FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Various service members will be at Fort Bragg over the next few weeks for testing of the new modular handgun system, the Sig Sauer P320, for the U.S. Army Operational Test Command based at Fort Hood, Texas.
If fielded, according to officials, the new modular handgun system, also known as MHS, will offer improved durability and adjustability over the current M9, as well as performance improvements.
Most Soldiers who tested the MHS at Fort Bragg’s Range 29 on Sunday were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, said OTC’s Col. Brian McHugh. Testing will also be conducted by Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
Capt. Christina Smith, program manager, Individual Weapons, has traveled to different testing sites to ensure the system’s quality. “It’s worth it to make sure you get the right product to the right Soldiers,” she said.
Testers were pulled from across the military, including Soldiers of the Special Operations Aviation Regiment, based in Kentucky, and of the 3rd Infantry Division, based in Georgia. Some of the military occupational specialties involved include police, pilots, infantry and crew chiefs.
“We wanted to make sure that we have a huge sample to make sure that we’ve got this right — that the Army has it right,” said McHugh.
“These are the Soldiers who would be using the weapon every day, so getting their feedback on the pistol is really what is important for operational testing,” explained Maj. Mindy Brown, test officer, OTC.
It was important to bring the test to Fort Bragg because the installation has the ranges to support realistic conditions.
“You are using real Soldiers in a realistic environment,” Brown said.
Soldiers provided feedback on the interchangeability of the weapon with the M4, as well as its functionality while wearing cold weather gear.
Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Custer, of 160th SOAR, appreciated being able to participate in MHS testing. “It’s good. We don’t really get the opportunity to test the equipment in the unit we’re in,” he said.
Sgt. Emily Todd, 16th Military Police Brigade, also testing is ideal. “It’s a great opportunity for Soldiers to get to shoot more rounds . . . it’s nice to have a forward look into what the Army might use some day,” she added.
Story By Tina Ray, “The Paraglide” Focus Editor & Staff Writer, Fort Bragg, N.C.September 7, 2017
Photo Credit: U.S. Army photos by Lewis Perkins
That is one seriously low slung gunfighter rig. I am thinking that soldier will have to bend down to reach the pistol.
I’m just here for the Knee Holster memes… and any comparisons of it to a M67.
Note the slick right sleeve…commonly seen in conjunction with a drop leg holster. ACU pattern armor system with unsecured hanging straps…also an indicator.
Forgot to add, on the bright side, look at the ammo!!!
I saw the ammo as well. That’s great news if its going to happen.
When the Army went from DCU’s from BDU’s and used Woodland armor it went well. Then ACU’s with DCU armor looked okay too. But Multicam with ACU armor looks fugly.
I don’t think the solder went out and purchased a rig for a firearm he isn’t issued, it’s probably what was available for testing ( and with the holster being market , that’s what I am thinking) and provided by the army.
ACU is army combat uniform , UCP is the pattern . My OCP patterned ACUs are still ACUs .
Just cause he didnt purchase the rig doesn’t mean he has to wear it like that. You shouldn’t be looking like Han Solo.
WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG. You should ALWAYS look like Han Solo. Have a princess award you with a gold medal looking thing after aiding in the destruction of an enemy installation, then you can start talking about rigs. How many cantina shootouts with bounty hunters have you walked away from? That is what I thought.
Also always shoot first.
You may have to explain that to younger readers, only familiar with the Disney-approved re-write…
You shoulda said.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time”
I mean I don’t disagree, but if you had me a new firearm to test I am probably not going to mess with the holster (that doesn’t belong to me )much. That being said , leg drop holsters are the devil.
I forgot how much everyone loves a nomenclature geek!
I mean if you wear the uniform, you should know what it’s called.
I think standing up straight may not be the key to winning gunfights but I may be wrong.
I had totally missed the unburdened right shoulder. Kinda goes hand in hand.
For the love of God…Why didn’t we just get G17’s???
Glock whines too much for the military’s taste.
think about it, Glock should want their guns to be “used”! Doesn;t really rep their line well when they sit in huge numbers in the armory and only get shot once a year. Glock should be glad SOCOM adopted them, they will actually get quality handling.
