The Canadian Forces have begun the process of looking for a new sidearm. At least, they’ve taken the first step. At this point they are looking at availability and price, sort of like a US pre-solicitation, but won’t issue the actual solicitation until 2015. But, at least they’ve started along the path. The US military has had two false starts since the war began. First with SOCOM and then with the USAF.
According to the online price & availability letter, this new General Service Pistol “will replace the 9mm Browning High Power (HP) and the 9mm Sig Sauer Model 225 pistol.”
The Browning Hi-Power as their current Service Pistol and the Sig P225 is in service with the Canadian Forces Military Police. Interestingly, no mention was given to the Sig P226 which is in service with Naval Boarding Parties. The P&A letter mentions the potential for 10,000 pistols. Furthermore, the eventual winner will be required to provide the Technical Data Package to the Crown who will, in turn, provide it to Colt Canada who will produce the weapons. And oh yeah, they are only interested in 9mm NATO.
