During SIG SAUER’s Media Range Day, I got a chance to check to out the 1911 Max, a signature version of the 1911A1 for Team SIG’s Captain, pro-shooter and Guinness World Record holder Max Michel, Jr.
Offered in .40 S&W as well as the more traditional .45 Auto, this full size 1911 features a stainless steel frame and Nitron finish slide. These are built in the SIG Custom Shop where they install a Koenig Speed Hammer, EGW sear ans firing pin and a Dawson diver optic front sight and adjustable rear. It also incorporates a flat trigger and competition magwell along with Hogue custom G-10 Chainlink grips featuring Max Michel’s logo.
Newington, NH (January 19, 2017) – SIG SAUER, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Army has selected the SIG SAUER Model P320 to replace the M9 service pistol currently in use since the mid-1980’s. Released in 2014, the P320 is a polymer striker-fired pistol that has proven itself in both the United States and worldwide markets. The P320 is the first modular pistol with interchangeable grip modules that can also be adjusted in frame size and caliber by the operator. All pistols will be produced at the SIG SAUER facilities in New Hampshire.
The MHS Program provides for the delivery of both full size and compact P320’s, over a period of ten (10) years. All pistols will be configurable to receive silencers and will also include both standard and extended capacity magazines.
“I am tremendously proud of the Modular Handgun System Team,” said Army Acquisition Executive, Steffanie Easter in the release. “By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we truly have optimized the private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters.”
Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, said “We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice. Securing this contract is a testimony to SIG SAUER employees and their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most reliable firearms in the world.”
In consideration of SIG SAUER’s win of the Modular Handgun Program earlier today, we are sharing this story from October 2014, showcasing what the SIG P320-based submission looked like at the time. Congrats to Team SIG on this win.
At AUSA, SIG SAUER‘s Kevin Brittingham walked us through their candidate for the Army’s Modular Handgun System program which may replace the M9 Pistol issued since the mid-80s and is based on the Beretta 92F.
Although based on the commercially available P320 modular pistol, SIG made a few changes to be in compliance with the Army’s requirement.
-Tan Color
-Ambi Thumb Safety
-Lower Profile Ambi Slide Release
-Loaded Chamber Indicator
-Trigger Boot
-Firing Pin Assembly
Although SIG is very optimistic about their chances, they also look at programs like this as an opportunity to improve their firearms. Some of these changes may we find their way into the P320 and other SIG firearms.
According to SIG, this is what the winning MHS candidates look like.
Available in February is the new P320X5 which is packed with bells and whistles.
The P320X5 features a redesigned grip with modular magwell. As you can see, there is a slight finger groove undercut and beaver tail. The magwell accepts a removable 35.5 oz weight. The slide release has also been slightly extended but not out beyond the width of the grip.
The flat trigger breaks at 90 degrees.
The 5″ slide incorporates lightening cuts along the top.
The P320X5 features a Dawson sight with an adjustable rear. Additionally, the rear sight is mounted to a removable plate which accepts the SIG Optics Romeo1.
P320 VTAC
This is the P320 VTAC. As the name implies, it was developed with Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics.
Based on the new P320X series, the VTAC model has a full length FDE colored slide, but carry length dust cover. The lightening cuts are at the side of the slide.
This model also incorporates VTAC sights with Fiber Optic at the top and Tritium below.
P210
Additionally, SIG showed us their Made in USA variant of the classic P210. Long a collectible, and expensive pistol due to its German manufacture, the P210 is well known for its fine trigger. This new model has a shorter barrel than the classic version and a couple of control features from the target model.
It features a Grade 9 Ti tube with PVD coating aling with 17-4 stainless heat-treated shielded baffles which offer 110 db average. The SRD22X has standard 1/2 x 28 mounting but a Metric 9 adapter is also available.
Like its 9mm Suppressor counterpart (seen below), the SRD22X is now available for order.
Last Fall I was asked by SIG SAUER to witness pro shooter Max Michel’s establishment of a new Guinness World Record at SIG Academy, near Exeter, New Hampshire. Max’s effort resulted in a new category for action-pistol shooting, with the fastest speed for hitting six target plates with a 9mm handgun. Despite it being a cold day, Max did it in 2.05 seconds as his best time in three attempts. Below, you can see him getting his head in the game with numerous dry runs.
