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GenDyn unit gets gun barrel contract for Army Smith & Wessons

By Richard Tomkins
A soldier holding a 9mm Beretta pistol, which is to be replaced by the U.S. Army. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
A soldier holding a 9mm Beretta pistol, which is to be replaced by the U.S. Army. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 3 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is to produce hammer-forged, military grade gun barrels for Smith & Wesson.

The barrels will be for a Smith & Wesson M&P pistol, which is being offered for the U.S. Army's XM17 Modular Handgun System competition.

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"With 32 years of experience in producing military grade, hammer-forged barrels, General Dynamics brings additional cost-effective manufacturing capability to Smith & Wesson for the Army's XM17 Modular Handgun System competition," said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium-caliber ammunition and weapons for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. "We believe our combined capabilities will provide the Army with the most advantageous MHS solution while expanding our global strategic partnership."

Added James Debney, Smith & Wesson's president and chief executive officer: "A key initiative within our strategic plan has been the continual development of our flexible manufacturing model through added component outsourcing. That approach has served us well by providing a solid and highly adaptable manufacturing platform for growth.

"Our contract with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems represents an enhancement of that initiative and demonstrates the evolution of our partnership. Together, we believe we are well positioned to compete for the Army's XM17MHS program, for which we recently submitted our proposal."

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General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems did not disclose additional details of the Smith & Wesson contract.

The Army last May issued a request for proposals to replace the Beretta 9mm pistol it adopted in 1985, replacing the .45 it had used for decades.

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