Howdy folks,
A bit off the thread topic so sorry, but just wanted to clarify things.
Actually the FBI trashed their 1076s and the 10mm round, because they were having two companies produce downloaded rounds for them. They wanted the light 10 loads for everyone, but primarily for female and smaller agents who had trouble handling a normal round. When they began to experience reliability issues, both factories and Smith sent reps to Quantico to evaluate things. They all 3 agreed if the FBI would allow the ammo to be increased by 40 fps, the weapons would be totally reliable.
The Bureau refused to concede anyone knew more than they did, and opted to trash both the caliber and the pistol, and reverted back to their P226s in 9mm.
Smith developed the 40 S&W as a polite way to thumb their nose at the FBI. It had the same ballistics as the round the Bureau wanted downloaded by both companies, and would fit in a 9mm frame package as well, using the same projectile as the 10mm, and offering a double row mag.
Very quietly, the FBI eventually changed over to Glocks in 40. But I can promise you sir, Smith did not create the 40 for the FBI. Smith basically had to abandon the 10mm pistols from their line, largely as a result of meager sales after the FBI so publically complained about the poor pistol and ammo combination they had.
I was a fed at that time, and still am. I got my information from DEA firearms instructors stationed at Quantico who watched this all play out. Later while taking the Smith pistol armorer course, that instructor when asked about the 10mm situation, gave us substantially the same answer.
Sorry to get off thread here, but it is hard for me to sit quietly and mistakenly let anyone think Smith created the 40 as a favor to the FBI.
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Back to the thread. Mr. Angus have you heard anything about a possible SP-01 in 40 in non-decocker configuration?
twoguns