Max Michel accomplished this feat with his full-size SIG SAUER P320 in 9mm topped with a ROMEO3 mini reflex sight, ran with SIG SAUER Elite Performance Ammunition. Interestingly, the P320 comes equipped with a ROMEO1, but Max prefers the ROMEO3.
Born and bred in Louisiana, Max Michel is a very fascinating guy. Although he served for many years in the Army Marksmanship Unit, Max has been shooting since he was a kid. In fact, he told me that he started out cleaning plates just like in the Guinness World Record and related that it was a fitting challenge, bringing him back full circle to where he started.
“Since he began shooting at 5 years old, Max has won numerous world, national and regional titles in a variety of shooting sports disciplines,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer & Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “While Max’s skill and proficiency with a pistol is well known in the shooting sports world, his latest performance transcends the competitive arena and places it squarely in the public domain. There are many great shooters out there, but a Guinness World Record title adds documented validity and notoriety, elevating Max’s credentials to an even higher level of distinction.”
Max successfully engaged an official Action Target plate rack consisting of six adjacent shooting plates measuring 8 inches in diameter at a distance of 7 meters. Under the guidelines of Guinness World Records, Michel was given three attempts in which to set the world record. Witnessed by an approved Guinness World Records judge and verified by two experienced timekeepers, Michel’s attempt was also photographed and recorded on video which will be available soon from RecoilTV.
“Growing up, I remember seeing the Guinness Book of World Records and wanting to be a part of it,” said Michel. “To receive its stamp of approval and to be recognized by your peers is one of the biggest honors I could imagine. Now, after finally having the chance to achieve a world record, I consider it to be one of the major highlights in my 25 years of competitive shooting.” Michel continued, “Perhaps one of the biggest joys I’ve experienced since setting the Guinness World Record has been the feedback I’ve received from my kids. For years I’ve been telling them about certain matches, how I performed and what it meant to me, but to see their reaction when I showed them the certificate from Guinness was truly unbelievable. I’m extremely blessed to have this opportunity and I look forward to seeing how my fellow competitors and recreational shooters respond to this new challenge. I hope it encourages them to set their own records as I will certainly be ready to match their performance whenever the time comes.”
Here you can see Guinness official Jimmy Coggins presenting Max Michel his official certificate for his World Record.
As you can imagine, Max is proud of his accomplishment. It’s not only good for him, and SIG, but also for shooting sports. Consider that shooters all around the world will be vying to beat his record. Now that we’ve heard about his accomplishment, let’s see it.
As you can see, Max Michel is definitely fast. Maybe you’re faster. Look for details soon on how you can take on Max’s Guinness World Record.
Also on hand to capture the event was RecoilTV. To watch the full documentary of Max Michel’s world record performance, visit recoiltv.com.
Each year SIG SAUER welcomes over 1,000 invited guests to the Clark County Shooting Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an exclusive opportunity to test the latest SIG SAUER products and to get a closer look at how SIG SAUER is becoming the complete weapons systems provider, combining firearms with optics, silencers, ammunition, airguns, and accessories.
This year we are proud to announce that TYR Tactical® is an Official Sponsor of SIG Range Day 2017. Attendees will have the opportunity checkout the Innovate or Die® Tour and Mobile Showroom on January 15th – 16th. This event is closed to the public.
What is the TYR Tactical® Innovate or Die® Tour & Mobile Showroom?
We understand that to create Mission-Adaptable Gear, one has to spend a tremendous amount of time and resources on R&D – making sure that the feel, comfort and ergonomics of our products are right for our customers. To better serve this mission we have created the TYR Tactical® Mobile Showroom. This completely custom 44’ trailer was designed to travel across the country so we can better show our complete breadth of products. For the first time customers will have a hands-on experiences with TYR Tactical® Pouches, Body Armor, Belts, Revere K9™ Products and Huron™ Clothing & Packs. They will also get a chance to view products before their release and provide feedback on existing products.
