What Pistol Do Navy SEALs Use?

Quick answer: Navy SEALs currently use the Glock 19 as their standard sidearm. The compact 9mm pistol was added to the SEALs inventory in 2015-2016 with a plan to replace the SIG Sauer P226 (Mk25) after SEAL Teams evaluated it for reliability, weight, and compatibility with suppressors. Some units also carry SIG Sauer M18s, aligned with broader military adoption.

Few questions capture the public's imagination quite like the gear carried by the world's most elite special operations force. The pistol a Navy SEAL carries isn't chosen arbitrarily—it's the result of years of field testing, operational feedback, and evolving mission requirements. Getting it wrong in combat isn't an option.

Over the decades, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) has transitioned through several iconic sidearms, each reflecting the tactical priorities of its era. From the battle-proven M1911 to the SIG Sauer P226 Mk25 and now the Glock 19, each change tells a story about how special operations warfare has evolved.

This post breaks down exactly what pistol Navy SEALs carry today, why the Glock 19 became the standard, what happened to the beloved Mk25, and how the broader U.S. military's adoption of the SIG Sauer M17/M18 fits into the picture. Whether you're a firearms enthusiast, a military history buff, or simply curious, here's the full story.

What Do Navy SEALs Carry Now?

The answer to the question "What handgun do Navy SEALs use?" is the Glock 19 Gen 5. It is the current standard sidearm of Navy SEALs. It's a compact, striker-fired 9mm pistol that holds 15 rounds in a standard magazine—and it has earned its place on the hip of NSW operators through a combination of reliability, versatility, and simplicity.

Compared to its predecessors, the Glock 19 is lighter, easier to maintain in the field, and highly compatible with the suppressor systems and weapon lights SEALs routinely use. Its shorter barrel and grip make it easier to conceal during sensitive site exploitation and direct action missions where a low profile matters.

The Glock 19 entered service with SEAL Teams around 2015–2016, following an internal NSW evaluation that prioritized modularity and real-world durability over the larger, heavier metal-framed pistols the teams had carried for years. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) had already been moving toward Glock platforms across various units, and NSW followed suit after operators in the field advocated for the switch.

Why Was the Glock 19 Selected?

Several factors drove the selection of the Glock 19 over the outgoing SIG Sauer Mk25. Why did Navy SEALs switch to Glock? Here's why:

• Weight: The Glock 19 weighs approximately 23.63 oz loaded, compared to the Mk25's loaded weight of around 34 oz. Over a 12-hour mission, that difference matters.
• Reliability in harsh conditions: Glock's polymer frame and simple internal design have a well-documented track record of functioning in sand, water, and extreme temperatures—environments SEALs operate in routinely.
• Suppressor compatibility: The Glock 19 MOS (Modular Optic System) variant accepts red dot sights, and the Gen 5 threaded barrel variant integrates cleanly with suppressor systems.
• Simplicity of maintenance: Fewer parts mean fewer points of failure. In the field, a pistol that's easy to strip and clean under stress is a tactical advantage.
• Commonality: As Glock platforms spread across law enforcement and special operations communities, commonality in training, spare parts, and ammunition logistics became a practical benefit.

NSW didn't adopt the Glock 19 because it was revolutionary. They adopted it because it was the right tool—dependable, light, and adaptable.

What Happened to the Mk25?

For about three decades, the Navy SEAL Sig Sauer P226 Mk25 was the sidearm of Navy SEALs. Its retirement from the primary SEAL sidearm role is worth understanding in full.

The P226 entered U.S. military evaluation in the early 1980s as the Army ran its XM9 trials to replace the aging M1911A1. SIG Sauer's entry outscored several competitors on reliability and accuracy. The Army ultimately selected the Beretta M9 on cost grounds—but the Navy SEALs took notice of the P226's performance and adopted it as their own.

The specific variant used by SEALs, designated the Mk25, featured an anchor engraved on the frame, a corrosion-resistant finish suited to maritime operations, and a Picatinny rail for mounting weapon lights. It was chambered in 9mm, held 15 rounds, and was regarded as one of the most accurate and reliable full-sized service pistols in the world.

SEALs carried the Mk25 through some of the most consequential special operations missions in history—including Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq following 9/11. Its reputation was, and remains, exceptional.

So why did it go?

The core issue wasn't reliability—the Mk25 never failed SEALs in that regard. The issue was evolution. As missions became more gear-intensive and operators were already carrying heavy loads of body armor, communications equipment, and primary weapons, the weight of a full-sized metal-framed pistol became harder to justify. The Mk25, loaded, tips the scales at roughly 34 ounces. The Glock 19, loaded, comes in at under 24 ounces. That's nearly three-quarters of a pound shed from a secondary weapon most operators hope never to use.

Suppressor integration also played a role. The Glock 19's design lends itself more naturally to modern suppressor and optics mounting systems that NSW was increasingly fielding. Updating the Mk25's platform to match became less practical than transitioning to a lighter, modular alternative.

