Fear & Loading: Screaming Eagles To Get First XM17s

by
posted on July 26, 2017
101st.jpg

U.S. Army photo by Capt. Charles Emmons

The Army News Service is reporting the 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, Ky., will receive the first shipments of the new Modular Handgun System in November. The pistol is based on the commercially available SIG Sauer P320 and is chambered in 9 mm.  

Two thousand of the firearms will go to the Screaming Eagles in the first shipment, and roughly once every month another base will receive its new handguns. Transitioning fully from the Beretta M9, which went into service back in 1986, could take up to 10 years.

The same article includes some interesting XM17 observations from Product Manager of Soldier Systems Lt. Col. Steven Power. He told the reporter every soldier who has used the handgun—as in 100 percent—thinks it’s an improvement over the M9. “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.” Confidence and comfort were most often cited by soldiers after range sessions.

There’s more, though. “The specific performance improvements from MHS over the M9 are in the area of accuracy, dispersion (and) ergonomics. And ergonomics isn’t just about the comfort of the shooter,” Power explained. “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.”

SIG Sauer landed the $580 million Modular Handgun System contract in January, although the deal wasn’t necessarily sealed until the Government Accountability Office denied Glock’s subsequent protest. 

Winchester is the subcontractor  providing four different flavors of 9 mm ammunition. Power claimed the military didn’t give the chambering preference during testing. “The goal was to pick a system that best met our requirements,” he said.


Latest

New Guns Gear Nraam 2025 F (1)
New Guns Gear Nraam 2025 F (1)

New Guns & Gear At The 2025 NRA Show

The 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, April 24-27, was teeming with new guns and gear. Here's a taste of what you can see on the show floor.

Gun Of The Week: Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter

Welcome to American Rifleman’s Gun Of The Week. For this episode, we have a version of Smith & Wesson’s Model 1854 lever-action that’s specifically made for field use. Meet the Model 1854 Stealth Hunter.

The Armed Citizen® April 25, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Great FN Gun Giveaway At NRAAM 2025

Here’s a chance to win a custom, one-of-a-kind FN 545 Tactical pistol at the 154th NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, April 24-27, in Atlanta, Ga. No purchase necessary.

Training With Moving Targets

Most target shooters understand static or bullseye-type stationary targets quite well, but did you know that adding motion into your training routine will improve practical marksmanship and the skills necessary to conquer defensive situations?

USA Shooting Celebrates 30th Anniversary

USA Shooting marks a historic milestone in April as it celebrates 30 years as the national governing body for international shooting sports within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.