Sig Sauer P320 Overtakes Beretta M9

[runco]

The U.S. Army has chosen the Sig Sauer Pe20 as its next pistol:

https://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2017/01/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-p320-as-next-service-pistol/

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/19/politics/army-new-pistol-sig-sauer/

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/19/army-picks-sig-sauer-replace-m9-service-pistol.html

Army Picks Sig Sauer's P320 Handgun to Replace M9 Service Pistol

• Sig Sauer's P320 full-size pistol is shown in this photo. The pistol can shoot multiple calibers including 9mm, .357SIG and .40SGW. (Photo courtesy Sig Sauer)
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• Sig Sauer's P320 full-size pistol is shown in this photo. The pistol can shoot multiple calibers including 9mm, .357SIG and .40SGW. (Photo courtesy Sig Sauer)

 

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Military.com | Jan 19, 2017 | by Matthew Cox and Hope Hodge Seck

LAS VEGAS -- The U.S. Army on Thursday awarded Sig Sauer a contract worth $580 million to make the next service pistol based on the company's P320 handgun.

Sig Sauer beat out Glock Inc., FN America and Beretta USA, the maker of the current M9 9mm service pistol, in the competition for the Modular Handgun System, or MHS, program.

"We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice," Ron Cohen, chief executive officer of Sig Sauer, said in a statement to Military.com here at SHOT Show, the world's largest gun show underway in the city this week.

"Securing this contract is a testimony to Sig Sauer employees, their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most reliable firearms in the world," Cohen added.

The Army launched its long-awaited XM17 MHS competition in late August 2015 to replace its Cold War-era M9 9mm pistol.

"By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we have optimized private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines, and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters," Army Acquisition Executive Steffanie Easter said said in a press release.

One of the major goals of the effort was to adopt a pistol chambered for a more potent round than the current 9mm. The U.S. military replaced the .45 caliber 1911 pistol with the M9 in 1985 and began using the 9mm NATO round at that time.

In their statements, Army and Sig officials didn't specify what caliber the new Sig Sauer pistol will be.

Sig touts the P320 model product as "modular" and "adaptable," with interchangeable grips, multiple sizes and calibers that can be converted between 9mm, .357SIG and .40SGW. "From calibers, to pistol size, to the grip fit best suited for the shooter, the P320 is the most adaptable pistol available today," the company says in promotional materials.

Two sources confirmed to Military.com that Sig submitted to the Army .40-caliber and 9mm pistols for consideration. One source said the Army ultimately selected the 9mm version.

Shortly after the contract announcement, Sig officials celebrated here at  the show. Staff at the Sig Sauer booth set out champagne flutes for a celebratory toast.

The Army in December down-selected to two finalists for the competition: Sig and Glock, which had submitted its Glock 17 and Glock 19 models for consideration. Given the size of the contract, Glock is widely expected to protest the decision.

Brandie Collins, communications manager for Glock, said she had not been briefed on the contract award but wished the winners well.

Army officials informed Beretta USA and FN America at the show that they had been dropped from the competition in the recent down-select decision, according to a service source who is not authorized to speak to the press. But confusion reigned as reporters informed company officials of the Army's announcement.

The decision formally ends the Beretta's 30-year hold on the Army's sidearm market.

Gabrielle de Plano, vice president of Beretta Defense Technologies marketing and operations, said staff were still reading through the contract announcement to fully understand it.

"It's going to have to be a no comment from us for now," he said.

Beretta has fought hard to remain to remain the Army's pistol maker. In December 2014, Beretta USA submitted its modernized M9A3 as a possible alternative to the Army's Modular Handgun System program.

But the Army rejected the improved M9A3, which featured new sights, a rail for mounting lights and accessories, better ergonomics and improved reliability. The company, however, wasn't finished yet. It developed a new striker-fired pistol, the APX, and entered it into the competition.

Kristina DeMilt, public relations for FN, said officials at the show hadn't been informed of the award and were not immediately prepared to comment.

The Army began working with the small arms industry on Modular Handgun System in early 2013, but the joint effort has been in the works for more than five years. It could result in the Defense Department buying nearly 500,000 new pistols.

Current plans call for the Army to purchase more than 280,000 handguns, according to Program Executive Office Soldier officials. The Army also plans to buy approximately 7,000 sub-compact versions of the handgun.

The other military services participating in the program may order an additional 212,000 systems above the Army quantity.

"As MHS moves forward into operational testing, the due diligence taken by all of the stakeholders will ensure a program that remains on-budget and on-schedule," Easter said.

Lawmakers may be eager to hear such an assessment.

During last week's confirmation hearing for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to become defense secretary in the Trump administration, Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina took turns criticizing what they described as an overly bureaucratic effort, with technical requirements totaling several hundred pages.

-- Brendan McGarry contributed to this report.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

 

Edited January 20, 2017 by runco

[JoeCorrado]

Finally! Have to agree with Gen. Mattis that this was an overly bureaucratic decision that took way to long to come to fruition. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about it as I like Beretta's, Glock's, and Sig's. Carried a thoroughly used M9 in my 3 deployments and wasn't overly impressed. However, when I got out, I bought one from a buddy after a trip to the range. There's a massive difference in one that's been taken care of and one that's been used and abused. I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the sights on the M9 as opposed to the 3 dot on the 92FS when it comes to accuracy. That was one of my biggest complaints. Congrats to Sig on winning the contract! Naval Special Warfare chose Glock and I half expected the rest of the services to follow suit. Still want an M9A3 to add to the safe...

[E4 No More]

Well, I certainly like my P320's. I find it curious that one of the articles mentioned sticking with the 9mm but developing better ammo for it. How do you develop better ball ammunition?

