American Rifleman Editor-in-Chief Mark Keefe has been chasing the story of the U.S. XM17 since the trials process began. He has written more than a dozen stories about the process of adoption of the first new service pistol for the U.S. military in decades, and was finally able to shoot one at the SIG Sauer Day at the Range 2018. 
Before that, he caught up with SIG Pistol Product Manager Phil Shrader, who filled him in on the gun’s status. And at the range, it didn’t disappoint. One of the things many don’t know about the XM17 is that there is a removable plate at the back of the slide that allows for the mounting of an optical site. It’s not something the army asked for specifically, but it’s there if they want it. SIG Sauer is planning a civilian version of the gun that should be available in the second quarter of this year. Meantime, check out this video on the U.S. XM17.
Additional Reading:
The Keefe Report: Christmas Arrives Early for the 101st as XM17s Are Issued
The Keefe Report: The SIG Sauer P320 Sharknado
The Keefe Report: MHS Update—Hey, Mikey, They Like It!
Fear & Loading: Screaming Eagles To Get First XM17s
Glock MHS Pistols Unveiled
In Your Eyes: Glock MHS Protest Rejected
Army XM17 MHS Pistol: It's Happening
U.S. XM17 MHS: It's the Hollow Points, Stupid
MHS Update: Glock Protests SIG Sauer Result
Winchester Named Ammo Supplier for the U.S. Army MHS Program
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: U.S. Army’s New Pistol
The Keefe Report: I Was Wrong About the XM17
The Keefe Report: SIG Sauer Wins U.S. Army XM17 Modular Handgun System (MHS) Contract
