Glock protests U.S. Army's handgun contract with Sig Sauer

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Sidearm producer Glock is protesting the U.S. Army's decision to replace its legacy M9 Beretta with a modified Sig Sauer P320.

The protest, filed to the U.S. Government Accountability Office on Feb. 24, puts the Army's plans to test its XM17 Handgun System on hold until the contract protest is resolved.

Sig Sauer received a $580 million contract to provide the new handguns for the Army in January. The order includes new weapons, ammunition and accessories.

The contract was awarded as part of a the Modular Handgun Program, an open competition to replace the Beretta M9.

The Beretta M9 has been the standard sidearm for all branches under the U.S. Department of Defense since 1985.

Sig Sauer's P320 is marketed as the only pistol in its class to come equipped with a slide-mounted reflex optic, which the company says helps operators improve their accuracy.

The weapon is designed to fire 9mm ammunition, and features semi-automatic firing capability.