Customs & Border Protection RFI Published Requesting New Sidearm

That is right, yet another agency within Homeland is requesting new pistols that are not chambered in the vanishing .40 S&W cartridge. The  Customs & Border Protection RFI (request for information) that was published details a need for 3 pistols chambered in 9mm that are intended to work as a “modular” system.

I found how the requirements for the pistols was worded rather interesting. It seems like they were written with the Sig Sauer P320 in mind because pistol #3 (You can read the full list of requirements below) specifies a 3″ to 3.8″ barrel, well within the range of the subcompact P320.

Currently, I can not think of a pistol system other than the P320 that I am aware of that fits the requirements but Glock is certainly capable of getting a pistol built to requirements quickly as is FN.

The contract is slated to be for an estimated 52,000 handguns with the possibility for more due to the fact that the contract will be indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity.

Read the full request for information on the Federal Business Opportunities website HERE.

Requirements for the 3 pistol variants below:

• PISTOL #1

This pistol shall be designated as a “full size”, and shall include a full size frame and full size slide combination.

• Height: shall not exceed 6.00 inches.
• Width: shall not exceed 1.50 inches.
• Length: shall not exceed 8.10”
• Weight: shall not exceed 32 ounces
• Barrel Length: shall be between 4.20” and 5.10”
• Modularity: Frame must also be compatible with slide/barrel combination from pistol #2 without adversely affecting functionality and operations of the firearm.

 

• PISTOL #2

This pistol shall be designated as a “mid-size”, and shall include a mid-size frame and mid-size slide combination.

• Height: shall be between 4.75” and 5.60”
• Width: shall not exceed 1.50 inches.
• Length: shall not exceed 7.50”
• Weight: shall not exceed 30 ounces
• Barrel Length: shall be between 3.50” and 4.50”
• Modularity: Frame must also be compatible with slide/barrel combination from pistol #1 without adversely affecting functionality and operations of the firearm. Shall accept full size magazines (Pistol #1) without adversely affecting functionality and operation of the firearm.

 

• PISTOL #3

This pistol shall be designated as a “compact”, and shall include a compact frame and compact slide combination.

• Height: shall be between 4.00” and 4.90”
• Width: shall not exceed 1.50 inches.
• Length: shall not exceed 7.00”
• Weight: shall not exceed 28 ounces
• Barrel Length: shall be between 3.00” and 3.80”
• Modularity: Compatibility with slide/barrel combination from pistol #2 without adversely affecting functionality and operations of the firearm is preferred but not required. Shall accept full size and mid-size magazines (Pistol #1 and Pistol #2) without adversely affecting functionality and operation of the firearm.

• RED TRAINING PISTOL

Shall be available in all pistol configurations.

• BLUE MARKING PISTOL

Shall be available in all pistol configurations.

• Shall be capable of firing SIMUNITION™ 9MM FX Marking cartridges.

The general requirements for the new pistols that CBP is looking for are below: 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements apply to all pistols unless noted.

• Every pistol purchased shall be new, including all components and magazines, and shall include the following:
• Total of three (3) magazines. (One (1) magazine for red training pistols and blue marking pistol.)
• Total of three (3) sizes of backstraps and/or chassis frame sizes (if applicable). May include one provided on firearm.
• Cable gun lock (Masterlock 14-inch cable lock, part number 107DSPT or equal). (Excluding red training pistol and blue marking pistols.)
• Cleaning kit: shall include a full size pistol length threaded cleaning rod with either an integrated patch slot or a screw-in patch loop, and screw-in nylon bore brush for 9mm pistol. (Excluding red training pistols.)

 

• An owner’s manual for the specific make and model of pistol submitted, in English, which details at a minimum:
• Rules of pistol safety (safe handling of pistols)
• Exploded diagram with nomenclature description of all parts
• Operation of the pistol
• Loading and unloading procedures
• Disassembly and re-assembly procedures
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Technical specifications

 

• Every pistol, including items listed above, shall arrive at its delivery location in an individual plastic case meeting the following characteristics:

 

• Plastic case:
• Shall be a clamshell design, rectangular in shape with straight sides, and be designed to interlock when stacked flat to prevent shifting. (Corners and edges may be rounded.) Case shall come in one size and be as small as possible while being capable of fitting the largest combination of slide and frame available on the contract with a total of three magazines (one may be inserted into the pistol), cable lock, and cleaning kit without exceeding a maximum dimension of 10” Wide, 12” Long, and 2 ½” deep. Case shall include flat foam inserts on top and bottom to secure all contents (custom molded interiors are not acceptable).  Case shall include a handle that does not exceed the maximum dimensions previously stated.

