The Sig Sauer company continues to outclass its competition by closing big contracts with the U.S. Armed Forces. The Army recently awarded them a contract to produce two new service rifles to replace the M4 with the XM5 and XM250. It doesn’t end there because the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) also selected the Sig MCX “Rattler” as their new PDW. It’s clear that Sig Sauer crafts impressive rifles, but what about pistols? Well, for five years, the Sig Sauer M17 has been used over the beloved Beretta M9. Let’s take a look at why the SIG M17 is clearly worth it.
Related read: Meet The New Military Rifle: Sig Sauer’s M4 Replacement
The M17 Sig Sauer: Beretta M9’s Replacement
There are two versions of the standard-issue sidearm. Both are handgun variants known as the Sig Sauer P320 M17 and the Sig Sauer P320 M18. In 2017, the M17 and M18 won the Army’s XM17 Modular Handgun System competition, replacing the Beretta M9 and many other service pistols.
Sig Sauer Beretta M9 Replacement
So, why did the Sig Sauer M17 replace the Beretta M9?
The Beretta M9 has a stellar reputation among the public and the United States Military, but they’re slowly being phased out of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Sig Sauer M18 and M17 have advantages over the M9, except for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge. On the other hand, the magazine capacity, weight, and accuracy of the M17 are overall more remarkable than the M9. Additionally, the M17 can be loaded with more lethal types of ammunition than the M9.
Our Sig Sauer M17 Review & Specs
Now that we’ve established why the M17 replaced the Beretta M9, let’s look at the unique characteristics that make the pistol an ideal weapon for military personnel.
The U.S. Army’s new modular handgun, the Sig Sauer M17, shoots a 9mm luger and can be loaded with both a 17- and 21-bullet magazine. The sights consist of a SIGLITE front and night sight rear plate. Overall, the length is 8 inches, and the width is 1.6 inches. The barrel has a size of 4.7 inches and a weight of 29.6 ounces.
Additionally, the M17 has a standard curved trigger, carbon steel barrel, stainless steel frame, and is optic ready. So, if you want to attach a red dot for accuracy, you can. Oh yeah, and did we mention it comes in an excellent coyote tan color?
That’s a check, check, check, and ANOTHER check on our list of things that make a gun bad*ss. Let’s cover how the M18 takes those things and further improves on them.
Our Sig Sauer M18 Review & Specs
The M17 has a lot of unique characteristics that make it an excellent standard-issue sidearm, and the M18 is no different. The M18 is more compact and holds up to 21 bullets. Its sights have the SIGLITE front and night sight rear plate. But, where they differ the most is in their overall length of 7.2 inches and weight of 28.1 ounces for the M18.
Moreover, the M18 has a standard curved trigger, carbon steel barrel, and is entirely optic ready. It comes in the stylish coyote tan color, as well.
Its slightly more compact size, achieved without sacrificing capability, earns the M18 a H*LL YES from us!
Sig Sauer M18 Commemorative for Sale
Besides the M17 and M18, Sig Sauer has released the exclusive M-18 Commemorative.
The M-18 Commemorative is quite similar to its counterparts in that it shoots a 9mm luger and can load both the 17- and 21-bullet mag. Its overall length is 7.2 inches, and its width is 1.6 inches. It has a barrel length of 3.9 inches, weighs just 28.1 ounces, and has the SIGLITE front and night sight rear plate for optics.
Similarly to its relative models, it has a standard curved trigger, carbon steel barrel, and stainless steel frame. It comes optic ready and has a coyote tan camo option, too.
Sig Sauer M17 Enhancements
The M17 and M18 are fantastic pistols that offer way more than their built-in curved trigger and carbon steel barrel.
The Sig Sauer M17 and M18 have high-tech accessories and premium defensive ammunition. For example, the M17 can be equipped with the Sig Sauer SilencerCo Threaded Barrel and Faxon Firearms Flame Fluted Barrel. Additionally, you can attach lights and lasers to enhance usability in darker settings.
The Sig Sauer M17 Going Forward
Sig Sauer won a 10-year $580 million contract after the M17 won the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition. They’re expecting to produce 200,000 pistols for the Army and an additional 400,000 for the remaining service branches.
The Sig Sauer M17 is just one of many examples of fine weaponry the company has created that continues their dominant presence over the competition.
More like this: Meet the Sig MCX Rattler: Latest Defense Weapon for U.S. Special Ops
Image: Sig Sauer
