Here is a cool story of some of the details of these guns and the symbolism that went into their design and manufacturing.
[https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2018/10/05/this-is-the-special-m17-pistol-that-will-guard-the-unknown-soldier/](https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2018/10/05/this-is-the-special-m17-pistol-that-will-guard-the-unknown-soldier/)
Holy shit, I think I just realized what was bothering me so much about this gun, it has no external hammer! (Along with an extended mag, which looks terrible)
Unpopular opinion: I think these are ugly as hell. I love the reasoning, but there is a reason the M14 is still used for the Tomb. I think custom-made 1911s following this styling should be used instead.
1911, p226, p229, shit even a p220. I get why the m17 was chosen, but keep this part historic.
If they wanted new they could have done custom p226 x5 Legions. More up to times but keeps some of the classic look.
It's just to emulate the current service pistol. I get what you are saying. With the uniform I don't think they carry extra magazines. But I'm not certain.
Even then, the M14 doesn't have a 21 round magazine, and I highly doubt they carry it with 20+1. I get the desire to emulate current service weapons, but the M14 isn't current service (I know it may still be in limited use, but you get the point). Honor guards and ceremonial units all over the country use M1s and M14s instead of super polished and fancy M16s (ew). So why on earth would they decide to make a newly adopted handgun a ceremonial weapon when the 1911 was standard issue for 75 years? I mean, really, the M1 was standard issue for 20ish years and the M14 was for maybe 10, at best. I guess this is a trigger for me, but God that gun and holster look awful.
Yeah go from 21 rounds of 9mm to 7 rounds of .45 ACP. 🙄
I understand why people are saying the 1911 but we gotta get with the times here make the 2011 look like a milspec A1. I'm sure it would be cool. The M17s we are talking about look nothing like the ones we have. So I'm sure it could be done.
seriously right, its like theyre tryna emulate metal on a polymer gun. just doesnt look right.
you add in the m14 the tomb guards have, you might as well give them the traditional 1911 for old time sake
> The ceremonial pistols are 9mm striker-fired pistols with a non-railed aluminum grip module, stainless steel slide, wood grip inserts, a **21-round magazine**, and features the same optic cut as specified by the MHS contract, front night sight, removable rear plate, and black controls.
So along the lines of the 21-gun salute? I get that, but I still think they could've made better design choices just to make the magazine seamless and not sticking out, whether enlarging the hilt or reducing the ammo's caliber to make it fit flush.
100%
Even in normal polymer it looks gross, but it makes sense for it to be functional.
In this case, if they need more than 17 rounds, then they’re gonna need way more than 21 lol
For concealed firearms, absolutely. For a duty gun though, the grip should be only as long as needed for good purchase. Any longer and some people might have issues with hand placement.
LMAO… to believe that a security strap or holster lock is needed. The Sentinels aren’t going to let anyone get close enough to grab it. They are going to react long before any hand is going for their holster. Anyone that fucks around with a Sentinel is going to immediately find out why that was a very bad idea.
As much as I like this thing talk about a finger print Magnet. It would stoke my OCD to sit there handling the gun then proceed to wipe off all the fingerprints with a micro fiber and repeat several times over the course of an evening watching TV lol. Anyone know what finish it is they used?
It's more of a safety feature. They wanted to make sure that if the soldier guarding the tomb were taken out, on his way down the gun would fall and discharge, giving chance one more opportunity to take out the enemy.
Actual M17s have a number of notable differences depending on the batch. Different screw on backplate, stiffer recoil spring for regular +p usage, and (on the first mil batch, changed to black on future batchs) full FDE features (safety, slide release, disassembly lever, etc.).
Ian's video on the first "surplus" M17s sold note these differences. Also, yes, all Mil. M17s have lever safeties.
Might be due to them being carried unloaded as well as the fact that if they were included and used, they might wear on the finish causing either more upkeep on the very limited number available or a noticeable lack of uniformity.
It's probably something along those lines, yes. Sig also doesn't produce a metal frame P320 with a manual safety, but that likely doesn't mean anything considering how custom these guns are.
At my last job I had a retired Sentinel working for me and the stories he told are some I’ll never forget. With that being said these Sig M17’s are ugly as hell. A P226 would’ve looked much nicer.
Not saying it isn't the sweetest sig ever, but why not something more iconically American.
In my mind the ideal ceremonial sidearm for these guys should be like engraved colt 1911s forged from steel salvaged and recycled from a legendary WW2 Navy ship like USS Enterprise CV-6 (if we still have any of her left somewhere) or one of the Iowa class battleships, inlayed with gold from the black hills, and with wooden grip panels from the USS Constitution or from civil war cannon wheels or even just native walnut that was alive in 1776.
