Is This The End Of SIG Airguns?

SIG SAUER has just launched a range of Red Training Guns. So is this the end of SIG Airguns?

These non-functional, inert ASP RED GUN products are stated by the company to “replicate the size, design, and handling of the real firearms for the most accurate training”.

They “accurately replicate the size, design, and feel of real SIG SAUER pistols”. For example, including removable magazines for practice reloading to simulate any scenario”.

For example, the M17 Red Training Gun With 2 Magazines shown above has a MSRP of $119.99.

In addition, they are “ideal for all training levels – law enforcement, security professionals, martial artists, and responsible firearm owners. They are also holster-compatible. SIG says that they fit centerfire holsters for realistic weapon draw, retention, and disarming practice.

All of this is great and they sound like great products. But, hey, wasn’t training the main value proposition for the vast majority of SIG airguns?

Now I ask this question because the most recent SIG airgun introduction – that I am aware of – was the P229 Blowback in June 2024. (It also sells for $119.99, coincidentally).

That’s well over a year’s wait for a new airgun product from a brand that used to introduce new airguns with considerable regularity.

It reminds us, also, of the sadly-short manufacturing life of the SIG SAUER ASP20 Air Rifle that debuted with great fanfare in 2018.

The ASP20 was widely regarded as an outstanding design and showcased the results of a huge development effort. However it was the company’s only “non replica” airgun and sadly didn’t last long in the market.

So does this introduction of RED TRAINING GUNS mean the end of SIG Airguns? Hopefully not.

I’ve emailed my contact at SIG and will be delighted to publish any response the company provides…


The post Is This The End Of SIG Airguns? appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Ezana4CE]

People like to shoot, not just draw and reload. How can you dry fire with that red plastic replica?

 

[PasadenaMike]

Dumbest idea ever lol sorry Sig I like your guns except the ones that fire on their own but this is dumb

 

[ctshooter]

$119 for a piece of plastic - wow

 

[Ezana4CE]

$119 for a piece of plastic - wow

Bingo

 

[Danman]

I dislike replica (co2) guns but this makes them look pretty good, lol esp in a training situation....
I'd be offended if it was worth more than $12! Everything I've ever heard about the ASP20 was good too Some companies just can't die gracefully

 

[Pumacarl]

This is what happens when a company starts getting gov't contract money, all other revenue sources can't compete and are shut down. It's a boardroom, bean counter mentality running the show, not gun guys. The gun guys that had the passion to bother with making airguns, and traditionally, great firearms, got voted down or something, and now people are seeing that Sig has basically lost their soul, and are really piling up on them for the 320 and how they are handling that debacle. Good. Anybody that pays $120 for that red piece of plastic has more money than sense and is the definition of a tool. For Sig.

 

[Florida_Man]

It’s the safest sig P320 you can buy, but I still won’t trust it.
I still have a pending deposition, so I won’t say anymore at this point about my connection with Sig.
How they have handled themselves and the lawyers they pay to represent them, I will never buy sig anything again. You can read or YouTube how they treat anyone who could possibly be a subject matter expert.

 

[PasadenaMike]

It’s the safest sig P320 you can buy, but I still won’t trust it.
I still have a pending deposition, so I won’t say anymore at this point about my connection with Sig.
How they have handled themselves and the lawyers they pay to represent them, I will never buy sig anything again. You can read or YouTube how they treat anyone who could possibly be a subject matter expert.

I only have one and that’s plenty it’s the one that’s named after how many days a year is.

 

[Pumacarl]

The older SIG's are just awesome, and their internals look like a fine watch, the new stuff is a pass for me. I don't like shooting firearms anymore anyway, but I wish they wouldn't have dropped the ASP20 program, such a waste.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

The closest SiG ever came to taking Airguns seriously was with the ASP20 and even that was a failure. They build decent firearms but they seem to have been on the toy gun kick.

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

Here at Lasermax we have a ton of "blue guns". They are dummy gun replicas that are used to demo Lasermax products. The blue guns are very handy to have around for a large number of reasons. The primary one is the legality of handling a pistol without a permit. Plus you can leave a blue gun on your desk as you design around it without any issue.

