FirstSpear TV

RCMP Seeks New Sidearm

This week the Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued an RFI for Pistol Modernization to industry regarding a new sidearm to replace the currently issued Smith & Wesson 5946.

General Requirements

Determining that the current weapon has exceeded its life expectancy, they are looking for a modern design offering reduced trigger pull weight, various frame sizes, and a reduction in overall weight as well as the ability mount both a weapon light and Red Dot Sight (RDS).

While they are sticking with 9mm, the RCMP desires a mechanically locked, recoil-operated, striker-fired semi-automatic pistol with polymer frame which can accommodate at least three grip sizes. The pistol must also be matte black, corrosion resistant, and equipped with iron backup sights in addition to the RDS.

While the pistol must have no external manual safety levers, grip safeties, and push-button safeties, it must fireable without a magazine installed.

This requirement is fairly unique, each pistol must come with a ceremonial lanyard loop that can be attached to the pistol magazine’s base plate. Additionally, the slide must be steel.

Ancillaries

a) Red Dot Sight (RDS)

b) Weapon Light

c) Carrying Case

d) Holsters (Regular and Plain Clothes)

e) Three magazines per pistol

Dimensions

Dimension requirements are a maximum length of 190.5 mm and a maximum overall height of 140 mm with the magazine and any MRDS removed along with a maximum length of 190.5 mm (7.50 inches) when measured from the muzzle to the rear of the beavertail. The pistol barrel must have a minimum length of 99 mm (3.9 inches) and a maximum length of 108 mm (4.25 inches). It must not weigh more than a maximum of 808 grams (28.5 oz) when the magazine is empty, and no accessories are attached.

Accuracy

As far as accuracy goes, the requirement stipulates that the pistol must be capable of shooting a 15.25 cm (6 inch) grouping from 25 m (27.34 yards) away.

Reliability

The service life on major components (i.e. frame, slide and barrel) that exceeds 20,000 rounds and the RDS must have a minimum warranty period of two (2) years. Additionally, the LED weapon light must have a minimum warranty period of two (2) years on switches and electronic components and the holster must have a minimum warranty period of five (5) years.

https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/pw-bm-039-28894

22 Responses to “RCMP Seeks New Sidearm”

  1. Mick says:

    Congrats in advance to Sig on the Mounties adopting their 320 variant lol…

    • CAP says:

      I was just about to post the same thing lol.

    • Carlo says:

      The P320 was selected for their general military and special forces. Glock currently has a large bulk of the Canadian LEO market. It will likely be a Glock or a Sig, both great choices.

  2. charlie says:

    in other words: RCMP seeks to buy a new P320 with lanyard loop.

  3. Hush says:

    Gee…I wonder what flat black polymer people popper will fit those requirements?

  4. Mike says:

    Since they just disarmed their entire country, why would they need new firearms?

  5. Vic Toree says:

    Surely I’m reading this wrong, or dumb from just having stuffed my face and hitting food coma: “…each pistol must come with a ceremonial lanyard loop that can be attached to the pistol magazine’s base plate.”

    They want the magazine on a dummy cord rather than the pistol? I feel like I’m not tracking the ceremonial piece of this.

      • B says:

        K how did you add that photo? You are the editor though… God mode or like a boss… lol computer interface vs. Phone…

        But yeah… I get the lanyard heritage concept, horseback… OK I really don’t get why not just get a pistol frame with the lanyard loop… Lanyard… for maritime use and when extra retention is required…

        Not a big deal?

      • Ray Forest says:

        Seems like it would be cheaper and easier to just attach the end of the ceremonial lanyard to the underside of the holster flap. It doesn’t really work to retain the pistol and nobody is able to see the difference.

      • J Richardson says:

        I saw that pistol lanyard going around the Mountie’s neck and wonder how many have been strangled by their own lanyard accidently or on purpose.

  6. Jim says:

    In before the Sig jokes… Too late

  7. Frank says:

    Not sure who’s read the Request for Information document. There are a few tech specs that seem to point to the FN 509. Definitely not P320. That lanyard on the magazine is actually a spec…not sure about that?

  8. B says:

    K how did you add that photo? You are the editor though… God mode or like a boss… lol computer interface vs. Phone…

    But yeah… I get the lanyard heritage concept, horseback… OK I really don’t get why not just get a pistol frame with the lanyard loop… Lanyard… for maritime use and when extra retention is required…

    Not a big deal?

  9. Rod says:

    This is the time when firearm companies need to show some backbone. If Canada wants to disarm their population, then no firearm manufacturers should supply guns to the Canadian Government. Although, I realize this will never happen, since utopias don’t exist.

    History has shown that there will always be someone ready to sell goods to despots, no matter how evil they are.

  10. frank says:

    I guess they need those new red dotes to better target the unarmed Canadians opposed to Trudeau’s socialist /fascist government. As they’ve pretty outlawed firearms for the general population, one wonders why they’d need better pistols to begin with. Certainly the gun control laws must have ended crime. Haven’t they everywhere else in the World??????