In an apparent blow to SIG SAUER the US Coast Guard appears to have reversed its decision to adopt a variant of the SIG M18 adopted by the US Army, and has instead decided to field the Glock Gen 5 G19 MOS in 9x19mm caliber. The 9mm Gen 5 Glock 19 will replace the Coast Guard’s .40 S&W SIG P-229 DAK pistols currently in service. 

The USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime with a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in domestic and international waters. The USCG is charged with protecting America’s economic, national, and border security as America’s maritime first responder. With missions of search and rescue, homeland security, and national defense, the USCG requires a reliable sidearm that performs in all conditions and harsh elements.

After a thorough review of testing results, as well as careful evaluation of existing federal contracts supported by GLOCK, the USCG selected to purchase through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract the GLOCK 19 Gen5 MOS as the standard service pistol. USCG acquisition objective was fulfilled by GLOCK within four months of the initial purchase request. CBP’s extensive solicitation process, which included independent testing by the Institute of Justice Laboratories, comprehensive field evaluations, and direct input from 16,000 CBP law enforcement personnel, helped guide the selection by USCG.

“GLOCK is honored to support the requirements of the USCG and provide a weapon solution that delivers on unmatched performance and value in any environment,” said GLOCK, Inc. VP Josh Dorsey. “The comprehensive testing and evaluation process conducted by CBP demonstrated the GLOCK pistols lasting reliability that instills confidence in those who use it to go into harm’s way.”

One of the other interesting angles to this situation is that the Coast Guard had also previously begun issuing SIG AIR airsoft replicas of the M18 pistol as a training tool. Until now Glock has not produced any airsoft replicas of their pistols, but the company’s recent win in a lawsuit against a major airsoft retailer must certainly open the door for Glock to officially enter the airsoft market with fully licensed replicas.

For more information about GLOCK Gen5 technologies, visit us.glock.com.