I’m a big fan of the Second Amendment and American gun culture. I’ve looked into the small arms our military uses. The U.S. Air Force’s go-to pistol is the SIG Sauer M17 and M18, which are based on the SIG Sauer P320.

These 9mm semi-automatic pistols won the Army’s competition in 2017. Now, they’re used by the whole U.S. military, replacing the Beretta M9. The M17 is the full-size model, and the M18 is for carrying around. They have special features like ambidextrous controls and a finish that resists corrosion.

These pistols are now standard for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The Coast Guard chose the Glock 19 Gen 5 instead. This move is part of a plan to update the U.S. military’s small arms. It puts the Air Force and others with some of the best guns for their people.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. Air Force’s standard issue pistol is the SIG Sauer M17 and M18, variants of the SIG Sauer P320 handgun.
• These 9mm semi-automatic pistols were selected through the Army’s Modular Handgun System competition in 2017 and have since been adopted by the entire U.S. military.
• The M17 and M18 feature upgrades over the standard P320, including ambidextrous controls, loaded chamber indicators, and a corrosion-resistant finish.
• The M17 and M18 are now the standard sidearms for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, with the Coast Guard selecting the Glock 19 Gen 5.
• These new pistols are part of a broader effort to modernize small arms across the U.S. military, providing top-ranked firearms for their personnel.

The SIG Sauer M17 and M18: Air Force’s Standard Issue Pistols

The U.S. Air Force’s standard sidearm is the SIG Sauer M17 and M18. These guns come from the popular P320 model. They were chosen in 2017 through the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System competition. By November 2020, Sig Sauer had given over 200,000 of these 9mm NATO sidearms to all military branches.

Design and Features

The full-size M17 has a 120mm barrel, and the compact M18 has a 98mm barrel. Both have many innovative features. These include ambidextrous thumb safety, a loaded chamber indicator, and a corrosion-resistant PVD finish on the steel parts. There’s also an integrated rail for adding accessories, and self-illuminating tritium sights for low-light use.

Before they leave the factory, every M17 and M18 is tested with 13 rounds to check accuracy.

Adoption by the U.S. Military

In January 2017, the U.S. Army chose the SIG Sauer P320-based design for the Modular Handgun System. They named the full-size version the M17 and the compact one the M18. The military plans to buy up to 421,000 of these pistols.

The Army will get 195,000, the Air Force 130,000, the Navy 61,000 (M18 only), and the Marine Corps 35,000. The M17 and M18 will replace the old Beretta M9 in five services. The Coast Guard picked the Glock 19 Gen 5 instead.

Procurement and Rollout

By November 2019, SIG Sauer had given the U.S. military the 100,000th M17/M18 handgun. This shows how well these new pistols are doing in the military. The us army announces m17 winner, m17 and m18 adopted by military, beretta m9 replacement, coast guard selects glock 19, 100,000th m17/m18 delivered shows how popular and well-used the SIG Sauer M17 and M18 are in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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The U.S. military now uses the SIG Sauer M17 and M18 as its standard sidearms. These pistols are top-ranked and show how American gun culture is changing. People now look for performance, reliability, and flexibility in firearms for different uses.

New designs like the Staccato, Springfield Armory, and EAA Girsan have brought fresh interest to classic styles. These guns come in 9mm, .45 ACP, and 10mm. They mix old designs with new technology, showing the industry’s effort to innovate.

The Second Amendment’s legacy still guides the creation of these top firearms. It continues to influence the development of these firearms

New companies like Vudoo Gun Works are making high-quality firearms. At the same time, brands like Ed Brown are growing, offering more options for shooters.

The demand for top-quality handguns is still strong in American gun culture. The SIG Sauer M17 and M18 are leading the way. They are essential for military, law enforcement, and serious civilian shooters.

Ceremonial and Special-Purpose Variants

For the Tomb Sentinels at Arlington National Cemetery, SIG Sauer made special M17 pistols. These m17 ceremonial variants have shiny finishes, wood grips, and special engravings. They honor the Tomb Guard’s serious duties.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Pistols

The “Silence,” “Respect,” “Dignity,” and “Perseverance” M17s use wood from the USS Olympia and marble dust from the tomb’s restoration. Their serial numbers include the 21-gun salute and the Tomb Guard Creed. These pistols show the deep respect for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in American history.

The silent drill team and Greek figures on these pistols show how the Tomb Sentinels perform with dignity. These special M17s highlight the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’s importance in American military history and culture.

Conclusion

The U.S. Air Force’s choice of the SIG Sauer M17 and M18 pistols marks a big step in modernizing its small arms. These 9mm semi-automatics beat out the old Beretta M9 in a tough competition. They bring new features and better performance to the table.

The M17 is also used for special ceremonies, like guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. This shows how much respect these new sidearms get. They’re seen as key parts of the U.S. military’s heritage and tradition.

Adding the M17 and M18 to the U.S. military’s arsenal is part of a bigger plan. It’s about giving troops reliable, versatile, and top-notch small arms for all kinds of missions. Moving from the Beretta M9 to the SIG Sauer models is key to keeping the U.S. military ahead in both everyday use and special ceremonies.redgearguru.com