The Texas Department of Public Safety is phasing out the current issued SIG Sauer pistols chambered for the .357 SIG cartridge.  Smith & Wesson M&P9 pistols will replace the SIG handguns beginning with the academy class starting training this month.  Troopers already issued the SIG pistols will transition to the M&P over time.

While the department could have transitioned to another SIG product in 9mm for less recoil, the department stated the selection of the M&P was based on several reasons:

• the M&P is lighter than the SIG Sauer
• the palm swell grips allow the department to better fit the gun to the officer
• testing showed the M&P exceeded the performance of the SIG

While I personally like SIG Sauer products, I generally agree with the Texas DPS decision.  Fitting a gun to the individual is extremely important and with the classic line of SIG Sauer pistols, this is very difficult.  Even with the E2 upgrades and a short reach trigger, the trigger reach on a P226 can be difficult for shooters with short fingers and/or small hands.

Texas DPS is not the only department that has transitioned from the SIG to the M&P.  While not the only reason, I suspect that this was at least one of the reasons SIG decided to launch the new P320 line of striker-fired handguns this year.