Marines Replacing Beretta M9 with the New Sig M18 (VIDEO)

By Chris Eger

A video posted this week by the Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico details the arrival of the new Sig Sauer-made M18 pistol.
The more compact version of the M17 Modular Handgun System first adopted by the Army in 2017, the M18 is based on Sig’s P320 and is set to replace the M9 Beretta in Marine service. In the above video, Col. Howard Hall details the advantages the Sig has over the legacy Beretta, which was first adopted in the 1980s to replace WWII-vintage M1911 pistols.
The M17/18 series allow grip sizes to be rapidly changed out and are optics-ready using a night sight plate on the slide top.
The M17 and M18 differ about an inch in overall length but share the same P320 series striker-fired action along with coyote-tan PVD coated stainless steel slide, M1913 accessory rail, and a removable top plate for optics. Each can use a 17-round 9mm flush fit or 21-round extended magazine. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
While the Army intends to field the full-sized M17s primarily, with M18s reserved for use by individuals and units requiring a concealed weapon, such as overseas training teams and advisors, investigators, and special operations personnel, the Marines are exclusively choosing

Source: Guns.com