Keefe Report: SIG Sauer Wins U.S. Army XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) Contract

by
posted on January 19, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
sig320_hawaii.jpg

And the envelope please … SIG Sauer wins the big Army contract, the most important military handgun contract of our generation. The XM17 will likely lose the “X” and be made by American workers in an American factory for American soldiers.

While I have written extensively about the laborious Army Modular Handgun System (MHS) process for adoption of the next service pistol to ride in soldiers’ holsters, today, January 19, 2017, (write that down) the news came in. And in a surprise development during the firearm industry’s biggest event—the SHOT Show—the U.S. Army announced that SIG Sauer will be the next supplier of pistols for the United States military.

This gun, a variant of the P320, will replace the venerable M9 as made by Beretta and adopted in 1985. While a number of companies submitted guns, rumor has it that it came down to Glock and SIG. The process has not been terribly transparent, and the RFP is nothing short of terribly confusing.

"I am tremendously proud of the Modular Handgun System team," said Army Acquisition Executive, Steffanie Easter. "By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we have optimized private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our Warfighters. As MHS moves forward into operational testing, the due diligence taken by all of the stakeholders will ensure a program that remains on-budget and on-schedule."

The contract is worth north of $580 million and goes through 2027. What does that mean short term? The first wave is reportedly to be more than $100 million.

We are waiting from official comment from SIG, but at the SIG Sauer booth today, they would have popped the cork on champagne if they had it handy.

But, as with all such big government contracts, it isn’t over until it is over. Already other entrants are not happy with the end result and are making noises about the process. This story is developing, and we will likely have more information soon. There may well be appeals and challenges. But it looks pretty over.

That said, the P320 is a very good gun, one we have tested and awarded an American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year.

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.