AmericanRifleman: And the envelope please … SIG Sauer wins the big Army contract, the most important military handgun contract of our generation. The XM17 will likely lose the “X” and be made by American workers in an American factory for American soldiers.
While I have written extensively about the laborious Army Modular Handgun System (MHS) process for adoption of the next service pistol to ride in soldiers’ holsters, today, January 19, 2017, (write that down) the news came in. And in a surprise development during the firearm industry’s biggest event—the SHOT Show—the U.S. Army announced that SIG Sauer will be the next supplier of pistols for the United States military.
This gun, a variant of the P320, will replace the venerable M9 as made by Beretta and adopted in 1985. While a number of companies submitted guns, rumor has it that it came down to Glock and SIG. The process has not been terribly transparent, and the RFP is nothing short of terribly confusing.
article didn’t mention caliber, but I assume it’s 9mm, since the P320’s are 9 … was hoping for something w/ a little more ‘heft’
… but, they say they’re coming out w/ S&W.40 & .45 P320’s in the future
I have a p250 In .45 and .40 with a few of the modular grips. It’s a nice pistol, extremely reliable. The 320 is a striker-fired model with the same modular grip frames, the 250 is SA/DA. They are very easy to disassemble and re-configure. I prefer GLOCK, but do love the Sig. It feels kind of top-heavy, maybe the striker-fired 320 is a little lower.
I’d bet Glock lost out because of the trigger pull for disassembly. I’d certainly prefer the Glock 19 for its lower bore axis, ability to accept Model 17, and 33 round mags,… and the ability to use what really are plug and play parts.
But that Sig, it is a nice medium sized gun.
The Marines and Seals are going with the G19 and the Army marches off a different direction? Makes no sense. RFP states and accessories. Wonder what “accessories” are.
I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with FED’s anymore. I remember in aerospace having to reference MIL Spec’s which would refer you to another, then another, and yet another. And before you know it you’re back to the original Spec without ever getting an answer to the question you were researching in the first place! THAT is your typical govt efficiency.
Right on Doc. I too dealt with Aerospace Mil Specs over 30 years. Generally they were stringent for a reason. But when a better product/process/procedure came along, Mil Specs were nearly impossible to improve. Miss the airplanes and GREAT group of folks. The BS? Not so much. We were never efficient because we never had to be.
HELP! Guys, I need your advice. Please. How many gun safes can you buy before wives notice?
Doc,
You do that FBO or DIBBs (DLA) work they start you off with some old obscure Boeing or Lockheed spec. and then you’ve got to find the Mil-spec that satisfies that requirement and then try and find a current AMS spec. It’s a hoot. We probably should never drink together.
judgeroybean
Paint it white and tell her it’s a refrigerator.
Haha, I need safe space too. That needs to be a meme.
I wonder what they’ll do with the Beretta’s. Decades ago when Canada moved from the FN to the M16 they sold them to the public as hunting rifles once they converted them to semi-automatic fire. That sure as hell wouldn’t happen today.
After we finished the Viking Lander project I was out of there. Almost 20 years later I was contacted by a headhunter for a Lockheed project. I couldn’t believe anybody kept records that long…especially before computers!
Doc,
microfiche. That process didn’t do anything to enhance already suspect documentation.
Back to the gun purchase, they should have gone with the G19 like everyone else.
Anything other than a .45 Colt 1911-ACP makes my hand shake, my eyes water and my butt hurt. But with my old .45, I can shoot the pimple off a gnat’s ass at 50-feet while riding a bucking bronco in a 30-mph wind and rolling a cigarette with the other hand.
But I’m too humble to brag about it.
Scr… most likely they’ll be chopped in half and destroyed.
I’ve got a pal who is active duty USMC that loves Sig.
So far I’ve shot no bad guys and he’s elusive on his
count. I’m going to have to go with his advice. Already did actually.
Sig Sauer AR15 is fantastic.
I packed a 1911, .45 for years as an Army NCO & officer. It never let me down.
Hungjumper,
OK bud, how many times did your life depend on it? By the way I’m the worlds largest 1911 fan. Dang there fun.
I couldn’t stand the M-9. In
the 90’s I had a Taurus PT-90.
What a POS copy of the 93F. I’d
like to shoot the Sig though, but
what crap are they going to have
to modify on it to bring it up to
Mil-Spec?
How long did the military use the .45 1911?
60+ years?
It is a gun made for a real man, it’s my EDC.
I assume they changed to a 9mm cause of the females in the ranks.
Dave, but you can’t deny the fact that a G19 is a better combat weapon. Right?
Gotta agree Brad. But how many times do you use your pistol in a military action.
I’ve never been. But I would think your pistol is only used when your rifle doesn’t.
By the way I can’t argue weapon system platforms with you your knowledge is far superior to mine. I trust your judgement.
But why did they ditch the .45 in the first place?
Bad_Brad – in addition to USMC and Seals, the FBI also went with the G19: http://thepoliticsforums.com/threads/72783-Sneak-Peak-Glock-19M-(5th-gen)-FBI-Specs