I can see these being used as training aids as well as being purchased by holster and accessory manufactures.

John

 

[Pumacarl]

Here at Lasermax we have a ton of "blue guns". They are dummy gun replicas that are used to demo Lasermax products. The blue guns are very handy to have around for a large number of reasons. The primary one is the legality of handling a pistol without a permit. Plus you can leave a blue gun on your desk as you design around it without any issue.

I can see these being used as training aids as well as being purchased by holster and accessory manufactures.

John

Still, people would be nuts to play their game and pay $120 for this when you can buy functioning replica airguns for the same price. If they charged even half as much it would still be a lot but probably worth it if you had the considerations you mention. Maybe.

 

[Scriv]

ASP has been supplying law enforcement agencies for decades with their products. Having used their products while instructing students for many decades I would prefer these over a replica airgun for many reasons. The most obvious one being that during weapon retention drills one tends to get their paws torn up by all the offending controls on the weapon. Obviously sharing blood and other bodily fluids is frowned upon these days. If one of these were found to have a fault I would simply sand off the offensive edge, and keep going. These can be used in a classroom environment until such time the students are ready for the range , and dry fire drills. Any arm that is capable of expelling a projectile must not be used in a classroom environment.

 

[hameditor]

ASP has been supplying law enforcement agencies for decades with their products. Having used their products while instructing students for many decades I would prefer these over a replica airgun for many reasons. The most obvious one being that during weapon retention drills one tends to get their paws torn up by all the offending controls on the weapon. Obviously sharing blood and other bodily fluids is frowned upon these days. If one of these were found to have a fault I would simply sand off the offensive edge, and keep going. These can be used in a classroom environment until such time the students are ready for the range , and dry fire drills. Any arm that is capable of expelling a projectile must not be used in a classroom environment.

@Scriv Thanks for your excellent, well-informed perspective on this!

 

[Scriv]

@Scriv Thanks for your excellent, well-informed perspective on this!

You're most welcome Sir.

 

[RicL]

$120 for that piece of plastic??? Can’t believe I’m saying this, but can they please outsource that to China so the cost comes down?

 

[Dogowski]

$119 for a piece of plastic - wow

It's not a little pricey, it's a lot pricey! C'mon Sig.

 

[Scriv]

There has been a few posts ripping on Sig for these guns. Unless I'm mistaken it's unfounded. Traditionally, ASP has been the manufacturer of these training weapons, as previously mentioned for LE and military applications. They license the shape from the actual manufacturer as I understand it. Also previously stated they have been making "Red guns" for years. I believe that these are just the "next gen" in that they have the ability to practice reloading with these. Being retired, I have no direct knowledge of the procurement process, but I believe they come from ASP as an educated guess.

 

[Ezana4CE]

… a MSRP of $119.99.

In addition, they are “ideal for all training levels – law enforcement, security professionals, martial artists, and responsible firearm owners. They are also holster-compatible. SIG says that they fit centerfire holsters for realistic weapon draw, retention, and disarming practice.

All of this is great and they sound like great products. But, hey, wasn’t training the main value proposition for the vast majority of SIG airguns?

Now I ask this question because the most recent SIG airgun introduction – that I am aware of – was the P229 Blowback in June 2024. (It also sells for $119.99, coincidentally)…

It reminds us, also, of the sadly-short manufacturing life of the SIG SAUER ASP20 Air Rifle that debuted with great fanfare in 2018…

So does this introduction of RED TRAINING GUNS mean the end of SIG Airguns? Hopefully not…

@Scriv Above I’ve highlighted and shortened Mr. Archer’s article with points he made in correlation to how this inert training model may affect other SIG Airguns. I can’t speak for others, but I for don’t think it’s a valuable trade off. That’s my perspective as an airgunner. They of course are making business decisions as a firearm manufacturer. I don’t consider that ripping SIG. As an airgunner a piece of plastic for the same price point as a blowback replica is a rip off IMO.