Pentagon Seeks New Sidearm

I've put more than a few rounds through the 320. All 3 frames as well as the 9, 40 and 45.... I was very happy with the performance. I have also put more than a few down rage with the M9... and in my mind, its not even close. Would take the 320 every day... as for the Glock, Ive never been a fan ,but I appreciate a good firearm, and the Glock is one... the 320 vs Glock is very close.. but I prefer the 320.
 
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Probably helped that Sig was the only company to submit a sidearm that was actually modular.
 
policemedic said:
I'm not sure either of these features are necessary. But that's just me, YMMV.
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Not to split hairs, but the award was for the XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) Contract. :)

One of the requirements laid out was for the pistol to allow for different grips, mags, barrels, etc. Out of the list of contenders I think only Sig had an offering that is actually modular. Uncle Sugar probably could've saved a ton of money by just buying the P320 after putting it through whatever testing was needed when no other company submitted a gun that actually met the requirements of the contract.
 
policemedic said:
I'm not sure either of these features are necessary. But that's just me, YMMV.
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The Sig gives you options and I like modular systems. It's like having a Lego gun. But you make a valid point. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
 
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I've personally never cared for Sig, never shot one that actually hit POA/POI, they always seem to shoot high.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what in the hell is wrong with the Army. Glock 19 should've been the pick, practically all the trigger puller SOF units are using G19's, DSS, CIA, PMC guys, are all using G19's. Fuck the goddamm Iraqi Police are using G19's. The FBI would call this a clue...but nope, Sig 320 it is.

As for the price point, Sig is generally over priced.

I've owned a few 226's and one 228, I couldn't sell those guns fast enough. Had a good buddy that was a Sig nut, about a year after I'd sell one he'd talk me back into buying another, just so I could get disappointed and mad all over again.

That all said, at least they are finally getting rid of the M9.
 
rick said:
Not to split hairs, but the award was for the XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) Contract. :)

One of the requirements laid out was for the pistol to allow for different grips, mags, barrels, etc. Out of the list of contenders I think only Sig had an offering that is actually modular. Uncle Sugar probably could've saved a ton of money by just buying the P320 after putting it through whatever testing was needed when no other company submitted a gun that actually met the requirements of the contract.
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The pistol does meet the contract requirements, there's no argument there. I'm simply saying many of those requirements aren't necessary.

Interchangeable grip panels and back straps? OK. That makes good sense. But the chassis system, caliber changes...meh.

Pick one caliber. In reality, we all know it's going to be 9mm virtually across the board. Those units who want something else already have the ability to source whatever they want. If the reason is battlefield pickup, I'm not buying it. If the reason is the service may go to a different caliber at some unknown future date, then pick a new handgun at that point (technology will be better then and we may be issuing PV1 Snuffy with a phaser).

This would have been cheaper and faster if they had simply spec'd out x number of full size and x number of compacts in the same caliber (Glock 17 and 19 for example).

And besides, the SIG looks like a Hi-Point :hmm:.
 
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Diamondback 2/2 said:
I've personally never cared for Sig, never shot one that actually hit POA/POI, they always seem to shoot high.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what in the hell is wrong with the Army. Glock 19 should've been the pick, practically all the trigger puller SOF units are using G19's, DSS, CIA, PMC guys, are all using G19's. Fuck the goddamm Iraqi Police are using G19's. The FBI would call this a clue...but nope, Sig 320 it is.

As for the price point, Sig is generally over priced.

I've owned a few 226's and one 228, I couldn't sell those guns fast enough. Had a good buddy that was a Sig nut, about a year after I'd sell one he'd talk me back into buying another, just so I could get disappointed and mad all over again.

That all said, at least they are finally getting rid of the M9.
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All those units went to glock because it's reliable, cheap, and better than the M9. That's it.

Glocks are not some sort of holy grail of a pistol, there's lots out there that's just as reliable nevermind more reliable all the while being more accurate to boot.
 
Ranger Psych said:
All those units went to glock because it's reliable, cheap, and better than the M9. That's it.

Glocks are not some sort of holy grail of a pistol, there's lots out there that's just as reliable nevermind more reliable all the while being more accurate to boot.
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Nope, no way, never in a million years...:-"

I agree there are all types of great pistols out there that can meet the needs. Glock is still a better option in my opinion. Stupid simple to maintain, stupid long history of being more reliable than all others (gen 2 and 3's anyway), more accurate than most soldiers can shoot it, easy to train soldier on, about retard proof and yes inexpensive. I could also go down the severe life and inexpensive maintenance schedule, or the widely avaliable parts throughout the world, or the fact that it's the most popular pistol in the whole damn world. I mean just getting a holster becomes a shit ton easier with Glock, but yes there are many other options, well all others accept HK's in 45ACP, because only giant people should carry those.;-):D
 
Diamondback 2/2 said:
I've personally never cared for Sig, never shot one that actually hit POA/POI, they always seem to shoot high.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out what in the hell is wrong with the Army. Glock 19 should've been the pick, practically all the trigger puller SOF units are using G19's, DSS, CIA, PMC guys, are all using G19's. Fuck the goddamm Iraqi Police are using G19's. The FBI would call this a clue...but nope, Sig 320 it is.

As for the price point, Sig is generally over priced.

I've owned a few 226's and one 228, I couldn't sell those guns fast enough. Had a good buddy that was a Sig nut, about a year after I'd sell one he'd talk me back into buying another, just so I could get disappointed and mad all over again.

That all said, at least they are finally getting rid of the M9.
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External safety.
Funny, Sig had two examples at SHOT, both under glass and they wouldn't let anyone play with them.
They also had P320s with external safeties.
 
Why was the contract for modular? Seems odd....its a pistol for the military, a secondary firearm for most....primary for a few MOS's that does not need a modular firearm.
 
Kraut783 said:
Why was the contract for modular? Seems odd....its a pistol for the military, a secondary firearm for most....primary for a few MOS's that does not need a modular firearm.
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A modular bolt gun was a good idea, a modular pistol seems like complete lunacy.
 
I thought CID carried the P226 instead of a fullsize Beretta? I had to look it up, but it is called the M11 so it would make sense if they continued that with a "modular" pistol.
 
External safety on a pistol is stupido. The holster is the safety.

Modular, really? Not buying the bullshit being sold on that one.

Give people who need to conceal it a small size gun, give everyone else a normal size gun...

Or better yet, just give each soldier a one time stipend of $500 and tell them to buy whatever the fuck they want as long as its in 9mm, and let them just carry whatever the fuck they want. It is a pistol... or just give them a modular thingymabob.
 
SgtUSMC8541 said:
Minor point, but the fact that it is modular, makes it super easy to clean.
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Modularity also allows for one sidearm to be used by grunts, pilots, MPs, CID agents, etc..

I can also see how going modular potentially simplifies the training of armorers (one system to learn vs multiple), could allow multiple support contracts to be consolidated, and would reduce the variety and quantity of parts kept in inventory for spares.

Unless the P320 is a turd with sights, this is an instance where I think the Army ignoring the layup (G17/19/26) and adhering to the requirements laid out in the contract may have actually been a good thing.
 
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