on a magazine article in one of the popular gun rags of that era. Surprisingly the revolvers did well in the mud test. Don't forget that the US military used many Smith, Colt and eventually Ruger revolvers in the post-war era.

 

[bannockburn]

Redcoat3340

I believe the S&W Model 15 was the .38 Special revolver used during the service pistol trials. The Air Force still used them with their Air Police until they were replaced by the M9. That should be a gun that's relatively easy to find but might be somewhat expensive as vintage S&W revolvers continue to go up in price.

Colt offered their SSP (Stainless Steel Pistol), Model for the service pistol trials. It was a major departure from the Model 1911 in that it had a number of modifications to meet the service pistol specifications. It had a DA/SA trigger, a double column magazine which held 15 rounds of 9mm. ammo, a slide mounted hammer blocking safety, a quick takedown lever that allowed the slide to be easily removed from the frame, and the fire control components could be readily removed through the back of the grip frame assembly.