Army’s new handguns will be fielded to 101st in November

The first new XM17 handguns are scheduled to be fielded to the 101st in November.

By ClarksvilleNow.com August 2, 2017 4:25 pm

Clarksville NowCourtesy: Department of Defense websiteU.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Finneran fires a Sig Sauer pistol during partnered marksmanship live-fire training on Tactical Base Gamberi in eastern Afghanistan, May 29, 2015. Finneran is an infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell will be the first to receive the Army’s new handguns this November, according to a report from the U.S. Army.

The Sig Sauer modular pistol will replace the M9 Beretta, which has been used by the Army since the Cold War era.

Soldiers said they disliked the M9’s bulky grip and wanted a gun capable of firing a bigger or harder-hitting bullet.

The first new XM17 handguns are scheduled to be fielded to the 101st in November.

Lt. Col. Steven Power, product manager of Soldier Weapons, said the handguns have improved durability and adjustability over the M9, along with interchangeable grips that fit comfortably.

The new handguns also have an external safety and self-illluminating sights for low-light conditions.

Sig Sauer Inc. was awarded a $580 million contract in January from the Department of Defense for the Modular Handgun System including handgun, accessories, and ammunition to replace the current M9 handgun.