Although estimates vary, between 50-80% of U.S. police departments use Glock pistols and all estimates concur that a majority rely on Glocks. Those departments that do not use Glocks are most likely to use Smith and Wesson handguns, followed by Sig Sauer. Although Sig Sauer currently has a smaller piece of the U.S. law enforcement market, they have made serious gains in the military markets. Sig Sauer’s M17 and M18 (the military versions of their P320) have become the primary side arm of the U.S. Military after being adopted by the U.S. Army in 2017. Additionally, Glock and Sig Sauer have routinely held multiple spots on any top five lists of most sold handguns in the U.S. civilian market for the past five years, with Smith and Wesson often breaking into the list or placing in the top 10.
Although Glock dominates the U.S. law enforcement and civilian handgun markets as their only product are handguns, their overall yearly revenue is small ($66 million) compared to the second-largest gun producer, Smith and Wesson ($864 million), and the sixth-largest, Sig Sauer ($314 million). These much higher numbers of yearly revenue are driven in both Sig Sauer and Smith and Wesson’s case by non-handgun sales (rifles and shotguns) and success in worldwide markets.
However you cut it, these three manufacturers are clearly fighting tooth and nail for the same customers in the U.S. handgun market. These big three dominate the law enforcement and civilian U.S. carry markets, but are there meaningful differences beyond brand loyalty? What are the objective differences between each company’s carry/duty guns and what are the subjective pros and cons of each?
Similarities
Although all three companies produce multiple handguns that ‘fit’ the mold of a full-sized carry or duty gun, for the purposes of simplicity I will be primarily comparing the Glock 17, Sig Sauer P320 full-sized, and the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 full-sized in this section. All three are described by their manufacturers as full-sized striker-fired, polymer frame guns with barrel lengths varying between four and five inches and with a standard capacity of 17 rounds of 9mm. All three come standard with an internal safety system tied to the trigger. For an objective breakdown of these three guns please see Table 1. As I look at each company I will look more at their full lines of products.
Table 1:Comparisons of the Glock 17, P320 Full Size, and the Smith and Wesson M&P9 2.0 Full Size
| Pistol | Weight | Length | Height | Width | Barrel Length | Cost (2) |
| Glock 17 | 24.9oz. | 8” | 5.5” | 1.3” | 4.5” | $549.00 |
| Sig Sauer RXP P320 (1) | 25.6oz. | 8” | 6.4” | 1.4” | 4.7” | $729.00 |
| Smith and Wesson M&P9 2.0 | 27.8oz. | 7.4” | 5.5” | 1.2” | 4.3” | $619.00 |
(1) Includes red dot optic as the non-optic version is currently not available. (2) Average across multiple big-box stores such as Bass Pro.
Objectively, there is little meaningful difference in the overall dimensions and weight of these three guns, and all three have similar barrel lengths. They are all striker-fired polymer guns with internal safeties. The only real objective difference is the price with Glock’s coming in cheapest (and even cheaper for law enforcement with the Blue Label discount program) and Sig Sauer’s coming in slightly more (this trend is also seen in their non-optic options).
The similarities do not stop there. All three are highly reliable, will shoot most ammo with no issues, and have a proven history of taking a licking and keeping on ticking. I have personally fired thousands of training and defensive rounds through multiple versions of each pistol and would equally trust the reliability of all three.
The Sig Sauer only has an internal safety device preventing accidental discharge (drop safe). This means the only way to get the gun to fire is to pull the trigger. The Glock and Smith and Wesson also have this internal drop safety, as well as a trigger safety that blocks the trigger from moving unless purposely depressed. You must firmly press back on the full face of the trigger to release the trigger safety, and the trigger cannot be depressed to fire from just the side).
All three have similar trigger functions regarding trigger pull (5-6 pounds), trigger break, and trigger reset. At this basic level, the only real differences are brand loyalty, aesthetics, and ergonomics (how the gun feels, matches your grip, and balances for you on presentation). But as we look closer there are other differences across similar guns offered by each company.
The Glock
Glocks are blocky and black, and they all look the same. Glock was founded as a private Austrian company in 1963 but started designing pistols in 1979. This sameness of models is what makes Glocks appealing to so many people. Enough so, that in some quarters Glock has become synonymous with pistol like Kleenex has become synonymous with tissue.
