SIG Sauer have snagged another government contract but it’s not one you might expect. The US Coast Guard have selected the SIG AIR Pro Force P229 Airsoft Pistol for training cadets and Coast Guardsmen.

While one of the US’ five military branches the Coast Guard is operated by the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard’s current issue side arm is the SIG Sauer P229R in.40 S&W, but it is anticipated that they will transition to the SIG Sauer M18 in the future. In the meantime the SIG AIR Pro Force P229 will act as a training analogue for their current pistols. SIG branded airsoft pistols are currently sold under license by Cyber Gun, but not under the name ‘SIG AIR’. Although not in Cyber Gun’s online catalogue a quick search online finds SIG P229 airsoft pistols by Cyber Gun for around $140. SIG Sauer already offer a line of .177 pellet air guns.

Here’s SIG’s press release on the selection:

SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the United States Coast Guard will acquire the SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistol to be used for training with their Cadets and Guardsmen. The SIG AIR Pro Force line of products from SIG SAUER includes high-end airsoft pistols designed to be an exact replica in look, weight, balance, and handling characteristics to their traditional firearm counterpart. “The SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistol is engineered and manufactured to meet the SIG standards for precision, quality, accuracy, and reliability,” began Joe Huston, Vice President and General Manager, SIG AIR. “The SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistol gives the U.S. Coast Guard’s Cadets and Guardsmen the ability to practice gun handling, conduct target practice in various environments, and train in realistic force on force scenarios with a pistol that has the same look and feel of their issued P229 sidearm.” The SIG AIR Pro Force P229 is a full-size, metal frame airsoft pistol with a one piece molded ergonomic polymer grip and night sights. The pistol uses a semi-automatic firing mode with a gas blowback to replicate traditional firearm shots with a functional slide lock, and has a muzzle velocity of 280-340 ft/second and a range of 50-80 feet. The SIG AIR Pro Force P229 comes equipped with a SIG rail and one 25-round magazine. “It’s an honor to build SIG SAUER products for use with our nation’s defense professionals and know they meet the highest standards for both quality and performance,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER, Inc. “The M17 pistol has been adopted by every service branch, our TANGO6 riflescopes are being integrated into the weapons systems of our special forces and the U.S. Army, and now we can add the U.S. Coast Guard’s SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistol to the wide range of SIG SAUER products in use with the men and women serving our country.” The U.S. Coast Guard’s acquisition of the SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistols was made through a small business set-aside awarded to Tidewater Tactical in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The press release also notes that the SIG AIR Pro Force P229 airsoft pistol will be available commercially next year but doesn’t give an MSRP.

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