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.
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.
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.
Is this the pistol preferred by most of our SEALs past and present?
Thanks and MAGA!
Didn’t Sig get a “consolation prize” in the form of the M11 designation for the p226 for purchase by civilian & military law enforcement? I seem to recall USAF OSI among others used the M11.
CC
Army MP SRT and CID agents have carried Sig 9mm since the mid 1990s I personally carried one as a CID agent from 1999 till January of 2006. Only line MPs carried M9 the rest of us had the M11 which was made by Sig. I currently open carry the civilian version of the M11 whenever I’m not going into Dallas proper as the liberals have a fit if they see someone armed.