No sooner than the SIG ROMEO-M17 Red Dot Optic was released than shooters started looking for surplus M17 and M18 Modular Handgun System pistols to mount it to.
SIG listened and has launched the M17X and M18X which are commercial versions of the US military’s MHS but with the already ROMEO-M17 mounted.
Features:
-Coyote X-Carry grip module with magwell
-Flat X-Series trigger
-(3) 21rd magazines
(McLean, VA – December 12, 2023) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO) of Vero Beach, Florida, has selected the FN 509® MRD-LE 9mm striker-fired pistol as their new sidearm and have issued the pistols to their more than 370 sworn deputies. The order was fulfilled through FN Law Enforcement Distributor, Dana Safety.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with Indian River County Sheriff’s Office as they field the FN 509 MRD-LE to their deputies,” said Doug Grier, Law Enforcement Business Development Director for FN America, LLC. “As they began their selection process, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office sought a new pistol that was safe and reliable for their officers to carry in the line of duty, along with a brand partner they could rely on. FN met those needs with our commitment to service and with a duty pistol designed for law enforcement, by law enforcement.”
“We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our deputies and providing them with durable equipment to keep our community safe. Our oath to public safety remains our top priority and these new firearms are a testament to that commitment,” said Sherriff Eric Flowers, Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. “FN’s 509 MRD-LE has demonstrated to have improved accuracy and sighting versatility that coincides with the needs of our agency. We have already received our first shipment of pistols and have qualified all of our staff. Stay tuned for updates on this important transition.”
Developed for the demands of duty use and the professional user, the FN 509 MRD-LE is FN’s premier law enforcement pistol. Fully vetted through rigorous endurance testing to function with 9mm + P duty-style ammunition, the FN 509 MRD-LE delivers reliable, accurate and durable function throughout the service life of the pistol.
Topped with a 4-inch slide, that houses the FN-signature cold hammer-forged barrel, the FN 509 MRD-LE was designed for accuracy and features the company’s patented optics-mounting system that enables the direct mounting of several miniature red dot optics along with adjustable three-dot night sights.
The proven design features four passive safety systems, including a trigger safety incorporated into the flat-faced trigger. The contoured frame design delivers superior ergonomics and effective recoil management that accommodates nearly all hand sizes through the interchangeable backstraps while maintaining a natural point of aim enabling users to acquire their sights rapidly.
To inquire about the FN 509 MRD-LE, IRCSO’s newest duty-issue sidearm, for agency or individual officer purchase, please contact the FN Law Enforcement Sales team at LE@fnamerica.com. More information about the FN 509 MRD-LE or FN’s other law enforcement products can be found at www.fnamerica.com.
*Winchester Firearms is a registered trademark owned by the Olin Corporation.
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Screaming Eagle Division Soldiers here just completed training and testing the Army’s 6.8mm family of Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R), NGSW-Automatic Rifle (AR) and the NGSW-Fire Control (FC) systems.
Troops of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and members of 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, undertook New Equipment Training on the NGSW.
“The New Equipment Training gave the Soldiers a good base before coming out and using the NGSWs,” said Infantryman Sgt. Jack Scott, a team leader in Alpha Company.
Their training covered the similarities and differences between the new weapons and the legacy 5.56mm M4A1 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon systems, focusing on enhanced lethality.
“We did a lot of training with both static and maneuver ranges, so the product of Soldier you get now, during the live fire, is high quality due to all of that training,” added Scott.
Once complete with new equipment training, Soldiers tested the NGSW in a Limited User Test, or LUT, in a crawl-walk-run method to ensure all operational data is collected on the weapon, as well as user integration with the new equipment.
Alpha Company and 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment initially conducted static qualification and variable distance ranges with legacy weapon systems and NGSW, to compare performance of both and give Soldiers repetitions and familiarity with the NGSW.
Alpha Company 1st Sgt. Justin Babb appreciated the benefits of participating in an operational test and the opportunity for his junior Soldier’s feedback to contribute and impact Army modernization.
“The candid feedback that the Soldiers and NCOs provided during focus groups and surveys will provide the Army with perspective from the lowest level of user that will actually use the system,” said Babb.
Major differences between the legacy M4, M249 systems and the NGSWs were immediately noticeable by the Soldiers.
Spec. Maximiliano Arguindegui, an automatic rifleman with 1/75th Ranger Regiment, said, “Overall, I feel faster with the M249, but I prefer the NGSW-AR because it makes me more lethal.”
Scott added, “Stopping power with the 6.8 round is a big improvement compared to the M4 and M249 and having the ability to use with or without the suppressor is a huge feature for the support by fire element.”
Leaders of Alpha Company also said participating in a test with the Operational Test Command enabled them to get after their internal readiness.
