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

Oct 21, 2009
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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, taking place this week in the city.

"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 10-year agreement calls for Sig to supply the Army with full-size and compact versions of the gun. The pistols can be outfitted with silencers and accommodate standard and extended capacity magazines. The firearms will be manufactured at the company's facilities in New Hampshire.

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

Full Article Here: Army Picks Sig Sauer's P320 Handgun to Replace M9 Service Pistol
 

GeorgeJ

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The Army launched its long-awaited XM17 MHS competition in late August 2015 to replace its Cold War-era M9 9mm pistol.
Not sure why the article refers to it as a "Cold War-era" pistol. It wasn't pressed into service until 1985, and by that time the cold war was close to being over. Most of it's history as a military firearm was after the cold war.

The bulk of the Cold War soldiers used the 1911/1911A1 as their service pistol.
 
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Not sure why the article refers to it as a "Cold War-era" pistol. It wasn't pressed into service until 1985, and by that time the cold war was close to being over. Most of it's history as a military firearm was after the cold war.

The bulk of the Cold War soldiers used the 1911/1911A1 as their service pistol.
I agree. I found that a bit odd too.
 
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MarkRohfrietsch

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I agree. I found that a bit odd too.
Originally the "92" it was designed in 1975, so it is a cold war era pistol; the 1911, being designed 105 years ago, is "pre" cold war; with a long and reliable service life!

Our Canadian Military adopted the Browning Hi-Power in 1944 (built by Inglis in Toronto) and are still using it. A limited number of Sig P226 have been issued to those with small hands as the Hi-Power is a fair handful (and a true cold war pistol lol). I believe that these will be replaced in the next year or too. Like the 1911, the Hi-Power stands the test of time, and some of the 1944 pistols are still in service!

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have addopted the Glock in 9mm as their new service pistol, replacing various pistols (mostly Sigs) in .40 S & W. Some of these police and game wardens are not so happy with the switch.
 
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Originally the "92" it was designed in 1975, so it is a cold war era pistol; the 1911, being designed 105 years ago, is "pre" cold war; with a long and reliable service life!

Our Canadian Military adopted the Browning Hi-Power in 1944 (built by Inglis in Toronto) and are still using it. A limited number of Sig P226 have been issued to those with small hands as the Hi-Power is a fair handful (and a true cold war pistol lol). I believe that these will be replaced in the next year or too. Like the 1911, the Hi-Power stands the test of time, and some of the 1944 pistols are still in service!

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have addopted the Glock in 9mm as their new service pistol, replacing various pistols (mostly Sigs) in .40 S & W. Some of these police and game wardens are not so happy with the switch.
I have a High Power made in Argentina that is one of my most favorite handguns to shoot. It's been 100% reliable with all ammo. I've never noticed the grip area being too large myself. I also have a Sig P226 and don't notice much difference when switching between the two. I do notice a difference when I shoot my Taurus PT92AF. It's about the largest handgun grip I can shoot comfortably.
 
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GeorgeJ

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Originally the "92" it was designed in 1975, so it is a cold war era pistol; the 1911, being designed 105 years ago, is "pre" cold war; with a long and reliable service life!
Based upon date of design, yes. Based upon dates of issue and usage in the military, no.

I was still qualifying with a 1911A1 as late as 1988. Some units still did not have the M9 issued to them even then.
 
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I have a High Power made in Argentina that is one of my most favorite handguns to shoot. It's been 100% reliable with all ammo. I've never noticed the grip area being too large myself. I also have a Sig P226 and don't notice much difference when switching between the two. I do notice a difference when I shoot my Taurus PT92AF. It's about the largest handgun grip I can shoot comfortably.

I don't find the Hi-Power to big either; I find the SIG a bit bulky, but that may be the grips that are on my friends pistol. Some find the CZ/NZ big too, but for me they are perfect right out of the box, but the mag release is a bit of a reach for me... still my favorite 9mm chassis though! I love the feel of the Beretta, but I find the trigger odd; the long single action pull especially; and I don't shoot it very well either. The 1911 A1 fits me very well also, and I shoot very well with it too.

I have never had the pleasure of shooting a Tauris, I have heard that they are very well made. The Star can still be had here quite reasonably, but I have not had the pleasure either. I understand that they are kinda like a 1911, but the trigger pivots on a pin like the high power...

So many guns, so little time!!!LOL
 
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Based upon date of design, yes. Based upon dates of issue and usage in the military, no.

I was still qualifying with a 1911A1 as late as 1988. Some units still did not have the M9 issued to them even then.
I don't like the word "ubiquitous", but it does apply; timeless may be better. I understand that some special forces have retained it.

Honestly, I don't find it that much more difficult to shoot well than 9mm, but I do understand the need for larger magazines, and lighter weights for carry.
 
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I don't like the word "ubiquitous", but it does apply; timeless may be better. I understand that some special forces have retained it.

Honestly, I don't find it that much more difficult to shoot well than 9mm, but I do understand the need for larger magazines, and lighter weights for carry.
There's just something about the feel of a 1911 that I really like. I have 1911 .45 I use for Precision Pistol competition, and I also have a 22lr Nelson conversion unit for that frame. Both have a weaver rail for slide mounted red dot sights.
 
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Based upon date of design, yes. Based upon dates of issue and usage in the military, no.

I was still qualifying with a 1911A1 as late as 1988. Some units still did not have the M9 issued to them even then.

I shot expert with the 1911A1 in 1991, expert on the M9 in 1993, and expert with the Sig P229 in 2006.
 
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I don't find the Hi-Power to big either; I find the SIG a bit bulky, but that may be the grips that are on my friends pistol. Some find the CZ/NZ big too, but for me they are perfect right out of the box, but the mag release is a bit of a reach for me... still my favorite 9mm chassis though! I love the feel of the Beretta, but I find the trigger odd; the long single action pull especially; and I don't shoot it very well either. The 1911 A1 fits me very well also, and I shoot very well with it too.

I have never had the pleasure of shooting a Tauris, I have heard that they are very well made. The Star can still be had here quite reasonably, but I have not had the pleasure either. I understand that they are kinda like a 1911, but the trigger pivots on a pin like the high power...

So many guns, so little time!!!LOL
Isn't that the truth. I've got 4 CZs, 2 Sig 1911s and 1 Colt Commander waiting to be shot, among others. The all steel Colt Commander was a bit of an impulse buy.

Taurus makes very good, reliable handguns. My PT92AF is a bit of a handful with flush fit 18 round 9mm magazines. It's not as accurate or fun to shoot as my clone High Power. Or maybe it's just the grip is too big for my hand to handle. Someday I may trade it for another CZ or 1911.
 
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