Coast Guard Changes Gears, Goes Glock

While the rest of the military is going with the SIg M17/M18 as their standard handgun, the U.S Coast Guard is piggybacking off the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contract and moving to Glocks.

Glock announced on Tuesday that the maritime service, which is under the Department of Homeland Security along with CBP, chose the Glock 19 gen5 mis in 9mm as their standard handgun. Moreover, the Georgia-based company has already fulfilled the Coast Guard's initial purchase request.

“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.”

CBP went with an $85 million contarct last yearto replace their .40 S&W H&K P2000 pistols with a variety of 9mm Glock platforms including not only Gen 5 G19s and G26s but also the new G47. Working off the same award, the Secret Service another DHS agency-- moved to G19s late last year as well.

Glock previously advised that all three models used by CBP feature a flared magwell for faster magazine changes, the match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel (GMB) for enhanced accuracy, and Ameriglo BOLD sights. The CBP handguns all have extended magazine floorplates, presumably for better access to strip away magazines in the sandy, dusty conditions along the Southern border.

In the Coast Guard's service, the Glocks will replace SIg Sauer P229R DAK models in .40 S&W which were adopted in 2006. The Sigs, purchased after the USCG moved from the Department of Transportation to newly-formed Homeland Security, replaced early Beretta made M9  9mms which were fielded beginning in 1985.