Alpha Company Commander, Capt. Jordan Mares, said, “Being a part of the NGSW test absolutely supported our company readiness. The LUT gave us opportunities to hone our craft, practice lessons learned with feedback from subject-matter experts, and the ability to conduct a lot of repetitions to practice small unit tactics.”
Staff Sgt. Ivan Alvarez, a Squad Leader with Alpha Company, was initially skeptical of the NGSW.
“When we first started the LUT, I was very against the NGSW-R,” he said. “I’m used to the M4 — it’s lighter — I’m used to the recoil, the engagements, everything the M4 has to offer. But, as we went through the LUT with the NGSW-R, I can see the capabilities that it brings to an infantryman, especially at a longer distance.”
Alvarez also said testing the new weapons gave his squad added training opportunities.
“We got after a lot of training that we would normally have to wait months to set up and accomplish,” he said. “We were able to get more marksmanship time, more range time, and were able to train under various environmental conditions.”
Another squad leader with the Rangers provided his observations on the training benefit while participating in an operational test.
“We were able to get reps in on a new weapon system as well as our legacy equipment,” said Sgt. Joseph Martin. “We were able to train on many basic things that we want to train on every year, but condensed to get more repetitions, as well as live fire iterations for our younger, inexperienced Soldiers.”
Story by Maj. Rodrick A. Polk, test officer, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command
Photos by Mr. Mark Scovell, Visual Information Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command
The Los Angeles Police Department has selected Geissele Automatics to provide rifles for their Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Tactical Surveillance Team. This selection was determined after a lengthy and thorough process by the Department Staff and will replace legacy weapons systems currently in use.
They chose the Super Duty AR Pattern Rifle for its durability and reliability characteristics. It features a 11.5” Cold Hammer Forged Barrel and Reliability Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group with NANO Weapon Coating.
This adds to a trend within Southern California Law Enforcement Agencies adopting the Geissele Rifles to include Arcadia PD, Pomona PD, Huntington Beach PD and Azusa PD.
DUBAI AIRSHOW – 13 November 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, electro-optics, and related mission systems, and EDGE, a world-leading advanced technology group for defence and beyond, announced an agreement today to integrate EDGE smart weapons onto GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® RPA.
Under the agreement announced at the Dubai Airshow, the two companies will work together to integrate precision-guided munition (PGM) and guided-glide weapon (GGW) solutions from EDGE onto GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
“We’re excited to work with EDGE on this initiative,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Integrating home-grown capabilities onto our customer platforms is something we’ve done a lot, but we’ve never before integrated a non-NATO weapon system onto one of our RPA platforms.”
The partnership marks the first time that UAE-made smart weapons will be integrated onto a U.S. unmanned platform, signalling a new chapter in U.S.-UAE defence cooperation, and opening the door to further collaboration.
Hamad Al Marar, President of EDGE Group’s Missiles & Weapons cluster, said, “We are proud to be working with General Atomics Aeronautical. The opportunity to integrate our smart weapons on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian will offer the end user multiple dynamic, highly accurate, and cost-effective ground strike solutions. We look forward to working closely with General Atomics Aeronautical on this programme and to enhancing our collaboration in the future.”
The EDGE smart weapons designated for integration include the DESERT STING family of GGWs and THUNDER family of cost-effective PGMs from HALCON, and the AL TARIQ family of modular, mission-proven, all-weather day/night long-range PGMs.
GA-ASI hopes that its work with EDGE will lead to more partnerships within the UAE defence industry in order to integrate domestically developed sensors and weapons onto the MQ-9B for the UAE and other customers.
The UAE Armed Forces currently operate GA-ASI’s Predator XP and are working with GA-ASI and the U.S. Department of Defense to acquire the MQ-9B.
Attendees of the Dubai Airshow can visit GA-ASI at stand 1380 and EDGE and its portfolio of companies at indoor stand 520 and outdoor stand S49 at Dubai World Central.
After a long hiatus, the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Advanced Maintenance Clinics will be returning in 2024! The course is for those firearm enthusiasts interested in assembling his or her own vintage rifle with the help of hands-on, knowledgeable instructors.
The CMP is happy to announce the return of the Advanced Maintenance Class in 2024.
The Advanced Maintenance Class (AMC) is a three-day course in Anniston, Ala. Designed for those who wish to take their passion for the timeless M1 Garand to the next level, the AMC offers students a unique opportunity to receive unparalleled training from our CMP Custom Shop staff. Topics such as head space, barrel installation, component purpose/function, general rifle assembly, rifle/component maintenance and various accuracy techniques will be covered using instructional videos and detailed visual presentations.
In conjunction with the classroom sessions, students will receive active instruction and individualized assistance from Custom Shop staff. Additionally, students will receive an exclusive visit to the CMP South Store and Talladega Marksmanship Park for a chance to view the grounds and fire their personally crafted rifles from class.