 

• Caliber:
• All pistols shall be chambered for 9mm Luger in accordance with Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI) standards, and shall operate in all operational and training environmental conditions.

 

• Action Type:
• Pistols shall be semi-automatic, recoil operated, magazine fed, striker-fired design. Hammers, either external or internal, are not permissible. Shall not have any external movement associated with the trigger pull.  All pistols shall have a similar operating system and control mechanisms with the only major difference being the slide, barrel, frame, and grip dimensions.

 

• Exterior Finish
• All exposed parts shall be a matte black or dark grey finish. Slide may also be available, as an option, in a tan color similar to Flat Dark Earth and a green color similar to Ranger Green.
• All exterior parts shall be devoid of gouges, sharp edges, or rough areas which could snag on holsters, clothing, or cause injury or discomfort to the shooter.
• Shall be durable, rust resistant, and salt water corrosion resistant.
• Shall be non-reflective.
• Inert training pistol shall be provided with a red frame and matching red slide.
• Blue marking pistol shall be provided with a blue frame and matching blue slide.

 

• Internal Finish
• All internal surfaces shall be void of rough surfaces at critical points of movement and polished as necessary to provide minimal friction and wear to promote functional reliability.
• Internal parts finish shall be durable, rust resistant, and salt water corrosion resistant.

 

• User Level Disassembly and Reassembly
• Shall not require the use of any tools, not integrated within the firearm, for field stripping.
• Pistols exhibiting a disassembly procedure which requires the articulation of the trigger when the action is in or out of battery as part of the disassembly sequence shall be acceptable but not preferred.

 

• Safety Devices
• Shall not have a thumb, finger or grip-actuated safety device.
• Shall not have a thumb, finger or grip-actuated de-cocking device.
• Shall not have a magazine disconnect which prevents the firearm from firing when the magazine is removed from the pistol.
• Shall not have an integrated “lock-out” as a permanent part of the pistol.
• May have integral trigger safety which is deactivated by the normal placement of the trigger finger on the trigger during firing.
• Shall have internal safety device which prevents the forward movement of the firing pin/striker without articulation of the trigger.
• Shall have an internal safety which prevents the pistol from firing when dropped.
• Shall have internal safety device which prevents the pistol from firing when out of battery. Upon returning into battery the pistol shall be capable of firing with only the manipulation of the trigger, even if the trigger was depressed while the pistol was out of battery.

 

• Trigger
• Shape: Shall be a curved profile.
• An add-on straight trigger, if available, shall be optional and listed on the parts list specific in section 4.8.5.
• Pull: All pistols shall have trigger pulls that are consistent in weight and operations, with a maximum deviation of plus or minus one pound.
• Weight: Shall be a Minimum of 4.5lbs and a Maximum of 8.0lbs
• Length of Travel: Shall have an overall length of travel distance not to exceed 0.60 inches.
• Reset: Shall have a re-set distance not to exceed 0.50 inches.
• Adjustability:  Manually adjustable triggers are not permitted.
• Articulation: Shall have a single smooth and consistent mode of operation.
• When the striker/firing pin is in the ready to fire position, the trigger shall return to the forward most position, if partially pressed and released (not fired).
• Shall be designed to prevent a finger or gloved finger from binding or obstructing the articulation of the trigger. Glove shall be a shooting type, style or design.