By only making handguns and focusing on similar function and design across all their handguns, it is very easy to move from Glock model to model. Every model has very similar controls, grip design, and grip angle. There are some differences from generation to generation (currently on Gen 5) such as grip surface and the presence of grip finger grooves, front slide serrations, or whether there are ambidextrous controls. However, picking up a 1982 Gen 1 Glock 17 is not meaningfully different than firing the newest Gen 5 Glock 17.
Another advantage is that due to their market dominance, there are countless aftermarket parts from simple slide back plates to full replacement slides and trigger groups. Also, as they are slightly cheaper than other options, it is easy to see how this workhorse of a gun has retained its top spot in U.S. police departments.
The downside is that beyond changes in size and caliber, a Glock is a Glock. Glock does not make anything outside of polymer frame, semi-automatic, internal and trigger safety, striker-fired pistols. If you are looking for variety or something other than a pistol, Glock is not the place to look. Glock is very happy doing one thing and doing it very well. I once heard Glocks called the Honda Civic of the Gun World and this is an apt title. They are not super fancy, but they work and work well.
The Smith and Wesson
Founded in 1852, Smith and Wesson has been producing firearms in many forms for over 150 years. A distinctly American company, their products span the gamut of firearms, and it is easy to see how they are the second largest firearms manufacturer in the world. Prior to the switch to semi-automatics polymer handguns by U.S. police departments in the late 1980s and 1990s, Smith and Wesson revolvers held a similar dominance in law enforcement now enjoyed by Glock.
Smith and Wesson’s primarily polymer striker-fired M&P (Military and Police) series of handguns are clearly designed to directly compete with Glock. However, unlike Glocks, there are many options including external safeties, metal frames, and just about as many after-market parts. Also, unlike Glock, Smith and Wesson has a wide portfolio of available firearms including 1911 semi-automatics (hammer-fired), target pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles. If you want all your guns to come from one manufacturer or want an American company with a history stretching back to the Old West, Smith and Wesson is likely one of your better choices.
The subjective difference is that the M&P 2.0 pistols have a less blocky design and a slightly slimmer, more rounded, profile in the grip. Although very similar to the Glock, the M&P series provides a ready alternative to the Glock while also potentially being a better fit for some hands. Finally, though often slightly more expensive than the Glock, the M&P 2.0 pistols are comparable and offer more options for different tastes in firearms.
The Sig Sauer
The company that would become the Sig Sauer of today started in Germany in 1976 and has had a tumultuous past as a business. The current version is an American company and has been in existence since 2007. In that time, they have become a powerhouse in the world of firearms with the military version of their civilian P320 (the M17 and M18) becoming the handgun of the U.S. military, and more recently winning the contract to replace the M4 as the standard rifle of the U.S. Army.
Though a much more recent company compared to Smith and Wesson, and even the relatively newer Glock, Sig Sauer has focused on providing not only firearms but ammo, optics, and suppressors as well. Although Sig Sauer does not produce revolvers or shotguns, they do produce many options beyond polymer striker-fired pistols including 1911s, the very popular P365 pocket pistols, and their hammer-fired P220 and P226 series of pistols. Additionally, Sig Sauer manufactures a wide range of rifles for self-defense and hunting built around the AR-15 platform. The company has positioned itself more in the military and slightly higher-end civilian markets, compared to Glock’s focus on law enforcement pistols and Smith and Wesson’s focus on more entry-level firearms for any use.
Like Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer offers more variety in options when looking at their semi-automatic offerings. Additionally, though certainly not true high-end firearms compared to some on the market, Sig Sauers are more of the Chevy Cameros of the gun world compared to the Honda Civic of the Glock and the Ford Fusion of the Smith and Wesson. Though typically more expensive, you can go all in with Sig Sauer, mounting Sig optics on your pistol, shooting Sig ammunition, and attaching a Sig suppressor. Though less common, there are still many aftermarket parts for the Sigs.
Conclusion
All three companies offer reliable options for self-defense, and each has its own pros and cons. However, at the end of the day, it honestly comes down to which offering meets your needs best. If you want a heavier frame or external safety you can look elsewhere than Glock. If you are newer to guns just remember that many gun owners will recommend their favorite brand. All three of these companies have had recalls and the occasional lemon. But also, all three stand behind their products and have a long history of making sure their products work as advertised. Do your homework, try out each option yourself, and make the choice that is right for you.
