SIG Sauer XM17 Gets Positive Reviews at Aberdeen

by
posted on August 1, 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. **
si-news-2015-5-28-15.jpg (50)

Lt. Col. Steven Power told the Army News Service this month that feedback from Aberdeen Proving Ground early users of the XM17—the military version of the SIG Sauer P320 that won the service’s $580 million Modular Handgun System (MHS) contract on Jan. 19, 2017—shows full agreement on its suitability for the military.

“That’s an uncommonly positive thing,” he said. “Typically, even in our own households, when you’re buying a new car, there’s things that people like about the old car better than the new one.” Soldiers most often cited increased confidence and comfort after range sessions.

Power noted that soldiers liked a number of aspects about the new XM17 pistol, including its accuracy and ergonomics.

“Ergonomics isn’t just about the comfort of the shooter,” he said. “A big reason why the modular handgun system is such a leap ahead in ergonomics is because of the modular hand grips, instead of just making a one size fits all. The shooter will have a handgrip that fits their hand properly which does a lot to improve accuracy—not only on the first shot but also on subsequent shots.”

The first 2,000 new handguns will arrive in Fort Campbell, KY, in November, where the 101st Airborne will retire their M9s. The tentative schedule calls for roughly one base a month to receive its XM17s, and it could take up to 10 years for the Army to completely replace all the Berettas in service.

The new issue sidearm is a 9 mm and four different types of loads are being produced by Winchester to fulfill the contract; ball, jacketed hollow point, blanks and drilled dummy inert. Power said there was no preference given to the chambering during testing.

“The goal was to pick a system that best met our requirements,” he said.

Latest

RMR green dot
RMR green dot

First Look: Trijicon 3.25 MOA Green Dot RMR Sight

All the Trijicon features you want, now with a green dot.

FN Awarded DoD Contract for Additional M240/M249 Barrels

The 7.62 NATO-chambered gun is one of the many members of the M240 general-purpose machine gun family, which was derived from the FN MAG 58.

Shotguns: A Couple Bucks

Should you consider other buckshot for your defensive shotgun?

New Suppressors for 2025

It’s never been easier to buy a suppressor, thanks to NRA’s ongoing efforts to remove them from the NFA.

First Look: Streamlight Sidewinder Compact III

A multi-fuel flashlight with 185-degree tilting head, different mounting options and a user-configurable LED.

First Look: Bushmaster Bravo Zulu Pistols

Available in either .223 Rem/5.56 NATO or .300 BLK.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.