A verified SME on M4Carbine has posted that Naval Special Warfare (SEALs) will be switching away from the Sig P226 and adopting the Glock 19.
Looks like the Glock 19 will be the new 9mm pistol of Naval Special Warfare.
The SIG’s are still in service but are to be phased out in favor of the Glock Model 19.
I am not sure what generation, but based on those G19 already in service with SOF I’d say the Gen 3 is likely.
I will follow up when I get more issued than holsters et al.
This choice makes a lot of sense for NSW, as the poster on M4C explains. The G19 has been in service with JSOC for quite some time now, so there’s already a precedent for that gun being used by operators. Additionally, the G19 offers the best compromise in terms of shootability and capability without taking up the same amount of space a “full sized” pistol would. It can be carried openly as a secondary weapon, but can also be easily concealed if the mission calls for it. I’ll let Rana on M4C explain:
The 19 can fill a lot more roles without taking up as much real estate on an operators kit. The move away from a traditional sized “duty pistol” and a move to an “operators pistol” has been a reason behind the popularity of the G19.
The G19 is perhaps the most efficiently sized pistol in its class without giving up the capacity of a “duty size” pistol. The G19 can be carried covertly as well as overt supplement to a primary (RE: Long Gun) without being unnecessarily large (duty size).
Keep in mind that the G19 is replacing both the P239 and P226 9mm.
Personally, I think this has been a long time coming. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of really good pistols out there these days, and I like the SIG’s. But when you start carrying a lot of gear, a pistol that does everything a 226 does in a lighter more efficient package is a huge step forward.
Like I said, I think this makes a ton of sense for NSW and for JSOC/SOCCOM at large. I think the G19 offers the best of all world in terms of size, shootability, and ease of carry. 15 rounds in a package that can be easily concealed or easily used as a “duty” weapon just makes sense to me. Make no mistake, I love Sigs, and I think the P226 is one of the all time great service pistols ever made. But for the mission of NSW, going to something like a G19 just seems like a really smart call.