Did the Army Get It Right? A Look Back at the Modular Handgun System Decision

When the U.S. Army decided to replace over half a million Beretta M9 pistols, it kicked off the Modular Handgun System (MHS) trials—one of the largest sidearm shake-ups in decades. Dozens of manufacturers submitted designs, but in the end, it came down to three heavyweights: Beretta with the M9A3, Glock with what would become the 19X, and Sig Sauer with the M17/M18.

Beretta M9A3 – A Proven Workhorse with Modern Updates

I carried the M9 for nearly my entire 26-year military career, and it proved itself time and again. The M9A3 kept the 9mm chambering, DA/SA trigger, and aluminum frame but added modular grips, upgraded internals, and a full Picatinny rail. Reliability was stellar—Beretta’s own testing claimed around 19,000 rounds between malfunctions, far exceeding Army requirements.
The downsides? The slide-mounted safety can be engaged accidentally during a stress reload, and while the A3/A4 can be optics-ready, co-witnessing isn’t practical without aftermarket solutions like those from Langdon Tactical.

Glock 19X – Simplicity and Durability

Glock’s submission combined a G17 frame with a G19 slide, producing a light, striker-fired pistol with 17+1 capacity and a reputation for unmatched durability. My personal history with Glock dates back to the G17 I bought at 21—and I’ve seen these pistols survive appalling abuse overseas without failing. Glock’s only misstep in the trials may have been submitting just one model, limiting its appeal to the Army’s requirement for modularity.

Sig Sauer M17/M18 – Modularity Wins the Day

Sig approached the competition with two variants, offering a modular fire control unit (FCU) that allowed easy swapping of slides, barrels, and grip modules. That flexibility, combined with competitive technical performance and a bid over $100 million cheaper than Glock’s, sealed the deal. The M17 and M18 met the Army’s needs for adaptability and cost savings—but controversy followed.

The P320 Controversy

Reports have alleged that some P320 variants can fire without the trigger being pulled, leading certain law enforcement agencies to restrict their use. Sig denies these claims, citing military testing that shows the pistol is safe. Personally, I own multiple P320s and have never experienced an unintentional discharge, but I also don’t carry them in a daily duty role. The debate continues in military and law enforcement circles.

Range Results – My Take

After running the M9A3, 19X, and M17 side by side, each showed strengths. The Beretta excelled at long-range accuracy, the Sig offered unmatched modularity, and the Glock struck the best balance of weight, reliability, and shootability. For me, if I had to bet my life on one of these in the field, it would be the Glock 19X. It might not have the newest tech or the modular bells and whistles, but it delivers when it matters most.

Final Thoughts

Was the Army’s choice a mistake? Not necessarily. The M17’s adaptability and cost made it the logical pick on paper. But history has shown that the “best” choice in procurement isn’t always the one you’d want in your hand when everything goes wrong. For me, reliability under real-world abuse tips the scale, and the Glock still holds that crown.