The Air Force has been fielding the M18 variant of the 9mm Modular Handgun System for several months now. Manufactured by SIG SAUER and based on the P320 pistol, it is replacing the M9 Beretta used since the 1980s.
Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category
Air Force Security Center Introduces the M18 Modular Handgun System
Monday, December 30th, 2019Gripknife Patriot
Sunday, December 29th, 2019
This isn’t the first time we’ve mentioned Gripknife and it probably won’t be the last. In storage mode it looks like an oversized foregrip.
The blade stores in the handle and once disengaged from the Picatinny rail compatible mount it extends into position.
DETAILS:
Gripknife – 4” Patriot
Knife Type: Foregrip
User: Ambidextrous
Mechanism: Out-The-Front
Action: Magnetic Assist ™ Spring Assist
Overall Length: 8.10″
Overall Mounted Length (From Tactical Rail): 5.50″
Blade Type: Spear Point, Single-Edged
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Length: 4.00″
Blade Material: M2 (54-56 HRC)
Blade Width: ?1.06″
Blade Thickness: .187″
Blade Finish: Black Nitride
Handle Material: Zytel
Handle Color: Black
Handle Texture: 60 Grit
Handle Width 1.50″
Handle Thickness: .96″
gripknife.com/gripknife-patriot
Now’s Your Chance To Get A Surplus M17 MHS Pistol from SIG SAUER
Tuesday, December 17th, 2019This is the first time in a LONG while you’ve got a chance to purchase a GI handgun so quickly after it was adopted. These are surplus M17 Modular Handgun System Pistol’s, based on SIG SAUER’s commercially available P320 in 9mm.
The pistols are not that old and were swapped out by the US Army in order to pure fleet the pistols with the Black controls.
Some of these firearms have already been used on operational deployments. The example I handled during a recent visit to SIG had a rack number painted on the grip. Wear will vary.
These are very limited in numbers and will go quickly. If you want an issue MHS pistol without waiting for years, get it NOW.
Here is their press release:
NEWINGTON, N.H., (December 17, 2019) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is honored to bring authentic, M17 Military Surplus handguns to the commercial market. The M17 Military Surplus handguns were manufactured under contract with the U.S. Army according to the original specifications of the Modular Handgun System (MHS). This is an exclusive, limited availability offering from SIG SAUER and the condition of the handguns will vary based on field use.
“The M17 Military Surplus handguns are a very special release from SIG SAUER, that gives consumers the opportunity to own a piece of history, and includes a certificate of authenticity,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “These handguns were originally issued by the U.S. Army and fielded during the initial domestic and in-theater deployment of the Modular Handgun System. The unique, one-of-a-kind, features of the M17 Surplus handguns include coyote controls, the original government-issue markings and serial numbers, and orange rear and green front SIGLITE Night Sights, which will make them coveted by both military and firearms collectors alike.”
The M17 Surplus handgun is a 9mm, striker-fired, P320-based handgun platform, featuring a coyote-tan PVD coated stainless steel slide, coyote-tan controls, a coyote-tan medium carry grip module, with the U.S. Government slide markings and serial numbers. The handguns are equipped with SIGLITE sights (orange rear & green front), removable night sight rear plates, and the same optic cut as specified by the MHS contract, and ready to fit a SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO1Pro Optic. The M17 features an ambidextrous manual safety, ships with (1) 17-round and (2) 21-round magazines, includes an official SIG SAUER M17 Certificate of Authenticity, and comes packed just as the handguns are delivered to the U.S. Military.
M17 Surplus Handgun Specs:
Overall Length: 8.0”
Overall Height: 5.5”
Overall Width: 1.6”
Barrel Length: 4.7”
Sight Radium: 6.6”
Weight (incl. magazine): 29.6 oz.
The M17 Surplus handgun is now shipping.
Smith & Wesson – M&P 9 Shield EZ
Thursday, December 12th, 2019
Smith & Wesson just announced a 9mm variant of the Shield EZ, a carry/defensive pistol introduced in 2018. Originally available only in a .380 chambering, the EZ was designed for ease-of-use, with an easy to rack slide and easy to load magazines, and was principally marketed to inexperienced shooters and those with weaker grip strength that made racking a traditional pistol slide difficult.
