Canada Replaces Belgian WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols with Sig Sauer's P320.

After many decades of service, the Canadian Armed Forces are retiring the Browning Hi-Power pistols, a staple since 1944, in favor of the modern Sig Sauer P320. The Canadian Armed Forces officially announced this change on March 20, 2024, via their social media, indicating they had received the delivery of their last modular C22 and C24 pistols. This delivery brings the total to 16,500 new C22 pistols for the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force, and 3,200 new C24 pistols for the Military Police Group.
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The SIG Sauer P320 is a semi-automatic pistol produced since 2014. (Picture source: Canadian Armed Forces)

The transition from the WWII-era pistols, known for their robust steel construction and double-stacked 13-round magazines, is nearing completion with the arrival of the last shipment of Sig Sauer P320s, recently confirmed by Cheryl Forrest, spokesperson for the Canadian Department of Defense. The new pistols are ready to completely replace the old inventory by the end of the year, although as of now, none of the 11,000 remaining Browning Hi-Powers have been decommissioned.

The Hi-Power, originally introduced in 1944 and widely used by Canadian forces during and after WWII, features a design attributed to John Browning. This model was used globally and was manufactured in Canada by John Inglis and Company during the war. FN Herstal in Belgium continued production until 2018, with a revival by FN America several years later due to its enduring popularity.

The replacement process was complicated and prolonged, beginning seriously in the late 2000s with several failed bids and a solicitation canceled in 2021 following legal challenges. It wasn't until October 2022 that the Sig Sauer P320, known in Canadian service as the C22, was finally chosen. This selection followed an incident in 2020 when a member of Canada's Joint Task Force 2 accidentally discharged a P320.

The P320 differs from the Hi-Power, with a polymer frame and a larger capacity magazine of 17 rounds. This pistol is also modular, with interchangeable grip modules around a serialized fire control unit, improving adaptability and maintenance.

The SIG Sauer P320 is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Sean Toner and Michael W. Mayerl and has been in production since 2014. Originating from the United States, with manufacturing contributions from Germany and Switzerland until the factory closure in 2020, this pistol is used by various armed forces and security agencies around the world since its introduction.

The P320 is distinguished by its modularity, allowing users to easily change the frame size, barrel length, and caliber according to their needs. It weighs approximately 833 grams with its magazine and measures 203 mm in total length. The barrel of the P320 is relatively long at 120 mm, which helps improve accuracy at a distance. Its width is 35.5 mm and it has a height of 140 mm, making it manageable while providing a good grip.

The P320 is available in several calibers, including 9×19 mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, 10 mm Auto, and .45 ACP. It operates on a short recoil system with a locked breech, characteristic of SIG Sauer. Regarding magazine capacity, it varies by caliber: the .45 ACP model has 10-round magazines, while the 9×19 mm variants can accommodate 17, 21, or even 32-round magazines, offering a higher firing capacity.

The P320 also features a range of sights, including fixed iron sights with tritium inserts for night vision and options for optical reflex sights on some models. With a muzzle velocity of 365 meters per second, it has an effective range of up to 25 meters and can reach a maximum range of 50 meters.

In March of this year, the Canadian military received 16,500 P320 pistols, with an additional 3,200 designated as the C24 for the military police. These new weapons represent a $19.4 million investment by the Canadian Armed Forces to modernize and better equip their personnel. Despite the widespread replacement, about 150 Browning Hi-Powers are set aside for preservation in museums and potentially for specialized training purposes, thus retaining some of their historical and functional value.

Defense News April 2024