MANILA, Philippines - Two samples of the 9mm Glock 17 Generation 4 pistol have passed the 20,000-round endurance and stress tests administered by experts of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome fired the last remaining rounds to complete the test held at the NCRPO firing range in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) of the PNP Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) has completed the endurance and stress tests for the 9mm Glock offered by Trust Trade, the second lowest bidder in the program to acquire 59,904 units of handgun for the PNP for P1.198 billion.
Although Glock passed the endurance tests, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. clarified that “Trust Trade hasn’t bagged the deal yet but getting closer.”
“TWG will still check the barrel of the gun for cracks, if it will pass again, BAC will recommend to PNP chief for approval and issuance of Notice of Award,” Cerbo added.
The 20,000-round endurance test is among the nine test parameters that the BAC-TWG administered on the gun samples submitted for testing. The other tests are technical inspection, dimensional test, accuracy test, maintainability, parts interchangeability, sand and mud test, and water and magazine drop test.
Deputy Director General Emelito Sarmiento, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, said the Glock 17 pistol passed the endurance test with negligible number of recorded stoppage.
“The sample was submitted for laboratory test at the Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department for Science and Technology (MIRDC-DOST) for the magnaflux and metal composition test to determine micro cracks in the gun’s chamber and barrel after the endurance and stress tests,” added Sarmiento, concurrent chairman of the PNP-BAC.
The Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm pistol has also passed the magnaflux and metal composition tests.
Sarmiento said the BAC-TWG strictly observed all prescribed rules in the actual testing to ensure that the PNP will get only the best equipment for its personnel.
He noted that all actions of the BAC are consistent with provisions of the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The PNP program to procure 59,904 handguns out of its P1.19-billion appropriation is the largest procurement of the PNP in recent years.