EXETER, NH – The North Dakota Highway Patrol selected the SIG SAUER® P226 in .357SIG as their new duty pistol after extensive testing of over 20 models from five different manufacturers.

The SIG P226 in a two-tone configuration with tactical rail, DA/SA trigger, SIGLITE® night sights and the agency’s logo engraved on the top of the slide replaces the Smith & Wesson 4506 that had been in service by the Highway Patrol for the past 15 years.

“The new Highway Patrol duty pistol was selected after extensive testing by our officers who took into account the needs of both individual troopers and the department as a whole,” said Colonel Bryan Klipfel, superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.  “In selecting a new firearm, the safety of our Troopers and that of North Dakotans was our primary concern and we are confident our testing resulted in the selection of the best pistol for the job.”

“North Dakota’s testing demonstrated why so many law enforcement agencies turn to SIG SAUER® pistols for their officers. Out of the total number of pistols tested, SIG finished one through nine out of the top ten,” said Ray Reynolds, SIG SAUER Vice President for Law Enforcement Sales.

By selecting the .357SIG caliber, North Dakota Highway Patrol joins a distinguished list of law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Rangers and DPS and the Rhode Island State Police, which have chosen the round jointly developed by SIG SAUER and Federal Ammunition in 1994.