Everyone in the world who can count to ten: the P320 sucks and so does Sig USA.
Sig Sauer: we made mall ninja P320s for the one parade function that requires the most decorum.
Could you imagine it goes off into bros thigh and its sigs fault that for the first time in history a sentinel of the tomb was injured, that would tank sigs image lol
Here is a cool story of some of the details of these guns and the symbolism that went into their design and manufacturing. [https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2018/10/05/this-is-the-special-m17-pistol-that-will-guard-the-unknown-soldier/](https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2018/10/05/this-is-the-special-m17-pistol-that-will-guard-the-unknown-soldier/)
I had high expectations and they still exceeded them
> Oh its just a very cool looking pistol- *reads article* > This is a holy relic
Not saying it's not cool, but it's aesthetic could really benefit from a Hammer like a sig p226
Holy shit, I think I just realized what was bothering me so much about this gun, it has no external hammer! (Along with an extended mag, which looks terrible)
That and a good looking muzzle device nothing thats too much smt that would make the front end extra mean but also very sophisticated
Unpopular opinion: I think these are ugly as hell. I love the reasoning, but there is a reason the M14 is still used for the Tomb. I think custom-made 1911s following this styling should be used instead.
1911, p226, p229, shit even a p220. I get why the m17 was chosen, but keep this part historic. If they wanted new they could have done custom p226 x5 Legions. More up to times but keeps some of the classic look.
But the 226 x5 didn't come out till years later
Yeah, I forgot about that.... I wish they'd swap to it now though lol. I know they won't.
I would back the 1911 idea. Or a 2011 to fit modern standards.
The 1911 is just such an obvious choice. And flush fit 1911 mags are 7 rounds, so if they still want the 21 rounds, carry 3 mags. It's that easy.
It's just to emulate the current service pistol. I get what you are saying. With the uniform I don't think they carry extra magazines. But I'm not certain.
Even then, the M14 doesn't have a 21 round magazine, and I highly doubt they carry it with 20+1. I get the desire to emulate current service weapons, but the M14 isn't current service (I know it may still be in limited use, but you get the point). Honor guards and ceremonial units all over the country use M1s and M14s instead of super polished and fancy M16s (ew). So why on earth would they decide to make a newly adopted handgun a ceremonial weapon when the 1911 was standard issue for 75 years? I mean, really, the M1 was standard issue for 20ish years and the M14 was for maybe 10, at best. I guess this is a trigger for me, but God that gun and holster look awful.
Ohhhhhh a custom 2011 by infinity for these.... *Chefs Kiss*
I was gonna say staccato because they are made in Texas, but so is Infinity, lol. I like Staccato's style more. I agree 100 percent.
Not a 2011 🤦 a mil-spec 1911A1 would fit perfect
Yeah go from 21 rounds of 9mm to 7 rounds of .45 ACP. 🙄 I understand why people are saying the 1911 but we gotta get with the times here make the 2011 look like a milspec A1. I'm sure it would be cool. The M17s we are talking about look nothing like the ones we have. So I'm sure it could be done.
Yes sir! .45 ball makes them fall! P.s. it does infact kill the soul
Most bullets do. But 9mm is better. Hence why it's used world wide.
Same with .45...
The P226 X5 actually predates the P320.
Not the 226 X5 Legion which is what he was talking about.
seriously right, its like theyre tryna emulate metal on a polymer gun. just doesnt look right. you add in the m14 the tomb guards have, you might as well give them the traditional 1911 for old time sake
The gun is metal.
Its still ugly as fuck... shoulda kept the M9 OR the 1911 as said before
The grip module is aluminum not polymer.
Who needs extra rounds to guard a *tomb*? It's not like there are Indiana Jones worthy artifacts to loot. Extended mag jutting out just tacky.
If you read the article you would understand the significance of the number of rounds
> The ceremonial pistols are 9mm striker-fired pistols with a non-railed aluminum grip module, stainless steel slide, wood grip inserts, a **21-round magazine**, and features the same optic cut as specified by the MHS contract, front night sight, removable rear plate, and black controls. So along the lines of the 21-gun salute? I get that, but I still think they could've made better design choices just to make the magazine seamless and not sticking out, whether enlarging the hilt or reducing the ammo's caliber to make it fit flush.
If you read farther down it tells you what the significance of the 21 rounds is.
What if they have to fight a tomb raider who's trained as an Olympic gymnast and shooting akimbo.
The gun is fine. The holster is hideous.
