Army to replace M9 with P320

[JoJo]

 The Army is going to replace the M9 with the SIG P320 over a 10 year period. That should put a lot of M9's ready to be sold to the public. That is if Trump allows it and they aren't sold/given to another country.


SIG Sauer handguns have long been a favorite of competitive shooters, law enforcement, and home defense enthusiasts. Now, it will add the U.S. Army to its list of fans with the award of a contract to replace the M9 service pistol.

Here is the full release from SIG Sauer.

SIG Sauer P320 pistol right

Newington, NH (January 19, 2017) – 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.”

Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG Sauer, said “We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice. Securing this contract is a testimony to SIG Sauer employees and their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most reliable firearms in the world.”


 http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/breaking-sig-sauer-awarded-u-s-army-modular-handgun-system-contract/

[JohnyMac]

Yupper. As CJS06 stated in a previous post, "I'm surprised they didn't go with Glock." Probably because they are American Made.

Here is a great article on the P320 and the bid by Pat Cascio.

[Erick]

The Sigs are competent handguns.

But I used the M9 a lot and never felt there was anything wrong with it.
Shoot quite accurate and its pretty easy to shoot.. I am always real happy during qualification even with the older ratted out ones, the "spares" I get to qualify with.

A bit bulky perhaps but so is the Glock 17 (which is the glock model actually designed for military sidearm use, even though the Glock 19,  which the factory built as  a compact,s now more popular as military sidearm w/ those US forces allowed to carry what they want)

Modern Handguns have become so good that the differences in performance/reliability are differences of nuance rather than fundamentals.
Another example of a modern service type hand gun is the M&P 9 , originally though to be a favorite in this competition before missing a downselect  (sized halfway between a Glock 17 and Glock 19 BTW).

Then there are Ruger, Walther, Kahr etc etc all great handguns..

But I suspect some folks will not want that Sig P320 so they can say "I have the Army's handgun"

[thedigininja]

I was reading a few articles on this bit too long ago and it intrigued me. I got to use the M9 numerous times as a young'n and they are magnificent firearms but I can see the need for a firearm that can be stocked in bulk and used across the board. The M9 weighs a metric ton after carrying it for a while and I think we have all spoken to death on this forum about the importance of shedding weight anywhere that you can.

I would love to see how they hold up in actual combat scenarios but Sig isn't one to disappoint and I have to say that the P320 is an absolutely, pant stiffeningly, gorgeous firearm. If it wasn't for that ridiculous price tag and the fact that I still have a bit of a soft spot for a hammer fire FA this definitely would have been a serious contender

[Erick]

About the weight/bulk of the M9...
One of the best (and most common ways) to save the weight/bulk of a handgun in a tactical situation is to no carry it at all since you already have your rifle/carbine.

That's why a military sidearm can "afford" to be large and also size helps performance as a weapon (sight radius, barrel lenght, ease of holding it properly)

Usually handguns were used onlyby those not carrying a rifle.. Such as Staff Officers. Commanders from a certain level on up. Supply clerks loading trucks, cooks, mechanics, machine gunners etc etc...

before the GWOT no one carried a handgun as back-up.
I remember getting laughed at by my "Black Hats" as a young Officer candidate when I suggested it...

The recent fad to carry a pistol as  a "back-up" to your rifle while engaging in tactical operations while u have a rifle/carbine is a product of the GWOT where most troops rode around in vehicles..(if they werent stationery)  this largely took away the penalty felt from the weight.. its INHO a dubious trend that has little place in original light Infantry Operations.

And "old school" Light Infantry CONOPS is the closest to Prepper Ops Concept of all military approaches.