efore the news of the U.S. Coast Guard Decision, we have assumed that the march of the SIG Sauer M17/M18 pistol as the official handgun of the U.S. military is complete. But it seems the U.S. Coast Guard got other plans and instead selected the Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS Pistol.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is technically a branch of the U.S. military and is tasked to enforcing maritime laws. In 2018, it has been reported that it was adopting the M18 pistol, the compact variant of the M17 MHS to replace the .40mm Sig Sauer P229 DAK which was adopted in 2006.  The selection of the Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS has given Glock a foothold in the U.S. military instead of SIG Sauer being the sole supplier of handguns to all the branches of the U.S. military.

The pistol will be acquired through a contract with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as announced by Glock USA in a press release. The Glock 19 Gen 6 is a 9x9mm pistol that  features Modular Optic System allowing the shooter to mount optics that are compatible with its multiple adapter plates.

There is no mention when deliveries will happen and the number of pistols that will be acquired by the USCG. More information on the press release by Glock issued last 29 September 2020:

U. S. Coast Guard Selects and Fields GLOCK Pistols

SMYRNA, Ga. – September 29th, 2020 GLOCK, Inc., a global leader in firearm manufacturing, is proud to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has selected and begun fielding the GLOCK pistols after a thorough review of testing results.

The USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime with a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in domestic and international waters.  The USCG is charged with protecting America’s economic, national, and border security as America’s maritime first responder.  With missions of search and rescue, homeland security, and national defense, the USCG requires a reliable sidearm that performs in all conditions and harsh elements.

After careful evaluation of existing federal contracts supported by GLOCK, the USCG selected to purchase through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract the GLOCK 19 Gen5 MOS as the standard service pistol. USCG acquisition objective was fulfilled by GLOCK within four months of the initial purchase request. CBP’s extensive solicitation process, which included independent testing by the Institute of Justice Laboratories, comprehensive field evaluations, and direct input from 16,000 CBP law enforcement personnel, helped guide the selection by USCG.

“GLOCK is honored to support the requirements of the USCG and provide a weapon solution that delivers on unmatched performance and value in any environment,” said GLOCK, Inc. VP Josh Dorsey.  “The comprehensive testing and evaluation process conducted by CBP demonstrated the GLOCK pistols lasting reliability that instills confidence in those who use it to go into harm’s way.”

The CBP award incorporates GLOCK’s newest 5th Generation technology pistols. For more information about GLOCK Gen5 technologies, visit us.glock.com.