SIG Sauer: The Academy. Visit to New Hampshire

SIG Sauer, Inc. is one of the largest firearms manufacturers in the United States. The company has Swiss roots, remains the property of German financiers. It operates primarily in the USA, delivering the majority of produced weapons and accessories to the local market. SIG Sauer boasts that a third of law enforcement officers in the USA use guns produced by the company.

American SIG Sauer operations are spread between five locations: Portsmouth, Newington, Exeter, and Epping (with the last place holding the SIG Sauer Academy), and employs around 1100 people.

For a long time of their presence in the USA, SIG Sauer sold weapons of rather medium quality. That changed fifteen years ago with the appointment of Ron J. Cohen as the CEO. He introduced new designs and refreshed the offered stock, expanding the American branch into the largest part of the company. Now, European production is limited to selected sidearms, in smaller numbers than across the Atlantic. All the newest designs, spearheaded by the flagship P320 and the pocket P365 models are assembled in New Hampshire.

Selection of the modular semiautomatic pistol P320 in the Modular Handgun System competition was the greatest success of the company in recent years. That gun will be gradually replacing Italian M9 (Beretta 92FS) used since the 1980s. SIG P320 entered the service with multiple choice of frame attachments under the names M17 and M18. The company also holds multiple international trade deals, such as the delivery of 72 thousand automatic rifles to India.

New Hampshire landscape. The humorous inscription, citizens enjoying the return of spring

The history of SIG Sauer began in 1853 in Swiss town of Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Johann Conrad Neher, Friedrich Peyer im Hoff and Heinrich Moser founded Schweizerische Waggons-Fabrik (SWF) with the intent of making railway wagons. Neher was a talented engineer and metallurgist, Peyer im Hoff was a merchant with extensive rail experience, while the primary investor Moser was a clockmaker that amassed fortune in Tsarist Russia.

In January 1860, the company entered the competition for a new Swiss Army firearm. The competition attracted forty-four firms, including thirty Swiss ones.

Railway manufacturer’s interest in firearms was sparked by an earlier contract on the adaptation of 30 thousand muzzle-loaded rifles to a new 10.4 mm calibre. At the same time, the company changed its name to Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG). The modified rifle entered service as the Prelaz-Burnand model 1859 rifle. In 1863, while Poland was in the throes of the January Uprising, SIG received a contract for 15.5 thousand Milbank-Amsler model 1863 in the 10.4 mm calibre. Five years later, the Swiss government ordered from Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft eighty thousand repeating rifles with tubular under-barrel magazines designed by Friedrich Vetterli. Their designer joined SIG’s Waffen- Department in 1864. In 1908 the company signed a contract with the Mexican government on the delivery of three thousand of Fusil Porfirio Díaz Sistema Mondragón Modelo 1908. It was one of the first repeating rifles that reached service and saw combat use.

In the second half of the XX century, SIG became the primary supplier of personal weapons for Swiss armed forces. In 1949 the army received their first P210 pistols (designated as Pistole 49), replaced in 1975 with P220 (Pistole 75). In 1953 the Swiss army began ordering 7.5 mm SG 510 battle rifles (Sturmgewehr 57), and starting in 1986, 5.6 mm SG 550 assault rifles (Sturmgewehr 90). The later weapon uses 5.56 × 45 mm ammunition.

The company was successful in the 70s, but its further expansion was hindered by Swiss export regulations, forbidding manufacture and sale of firearms beyond the borders of the neutral country. This caused SG 540 rifles to be license-made by Chilean FAMAE and French MANURHIN companies. Swiss firearms made abroad were used by military forces of countries such as Chad, Cameroon, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Oman, Paraguay, Portugal, Senegal, and Togo.

In the early 1970s Swiss invested into failing German company J.P. Sauer & Sohn. It had developed manufacturing infrastructure, and, what counted the most, it was close but outside of Switzerland. The aim of the investments was avoiding Swiss regulations by entering into a partnership with another manufacturer. In 1975, production of P220 pistols was started in Germany. A slightly modified version was sold on the American market as Browning Double Action (BDA) between 1977 and 1980.

Ron J. Cohen, Israeli-born saviour of SIG Sauer. His ideas and determination in their implementation are the basis of the company’s current successes. Behind a selection of SIG Sauer’s products

SIG Sauer position was confirmed on 19th January 2019, when their modular semiautomatic pistol P320 was selected for the American Modular Handgun System making it standard sidearm in the USA military for the next few decades.

When the parent company SIG changed its business profile and fully switched to manufacturing food packaging machines, the weapon producing department (then called Swiss Arms) was sold. This was connected to the end of delivery of almost 450 thousand Sturmgewehr 90 rifles to the Swiss military in 1999. The company was purchased in October 2000 by L&O Holding, belonging to German textile industrialists Michael Lüke (who is a hunting enthusiast) and Thomas Ortmeier. Currently, the holding owns many renowned weapon manufacturers: Blaser Jagdwaffen, GSG (German Sport Guns) J.P. Sauer & Sohn, John Rigby & Co., Mauser Jagdwaffen, SAN Swiss Arms and SIG Sauer GmbH and their American branch SIG Sauer Inc.

