The Development of the SIG Automatic Handgun

Developing a handgun isn’t just about aesthetics or raw power—it’s a delicate balance of precision engineering, reliability, and user-centric functionality. When crafting such a firearm, priorities fall into clear categories: reliability, precision, full parts interchangeability, cost-effectiveness, and, of course, design. While reliability testing—mud, snow, ice, heat, accidental discharge, and handling errors—can be fascinating, I found precision, particularly accuracy and shot dispersion, the most captivating aspect, especially in light of Switzerland’s storied tradition of marksmanship.

Working on the SIG pistol, I noticed something peculiar about our benchmark model, the classic 9mm Para Petter pistol with a locking joint. It displayed noticeable vertical dispersion, which called for a deeper dive. SIG allowed me to secure a high-speed, slow-motion reflex camera to explore this further. Using precise markings on both the firearm and the projectile, I uncovered a critical issue: the barrel axis shifted significantly during firing, creating inconsistent angles as the bullet left the barrel.