Glock Protests Army’s Selection Of New Sig Service Pistol

Glock is protesting the U.S. Army’s selection of the Sig P320 MHS variant as the winner of the Modular Handgun System (MHS) contract to supply the military with 9mm handguns and accessories with a contract worth up to $580 million.

The specific reason(s) for Glock’s protest (beyond not winning) have not been publicly released. Protests are common in the high stakes world of military contracts. There is no reason at this time to suspect that the protest will result in a favorable decision for Glock.

What is interesting, however, is that the fact Glock is protesting the decision strongly suggests that the company developed a “modular mystery Glock” that has not yet been seen by the public. None of Glock’s existing handgun designs come close to being “modular” as defined by the MHS contract, as the best they’ve been able to offer is replaceable backstraps. Sig’s P320 MHS has an internal chassis system that is the serial-numbered “gun” (below) to which different grip modules and slides can be fitted in numerous calibers and slide lengths.

The Sig-built M17 contract is for two frame sizes and barrel lengths, but the Army can easily acquire commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) kits from Sig Sauer in three calibers (9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W) and four slide assembly lengths and four frame sizes in three different grip diameters for different requirements, and has existing support for barrel devices, lights/lasers, and optics.

The government has until early June to respond to Glock’s protest.

The Army is expecting to begin receiving Sig’s first shipment of M17’s in roughly a month.