Selection of sidearms available in Pro Shop located on the grounds of the SIG Sauer Academy

MCX Virtus carbine belongs to the second generation of such weapons offered by SIG Sauer. It was released in 2017

In January 1985, the American branch of SIG Sauer, named SIGARMS, was founded in Tysons Corner in Virginia and started selling P220 and P230 semi-automatic pistols. At that time, the firearms were manufactured in German and sent to the USA. In 1987, the company was moved to a big facility in Herndon and started providing P225, P226, and P228 models. In 1990, the company started assembly, and later production of semi-automatic pistols in the United States. SIGARMS moved again to a new location in Exeter, New Hampshire, where it is still located. Production of .40 S&W P229 was started. Ron J. Cohen, the former soldier of Israeli Defense Forces (1978-1984) who previously worked for Kimber Manufacturing, joined the company in December 2004. SIGARMS was nearing bankruptcy at the time, employing 130 workers with $40 million of yearly sales. Cohen became chief of operations, and in April 2005, CEO of SIGARMS. In a month and a half, he reordered organizational structure, laying off the majority of managers and started hiring designers and tradesmen on site instead of outsourcing their tasks. On the 1st of October, 2007, the company name was changed to SIG Sauer, Inc. In the next 30 months, the number of employees tripled and 18 million dollars were invested in the development of the company and new production lines.

Since 2004 SIG Sauer produces their variant of M1911 semiautomatic pistol, including special model known as 1776/ We the People

SIG Sauer Newington facility’s interior, particularly the machine shop where key metal parts are worked

One of the groundbreaking decisions made by Cohen was initiating production of short-stroke piston variants of AR. They appeared on the market in 2010 as SIG516 5.56 mm rifle (also available in 7.62×39 mm) and 7.62 mm SIG517. In 2012 they were joined on the market by M400, a direct impingement gas-operated carbine.

Within four years, Cohen’s directorship turned SIG Sauer into the fifth largest firearms producer in the USA, providing 678 thousand weapons to the market, 477 thousands of which were produced locally. Company profits exceeded 500 million dollars. In 2013, a new submachine pistol MPX was presented, followed by P320 modular pistol next year, and MCX carbine in 2015. All those designs are considered novel in some way. In the meantime, SIG Sauer’s headquarters were moved to Newington.

Since 2015, SIG Sauer Inc. has expanded its assortment, adding optical and electro-optical scopes, silencers, ammo, and pneumatic weapons. They also sell binoculars, telescopes, laser pointers, laser designators, laser rangefinders, and flashlights. Even bags for weapons, ear protectors, holsters, loaders, clothing, and knives bear SIG Sauer brand.

The wide array of products offered allows the company to provide customers with complete shooting systems, highly competitive on military and law enforcement markets. None of the company’s rivals has such potential. Some, like Beretta, added scope-manufacturing subsidiaries to their holdings but doesn’t produce ammunition. At the moment SIG Sauer employs over 1.2 thousand workers.

MPX submachine gun, MCX carbine, and P320 Semi-automatic pistol are the newest and most exciting SIG Sauer products.

MPX is a short-stroke gas-operated gun chambered for 9 × 19 mm. This weapon is used by many law enforcement and military special units. It’s the first weapon in the line of fully modular firearms designed by SIG Sauer. The user can pick different length barrels, handguards, and stocks. There is also a variant with integrated silencer. MPX is intended as a direct, modern competitor to MP5, which is even reflected in its name.

P320 is an enormously successful 9 mm semi-automatic pistol as there is no greater recognition of quality and parameters of a gun than its selection as a new service sidearm by the US military forces. P320, introduced to service as M17/M18, is another modular construction. The most revolutionary aspect of P320 is its separated fire control unit. As a numbered key part of the weapon, in the light of existing legislation, it is treated as the frame of the weapon and the polymer grip becomes exchangeable part of the gun (offered are standardized grips: Full Size, Carry, X-Carry, Compact, Subcompact, and many others). It can be freely mixed with the fire control, adjusted to the length of the lock, and offers full customization to fit the user’s needs. The success of P320 in the USA resulted in its increased sales all over the world. Some other military forces, including Denmark, already picked SIG Sauer as their sidearm.

Modular, multi calibre carbine MCX is also a very interesting weapon. The primary variant is chambered for 5.56×45 mm, though some models (MCX Rattler) use 7.62×35/.300 Blackout. It uses an easily replaceable modular barrel combined with an AR-compatible receiver and new short-stroke piston system. Without recoil spring extending into the stock, the folded stock became the possibility. The whole weapon is modular, allowing the user to replace barrels, handguards, stocks, receivers, and silencers. It gained popularity among counterterrorism units and works well in urban environments.

