Fear & Loading: Army to Consider Hollow Points

by
posted on August 3, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hollowpoint.jpg
It’s no secret the U.S. Army has begun the search for a new handgun system. Before you count the battle-proven Beretta M9 as down for the final count, though, there are have been several other similar announcements, each stalled without replacing the aging fleet of 9 mms. Beretta has also unveiled an improved version, which could keep the legendary firearm company’s products on the front line of freedom for years to come. undefined

There’s a facet to the current search that’s long overdue, though. Ammunition submitted with each handgun for testing can include frangible or expanding (hollow-point) bullets, which breaks a decades-old tradition of honoring the 1899 Hague Convention—even though the United States never signed the agreement. Army Times broke the story earlier this month and cites the Army as stating, “The use of this ammunition supports the international law principles of preventing excessive collateral effects and safeguarding civilian lives.”

It’s about time. With any luck, those in uniform will soon have their official sidearm loaded with a round that minimizes the bullet’s ability to pass through a terrorist, yet maximizes the energy it transfers upon impact. It’s the least we can do for those who go in harm’s way—allow them the use of today’s generation of high-performance, technologically superior ammunition.

Latest

Star Model B Ihtog 1
Star Model B Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

New For 2025: Kimber Next Generation 1911

For its latest M1911 offering, Kimber Mfg. borrowed design elements from its double-stack 2K11 pistol to create what it calls the Next Generation 1911.

Review: Charter Arms Double Dog

Charter Arms is an American gunmaker that has offered its own versions of compact, double-action revolvers at fair prices for more than 60 years.

Rifleman Q&A: Mysterious “Broomhandle” Bring-Back

"My favorite gun is inoperable, so I have not shot it. It is one of two weapons that my dad brought back from the Philippines after World War II, the other being a sword."

New Jersey Town Supports CCW With Fee Refund

The city of Englishtown, N.J., recently made a move to reduce that financial barrier, sparking widespread optimism that a statewide, even nationwide, trend may be on the horizon.

Review: Savage Arms Revel

Lever-action rifles have experienced a revival in recent years, and Savage Arms is getting in on the act with its Revel series rimfires. To understand it, you may have to read (backward) between the lines.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.