The Orlando Police Department has adopted the SIG Sauer Virtus Rifle as part of its standard-issue equipment for the department’s uniformed officers, detectives, watch commanders and sergeants. More than 500 different configurations are possible with each of the guns in the piston-driven lineup, with models available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout.
“SIG has a strong partnership with the Orlando Police Department that began with their adoption of the SIG P226 and has now extended to the SIG Virtus rifle,” said Tom Jankiewicz, executive vice president or law enforcement sales for SIG Sauer. “The Virtus is a significant upgrade to their existing platform, bringing the latest in rifle technology that will enhance their capabilities, improve accuracy, and allow them to become more effective and expeditious in their response.”
The SIG Virtus is a modular design engineered for the demands of special operations forces. The rifle features a free-float M-LOK handguard, ambidextrous AR-style fire controls, a telescoping or folding stock, and it can be easily suppressed.
“We are honored that the Orlando Police Department has entrusted SIG Sauer equipment for the men and women of the Orlando Police Department, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the department and supporting their mission,” Jankiewicz said.
The announcement makes Gary Paul Johnson’s year-old explanation of the gun’s name in his review of the rifle almost prophetic. ““In Latin, the word refers to valor, manliness, courage and character…,” he wrote. As for its performance, he concluded: “Whether or not you want or need a rifle of this stature will be up to you, but it seems surprisingly affordable for what it brings to the table. Excellence? Worth, X-tra? I’d say so, and from one of world’s foremost producers of fine firearms.”
Orlando is the fourth-largest city in Florida, with nearly 275,000 citizens. Its police department has more than 700 sworn officers.
