The Nation - News from May 23, 1989

The Italian 9-millimeter Beretta pistol won a congressionally ordered contest to remain the U.S. military’s side arm of choice and to fill a $9.9-million contract, the Army said. The Beretta was first chosen by the Army in 1985 to replace the traditional Colt .45 as the American soldier’s standard side arm and was awarded an initial five-year contract. Congress demanded a rematch. Only Smith & Wesson and Sturm Ruger submitted candidate weapons for testing, the Army said. “During the testing, both of the other candidate weapons failed some of the mandatory requirements.” Of the three competitors, only Sturm Ruger & Co. of Southport, Conn., is a wholly owned American firm. Smith & Wesson of Springfield, Mass., was purchased recently by a British company, Tomkins PLC.