SIG Sauer handgun novelties: new pistols at the Premier Media Day 2019

SIG Sauer introduced a host of new models, showcased at the manufacturer’s 3rd Annual SIG Premier Media Day event, just a couple days before the official start of the SHOT Show 2019 in Las Vegas

SIG P365 Manual Safety
The small SIG P365 Manual Safety has an ambidextrous manual safety lever on the polymer frame.

Many of the handguns we saw are simply restylings of already established models, sometimes with an esthetic twist, a new caliber addition, or a new feature or configuration; this is the case, for example, of the P365 Manual Safety which, as the name implies, has an ambidextrous manual safety lever on the polymer frame. Or the P229 in SAO, which is already hitting the stores. Another addition may be the micro compact pistols such as the SIG Sauer P938 and P238 entry into the Legion line.

SIG Sauer P320 X-Compact Pistol

The SIG Sauer P320 X-Compact, left side
The SIG Sauer P320 X-Compact. This brand-new model features a 3.6” barrel, flat trigger and X-Series slide with the X-Compact Grip module. The magazine holds 15 rounds.

On the other hand, let’s get serious with some pistols that are really interesting and new: first of all, the XCompact in the P320 Xseries line of pistols. The P320 XCompact features a more compact grip module and a new, shorter 3.6 in / 91.5 mm barrel. With a magazine capacity of 15 rounds and the X-RAY3 day/night sights, it is suitable for a variety of applications despite its compact dimensions.

Other innovations in the X Series

The SIG Sauer P320 X-VTAC with its optics-ready
The SIG Sauer P320 X-VTAC, with its optics-ready, stainless steel FDE slide and black frame. The X-VTAC uses a X-Carry grip module.

Then the XVTAC and XFULL updated versions, both with a 4.7” barrel and 17-round magazines; the XVTAC features a FDE Stainless slide and the VTAC day/night sights with the XCarry grip module, while the XFULL uses the same Xcarry grip but with a standard slide and X-RAY3 sights. All pistols in the XSERIES line feature a flat trigger and an optic-ready slide with a machined cut and a cover plate, and are chambered in 9mm Luger. The pistol fits well in the hand; the trigger is a joy to use and accuracy is excellent, the shorter barrel not influencing in the least our precision. Recoil is slightly sharper than a standard P320. We are also told that the P320 X-Compact may be considered for import in Europe.


SIG Sauer MPX Copperhead - 3.5'' barrel in caliber 9mm: our first impressions

The SIG Sauer MPX Copperhead 9mm pistol
The incredibly compact SIG Sauer MPX Copperhead; the 9mm 3.5” barrel features an integral flash hider/muzzle brake. The telescopic arm brace is extended.

The MPX Copperhead is an extremely compact version of the MPX platform in 9mm Luger. It features a monolithic Elite Series Cerakote E190 Coyote finish upper receiver, with an integrated stock knuckle lower, and a 3.5” barrel with integrated muzzle brake. This pistol comes equipped with the new SIG SAUER Pivoting Contour Brace (PCB), that adapts to the movement of the shooter’s arm with a patented swivel operation for optimal placement and can be rapidly deployed. It is also available as an accessory for MCX and MPX firearms. Total length of the gun is just 14.5” (368 mm). Our impression test firing the Copperhead is good but not enthusiastic. The new gun, shot as it should be with the arm brace fastened on the shooting hand, may feel awkward, and it may be necessary to incline the gun slightly to be able to aim correctly. 

The Copperhead carries an MRSP of 1835 USD and is now shipping in the US. As we could find out, there are no concrete plans to bring it to Europe.

The SIG Sauer MPX Copperhead sub-machine gun with the new SIG SAUER Pivoting Contour Brace (PCB) extended.
The SIG Sauer MPX Copperhead sub-machine gun with the new SIG SAUER Pivoting Contour Brace (PCB) extended.
The right side of the SIG Sauer Copperhead. The controls are the usual ones of the MPX model.
The right side of the SIG Sauer Copperhead. The controls are the usual ones of the MPX model.

SIG Sauer MCX Canebrake pistol with optional suppressor - fun to shoot!

The SIG Sauer MCX Canebrake pistol spins off from another SIG “snake”, the MCX Rattler SBR. Chambered in .300 BLK, this gun features a 5.5” barrel, a folding fixed PCB Brace, and a PDW M-LOK SD handguard that is built to be compatible with direct-thread sound suppressors, and the MCX Canebrake even comes with an inert trainer 7.62 tube installed – basically, a faux suppressor. Hint, hint… SIG is suggesting an obvious purchase - where legal, of course. Additionally, the Canebrake receivers are Cerakote coated in tan, with the handguard in black, and features a Matchlite Duo Coyote Tan flat blade trigger. This gun was really fun to shoot, especially with the SIGSRD762 suppressor mounted instead of the inert training tube.

SIG Sauer MCX Canebrake in .300BK with the SIGSRD762 suppressor mounted at the SIG Premier Media Day event.
The SIG Sauer MCX Canebrake in .300BK, with the optional (and highly regulated) SIGSRD762 suppressor mounted.
Left side of the MCX Canebrake at the SIG Premier Media Day event
Left side of the MCX Canebrake with the folded PCB arm brace.

Both the MPX Copperhead and MCX Canebrake pistols are USA exclusive models, built to comply with the strict Federal law that regulates any rifle with a barrel shorter than 16”.

The SIG Sauer P320 M17 pistol is not totally new, as we did a trough test recently. But the new 4.6'' barel makes it a bit more compact. However, the inclusion of the pistol in the catalog marks its official mass availability on the market. The M17 is also going to be available in Europe.


For more information about the new pistol models, please visit the SIG Sauer website. 

All new SIG Sauer models for 2019 were showcased at the SIG Sauer Premier Media Day 2019: here you'll find a recap from all4shooters.

Find all the news from SHOT Show 2019 on all4shooters.com.

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