RCMP has "letter of interest" looking for new service pistols

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are looking for new service pistols—at least, they've started that process, according to a post on the federal government's procurement site.

The Public Services and Procurement Canada website recently uploaded a Letter of Interest/Request for Information notice, with the Mounties apparently looking to update their current sidearms, and trying to find a company that will meet their needs. Here's how the attached PDF starts out:

"The current service pistol in use by the RCMP and has exceeded its life expectancy. The RCMP is
beginning the procurement process for a new and modern service pistol. There is a need to obtain a
service pistol that offers a reduced trigger pull weight, various frame sizes and a reduction in overall
weight. In enhancing public and officer safety the RCMP has also identified the need for a pistol-
mounted flashlight and a Red Dot Sight (RDS). These additional items will improve officers shooting
accuracy, officer’s threat response time and allow for the officers to be threat focussed."

Currently, RCMP officers carry the double action-only Smith & Wesson 5946 in 9x19mm, standard issue since the early 1990s when it replaced the Smith & Wesson M&P revolver in .38 Special. The 5946 is now out of production, and S&W has been supplying parts for the police, but the organization believes it is well-past time to replace its existing firearms with something more capable.

Note that the RCMP is quite happy with the current 9x19mm chambering, and has spec'd that calibre again on the BuyandSell.gc.ca posting. However, it seems the RCMP do want the new pistol to allow attachment of red dot sights. The listing lays out several other details: The force wants the pistol to have a max length of 7.5 inches, and max height of 5.51 inches with the magazine and red dot sight removed. It must have a polymer frame, corrosion-resistant slide, and be striker fired. Minimum magazine capacity is 15 rounds, and the RCMP want each pistol supplied with three mags. The notice also lists other ancillaries the police are looking at purchasing, including holsters, optics and other parts.

You can see a complete listing of requirements here.

What's next? The RCMP says it's looking to replace 25,000 pistols in a phased roll-out; it wants a company to provide those pistols and perhaps ancillaries for a 10-year contract, with possibility of renewal for another 10 years. It's set a deadline in late April for interested parties to make contact; after that, who knows? Given the current dragged-out drama in finding a long-overdue replacement for the military's sidearms, we could still be years away from an RCMP replacement pistol.