New Sig Sauer 9mm pistol M17 and M18 of US army at Shot Show 2018.

At Shot Show 2018, Sig Sauer presents the two new standard pistols of US Army, the M17 and M18 to replace the current U.S. Army Beretta M9. Since November 2017, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) became the first unit to field the U.S. Army’s new Sig Sauer M17 and M18 Modular Handgun System.

M17 Sig Sauer new 9mm semi-automatic pistol for U.S. army (Source picture Army Recognition)

The M17, which is a full-sized version of the pistol, and the M18, which is a compact version, include different safety features than the P320 pistol, as well as different requirements for accuracy and reliability.

"It was a great day," said Col. Derek K. Thomson, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st ABN DIV. "To witness modernization firsthand as my soldiers became the first in the Army and this storied division to fire the new pistol is an absolute honor."

The MHS handgun is a variant of the SIG SAUER® P320® pistol and is equipped with an external safety, an integrated MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail for the attachment of light and laser systems, self-illuminating night sights to maintain combat effectiveness in all lighting conditions, and is capable of accepting a sound suppressor.

Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc., said “We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice. Securing this contract is a testimony to SIG SAUER employees and their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most accurate and reliable firearms in the world.”

Over the next 10 years the Army will distribute the new MHS handguns to all Army units replacing the M9 pistol, which has been in service since 1986.

"That's pretty dated technology," said Lt. Col. Steven Power, Project Manager Soldier Weapons, individual weapons product manager. "The specific performance improvements of the MHS over the M9 include better accuracy, tighter dispersion, and better ergonomics, which when combined, result in a far more lethal pistol."

"The world has changed since the strength and resilience of this division was forged during the maelstrom of World War II," said Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) commander. "In order to maintain our decisive edge, we must continue to outpace our potential adversaries with more lethal capabilities, from the modular handgun system we fielded today to the innovative and adaptive air assault concepts, equipment and training the 101st continues to perfect."

M18 Sig Sauer new 9mm semi-automatic pistol for U.S. army (Source picture Army Recognition)