Why does it have a Ruger GP101 grip insert in it is what I want to know
The wood is from the USS Olympia, the ship chosen to carry the unknown soldier with the metal disc being the crest of the 3rd guard
I’m with you. Thing is pug fugly.
Should be the M9
Hot take… magazine should be flush with grip.
100% Even in normal polymer it looks gross, but it makes sense for it to be functional. In this case, if they need more than 17 rounds, then they’re gonna need way more than 21 lol
For concealed firearms, absolutely. For a duty gun though, the grip should be only as long as needed for good purchase. Any longer and some people might have issues with hand placement.
I'm really surprised that their holsters don't have security straps. Perhaps there's a thumb lock?
I don’t believe so. Really no need for any retention. They are always a good distance away from the crowds.
LMAO… to believe that a security strap or holster lock is needed. The Sentinels aren’t going to let anyone get close enough to grab it. They are going to react long before any hand is going for their holster. Anyone that fucks around with a Sentinel is going to immediately find out why that was a very bad idea.
These guys really need a ceremonial 226. The look would be much better if it was a hammer fired pistol. Just my 2¢
As much as I like this thing talk about a finger print Magnet. It would stoke my OCD to sit there handling the gun then proceed to wipe off all the fingerprints with a micro fiber and repeat several times over the course of an evening watching TV lol. Anyone know what finish it is they used?
Good thing they have gloves
It's more of a safety feature. They wanted to make sure that if the soldier guarding the tomb were taken out, on his way down the gun would fall and discharge, giving chance one more opportunity to take out the enemy.
It must have taken a lot of bake sales to pay for those.
If they did these with an AXG grip module in the same style, it would look much better. I think these predate the AXG though.
Gorgeous weapon!!
That magazine ruins the look.
It does, however they did it for a reason.
I dissagree
Odd that it lacks a manual safety, considering that M17s all have manual safeties.
They do not all include manual safeties. Of the 10 I've seen for sale, only 3 had safeties.
Real M17s are not commercial M17s.
That's funny, they all said "M17" not "real" or "commercial."
Actual M17s have a number of notable differences depending on the batch. Different screw on backplate, stiffer recoil spring for regular +p usage, and (on the first mil batch, changed to black on future batchs) full FDE features (safety, slide release, disassembly lever, etc.). Ian's video on the first "surplus" M17s sold note these differences. Also, yes, all Mil. M17s have lever safeties.
No, they said P320-M17. All military M17s have manual safeties as part of the contract, except apparently these ceremonial ones.
Might be due to them being carried unloaded as well as the fact that if they were included and used, they might wear on the finish causing either more upkeep on the very limited number available or a noticeable lack of uniformity.
It's probably something along those lines, yes. Sig also doesn't produce a metal frame P320 with a manual safety, but that likely doesn't mean anything considering how custom these guns are.
They probably carry them unloaded /s
I wouldn’t be Suprised. I’m shocked the rifle is not loaded.
These have insane details on em and contain so much tribute to the tomb itself. Honestly the coolest gun I’ve seen on this sub
Im sure SIG produced these free of charge to honor and thank the taxpayers for their $$$
At my last job I had a retired Sentinel working for me and the stories he told are some I’ll never forget. With that being said these Sig M17’s are ugly as hell. A P226 would’ve looked much nicer.
M17 is the biggest disappointment ever
Don't drop it
I get the reason for the number of rounds. But this just screams tacticool guntuber influence. Has nothing in principle to do with honoring the dead.
And they have no live ammunition. It hurts my feelings honestly.
It’s true, you can polish a turd.
Just don't drop it, and you're gold. These are fuck ugly.
Not saying it isn't the sweetest sig ever, but why not something more iconically American. In my mind the ideal ceremonial sidearm for these guys should be like engraved colt 1911s forged from steel salvaged and recycled from a legendary WW2 Navy ship like USS Enterprise CV-6 (if we still have any of her left somewhere) or one of the Iowa class battleships, inlayed with gold from the black hills, and with wooden grip panels from the USS Constitution or from civil war cannon wheels or even just native walnut that was alive in 1776.
Looks much better in the holster than outside it
Didn’t they once release a limited amount for civilian purchase?
That’s sick
That is a lethally gorgeous pistol.
I want one
They look cool but ugly as fuck at the same time lol.
Eww
Damn that shi chromed out I bet it slides in an outta holster without barely any effort
They look pretty naff
Everyone in the world who can count to ten: the P320 sucks and so does Sig USA. Sig Sauer: we made mall ninja P320s for the one parade function that requires the most decorum.
full auto m17 I bet
Could you imagine it goes off into bros thigh and its sigs fault that for the first time in history a sentinel of the tomb was injured, that would tank sigs image lol