On January 20, SIG Sauer, Inc. announced 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 Modular Handgun System (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 .

According to Jane’s International Defence Review, the long-running XM17 Modular Handgun System contract, intended to replace legacy 9-mm M9 Beretta pistols, was awarded on 19 January with a total USD580.217 million maximum ceiling.

It is understood that SIG Sauer bested bids from Beretta, FN Herstal, and Glock, after Smith & Wesson and partner General Dynamics Ordnance Tactical Systems (GDOTS) had earlier been dropped from the programme. A total of nine bids were submitted, according to a separate Pentagon statement. The U.S. Army declined to reveal the other bids.

The MHS programme, which is expected to reach full-rate production in 2018, could result in buying between 280,000 and 500,000 weapons for the army, navy, air force, marines, and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOC). The army has said it wants more than 280,000 handguns, including potentially about 7,000 compact versions of the handgun.

Civilian consumers of firearms may also be interested in similar weapons for their own personal collections. There seems to be a growing number of people wanting to protect themselves and those around them by carrying handguns on them, but they need to be aware of the proper process of doing this. It’s worth checking out the rules surrounding concealed carry reciprocity so that you know that you’re being a law-abiding gun owner and properly representing others like you.

In the statement, the army said the USD580 million potential contract was sufficient to procure army requirements, other service requirements, and potential Foreign Military Sales requirements , and allows for the procurement of handguns and ancillary components for up to 10 years and ammunition for up to 5 years.

Army officials expect the first handguns to be will be provided to units in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 to participate in initial operational testing.