This trend continues with the 9mm variant, which shares virtually all the same features, from its single stack midsized frame to the eight round capacity easy-load magazines, as its predecessor. The frame itself has an 18° grip angle, 1911-esque grip safety, M2.0 style texturing, reversible magazine catch, and a picatinny rail dust cover for the attachment of a light or laser.
The slide features front and rear charging serrations, a tactile loaded chamber indicator, windage adjustable rear sight, and S&W’s Armornite corrosion-resistant finish.
The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield EZ is now available through Smith & Wesson dealers, in four variants:
Rheinmetall to modernize international client’s air defence systems in multimillion-euro project
Wednesday, December 11th, 2019An international client has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to modernize its air defence systems. The total value of the order, now official, comes to around €120 million. Delivery is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2020.
The modernization measures will enhance the combat effectiveness of existing Skyguard air defence systems. Among other things, the upgraded systems will have an improved capability against drones. The order also encompasses spare parts, technical documentation, training and instruction support as well as state-of-the-art ammunition.
A world leader in the field of ground-based air defence technology, Rheinmetall networks the full array of sensors, effectors, platforms and command&control assets into overarching, scalable system. This results in a highly effective, modularly designed, flexibly deployable ground-based air defence capability – a system of systems covering the entire operational spectrum.
2nd SFS Switches to M18
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019More than 30 years ago, the M9 Beretta entered service into the military, but on November 30, the 2nd Security Forces Squadron will arm up with the M9 for the final time. 
Instead, they will begin carrying the M18 Modular Handgun System, a shorter, more compact weapon. The change is expected to enable defenders to complete their jobs more efficiently and effectively, according to the 2nd SFS Combat Arms team.
“It is an easier system to operate,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Johnson, 2nd SFS Combat Arms assistant non-commissioned officer in charge. “This is because it is a striker-fired weapon which means the trigger squeeze is the same each time.”
“The M9 requires a stronger trigger squeeze at first and then gets lighter as it shoots. The M18 uses a consistent amount of pressure, taking away the anticipation and added strength needed from the M9, allowing the shooter to not have to think about the trigger squeeze every time, granting more accuracy,” Johnson added.
Among other aspects like customizable pistol grips, the M18 is known for its durability and simplified operating system.
“Four of us instructors attended the Sig Armorer course at the Sig Sauer Academy to learn more about the breakdown and maintenance portion of the weapon as well as some of the new ways they build the system,” said Senior Airman Matthew Lazo, 2nd SFS Combat Arms instructor. “There are fewer pieces that we are going to have to fix as often and the system also comes to where you are just changing out one whole part versus having to change a million different ones.”
The deadline for the switch was set for July of 2020, a year from when the team received the weapon systems on base. The team made a goal to break that deadline by seven months. Together they had to find a way to get more than 280 personnel qualified on top of their 300 personnel monthly firing schedule.
“It took us about a week, but we laid it out by figuring out how long it takes us to run everyone through the course, and we came out with the plan,” Lazo explained. “Not only getting everyone in once but two or three separate times.”
The qualifications aren’t as simple as members showing up to fire. There is a specific 90-round handgun course of fire qualification process that includes not only a hands-on portion but also a classroom instruction.
Before the qualification process began, the firing range on base was shut down for updates to the safety features, causing the team to have to find another range to train.
“At the range on base, we have 21 points, which means we can have 21 people fire at a time,” Johnson explained. “At the off-base range, there were time restrictions, and we could have as many as 16 points at once to as little as eight depending on the time.”
The Combat Arms team didn’t let that set them back as they continued to adapt and overcome all the hurdles thrown their way. They are still going to be able to meet their early deadline.
Dec. 1, 2019, will mark the beginning of a new era of weapon systems within the 2nd SFS as the black M9 is replaced by the coyote-tan M18.
Story by Senior Airman Tessa Corrick, 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
SIG SAUER P320-M18 Now Available
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019
SIG SAUER is proud to introduce the long-awaited P320-M18, the civilian version of the US Military’s M18, the official sidearm of the U.S. Marine Corps. The M18 delivers the same accuracy, durability and unmatched reliability as the M17, in a compact size.
