I was chatting with an old buddy about their sidearm. Seems like it is going to be replaced in the near future. It seems the rank and file and even the middle level SPF personnel have no idea why this revolver was chosen in 2002 to replace the Smith and Wesson .38. From what my buddy at SPF said, they were going from a 6 shot S & W .38 revolver with a proven track record in many law enforcement agencies to a 5 shot .38 revolver from a Brazilian company that is not very well known and is hardly proven in the international firearms market. In fact, the Taurus Model 85 used by the SPF is the only customer for Taurus for this revolver. No other country in the world, and not even the Brazilian govt. ordered the Model 85 for their own personnel. Singapore was the one and only customer for this gun!! In the US, the Taurus subsidiary markets this gun for women as a concealed weapon in their purses. In the US, this gun retails for over USD$450 each.
Most law enforcement agencies went from a revolver to a semi automatic handgun. For example, the RCMP in Canada went from a S & W .38 revolver to a S & W 9mm Model 5946 15 shot semi automatic. In singapore, this did not happen. There is a story somewhere hidden about the tender put out for this weapon. I can't believe that the SPF did not specify a semi automatic whether its in the 9mm, .45in, or even .38 calibre. And if they did want to stay with a revolver, why did they not specify a 6 shooter? There are many modern 6 shot pistols around and many support accessories like speed loaders are designed for 6 shooters. In fact, its rare to find a 5 shooter like the Taurus anywhere. CPIB should investigate the tendering and awarding of the contract for this weapon. Some higher up at SPF probably got a few free trips to Rio and some bribe money. Unless its scholars with no field experience trying to wayang.
I hope this time that the right sidearm will be chosen. And may it be a semi automatic for sure. The LI riots show that if you have to shoot apuneh rioters, 5 shots is just not enough. a large capacity 15 round mag on a semi will wipe out many more rioters.
Most law enforcement agencies went from a revolver to a semi automatic handgun. For example, the RCMP in Canada went from a S & W .38 revolver to a S & W 9mm Model 5946 15 shot semi automatic. In singapore, this did not happen. There is a story somewhere hidden about the tender put out for this weapon. I can't believe that the SPF did not specify a semi automatic whether its in the 9mm, .45in, or even .38 calibre. And if they did want to stay with a revolver, why did they not specify a 6 shooter? There are many modern 6 shot pistols around and many support accessories like speed loaders are designed for 6 shooters. In fact, its rare to find a 5 shooter like the Taurus anywhere. CPIB should investigate the tendering and awarding of the contract for this weapon. Some higher up at SPF probably got a few free trips to Rio and some bribe money. Unless its scholars with no field experience trying to wayang.
I hope this time that the right sidearm will be chosen. And may it be a semi automatic for sure. The LI riots show that if you have to shoot apuneh rioters, 5 shots is just not enough. a large capacity 15 round mag on a semi will wipe out many more rioters.
