The SIG M11-A1 has been in service with various military servicemembers (various units of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force already use the M11 platform) for years. But, SIG is now going to offer the M11-A1 for civilian purchase.
The P228 (or M11-A1) is, essentially, a reduced P226. The P226 Navy or MK25, is the standard 9mm issued to Navy SEALs. Like the MK25, the M11 is chambered in 9mm and features the same phosphorus coating on the internals (for rust prevention in wet environments). Where it differs is in scale. The P226 measures 7.7in long by 5.5in tall at 1.5in wide, while the smaller P228 measures 7.1in long, 5.4in tall and 1.5in wide. While the SIG M11-A1 may be a bit short of the P226’s dimensions, it doesn’t skimp in capacity. Both pistols hold 15+1.
The general public isn’t quite getting the milspec M11, though. The SIG M11-A1 features a couple of upgrades from the original military design. One of these features is the solid milled stainless steel slide with an external extractor (as opposed to the 2-piece carbon steel slide, fixed together by a roll pin and internal extractor of the predecessor M11). Another step up from the milspec M11 is the sights. The military M11 featured contrast sights, but the SIG M11-A1 features SIGLITE night sights (with Tritium inserts) out of the box. This pistol, milspec and upgraded features, also comes with a SIG-style pricetag: the M11-A1 MSRP is $1,125.
Not-insignificant price aside, what do you think about SIG putting another military-style pistol out for the civilian market?