All those models are present on the civilian market. MPX is available in a stockless version, treated by American law as a semi- automatic pistol, like a pistol ammunition-chambered carbine, and shortened versions MPX K and Copperhead that use folded braces instead of standard stock. Virtus is the primary model of semi-automatic 5.56 mm MCX carbine in a few variants, but there is also a shortened MCX Rattler chambered for 7.62×35 mm. P320 is not subject to restrictions, but models M17/M18 are sold only to institutions and services while very similar models are offered to civilians.

The idea of creation of a dedicated training centre appeared for the first time in the late 80s, during the negotiations between SIGARMS and federal agencies. Institutions purchasing SIG Sauer pistols pushed for the creation of a facility training gunsmiths, instructors, and end-users. At that time, American uniformed services were switching from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols, which were finally deemed reliable enough for officers. There was also pressure from criminals who were taking advantage of larger, quickly replaced magazines.

The training centre would be also used to train police officers and federal agents, helping them overcome ingrained habits related to use of revolvers and get accustomed to modern wonder nines being popularized in the USA.

Initial plans assumed that SIG Sauer Academy would be a commercial replica of the FBI’s training facility open to officers of all the police departments from across the states.

Police officers and federal agents wanted access to indoor and outdoor ranges for long and short weapons, closely placed training rooms, and vehicular training. What’s more, the centre needed capability to bunk and feed groups of the trainees, often counting ten-something members coming from the other side of the United States. Officers also wanted access to a local research centre, underground testing site, gunsmiths, and facility for the training of the later.

Map of SIG Sauer Academy facility in Epping. Visiting journalists were driven around all the places. It is a truly impressive experience.

Before each start, the staff explains safety rules before allowing the trainees to access weapons.

View from an unmanned drone on the location of the majority of training courses taking place during the journalists’ visit. The large building with white roof houses a well-ventilated indoor shooting range.

A group of European journalists getting acquaintanced with holsters and guns before starting their first day of training at SIG Sauer Academy

One of the funniest introductions to gun safety. The training was often interrupted by laughter

Shooting rivalry during the training. Bullet trap is well visible here, fully safe even when firing at targets a few meters away from it

In 1990 SIGARMS was moved from Herndon to Exeter in New Hampshire. It was then when SIGARMS Academy was officially formed, though it had no dedicated training location yet. The first instructors were Bank Miller, Jim Fry, and George Harris. The first courses were started, often connected to visiting the production facilities or organized outgoing training, with firing ranges leased near places where trained officers served. The number of instructors was successively increased.

Finally, in 1996, SIGARMS Academy bought a large forested area in Epping, several minutes of drive away from the production facilities. Immediately construction of indoor firing range was started, together with two training rooms, weapon magazine, and administrative facilities.

It’s worth noting that since the beginning, the trainees with a personal weapon were fully accepted. The officers were never demanded to use SIG Sauer guns during the courses. From that times comes one of the academy’s mottos: “No matter what firearm you shoot, we’ll make you a better shooter, guaranteed”.

P320 X-Five was the basic weapon issued to journalists participating in the training. An excellent weapon with a polymer frame.

Pocket P365, the smallest of SIG Sauer’s pistols, turned out great during the training.

In 2001, SIGARMS Academy introduced its first specialized civilian courses. Initially, they were offered to organizations and groups cooperating with SIG Sauer. Soon, the growing numbers of willing customers made the centre open their doors to everyone. The courses were divided into accessible to Armed Professionals and Responsible Citizens. The difference between the courses was based on an assumption that an Armed Professional is someone who uses firearms in their jobs. Responsible citizen category, on the other hand, covers people who can legally own guns in the USA, and thus should learn how to use them.

The primary difference between the curriculums is a different approach to tactics and rules of engagement. The proper response to armed incidents is part of their responsibilities. As it goes beyond the responsibilities of ordinary citizens, the instructors advise avoiding such confrontations when possible while at the same time preparing them to engage in self-defence when left without other options.

P365 has an impressive capacity for such small construction and has an amazing trigger operation. It doesn’t differ much from a regular pistol

Firing ranges at SIG Sauer Academy. Well visible targets nearest long-distance range with maximum firing distance reaching 1000 yards (914 m)

In 2006, a weapon shop was opened at the site, and in 2007 a federal firearms license was obtained. Also in 2007, the centre changed its name to SIG Sauer Academy. The whole facility was expanded constantly, adding specialized structures, such as aquatic fire range, 360 degree, tactical track, more indoor ranges, and the sole publicly accessible 1000 yard precision range within the whole New England (i.e. states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Islands, and Connecticut). In 2012 a new building for Pro Shop was erected, now offering the full array of SIG Sauer products from the USA and Europe.

