Ahead of this year’s SHOT Show, SIG Sauer held an independent range day at the Clark County Shooting Complex and one of the brand new products showcased there was a new enclosed pistol red dot optic from SIG’s electro optics division – the Romeo M17.
During their defense capability demonstration, SIG Sauer’s Jason St. John explained that SIG’s hope for the US military’s Modular Handgun System pistols is that they will transition to an MHX project which wiill be the next step for the MHS (M17 and M18) – fielding optics with the already ‘optics ready’ pistols. The optic which SIG Sauer hopes the pistols will be paired with is the Romeo M17.
SIG Romeo M17 (TFBTV)
The Romeo M17 does not require an optic mounting plate so it has an extremely low profile which allows it to use the pistols’ factory sights, it offers several user-selectable reticles and multiple brightness settings – importantly these include 3 night vision settings for use with NVGs. The Romeo M17 has a nitrogen-purged and fully enclosed shroud preventing the ingress of dirt or moisture and impacts from temperature change. The side battery compartment is accessible without removing the optic from the pistol. Battery life is estimated as at a minimum of 20,000 hours when running consistently on medium brightness settings.
SIG Romeo M17 – right side (TFBTV)
Earlier reports suggest that the US Army is currently actively evaluating the optic alongside other, non-SIG, options under PEO Soldier’s Soldier Enhancement Program. It is said that a formal requirement for the optics won’t be issued, instead, the Army intended to assign National Stock Numbers (NSNs) to selected optics, this will allow units to request inventory and draw them for use to mount on already issued Modular Handgun System service pistols.
SIG Romeo M17 – note the direct slide integration (TFBTV)
SIG describe the Romeo M17 as rugged and serviceable after having done through military environmental and drop tests and 10,000+ round endurance tests. They also note that it is the first of a new line of pistol optics that will incorporate similar design features. MSRP isn’t currently confirmed but SIG suggests it will be in the $600-700 range. When it will be available commercially is unclear as SIG’s current focus with the optic is production for military customers. Check out TFBTV’s video on the Romeo M17 here.
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