During the Modern Day Marine virtual expo, SIG gave us a sneak peek at their new M18 X-CONVERSION Kit.
The 9mm M17/18 Modular Handgun System manufactured by SIG SAUER is the most versatile pistol the US military has ever fielded. SIG got it right when the Army said they wanted a modular pistol.
The kit, which can be used at the unit level, includes a black SIG SAUER X-SERIES grip module with extended beavertail, deep trigger undercut, enhanced magwell that’s grip weight compatible, and a fastback style grip. The kit also includes an X-SERIES flat trigger and two (2) 15-round magazines.
Both the Marines and Air Force are fielding the more compact M18 variant of MHS along with SOCOM, to replace their M9 sidearms.
This pistol looks like a Glock someone put $800 into.
I was not aware that SOCOM has or ever had a standard issue sidearm? Each service component has always picked their own to my knowledge. BTW, which branch in SOCOM was even using the M9?? weird
Which? Army and AF. Since the 80s.
It’s probably less a reference to actual SF Teams and more to the support folk who provide support to those teams, like SFSBs, who to my knowledge, are still issued the M9 (if they haven’t yet been fielded the M17).
Every ODA Ive been on had an M9 for everyone assigned. Just no one used them. Hell, my last team had a 1911, M9, and Glock 19 for every dude.
Go into any USASOC arms room. There are M9s there, soon to be replaced by M18s.
Damn! Glad they’re finally getting a long over-do upgrade! I thought the Beretta was cool when John McClane used it, not so much when Big-Navy adopted it!
“Big Army” provides SF with “everything they need, just like everybody else.”
To peel that back, Army provides everything on the MTOE, all standard equipment. On an ODA, that’s an M4 and M9 for everybody. The teams, like everybody else in the Army, has a discretionary budget to get other stuff (theirs is just quite a bit larger, natch). Thus, a team wants Glock 19s? Unit funds. A team wants body armor X (ie, not a latest generation IOTV)? Unit funds. Rinse and repeat.
It will be interesting what teams decide to do with M18s. Will they cease spending unit funds on Glocks because the standard weapon meets all their needs and recapitalize those funds spent on acquisition and maintenance for training and/or other whiz-bang goodies?
True and to nerd a little more.
Big Army/Airforce/Etc uses Major Force Program 2 funds and SOCOM uses MFP 11 funds. So USASOC Glocks, SPEAR, SOPMOD, are funded by MFP 11. The older GMV used both funds, MFP 2 for the base HUMVEE and MFP 11 for GMV add ons.
“SIG got it right” but not right enough…so:
The kit, which can be used at the unit level, includes a black SIG SAUER X-SERIES grip module with extended beavertail, deep trigger undercut, enhanced magwell that’s grip weight compatible, and a fastback style grip. The kit also includes an X-SERIES flat trigger and two (2) 15-round magazines.
The Army didn’t ask for that. SOF users on the other hand…
The Army didn’t ask for a red dot compatible gun either, but SIG gave them one.
I assume this comes with a standard pin to replace the safety?
Since the details don’t match the picture…
Are the including the pin to remove the safety as well?
Also, seeing as it comes with 15rd mags it seems like they’re using the X-Compact grip.
I believe that there are many options. Similar to SIG releasing the FCU as a customizable foundation for the 320. The picture and description are different. Looking at the picture it has a a tan grip with no safety and an aftermarket flared mag well. Assume they have used a safety pin in that model. It also appears to have adjustable sights in place of the standard sights. On the other hand, the description mentions a black grip. Probably the Compact grip to fit a 15 round mag? Different programs or different customers…. maybe??
The information comes from the virtual Modern Day Marine so I only have access to images companies have posted.