SIG-550 for DEA + FBI
A dream my come true:
Exeter's Sigarms gets $115 million federal rifle contract
By TERRY DATE
Democrat Staff Writer
EXETER — A $115 million contract with the federal government means improved stability as well as sales and training business for SIGARMS, Inc., a local gun manufacturer.
The contract calls for SIGARMS to provide up to 3,500 Swiss Arms Model 551 carbine rifles per year over five years to the DEA and FBI and any other federal agency with law enforcement duties that orders the rifle, said Jim Pledger, vice president for law enforcement and military sales.
The carbine, a short rifle, is manufactured primarily — and will continue to be so — in Switzerland by a SIGARMS sister company — Swiss Arms, Pledger said.
Nonetheless, the contract will benefit Exeter where activity will increase greatly for sales, service and training operations, Pledger said.
SIGARMS has its headquarters in Exeter on Industrial Drive and a plant where it manufactures handgun slides and frames.
The SIGARMS Academy, a training facility for law enforcement, military, and civilian personnel is located on Exeter Road in Epping.
SIGARMS has a number of federal government and military contracts for handguns, including the DEA and U.S. Navy Seals. Secret Service agents are armed with the SIG P229.
The $115 million contract for carbine rifles represents a new opportunity, Pledger said.
"This is a real opportunity for SIGARMS to gain a very prestigious customer in the DEA and FBI, and we’re pleased that they’ve put their seal of approval on this carbine," Pledger said.
Before signing the contract, DEA and FBI gun specialists carried out abuse tests on the firearms — throwing and dropping them and subjecting them to saltwater, dirt and sand.
The rifles continued to perform flawlessly, said Pledger, who in 1996 retired from the FBI after a 30-year career that included an assignment as head of the agency’s firearms training program.
"We’re also pleased to introduce this rifle in the United States since we believe it’s the finest rifle of its kind in the world," Pledger said.
The carbine, the official rifle of the Swiss Army, is used by military and law enforcement personnel in Asia, Europe and South America, Pledger said.
SIGARMS is exploring the possibility of manufacturing an American version of the rifle if demand grows, Pledger said.
A dream my come true:
Exeter's Sigarms gets $115 million federal rifle contract
By TERRY DATE
Democrat Staff Writer
EXETER — A $115 million contract with the federal government means improved stability as well as sales and training business for SIGARMS, Inc., a local gun manufacturer.
The contract calls for SIGARMS to provide up to 3,500 Swiss Arms Model 551 carbine rifles per year over five years to the DEA and FBI and any other federal agency with law enforcement duties that orders the rifle, said Jim Pledger, vice president for law enforcement and military sales.
The carbine, a short rifle, is manufactured primarily — and will continue to be so — in Switzerland by a SIGARMS sister company — Swiss Arms, Pledger said.
Nonetheless, the contract will benefit Exeter where activity will increase greatly for sales, service and training operations, Pledger said.
SIGARMS has its headquarters in Exeter on Industrial Drive and a plant where it manufactures handgun slides and frames.
The SIGARMS Academy, a training facility for law enforcement, military, and civilian personnel is located on Exeter Road in Epping.
SIGARMS has a number of federal government and military contracts for handguns, including the DEA and U.S. Navy Seals. Secret Service agents are armed with the SIG P229.
The $115 million contract for carbine rifles represents a new opportunity, Pledger said.
"This is a real opportunity for SIGARMS to gain a very prestigious customer in the DEA and FBI, and we’re pleased that they’ve put their seal of approval on this carbine," Pledger said.
Before signing the contract, DEA and FBI gun specialists carried out abuse tests on the firearms — throwing and dropping them and subjecting them to saltwater, dirt and sand.
The rifles continued to perform flawlessly, said Pledger, who in 1996 retired from the FBI after a 30-year career that included an assignment as head of the agency’s firearms training program.
"We’re also pleased to introduce this rifle in the United States since we believe it’s the finest rifle of its kind in the world," Pledger said.
The carbine, the official rifle of the Swiss Army, is used by military and law enforcement personnel in Asia, Europe and South America, Pledger said.
SIGARMS is exploring the possibility of manufacturing an American version of the rifle if demand grows, Pledger said.
). If not, it looks like we'll just have to capture them from the field *cough*...
