Product Preview: M17 Air Pistol

SIG Sauer wasted no time in coming up with other variants of the P320–M17, including a .177-cal. M17 air pistol, which is almost identical in size and weight to the gun adopted by the Army. It has a blowback-operated metal slide and is powered by a CO₂ cylinder inside the magazine—CO₂ not only propels the pellet down the barrel at about 430 f.p.s., but it also works the slide. The frame is polymer, and there is a M1913 accessory rail on the dustcover.

Inside the extended magazine—which matches the 22-rounder issued with center-fire M17 in profile—is a belt-fed 20-round magazine and the CO₂ cylinder. It comes out as a unit, and it can be used to practice reloads. As a trainer, or just something to have fun with in the backyard—where permitted, of course—this version of the M17 is fun, affordable and helps develop muscle memory for those who purchase or are issued the M17. It’s priced currently at $140, and, by the time you read this, should be able to accept a mounting plate for the Romeo1 optic. Contact: SIG Sauer, Inc.; (603) 610-3000; sigsauer.com.