With the Bagira, Simson, and Selbstladepistole C53 selected to go onto trials, five hundred of each were procured even as domestic competitors threatened to make trouble for the commission. Individual officers and several artillery batteries, Cavalry Troops and transportation units at every end of the country were assigned appropriate numbers of pistols.
The Selbstladepistole C53 came out fairly well. As much as it is powerful, and the artillery and transportation units loved having an extremely compact carbine that could just be out of their way on a hip, unlike the standard service carbine. That the pistol and holster were about two kilograms combined wasn't as appreciated. However, the cavalry and some officers didn't like the bulky wooden stock/holster at all. Other complaints included it being perceived as being weaker than the current revolver (which actually produces 420J vs the C53's 423J) and feed strips being more finicky than the bandoleer of (privately purchased) speed loaders most troopers presently carry, they will admit to it being a major improvement over loading by hand, and wax paper wrapped feedstrips stayed more organized in a pack. It didn't do particularly well in the cold, but some of that is down to pistols just not really being made for a hand in mittens. The C53 was used in combat once, during a thwarted train robbery where the stock and rapid reloading helped the train crew to successfully repel the robbers.
The Simson was the loser in most comparisons. Officers and non-cavalry units handed it loved the size and handling, and the idea of the stock/holster. However, the thinness of the stock was frequently complained about. The cavalry were furious about only having two magazines supplied, and how they weren't fully interchangeable between guns. Cleaning was occasionally described as being difficult. While the grip was universally popular, the controls were difficult to use with mountain gloves on and it was again, less powerful feeling than the current revolver. The Simson saw the most combat use, with some assigned units operating in bandit infested areas, and engaged in occasional skirmishes.
The Bagira continued to make a good name for itself. With its holster, it weighs just under 1100g, and this plus how compact it is, made it quite popular with everyone who actually had to carry one. The Cavalry troopers who used it begrudgingly admitted it was more powerful than their previous revolvers, even if it was again a pain to use feed strips to load it compared to speed loaders. Most of the controls were usable in winter, and the pistol was fairly simple to take down and clean. Combat use of the Bagira was less common than the Simson, but reports were more positive due to ready ammo shortages being less of a concern.
With the results of the field trials in, it is time to adopt a service pistol, and to approve a number for private purchase.