 

• Frame
• Shall be constructed primarily of polymer type material.
• Shall be universal for a left or right handed shooter.
• Shall be abrasion resistant.
• Chassis style systems are permissible. If chassis system is utilized, all tools required to remove the chassis’ fire control group shall be shipped with every pistol purchased.
• Shall have an integrated cross slot type rail section, forward of the trigger guard, designed to accept and securely mount weapon mounted light systems. Pistols #1 and #2 shall be compatible at a minimum with Surefire X300 and Streamlight TLR-1 models without adversely affecting functionality.
• Shall incorporate a beveled magazine well, with equal beveling on all inside edges at the entrance of the magazine well. No more than 0.1” of standard magazine (not including floorplate) shall be visible on front and sides of firearm when fully seated in magwell.
• Entire front edge of magwell shall be equal in height from left to right corners.
• An integrated permanent magazine well flare is preferred but not required. If a permanent flared magazine well is included, it should extend no more than 0.15” beyond the outside of the grip on each side.
• An add-on OEM flared magazine well, if available, shall be optional and listed on the parts list specific in section 4.8.5. Magazine well shall be compatible without any additional frame alterations or modifications.

 

• Bore Axis
• Shall be designed with a bore axis height of less than 1.75 inches.

 

• Grip
• Shall be aggressively textured to provide a positive non-slip surface when wet or dry.
• Shall incorporate a removable back strap and/or chassis system multiple grip sizes to accommodate different hand sizes.
• Back straps, if utilized, shall be available in a minimum of three sizes, and be included with each firearm.
• For chassis system firearms, if removable back straps are not utilized, frames shall be available in a minimum three grip diameter sizes.
• Back straps shall not be secured by screws.
• The replaceable back strap and/or grip panels shall not require specialized or proprietary tools to replace and/or exchange.
• The removal of the back strap and/or grip panels shall not prevent the pistol from firing.

 

• Slide
• Shall be designed with grasping grooves (i.e. slide serrations) on the rear grasping surface of the slide. This area is located on the right and left of the slide near the rearmost portion of the slide where readily accessible to the shooter. Rear grasping grooves shall measure at least 1.25” from front to back, and shall measure at least 75% of the overall height of the slide.
• Grasping grooves shall also be located towards the muzzle of the pistol. This area is located on the right and left of the slide near the forward most portion of the slide where readily accessible to the shooter. Groove design shall be consistent in shape between front and rear serrations. Front groove shall cover at least 50% of surface area, and measure at least 50% of height and width as rear grooves.
• Pistols #1 and #2 shall incorporate an optics ready slide cut and cover plate. Slide cut shall be compatible, at a minimum with Leupold Delta Point and Trijicon RMR optics. Cover plate shall be consistent in design and dimension with the slide and stay secured.  Cover plate shall not interfere with the rear sight and rear sight shall not be mounted to the cover plate.
• Pistol shall be capable of full functionality with cover plate removed.
• Slide must fully cover the barrel (with the exception of the chamber portion of the barrel) allowing for no more than 0.25” of the muzzle to be exposed.
• Shall not be ported.
• Shall not utilize a removable barrel bushing.
• Shall incorporate a dove tail slot for the mounting of a rear sight.
• Shall incorporate a dove tail or screw design to affix the front sight firmly to the slide.
• Shall require the use of a sight tool to adjust the rear sight for windage.
• Shall lock to the rear upon firing the last round with a fully seated magazine in the pistol.
• Shall lock to the rear when manually pulled fully to the rear, with a fully seated empty magazine in the pistol.
• If allowed by law, shall NOT be marked with any serial number.

 

• Slide Catch/Release
• Shall be ambidextrous, meaning there shall be a slide catch/release located on both sides of the firearm. A single, movable catch/release that can be switched from side to side is not acceptable.
• Shall be articulable during one hand use by either a finger or thumb while maintaining a positive control of the pistol.
• Shall lock the slide to the rear upon the firing of the last round in a magazine.
• Shall be designed, positioned or located to prevent inadvertent movement or function by the shooter, during one handed or two handed thumbs forward grip purchase.
• Shall be capable of being manipulated while wearing shooting glove.
• Shall be textured to provide a positive non-slip surface when wet or dry.
• Shall allow the slide to return to battery from the slide locked open position when:
• The user pulls the slide fully to the rear (without touching the slide catch release) the user then releases the slide, without a magazine inserted in the pistol or with a partially loaded or fully loaded magazine inserted into the pistol.
• The user depresses the slide catch/release without a magazine inserted in the pistol or with a partially loaded or fully loaded magazine inserted into the pistol.