Visit of European journalists to the New Hampshire facility was organized by German headquarters of SIG Sauer. It took a few days, including flight to the USA and back. Guests participated in two of the Academy’s courses, received training with long and short arms produced in Newington, toured the manufacturing plant, and spoke with CEO, Ron J. Cohen. He proved to be a likeable man who welcomed the group with the joke that there are no Americans present at the meeting as his assistant was revealed to be Pole, working in the company for years now.

Journalists were toured over the workshop’s gallery, viewing the manufacturing and assembly from above. They were also shown a guarded part where semiautomatic M17 and M18 for the military were assembled, restricted to selected employees.

Newington factory is up-to-date, with an impressive automated manufacturing line for P320s’ heart, that is their firing control units, wholly assembled by robots. SIG Sauer plant is focused on manufacturing barrels and receivers. Majority of other components are ordered from subcontractors. The main factory is mostly an assembly line, which is not surprising, as most large producers operate that way, wherever they produce cars, home appliances, or firearms.

Curiously, the employees are well informed about all the new contracts signed by SIG Sauer, and even about currently realized deliveries. Screens placed in many locations inform them of current recipients and confirmations of deliveries. Interesting way of motivating workers by showing them the daily results of their work, and putting it in the greater context. It stimulates the imagination.

A shipping container town for tactical training and force-on-force shooting with the use of paint ammo. Besides an insight into a killing house

SIG Sauer Academy firing ranges. Area 51 is on the left, currently excluded from photos because of the ongoing training of one of the American special troops.

Introduction to long arm training using semi-automatic carbines MCX Virtus. Carrying straps are in well noticeable intense orange colour. Why? Because it is easy to notice when someone accidentally tries to carry them out was the official answer

The visiting group was welcomed by the academy’s vice president Steve Matulewicz. He is a nice and interesting person, instructor, but also a former SEAL. The training itself was led by Eric Palmer, Dylan Kenneson, and Josh Corbett (called JC by everyone).

The training centre covers an area of 140 acres, where 110 kinds of courses and activities take place. From the main entrance, the road leads to the parking next to the well-stocked Pro Shop. Besides stands the first, smallest firing range, the lecture halls, and the indoor range. Nearby stands a much larger range, a huge hall with a 50-yard firing range. You can drive a car inside, and it easily holds over a dozen people shooting next to each other.

The hall is equipped with an excellent ventilation system. In Poland, we are used to the unique smell within most indoor ranges. After a few hours, their bodies encourage the shooters to leave quickly, with a lengthy stay often followed by a headache. On the other hand, after a whole day at SIG Sauer Academy, using both the long and the short arms, we didn’t smell even the faintest hint of gunpowder. On the contrary, a shooter inside felt a presence reminiscent of a pleasant breeze, constantly providing fresh air.

Besides the largest hall lies the thousand-yard range for long- -distance shooting. The road leads further to open ranges, a small lake, 360-degree range, and nine ranges composing Area 51 zone, practically constantly occupied by representatives of uniformed services or military. SIG Sauer Academy also offers training with service dogs, facilities for force on force training with nonlethal ammunition, and a zone for tactical training or a kill house. Buildings with training halls are plentiful.

MCX Virtus.

Interior of the Academy’s main weapon magazine

The course itself can be easily called fantastic. I am not sure if it was the matter of the competence shown by the instructors, their excellent preparedness, or the influence of the place itself. Even a few hours of training was great fun and taught a lot. Such a large shooting range allows for shooting competitions or specialized training with equal ease. What’s more, to avoid boring the trainees, the courses included many informative but enjoyable teamwork games.

With a clear conscience, I can recommend purchasing a few day-long courses at the SIG Sauer Academy. It is a fantastic place for a marksman, both an armed professional and a responsible citizen. No one will be bored, and the instructors are wonderfully prepared. Basically, each of them has a personal show, which, in afterthought, is a very well thought and finely designed course. They are simply enjoying their work, doing something they love. You can see by their teasing they know and like each other. It’s a close-knit group combining rich experience from different services and organizations. Not long after we visited SIG Sauer Academy, a group of their instructors visited Poland, where they trained one of the units in firearms use. Local special forces were not complaining about the quality of the training program.

A group of smiling instructors handling the European journalists. They had fun during the training, sharing their knowledge in a really interesting way.

After the training, all the participants received commemorative diplomas marking the bearers qualified users of P320, P365, and MCX.

Interior of Pro Shop located at the SIG Sauer Academy. Instructors Instructors let us know that trainees have a discount.

The editors would like to thank MK Szuster and Sig Sauer for the opportunity to visit Sig Sauer Academy in the USA

Article previously published on MILMAG 02/2020