Dept of Homeland Security Buys SIGs (merged threads)

[Fred Fuller]

Dept of Homeland Security Buys SIGs

http://www.fosters.com/august_2004/08.25.04/news/bu_0825c.asp

Wednesday, August 25, 2004
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Exeter gunmaker gets big contract for homeland security agents
By TERRY DATE

Democrat Staff Writer

EXETER — The government awarded a local company a prestigious contract valued at $23.7 million to manufacture up to 65,000 pistols for Department of Homeland Security agents.

The five-year contract means greater job security for the 155 workers already employed at SIGARMS, Inc. said Jim Pledger, vice president of law enforcement and military sales. It could also mean additional jobs down the road, but Pledger did not know how many the contract would create.

"Everybody in the business wanted this contract," Pledger said on Tuesday, after the contract was announced. As part of the agreement, the local SIGARMS Academy will provide training to homeland security personnel.
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[another48hrs]

I think I read something similair on HKPRO and that HK also received a similair contract also.

 

[Rival]

The contract is for the P226R-DAK, the P229R-DAK, and the P239-DAO in the calibers of 9mm and 40S&W.
See the press release for complete details.

 

[MK11]

Less guns on the shelves, and less incentive for Sig Arms Academy to ramp up its apparent dwindling interest in civilian training. Sigh.

 

[cerberus]

Our Goverment

Once the firearms our Goverment tested and put out contracts for really ment they were really fit for service. I am not knocking Sig but I don't put much faith into what our Goverment buys today and how they decide to buy it. I think it all boils down to price not quality or fit for service and just who is involved and where their being Mfg. . Again not saying Sig is not a quality product or there is a problem with their guns being fit for service. I just don't have any faith in what our Goverment buys and how they decide what they buy. This also gos for many other items they buy.

 

[jc2]

EXETER — The government awarded a local company a prestigious contract valued at $23.7 million to manufacture up to 65,000 pistols for Department of Homeland Security agents.

Actually, HK received a slightly larger contract (more money) so DHS actually is buying HKs and SIGs. It's not exactly a clean sweep for SIG, but a big loss for Glock and Beretta (who had been supplying weapons).

 

[Ala Dan]

Ah! Now I can breathe with a sigh of relief~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[lee n. field]

Sixty Five Thousand more armed federal agents.

Sorry, I'm not enthused.

 

[Dienekes]

What is a "DAK" DA?

...new to me. The SIG website doesn't say much about it other than it runs 6.5#.

 

[prezzz]

Correct. The "K" is the initial of the guy who developed their DAO design.

 

[Blue Line]

I can say the agency I work for under DHS has had Sig's since 1993, when we switched from s&w mdl 19's, first the 228 and now the 229. I think its a great gun and haven't had any problems at all. Sig makes a fine gun. My duty gun is the 229 in 357sig and the off duty/uc is the older 230 in 380. I've never shot a glock or a beretta - there probably fine guns but I'm happy with the Sig.

 

[atek3]

I feel safer already. Anybody else feel safer?

atek3

 

[boo17]

I live in Exeter, actually like 5 minutes away from the factory. I wonder if I go there maybe I could get a cheap p226

 

[jc2]

Correct. The "K" is the initial of the guy who developed their DAO design.

Actually, DAK is their new light short-stroke DAO. They offer a DAO (such as the P239s in the contract) and a DAK.

Blue Line -

My duty gun is the 229 in 357sig and the off duty/uc is the older 230 in 380.

From what I've read the contract with SIGArms is for 9x19 and .40 S&W. The contract with HK is for 9x19, .40 S&W and 357 SIG. (I know it doesn't make a lot sense to buy your 357 SIGs from HK when you have a contract with SIGArms, but it is the federal government we're talking about.) How do you feel about a USPc 357 SIG? (No, I don't know if that is on the HK contract--I'm just guessing.)

boo17 -

I wonder if I go there maybe I could get a cheap p226

No, but you can probably pick up Glock 17s and Beretta 96s from KY Imports and CDNN cheaply over the next five years.

 

[Marshall]

Good, glad to see both companies get a good contract.

 

[Blue Line]

JC2

I like the 357 sig round but I have no experience with the other guns. The only HK I've shot is the MP5 and I love it. The MP5 replaced the older Uzi's we had. I liked them but didn't care for the open bolt of the Uzi.

 

[prezzz]

Actually, DAK is their new light short-stroke DAO. They offer a DAO (such as the P239s in the contract) and a DAK.

Good point. Thanks. I should have said their "new" DAO.

 

[Correia]

Hey guys, hate to break it to you, but this is not morearmed federal agents. These are agents who were already armed in other agencies, that were all pulled into Homeland Security. I believe Border Patrol, INS, etc.

 

[Todesengel]

Good, glad to see both companies get a good contract.

DITTO!
DHS knows whats good!

 

[obiwan1]

Actually Correia is correct. The consolidation into DHS brought a lot of LEOs under the umbrella of one department.
The idea is to have a minimum number of guns on the inventory list. It's going to be interesting to see which agencies get which gun. Example: When INS and Border Patrol merged with Customs, They brought two different guns/calibers with them. (G17-9mm and Beretta 96D-.40). Which caliber/gun of the new contract will get the nod? It's going to be interesting to see the infighting. Also will there be an immediate "cutover" or will they wait until the service life of the guns is met? (10k rounds for the Beretta) That could mean a lot of very nice guns on the surplus market as many have less than 5k rounds through them.

 

[jc2]

There's been rumours that the INS/BP have wanted to go HKs for years (seems like there was always an awful lot of dissatisfaction with their Beretta 96s). Maybe they will finally get their HKs.

It will be interesting to see how the ammo selection works out. If they tag onto the FBI contract, it'll be a 165-grain medium velocity for the .40 S&W, won't it? It could get interesting!

 

[45auto]

I can see why they offer(buy) different versions within one brand, different sizes, hands, etc, but why another manufacturer do you think?

It's not like they are offering different styles of handguns, i.e. DAK/safe action/DOA, etc versus single action pistols.

Each manufacturer 'feels' different I am sure, but why not offer more manufacturers to keep everyone happy then. No doubt all the manufacturers "would drop their pants" on pricing just to be included anyway.

Just curious, no point to make on this.

Will we be seeing " Tactical Homeland Security" models for sale soon.

 

[TonyB]

Saw my best friend from high school this weekend.He's in the Secret Service uniformed division.They carry Sigs.(357 sig)...he says they're great.They're also approved to carry the Sig 380 cal. for back up or off duty.(he just carrys his duty peice......

 

[lee n. field]

but this is not morearmed federal agents. These are agents who were already armed in other agencies, that were all pulled into Homeland Security.

Yeah, and I realized that after I posted.

Does my tinfoil hat make me look fat? Be brutal.

 

[Ash]

Spoke to a Sec. Service agent today and he told me the duty weapon is a Sig 229 in .357 Sig.

Ash