Posted on 01/20/2017 7:09:32 AM PST by Paul46360
SIG SAUER, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Army has selected the SIG SAUER Model P320 to replace the M9 service pistol currently in use since the mid-1980’s. Released in 2014, the P320 is a polymer striker-fired pistol that has proven itself in both the United States and worldwide markets. The P320 is the first modular pistol with interchangeable grip modules that can also be adjusted in frame size and caliber by the operator. All pistols will be produced at the SIG SAUER facilities in New Hampshire. The MHS Program provides for the delivery of both full size and compact P320’s, over a period of ten (10) years. All pistols will be configurable to receive silencers and will also include both standard and extended capacity magazines. “I am tremendously proud of the Modular Handgun System Team,” said Army Acquisition Executive, Steffanie Easter in the release. “By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we truly have optimized the private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters.”
(Excerpt) Read more at armytimes.com ...
I know personally from someone who was involved in the selection process at Fort Benning in the 80s that resulted in the selection of the Berretta to replace the Colt .45.
He said the Sig won every test, but the Berretta was pushed from the top as part of a larger NATO deal involving basing rights in Italy, Italy buying F-16s etc.
It should have been a Sig for the last 3 decades.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/19/army-picks-sig-sauer-replace-m9-service-pistol.html
Another article about this.
I don’t know much about this particular pistol but Sig Sauer certainly is known for high quality guns.
The only weakness of the Beretta model 92 is the grip frame is a little thick. I have medium large hands and it is actually a bit too thick for me.
I’m a short skinny twig, the M9 felt like a VCR tape in my hands.
I hated it.
Your mileage may and probably will, vary greatly.
I have one Sig, the P238, which is a damn well made gun.
It feels good in the hand, points well, shoots consistently to point of aim, regardless of ammo, but it was a little pricey for a .380...especially when one considers my EDC is a .380 that I paid less than $220.00 for and it does everything the Sig does for nearly $500.00 less.
I will grant that the Sig will probably endure 100,000 rounds, whereas the Bersa may not go 50,000, but I'm hoping like hell I don't have THAT may bad guys coming for me.
Anyway, S&W was the only other submitter, so by almost default, it went to Sig, mainly because they filled the specs better than S&W.
It was rumored that no one else even submitted...not wishing to endure the political silliness that a new weapon system engenders, making the whole process drag out to several years.
And even though it is manufactured in New Hampshire, with American workers being paid to build it, it is first and foremost, a foreign company.
The best I can say is that it fills the need.
It's just unfortunate that the powers that are thinks they have this recurring need every career cycle.
850 million dollars for a handgun contract ain't peanuts.
I learned on the M1911A1 and loved it - best pistol ever! I only tried the Berretta once and it was one of the rare pistols that I just didn’t like in my hand. I’ll have to try the Sig when I get time.
When I was a SIG guy, this would have been my choice.
But I’ve become a Glock guy for 12 years and I would still have preferred the G19.
Interesting that the operator can change the caliber. Does anyone know what round will be the standard issue? Not a fan of the 9mm. What other calibers would be available?.
I can’t believe they chose this over the G17 or G19.
I think the Russians use G19’s IIRC.
I have the same issue with my sig 229. The only handgun I really like and shoot well is the Browning Hi-Power
Beretta Model 92 is a damn fine weapon. I agree, the grip is a bit thick. It is accurate, great capacity, easy to field strip...oh, did I mention accurate?
I’ve owned a 92 for many years. I’ve become so accustomed to it that I trust my life with it.
BOTH the 92FS and the P226 met the terms of the tests.
Beretta came in later with a much lower quote for the pistols, parts and services.
SIG (and S&W) objected, but the choice was upheld.
The Italian airbase rumor was around from the very start, but I don’t know if anybody has ever been able to come close to confirming it.
It makes no sense to me for our boys to carry German pistols. We need only to update the 1911 and keep that trigger like it is. Just adapt them to a double-stack mag holding 15 rounds and thread the muzzle to accept stuff. That’s ALL that needs doing, and it’d be hundreds of millions cheaper. Also, I prefer 9mm to .45. More velocity, cheaper rounds, more bullets in the same amount of mag space, reduced muzzle flip, faster follow ups, hollows open up to .452” upon contact, ammo’s lighter, I can go on all day about why the 9mm is superior, but the best thing about the 1911 and where it truly rises above other pistols is that sweet, single-action trigger.
Is this the pistol preferred by most of our SEALs past and present?
Thanks and MAGA!
If you want 9mm and a single action trigger, get a Browning Hi-Power.
SIG SAUER to Produce All Guns in US by 2015
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2014/06/foghorn/sig-sauer-produce-guns-us-2015/
My first high quality pistol was a Browning Hi-Power. I bought it new from King’s Hardware in Defuniak Springs.
This was 1969 and I was afraid that the Gun Control act of 1968 would affect it’s availability. Mr. King told me they could still order them so I had them do so.
It cost $104.50 and came with a pistol rug. It was a beautiful gun. Deep highly polished blue/black finish. It is long gone but I still have two Argentine made ones which are functionally identical.
They fit my hand better than any other pistol. Maybe that great fit is why it has always been easy for me to hit with it.
Sig is a great pistol.
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