The XM9 program name had not yet been assigned when these tests took place. The first round of these handgun tests occurred in 1979-1980 at [[Eglin AFBAir Force Base]] in NorthernNorthwestern [[Florida]].<ref>''Army R, D & A. Volume 22, Number 1;'' "JSSAP management committee[...] coordinated their service inputs. This study was {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} two principal parts, the first being the on-going Air Force Evaluation of handguns which was being conducted at Elgin Air Force Base, FL, in which various model 9mm pistols were evaluated against the M1911A1's and M15 .38 cal revolvers. The second part of the study considered a review of compilation of all existing historical reports and studies relative to pistols, hand-guns and their performance."</ref>
The eight pistols that were entered into the trials were:<ref name=ArmyRDA_V22>Army R, D & A. Volume 22, Number 1</ref>
