I have been fascinated with the thought of modular weapons systems for as long as I can remember. I tend to fluctuate between wanting to keep pistols bone stock and going absolutely crazy with customizations. Modularity really helps with the latter, so today I’d like to look at 3 modular handgun systems today.
We will be going over the P320 from Sig Sauer, the Springfield Echelon, and the Beretta APX. To start off we will go over some of the specs and history behind all these pistols and then I will give you my personal rankings.
Sig P320
The Sig P320 is a modular, striker-fired pistol developed by Sig Sauer, a Swiss-German firearms manufacturer. It has gained recognition for its versatility and innovative design. Below is a brief history of the Sig P320:
Development and Introduction
– Early 2000s: The development of the P320 can be traced back to Sig Sauer’s desire to create a modern striker-fired pistol that incorporated modularity and adaptability.
-2014: The P320 was officially introduced at the SHOT Show. Its unique selling points included a modular frame that allowed users to change calibers, frame sizes, and configurations without the need for specialized tools.
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Design Features
– Modularity: The P320 features a modular design, allowing users to swap out the frame, trigger group, and slide/barrel assembly. This makes it easy to customize the pistol for different hand sizes and preferences, as well as change calibers (e.g., 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP).
– Striker-Fired Mechanism: Unlike many of Sig Sauer’s traditional double/single action models, the P320 employs a striker-fired action, which simplifies the firing mechanism and provides a consistent trigger pull.
– Safety Features: The P320 incorporates an internal safety system, including a striker safety, disconnect safety, and a trigger safety to enhance firearm safety.
Adoption by Law Enforcement and Military
– U.S. Military Trials (2015-2017): The P320 was submitted to the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System competition. It was chosen as the winner in January 2017, beating competitors like Glock and Smith & Wesson.
– M17 and M18 Models: As a result of the military contract, Sig Sauer developed the M17 (full-size) and M18 (compact) variants, which were adopted as the standard sidearm for the U.S. Army and later for other branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force and Marine Corps.
Popularity and Expansion
– Commercial Success: The P320 has achieved considerable popularity in the civilian market and among law enforcement agencies. The system’s flexibility, combined with its reputation for reliability and accuracy, contributed to its acceptance.
– Variants: Over time, many variants of the P320 have been introduced, including subcompact (P320 XCompact), performance versions (P320 X5), and optics-ready models.
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Controversies
– Drop Safety Concerns: In early 2017, some users raised concerns over reports of unintentional discharges when the firearm was dropped. Sig Sauer responded with an upgrade program and introduced design changes to enhance safety. However, this incident led to scrutiny and discussions about the firearm’s design.
Current Status
The Sig P320 continues to be a significant player in the handgun market, being popular among civilian shooters, law enforcement, and military personnel. Its modularity, coupled with the advancements in firearm technology and ergonomics, ensures it remains relevant in today’s dynamic firearms landscape.
Springfield Echelon
The Springfield Echelon Pistol is a modern semi-automatic handgun that was developed by Springfield Armory, a firearms manufacturer based in the United States. Introduced in 2021, the Echelon is notable for its focus on modularity, ergonomics, and high-performance features, appealing to both civilian shooters and law enforcement or military users.
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Development and Features
-Design Philosophy: The Echelon was designed with versatility and customization in mind. Its modular design allows for various configurations to suit different shooter preferences and uses.
-Modularity: One of the key features of the Echelon is its modular chassis system, which enables users to swap components like frames and grips easily. This allows for personalization and enhances user comfort.
-Ergonomics: The pistol incorporates adjustable backstraps, allowing shooters to customize the grip size. This is intended to improve comfort and accuracy for a wide range of users.
-Optics Ready: The Echelon is designed with a pre-milled slide to accommodate red dot optics, which has become increasingly popular among competitive shooters and everyday carry enthusiasts.
-Safety Features: The pistol comes equipped with multiple safety mechanisms, including trigger safety, striker status indicator, and a manually operated thumb safety on some models.
