Replacing Beretta: the S&W XM10 Trials Pistol

Published on December 29, 2023
Duration: 11:48

The Smith & Wesson XM10 was a contender in the US Army's XM10 pistol trials, a follow-up to the XM9 trials that selected the Beretta M9. This rare prototype, based on the Model 459, featured a 20-round magazine and removed the magazine safety. Despite S&W's improvements, the Beretta M9 ultimately won the final trials in 1988, leading to the XM10 program's discontinuation.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson XM10 was a rare prototype pistol developed for the US Army's 1987 XM10 trials, featuring a 20-round magazine and removed magazine safety. Despite its improvements over the Model 459, it lost to the Beretta M9 in the final trials, ending the program.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the S&W XM10 Trials Pistol
  2. 01:35Background of the XM10 Trials
  3. 02:39XM10 Specific Features: Rare 20-Round Magazine
  4. 03:58XM10 vs. Standard Model 459 Comparison
  5. 05:24Functional Differences: Magazine Safety Removal
  6. 06:25Mechanical Operation: DA/SA and Recoil System
  7. 07:11Field Stripping and Internal Components
  8. 10:28XM10 Trial Results and Program End

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Smith & Wesson XM10?

The Smith & Wesson XM10 was a prototype pistol developed by Smith & Wesson for the US Army's XM10 pistol trials in 1987. It was an updated version of the Model 459, designed to compete against other manufacturers for a new service pistol.

Why is the S&W XM10 considered rare?

The S&W XM10 is extremely rare because only 40 of these pistols were produced for the US Army trials. Many of its unique components, like the 20-round extended magazines, were also produced in very limited numbers.

What were the key differences between the S&W XM10 and the Model 459?

The XM10 featured a squared and checkered trigger guard, a parkerized finish on steel parts, an ambidextrous safety, a larger extractor, a wider rear sight notch, and importantly, the removal of the magazine safety, allowing it to fire without a magazine inserted.

Did the Smith & Wesson XM10 win the Army pistol trials?

No, the Smith & Wesson XM10 did not win the Army pistol trials. In the final 1988 trials, the Beretta M9 again outperformed the competition, leading the Army to simply purchase more Berettas and discontinue the XM10 program.

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