SIG SAUER Product Manager Phil Strader discusses the features and benefits of the new P320-M18.
Stock up on extra magazines for your P320-M18, Select from 17 or 21-round mags with coyote baseplates.
The revolutionary V-Crown family of centerfire ammunition now available in a +P military grade round. For the M17 and M18 pistols.
Rheinmetall Sets Three New Distance Records For Indirect Fire In South Africa
Saturday, November 30th, 2019At a test fire event on 6 November at the Alkantpan Test Range in South Africa, Rheinmetall demonstrated its extensive expertise in the world of indirect fire. In the presence of international partners and customers, the Düsseldorf, Germany-based defence contractor proved how new technologies can be used to boost the performance of systems that are already in extensive use around the world – those which meet the NATO standards set out in the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU) as well as non-JBMoU systems. During the event, three new maximum effective range records were set using various guns. A G6 howitzer with a 52-calibre gun achieved the longest range ever attained with a conventional 155mm artillery round: 76 kilometres, while the 52-calibre gun of PzH2000 self-propelled howitzer lobbed a shell 67 kilometres. Finally, a field howitzer with a 39-calibre gun attained a range of 54 kilometres.
The following table shows the ranges achieved with various projectiles and charges.
Rheinmetall Waffe and Munition, Rheinmetall’s centre of excellence for cannon technology, showcased the self propelled howitzer PzH 2000’s main armament in action. Over the past decade, this 155mm weapons system has proven to be one of the world’s most effective conventional artillery systems, capable of attaining the high rates of fire specified in the JBMoU. Developed and manufactured by Denel Land Systems, the G6 used at the live fire event was a new version designed to attain greater ranges in line with non-JBMoU standards.
Using the celebrated Assegai V-LAP shell is an example, modular upgrades of the artillery ammunition were on show at the event. The delegations could see for themselves the marked improvement in its performance with respect both to propulsion and range when fired from 39- and 52-calibre guns. Coupled with technologies from Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and Nitrochemie, Rheinmetall Denel Munition artillery shells exceed previous maximum effective ranges when fired from any conventional 155mm artillery system currently in use.
The maximum range of over 76 km was achieved with a non-JBMoU-compliant gun. This gun served as evidence of the feasibility of a new howitzer with a range of 83 km. Working in close cooperation with the German procurement authorities, Rheinmetall plans to develop and manufacture a new 155mm gun of this type, which will feature a significantly larger chamber and a longer, 60-calibre barrel. The gun should be able to fire existing JBMoU-compliant rounds as well as new ammunition families. On the one hand, these new ammunition types will be optimized with respect to stresses occurring in the new gun, but will also be able to be fired from legacy JBMoU-compliant guns. Here, 83 kilometres serves as the benchmark, since the course correction fuse necessary for precision at these ranges reduces the attainable range by approximately ten percent. This means that the maximum effective range of 75 kilometres specified by the German procurement authorities is attainable.
Rheinmetall Norway’s 120mm Ragnarok motor system and ammunition from RDM round out the Group’s indirect fire profile. This combination lends itself especially well to multipurpose vehicle applications with a rapid-fire capability. It also enables friendly forces to quickly evade counterbattery fire.
The event’s host, the German-South African joint venture Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), welcomed participants from several NATO nations to the event in Northern Cape province on 6 November. As RDM managing director Jan-Patrick Helmsen explains, “Our goal is to be a true partner to the military. That’s why transparent cooperation and trust are so important to us. Tube artillery can provide defensive and offensive fire support. It’s cheaper and faster than rockets or air support, can operate around the clock, and engage targets with great precision using indirect fire anywhere within its range. Of course, range has proved to be a limiting factor in recent years, giving rise to the need for increased operational reach.” During the event, Jan-Patrick Helmsen noted that RDM has already been working to extend the range of artillery shells for some time now. “We’re known for the Assegai family and our V-LAP round, the longest-range conventional artillery projectile. The combination of South African technology and German expertise has already resulted in enhanced range, effectiveness and precision. When it comes to artillery, Rheinmetall takes a totally holistic approach”, declares Helmsen.
