Posted: 7/25/2025 1:31:57 AM EDT
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All the Sig M17/18 fiasco has got me thinking about the "modular" aspect of the MHS competition and how it applies to the real-world. I've never been issued an M17/18 (although I have carried the M9 a couple of times on deployments) but have seen them at multiple bases now since 2020. I have yet to see any Security Forces or Military Police at the gate with an M17/18 with lights, optics or the 21 round magazines. Couldn't tell if the grip modules were different at a glance but I imagine they were all the same factory stock configuration size. I've never asked but I'm also guessing they're only carrying 15 rounds inside the 17 round magazine which I've also read on other forums by military users. So at a glance, it doesn't seem like any of the services are standardizing service wide the use of optics, lights and high capacity magazines i.e. the "modular" features of the Modular Handgun System outside of maybe SOF or some infantry units. This despite the M17/18 being in service since 2018. What have you seen or been issued? What are the reasons given for not taking full advantage of the modular features? *Poll is multiple options* |
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We carried one 17 and one 21 round mag for duty. I always carried the 21 round mag in the gun because I figured if it came down to shooting, I want as many rounds in the gun as possible. We couldn’t have WML’s or RDS because the only authorized holsters weren’t set up for them. |
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Quoted: We carried one 17 and one 21 round mag for duty. I always carried the 21 round mag in the gun because I figured if it came down to shooting, I want as many rounds in the gun as possible. We couldn't have WML's or RDS because the only authorized holsters weren't set up for them. Interesting we don't have an approved holsters for light and optics carry? Although I clearly remember buying my own shoulder holster on KAF in 2011 for my own M9. Nothing like smelly camel leather in the summer 
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| It appears that all military installation gate guards, whether DoD civilian police or military, are carrying M17s or M18s now (depending on the service). Most of the ones I see carrying them in the holster with a 21-round magazine loaded, although I've seen a few 17-rounders. |
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Let’s get these sacred cows out of the way. Handguns are inconsequential in military engagements. Most soldiers can’t hit shit with a handgun. Most handguns in the MTOE are status symbols. There was nothing wrong with the M9. The M9A4 was a better choice. You’ll NEVER see red dots issued service wide. Not in 20 years. |
| When M17s were fielded they came with one 17 and two 21s per pistol. Different size grips were also fielded with the pistols, so it's not hard at all to change grip sizes. Units are authorized to buy lights and red dots (and holsters to fit lights and red dots), but most units don't make it a budget priority. It would happen more often if the Army gave an NSN to a light and dot compatible holster. |
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I've shot the Marine m18 on a .gov range last Sept. I wasn't really impressed with it! The pistol worked but nothing special. The military could change to the Glock G47 or G45 with an optional light and optic & would be better off for many years to come! How easy is that, go Glock and call it a day. |
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Quoted: Let’s get these sacred cows out of the way. Handguns are inconsequential in military engagements. Most soldiers can’t hit shit with a handgun. Most handguns in the MTOE are status symbols. There was nothing wrong with the M9. The M9A4 was a better choice. You’ll NEVER see red dots issued service wide. Not in 20 years. Handguns play a bigger role in MOTW. Which is what we find our self in most of the time. You will also find a higher amount of handguns in ABCTs for crew members of Tanks, brads, paladins, etc. They aren’t just a status symbol when PVT crew members are getting them. Now if your experience is from the light side. I could see it being more of a status symbol. I had an M4 and a M9/M17 issued to me most of my career even as a PVT. |
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Quoted: Handguns play a bigger role in MOTW. Which is what we find our self in most of the time. You will also find a higher amount of handguns in ABCTs for crew members of Tanks, brads, paladins, etc. They aren’t just a status symbol when PVT crew members are getting them. Now if your experience is from the light side. I could see it being more of a status symbol. I had an M4 and a M9/M17 issued to me most of my career even as a PVT. Which armored engagement did pistols play a pivotal role? What other than war operation have we won recently? |
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Quoted: Which armored engagement did pistols play a pivotal role? What other than war operation have we won recently? There’s a lot more to other than war operations than fighting big engagements. I could think of countless operations across multiple continents where having a pistol for personal protection is a viable option. There’s been a couple incidents I was apart of having a pistol served its purpose. I was guarding a Scif and coic in Jordan where someone in my Troop armed with a pistol killed a guy in a green on blue incident. I’ve drawn a pistol on someone who was about to smack my Soldier in the head with a pair of bolt cutters, who was breaking into one of our Bradley’s on a train in Slovakia. Can’t think of a situation where a pistol changed the difference in an armor fight. That’s not a point I was trying to make. The Army does more than just war and the pistol does serve a purpose. |