 

• Sights
• Shall be a metallic, low profile, 3-dot night sight design.
• Shall arrive from the vendor set at mechanical zero ±025 inches
• Shall remain securely in place during firing and other law enforcement related activities.
• Shall allow shooter to acquire the proper sight alignment rapidly. The proper alignment of the sights will be consistent with the “equal height, equal light” sight alignment.
• Front sight shall be a single blade type which is capable of alignment within the rear sight notch and be of rectangular/square appearance to the shooter.
• Rear sight shall have either a square or “U” shaped rear notch.
• The rear sight shall be adjustable for windage within a dovetail or similar cut. These adjustments shall be made by the use of a sight adjustment tool specifically designed for sight adjustment. (e.g. sight pusher)
• The front sight may be adjustable for windage. If adjustable, adjustments shall be made by the use of a sight adjustment tool.
• Shall be elevation-adjustable by the replacement of the front or rear sight.
• Shall be equipped with self-luminous capsules which allow the shooter to align the sights in low light conditions.
• Shall allow for a horizontal sight alignment of the three self-luminous capsules in a row.
• The front sight shall contain one capsule and the rear sight shall contain two capsules which will align on the left and right of the front sight.
• Shall contain tritium or an equivalent self-luminous material.
• The luminous portion of the sights may not be visible from the muzzle end of the pistol.
• The luminous capsule of the front sight shall have a larger, brightly colored outline visible to the shooter.
• Shall have a minimum service life of 10 years from the date of government acceptance, and shall be impervious to damage by commonly available gun cleaning solvents and lubricants.
• Shall be Trijicon HD® or equal.
• High profile sights shall be available for the utilization of slide mounted optics and listed on the parts list specific in section 4.8.5.

 

• Barrel
• Shall meet dimensional tolerances as specified by SAAMI for 9mm Luger.
• Shall have a corrosion resistant bore and exterior finish.
• Shall be matte black or dark grey in color.
• Shall not be ported.
• If allowed by law, shall NOT be marked with any serial number.

 

• Magazine
• Pistol #1 shall hold a minimum of 16 cartridges.
• Pistol #2 shall hold a minimum of 14 cartridges.
• Pistol #3 shall hold a minimum of 10 cartridges.
• Shall be matte black or grey in color
• All components shall be rust and corrosion resistant.
• Shall have a minimum of one witness hole for every five rounds, as well as a hole corresponding with the maximum capacity. It is preferred that witness holes exist for every round.
• Shall positively lock in the frame.
• Shall release and drop free from the magazine well when the magazine catch is fully depressed while the magazine body is in a vertical orientation, when empty, partially loaded or fully loaded, and regardless of the position of the slide (i.e. forward or locked to the rear.)
• The follower shall move freely in the magazine body without binding and shall position each round for positive feeding.

 

• Magazine floor plate shall:
• Be removable for magazine disassembly without the use of specially designed tools. Use of standard armorer’s tools is acceptable.
• Remain securely affixed when dropped from a height of 48” onto a hard surface regardless of the number of cartridges contained in the magazine or the orientation of the magazine upon impact. See 4.10.20.
• Aid in the positive seating of the magazine during loading.
• Toe of the magazine shall extend past the firearm grip to enable positive gripping and rapid manual extraction of the magazine if the magazine is locked in place as a result of a malfunction (e.g. double feed) or if the shooter wears gloves.
• Red inert training pistol magazines shall have a red colored floor plate.
• Blue marking pistol magazines shall have a blue colored floor plate.

 

• Magazine Catch/Release

 

• Shall be located on the frame near the junction of the trigger guard and the grip.
• Shall be designed and positioned to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent release of the magazine during handling and/or firing.
• May be either vertical lever or a lateral push button design.
• Shall be capable of being manipulated with a one-hand shooting grip.
• Shall be ambidextrous. If utilizing a lateral push button design, It is acceptable for this to be accomplished by moving the catch/release button from one side to the other by an armorer, with the original factory location being the left side of the frame (as muzzle is facing away from shooter).
• Shall be designed to allow for positive release of the magazine when fully depressed by the shooter.