[Steelharp]

8 minutes ago, SWJewellTN said:

Well, I certainly like my P320's. I find it curious that one of the articles mentioned sticking with the 9mm but developing better ammo for it. How do you develop better ball ammunition?

OATH ammo.

[Steelharp]

Sad for Beretta, right after moving here. Dang.

[gun sane]

I was thinking of getting a 320, now I'll have to wait for the overpriced hype buying to subside.  

[E4 No More]

33 minutes ago, Steelharp said:

OATH ammo.

That would violate several accords, no?

[musicman]

1 hour ago, Steelharp said:

Sad for Beretta, right after moving here. Dang.

My thoughts as well.  I'm a peon with no military experience, but I like the 92/M9.  I actually just got a brand new M9A1 a couple months ago and love the crap out of the thing.  Soft shooter, 100% reliable so far (about 700 rds through it, I'd guess) and a laser beam.

I've held lots of 320s but haven't shot one yet.  I was never wild about them and this won't change that.

I just hope it is a good move, and it serves the troops well.

[Oh Shoot]

2 hours ago, gun sane said:

I was thinking of getting a 320, now I'll have to wait for the overpriced hype buying to subside.  

Still $499.99 at Bud's, grab one now.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/93510/SIG+320F9B+320+9MM+STRKR+BLK+CONTRAST+SIGHTS+17rd

- OS

Edited January 20, 2017 by Oh Shoot

[Steelharp]

2 hours ago, SWJewellTN said:

That would violate several accords, no?

Yes. I was just identifying better ball ammo.

[musicman]

21 minutes ago, Steelharp said:

Yes. I was just identifying better ball ammo.

So you're saying they should come up with ammo that's... more... ballsy??

Edited January 20, 2017 by musicman

[E4 No More]

I was thinking .357 Sig ball ammo would be better.

[Steelharp]

43 minutes ago, musicman said:

So you're saying they should come up with ammo that's... more... ballsy??

Bwahaha!

[nightrunner]

7 hours ago, SWJewellTN said:

Well, I certainly like my P320's. I find it curious that one of the articles mentioned sticking with the 9mm but developing better ammo for it. How do you develop better ball ammunition?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/bearingarms.com/bob-o/2015/07/08/u-s-military-makes-monumental-shift-hollowpoint-pistol-ammunition/amp/?client=safari

 

Military approved the change to JHP pistol ammo for the MHS contract for whoever got it. Posted in 2015.

[DWARREN123]

As for ammo even a good flat point round would be more effective than round nose bullets, in my opinion.

[TGO David]

I love my P320 Compact.  Great gun.  This will undoubtedly make it even more popular as the .MIL fanboys pile onto the bandwagon.

 

[TN357mag]

Im a Glock guy .. But the P320 is a fine pistol.. I think the lack of a safety on the Glock was the deciding factor ... I sure the Army put both pistols thru the mill !!!

Edited January 20, 2017 by TN357mag

[Erik88]

I don't have anything against the 320 but I personally don't think there was any need to switch. I will also say that I don't think Sig quality is what it once was but the same can be said for many other manufacturers I suppose. 

[tercel89]

The fire control assembly is a little complicated but at least its less complicated than the Ruger American's fire control assembly. I was really hoping that Glock would get picked. It's so much more simpler all the way around than this pistol and the present Beretta.

[zybysco]

4 hours ago, TN357mag said:

Im a Glock guy .. But the P320 is a fine pistol.. I think the lack of a safety on the Glock was the deciding factor ... I sure the Army put both pistols thru the mill !!!

What safety does Sig offer that Glock doesn't?

[nightrunner]

8 minutes ago, zybysco said:

What safety does Sig offer that Glock doesn't?

Manual frame mounted Thumb safety on the military version.

[nightrunner]

At least the Marines went with the G19.

I have to wonder about several aspects of this. From talking to many service members, in all branches, being issued a handgun isn't nearly as common as it use to be. Right now you aren't allowed to make any modifications to your weapon, it's done in the armory. Now all of a sudden they want this modular grip? I can see it as part of the SOCOM kit but not for standard GI.

Thumb safety has no place. If you can't trust someone not to have an AD/ND with a 5 lb trigger, they shouldn't have possession of a pistol in the first place.

 

ill be honest, I seriously doubt the long term reliability of this pistol. If nothing else, Sig just got a whole lot of beta testers.

[Parrothead]

5 hours ago, TGO David said:

I love my P320 Compact.  Great gun.  This will undoubtedly make it even more popular as the .MIL fanboys pile onto the bandwagon.

 

100% agree! I think a very wise man said to carry a gun that matches law enforcement or military. Also, pick a service caliber. I can't place the quote but it was made in order to provide an extra level of protection if you were in court justifying your choice of weapon.

In that regard, I think you statement might be on target. Many may check out the p320 now that it has been deemed reliable and sensible for military use.

Edited January 21, 2017 by Parrothead

[kesava]

What will they do with all of the berettas?

[E4 No More]

14 hours ago, nightrunner said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/bearingarms.com/bob-o/2015/07/08/u-s-military-makes-monumental-shift-hollowpoint-pistol-ammunition/amp/?client=safari

 

Military approved the change to JHP pistol ammo for the MHS contract for whoever got it. Posted in 2015.

"A military lawyer who made a presentation during the Industry Day noted that the United States is not a signatory to the Hague Conventions which outlawed the use of 'dum-dum' and expanding bullets more than a century ago."

That's contrary to what I was told when I was in the Marine Corps, but if it's true then more power to them. But I will point out that many personnel have complained that the 9mm doesn't penetrate through battle gear well enough. Changing to a hollow point won't change that whereas approximately 200 fps faster bullets will. I would think more in the lines of penetrator rounds would be better as long as one of your own wasn't behind the bad guy.