The Mk25 wasn't abandoned because it was flawed. It was retired because the Glock 19 better fit the direction NSW was heading. Many operators who transitioned spoke highly of the P226 long after the switch—it simply belonged to a different era of special operations.

Some Mk25s remain in NSW inventory as backup or training weapons. The pistol's legacy is secure. It's just no longer the one on the hip.

Where Do the P320, M17, and M18 Fit In?

While the Glock 19 is the standard SEAL sidearm, the broader U.S. military picture includes SIG Sauer's M17 and M18—the full-size and compact variants of the P320, respectively.

In 2017, the U.S. Army selected the SIG Sauer P320 as the winner of the Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition, designating it the M17 (full-size) and M18 (compact carry). The M18 in particular has seen wide adoption across multiple service branches, including the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy.

Within Naval Special Warfare, some units and individual operators have been reported carrying the M18, particularly where interoperability with other service branches or joint task forces creates a logistical benefit. The M18's modular grip system—allowing the frame to be reconfigured in size and caliber—makes it an appealing option in certain contexts.

That said, the Glock 19 remains the dominant choice within SEAL Teams specifically. The M17/M18 is more relevant to the broader NSW support community, Naval Special Warfare Support Activity (NSWSA), and joint operations environments where standardization with conventional forces matters.

The short version: SEALs carry Glocks. The wider Navy special operations enterprise carries a mix, with SIG Sauer M18s present but not the primary SEAL sidearm.

Navy SEAL Sidearm Timeline: From the M1911 to the Glock 19

Era	Sidearm	Years in Service (NSW)	Why the Change?
World War II – Vietnam	M1911A1	~1942–1980s	Standard U.S. military sidearm; .45 ACP, all-metal, highly reliable but heavy and limited in capacity
Post-Vietnam – 1980s	Beretta M9	Brief/limited NSW use	Army-wide adoption after XM9 trials; SEALs evaluated it but preferred higher-performing alternatives
1980s – ~2015	SIG Sauer P226 / Mk25	~1986–2016	Outperformed competitors in XM9 trials; Navy adopted P226 specifically; Mk25 variant built for maritime ops
~2015–Present	Glock 19	2015–Present	Lighter, modular, suppressor-compatible, lower maintenance burden; adopted after internal NSW evaluation

Note: Transition years are approximate and based on available reporting. Special operations units often phase transitions over time rather than switching overnight.

What the Sidearm Choice Reveals About Modern SEAL Operations

The shift from the Mk25 to the Glock 19 reflects something broader about how special operations have changed since the early 2000s. Post-9/11 warfare placed enormous physical demands on operators. Gear loads increased dramatically. The pistol, always a secondary weapon, had to justify its weight on the kit.

Lighter, more modular platforms won out—not because accuracy or reliability declined in importance, but because the overall system had to fit into a more demanding operational profile. A pistol that integrates seamlessly with suppressors, red dot optics, and weapon lights, while shedding unnecessary weight, is simply more useful to a modern SEAL than one that merely shoots well.

The Glock 19 checks every box. That's why it's still on the hip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Navy SEAL pistol?
Navy SEALs currently carry the Glock 19 Gen 5 as their standard sidearm. The compact 9mm pistol replaced the SIG Sauer P226 Mk25 around 2015–2016 following an internal evaluation by Naval Special Warfare. The Glock 19 was selected for its lighter weight, reliability in harsh environments, and compatibility with suppressors and optics.

Do Navy SEALs still use the P226?
The SIG Sauer P226 Mk25 is no longer the primary SEAL sidearm. It was slowly phased out starting around 2015–2016 in favor of the Glock 19. Some Mk25s remain in NSW inventory for training or backup use, but the P226 is no longer the standard-issue sidearm for SEAL Teams.

Why did the SEALs switch to Glock?
SEALs switched to the Glock 19 as their primary Navy SEAL handgun primarily for weight reduction, improved modularity, and better suppressor compatibility. The Glock 19 weighs approximately 10 ounces less than the loaded Mk25—a meaningful difference on extended operations. Its simpler design also reduces maintenance demands in the field. The switch reflected a broader trend across special operations communities toward lighter, more adaptable platforms.

Is the Glock 19 used by other special operations forces?
Yes. The Glock 19 is widely used across U.S. and allied special operations communities, including Army Special Forces (Green Berets), the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, and various allied NATO special operations units. Its adoption across elite forces reflects its reputation for reliability and versatility.

What is the difference between the M17 and M18?
The M17 is the full-size variant of the SIG Sauer P320, adopted by the U.S. military in 2017. The M18 is the compact carry variant of the same platform. The U.S. Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy have all adopted the M18 to varying degrees. Within SEAL Teams specifically, the Glock 19 remains the primary sidearm, though some NSW-adjacent units use the M18.

Updated September 2026.