The AMC is taught by the talented armorers of the CMP’s Custom Shop.
Due to popularity of the classes, registration will be based on a lottery system. Registration for the lottery will be open Nov. 27 to Dec. 22. Along with classes for individuals, the Custom Shop will host four “Buddy Class” dates – reserved for applicants wishing to attend with a designated partner of their choosing.
Those interested in the AMC may register through the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/training-tech/advanced-maintenance-class/.
The 2024 dates are:
• Class 1: February 27 – 29, 2024
• Class 2: March 1 – 3, 2024 – BUDDY CLASS
• Class 3: June 25 – 27, 2024
• Class 4: June 28 – 30, 2024 – BUDDY CLASS
• Class 5: August 20 – 22, 2024
• Class 6: August 23 – 25, 2024 – BUDDY CLASS
• Class 7: October 22 – 24, 2024
• Class 8: October 25 – 27, 2024 – BUDDY CLASS
During the class, participants use M1 Garand parts to construct their own rifles.
Registration Lottery:
The Lottery will be used to randomly select participants for the classes. Registering for multiple classes is permitted, but no applicant will be selected for more than one slot. Former AMC participants are welcome to sign up for 2024.
Registrants will become part of an electronic lottery used to randomly assign the 20 available seats for each class date. An additional 20 participants will be assigned to a stand-by list for each date. These stand by lists have been established due to a historically high cancellation rate and will be utilized to fill classes as cancellations occur.
A confirmation email will be sent to each accepted participant, which will include a hidden link to the CMP eStore that will be used to complete the registration process. The class must be purchased on the eStore through the sent link by Feb. 16, 2024. Failure to meet this deadline will result in forfeiture of your slot to the next applicant on a wait list.
The Fine Print:
Total cost for the 2024 AMC will be $2,350 ($1,200 for tuition + $1,150 for Expert rifle). The $1,200 course tuition fee will be billed immediately after purchasing the course from the eStore (with $150 of your class tuition fee considered as a nonrefundable “registration fee”). Late cancellations, made within 30 days of the class start date, will be subject to forfeiture of an additional $300. Deadline for class payment will be Feb. 16, 2024.
The class features hands-on learning along with a trip to CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park.
Questions:
For any questions regarding the 2024 AMC or for online registration questions, please contact Hector Lopez-Perez in the Custom Shop at hlopez.perez@thecmp.org or call (256) 835-8455, ext. 513.
More info on the Advanced Maintenance Class page can be found on the CMP website at thecmp.org/training-tech/advanced-maintenance-class.
Defense Distributed bills their Serial Covers as “The solution to maintaining privacy while still looking cool.”
You get three segments of 3M-backed self-adhesive Cordura material to prevent your serial numbers from being easily visible and traceable, particularly when posting photos online. Offered in multiple colors amd patterns, the shapes were
configured around a Mil-Spec M4 lower receiver.
Available from defensedistributors.com but of course, you could do this yourself. However, if you buy them Defense Distributors you support their development of other products.
defensedistributors.com/product/serial-cover-for-ar15
NEWINGTON, N.H., (November 2, 2023) – The 10mm SIG SAUER P320-XTEN COMP is the first carry-size P320-XTEN from SIG SAUER and delivers significant recoil mitigation without sacrificing the power of 10mm required for the backcountry.
“The P320-XTEN COMP answers the call of enthusiasts for a 10mm carry size handgun fully optimized for hunters, fishermen, and hikers. Beginning with the new carry size 10mm/45 ACP grip module, the P320-XTEN is a smaller package for all-around easier backcountry carry,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Additionally, through the pairing of the ported slide and Bull Barrel, the P320-XTEN COMP delivers a 20% recoil reduction and brings with it the exceptional accuracy and durability that are the hallmark of the P320 and XSERIES pistols.”
The SIG SAUER P320-XTEN COMP is a striker-fired pistol chambered in 10mm AUTO with a polymer XSERIES carry size 10mm / 45 AUTO grip module, Nitron finished slide with integrated expansion chamber for recoil mitigation featuring front and rear serrations, a PRO Optic-Ready footprint, XRAY3 Day/Night sights, and a flat XSERIES trigger with a 90-degree break. The P320-XTEN COMP ships with (2) 15-round steel magazines and is optimized for use with the SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMOE2 and ROMEO-X Pro red dot sights.
SIG SAUER P320-XTEN:
Caliber: 10mm
Overall length: 7.6 inches
Overall height: 5.6 inches
Overall width: 1.4 inches
Barrel length: 3.8 inches
Sight Radius: 5.7 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 32.3 oz.
The SIG SAUER P320-XTEN COMP is now shipping and available at retailers. To learn more about the SIG SAUER P320-XTEN COMP or to watch the product video with visit sigsauer.com.
