Army’s new handgun will be a Sig Sauer
The Sig Sauer P320 will be the Army’s new handgun (Photo: Guns America)
The Army announced Thursday that it’s search for a new handgun is over, choosing Sig Sauer’s version of the Modular Handgun System.
Sig Sauer’s model P320 will replace the M9 Beretta, which has been the Army’s service pistol since the mid-1980s, and should be issued later this year after operational testing.
A press release announcing the Army’s decision gave the following details about the firearm:
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 Army Times reports that Sig Sauer beat out Beretta, Smith & Wesson, and Glock for the contract, which is worth near $580 million. The competition was announced in 2011, but numerous delays pushed back the last solicitation deadline to February 2016.
“I am tremendously proud of the Modular Handgun System Team,” said Army Acquisition Executive Steffanie Easter in the press 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.”
The army did not provide any more specifics on the weapon or caliber of round.
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Source: http://www.guns.com/2017/01/20/armys-new-handgun-will-be-a-sig-sauer/