Out
You’re wrong saying Glock “whines too much”. What most of you don’t understand is that Glock and Beretta outperformed the p320 in certain categories in the trials. The only reason Sig got this contract is because Beretta and Glock weren’t gonna give away their guns for $180 a pop…Sig weighed the benefits and risks and still went with the contract… As soon as the M9A3 was available to civilian market I purchased it because I know it should be the MHS that won… It all has to do with pricing and deals guys…have any of you even seem the MHS Glock and Beretta came up with for this? They’re 10x better looking and reliable than a sig that has no history of military usage… As soon as Glock releases their MHS I WILL be purchasing it immediately… Sad deal the Army has done here and it shows these troops don’t know what the hell their alternatives were to this testing, because I’d be pissed if I were in the military being issued these… Especially considering the problems sig is having with their civilian version p320… A round was discharged into a Dallas police officers leg when he dropped it INSIDE its holster…sig now has a law suit involved with it since the officer had to go thru multiple surgeries… You can kiss my ass on ever purchasing a p320 and I’m not sorry…sad deal for the military.
You’re wrong about the Dallas cop. It was a cop from a department in Connecticut. Now I have to wonder how much else you’re wrong about.
320’s are not drop safe. Sig should be doing a recall. I will never purchase another Sig product again.
Um, they are offering a recall. Got the email from SIG a couple of weeks ago. Will be sending mine in…probably. Great pistol by the way, you should try one before dissing it (Make me wonder what else you’re wrong about).
He’s wrong about outperforming the Sig also. An attempt to rewrite history. The Sig was technically superior and then ran away with the economics.
From the GAO report: “Based upon the technical evaluation and my comparative analysis of the proposals, the Sig Sauer proposal has a slight technical advantage over the Glock proposal given that their proposal was rated higher in Factor 1, Bid Sample Test – Technical which is the most important factor. The advantage of the Sig Sauer proposal is increased when the license rights and production manufacturing factors are brought into consideration.”
“sig that has no history of military usage”
Stopped reading. Disregarded opinion.
I know you haven’t even read the very detailed facts of the competition that SSD has posted here. I mean, actually read the whole thing. This feels like a facebook style drive-by post.
USASOC still rolls with the G19, afaik we’re not getting the Sig.
For now at least.
White SOF will still get replacements for their M9s for free (they come from Big Army).
Because you’ve been right with all the predictions you’ve made about what the Army is and isn’t doing.
You’re getting SIGs to replace the M9s in the arms room.
Drop leg… hahaha, jokes on this guy.
The first time you run 300m from the back of a shithook to your OBJ and that pistol ends up on the back of your thigh or in between your legs, you’ll ditch it. We knew this in 2001. The reason many put it on the chest. I had bought a paddle holster (for carry around camp) and zip tied that to a gun belt on my side. I just never liked it sitting on my chest. Hated it more halfway down my leg. Live and learn, live and learn.
Testing with hollow points? Manufacturer supplied ammo?
The ammo is part of the award. Each vendor submitted ammo.
Lots of women mentioned in this article. I’d like to know their experience using firearms in situations other than admin range time.
So… you’re advocating for more women in combat arms to correct this?
Super excited to see that ammo, and ammo for the pistol was part of the solicitation. If Sig says their pistol requires good hollow points to run who am I to argue?
Well, the last one is Military Police, so I’d say she’s carrying one on a daily basis and exposed to a number of opportunities to use it.
IIRC the first cop to confront Hasan at Ft. Hood was a woman.
I highly doubt MPs use their side arms as much as you think, as I also doubt they have “a number of opportunities to use it.”
Yes, a woman was first but a guy put Hasan down and saved the woman who Hasan was standing over after he wounded her and kicked her pistol away.
Yeah, but IIRC, she was a DoD cop, not an MP. And don’t CONUS MPs have to fax in request to insert a magazine?
I counter her with Jessica Lynch. Game, set, and match to me!
Yeah…how is Captain Christina Smith “program manager, Individual Weapons?” Is this the twilight zone?
The last time I suggested that an Infantry officer might be in charge of developing something that Soldiers uses was accused of character assassination by PEO Soldier.
Sounds about right. Similar to the “every Marine a rifleman” that just isn’t true.
A holster of which company is it?
“Army discards testing data and soldier input, issues M17’s in .45 ACP to close ‘knock down power’ gap with Russian military.”
SSD, posting a picture of a guy wearing a holster down by his knee with 30 degrees of forward cant? If it wasn’t your own website, I’d say you were trolling.
That’s an official Army photo. I’m just sharing what’s happening.
And what’s up with that forward cant on it?
“Thumb drive”-type holster. With the holster worn that low on his leg, he needs the cant to be able to activate the release to draw the weapon.
Doesnt look like it is a thumb drive holster to me. Looks like straight friction lock.
2nd pic down. Soup-sammich!