-Caliber and Capacity: The Echelon is typically chambered in 9mm, a standard caliber for many modern handguns. It offers a high magazine capacity, which is advantageous for both competition and self-defense scenarios.
Reception and Impact
Since its release, the Springfield Echelon has garnered attention for its innovative design and user-friendly features. Reviews from firearm enthusiasts and professionals in the industry praised its performance, accuracy, and adaptability.
The Echelon represents Springfield Armory’s continued commitment to producing firearms that meet the needs of a diverse user base, combining modern technology with classic reliability. As it continues to grow in popularity, it is likely to become a significant player in the market of semi-automatic pistols.
The Springfield Echelon reflects contemporary trends in the firearm industry, focusing on modularity, safety, and user experience. Its introduction marks an important chapter in Springfield Armory’s history, as they adapt to the evolving demands of shooters and the competitive landscape.
Beretta APX
The Beretta APX is a semi-automatic pistol that was designed and produced by the Italian firearms manufacturer Beretta. It was unveiled at the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and represents Beretta’s entry into the striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol market, competing with popular models such as the Glock and the Smith & Wesson M&P series.
Development
The development of the APX began in the early 2010s as part of Beretta’s efforts to innovate and create a modern service pistol. Recognizing the shift in law enforcement and military preferences towards polymer-framed, striker-fired handguns, Beretta aimed to design a versatile and reliable firearm that could appeal to both civilian and professional markets.
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Features
The APX features several design characteristics that set it apart from its competitors:
– Modularity: One of the standout features of the APX is its modular design. The grip frame can be easily changed to accommodate different hand sizes and preferences, and the fire-control group can also be swapped between frames.
– Ergonomics: The APX is designed with a focus on user comfort, featuring an aggressive grip texture and an overall ergonomic form that fits naturally in the hand.
– Slide and Trigger: The pistol has a slide with front and rear cocking serrations for easier manipulation. It also utilizes a striker-fired system, which contributes to a consistent trigger pull.
– Optics Ready: Some variants of the APX are designed to be optics-ready, accommodating red dot sights for faster target acquisition.
Variants
Beretta has produced several variants of the APX since its initial release:
– APX Standard: The original model designed for civilian and law enforcement use.
– APX Compact: A smaller version suitable for concealed carry.
– APX A1: An upgraded variant, incorporating feedback from users and sporting improvements such as an enhanced trigger and updated ergonomics.
– APX RDO: A variant designed for use with reflex sights, featuring height-adjusted slide cuts.
Adoption
While the APX has not achieved the same level of market penetration as some of its competitors, it has been adopted by various law enforcement agencies and military units around the world, including entries into competitive procurement processes.
Overall, the Beretta APX represents a modern approach to pistol design, integrating versatility, ergonomics, and user-friendly features suitable for a range of applications from self-defense to military use. As the firearm landscape continues to evolve, the APX remains a relevant option in the market.
Ranking
- Springfield Echelon
I feel like the newest iteration of the modular pistol also happens to be my favorite. The way the pistol points in my hands, as well as the out of the box ability to mount almost any red dot and fully ambidextrous gives it the number one spot on my list
- Sig P320
Second Place goes to the Sig P320. I have the most experience with this pistol compared to the other two, so I feel like I have well acquainted myself with the strengths and weaknesses of this gun. I love the feel of this pistol in hand, but there is a little bit of an issue with height over bore, and Sig not following trends and making red dot compatibility a pain sometimes. I do enjoy the ability to swap the magazine release for a left-handed shooter with only a little bit of a headache.
- Beretta APX
Third Place goes to the Beretta APX. This is still a solid gun and absolutely a pistol that you should purchase. I just think both the Echelon and the P320 feel better in hand. Much like the P320 it does have the ability to swap the magazine release and feature an ambidextrous slide stop/release. The backstraps are kind of annoying to swap but not too bad. It does come read dot ready which is a plus, but if given the opportunity I would choose either the P320 or Echelon first.
