So, I was able to get my hands on a full size Sig P320 to do an evaluation on and I have to say I’m in love with this gun. Now is that anyway to start an objective review…probably not. You know how this story will end. Let me show you how I got there.
Sig’s entry into the crowded striker fired market had to be well thought out. It could seem that they just threw a striker in a shell of a P250. Yes, the frame is the P250 and the exterior of the slide. But that’s where it ends. In my opinion, this little marvel is a serious contender to the LEO world where strikers are king.
First off, let’s talk about the positive of the P250. It is a sexy looking space age gun. It reminded me of Robocop’s hardware. The genius of the P250 was that there were different sized frames, not just grip panels. I was never a fan of replaceable back straps because they would be prone to breakage or fall off at inopportune moments. These frames are solid. Included in each frame is the mag release. Again, solid and well built. My only issue with it is that I would like to have the ability to get more of an extended release. Who knows, they might have an aftermarket part in the works. Since the P250 has been out for a while, there are plenty of holsters available and for LEOs, Safariland has their awesome ALS holsters already built.
The grip angle is dead on and the gun points perfectly for me. Oh, and the barrel…Sig quality. When we talk about the groups later on, I have to remind you this is a stock gun. No replacement match barrel needed. I had similar groupings when I first started in law enforcement with my Sig 226. You can gripe about Sig prices, but let’s not forget that these guns come ready to rock.
Now, if you are one of these guys who had a double/single 226 or 229 for twenty some years and want to come to the 21st century, a lot of agencies will point you to other big named striker guns. The big problem there is that you now have a completed different trigger feel and pull. I’ve seen many people get extremely upset having to make that change. This is Sig’s answer that problem. The trigger feels exactly like the trigger on my 226 (I think it’s same one..) Once you start the pull, you get an immediate crisp break and super fast reset.
I measured the trigger pull to approximately 7 pounds, averaged over ten pulls. It feels lighter. If you are used to the 4 lb SA on the 226, I will tell you it is damn close in feel. Finally, the guns come with night sights (again, keeping LEOs in mind).
I tested the gun right out of the box to see what it could do. I kept it simple: 5 shot groups at 25 and 50 yards with each frame, standing offhand, then Bill drills at 7 yards. For the groups, I picked the best out of three attempts. It was sunny and about 90 degrees. And I’m an Aries…
This is my group at 25 yards with the medium back strap installed. One and a half inches for my first attempt during that string and the best of the groups.
For me, the large back strap produced the best group at 50 yards, about 4 inches. Note that this was my first time shooting this gun. I was pretty excited.
Next up were Bill drills. I used both Winchester White Box 115gr. and Atlanta Arms 147gr. Both the medium and large back straps worked well for me and had similar results. With the 147gr. I was getting consistent .18 and .19 splits on about 2 second runs. Not bad for a stock trigger. I’d say you would have to search hard to find a stock gun that could produce that kind of results without polishing and playing with springs.
I highly recommend this gun. They also have a compact frame for plain clothes detectives or conceal carry citizens and (this is really exciting) they just announced that they are testing the sub-compact for a more concealed carry or backup gun.
From Sig Sauer’s Facebook page
The coolest thing about this firearm is the ability to remove the frame assembly (trigger system) and put it in an entirely different sized polymer frame. You only have to buy the polymer frames for $40. Amazing. I can’t remember a more well thought out gun. I will definitely add this and the other frames to my collection. In my opinion, Sig hit a home run with the P320.
That 50yd group could be tightened up a little bit.
But more seriously – does the slide stop sit higher on the gun in comparison to a Glock or M&P? My grip has a tendency to rub the slide stop like its Jada Pinkett, more so on the glock. I haven’t had the chance to hold the 320.
Nice review, thank you for sharing it.
KT
The slide stop sits almost the same and is wider than the M&P. Knowing that, I had to adjust my grip so I didn’t touch it. I’ve heard SIG is making a slimmer version.
Thank you for this review. I made a transition from a Kimber 1911 .45 Auto to a SIG P226 with much the same enthusiasm as a veteran driver changing from manual to automatic transmission; however, once committed, I didn’t look back. I remain pleased with the P226. Like the .45 Autos I embraced 50 years ago (I’m 68 now), the P226 has never failed. This P320 looks interesting, and I look forward to an opportunity to examine and fire it.
How does the 320 compare to a M&P 9. Our dept currently requires the M&P, but will be authorizing the 320 soon. Thinking about making the switch as I started with a 226 and loved it. Not a huge fan of the M&P for a number of reasons.
It’s heavier than the M&P. I liked the grips better than the Smith and it tracks better. It’s more like the 226 with an easier trigger.
Ok, I’m a little confused. First you state that you’re not a fan of backstraps and how you love the solid frames, then you go on to talk about the different backstraps. Don’t get me wrong, I love Sigs, all my carry guns are Sigs. The article was just a little scattered.
It doesn’t have different back straps. It has entire frames that you buy. The trigger group is serialized and removed from the frame. You can buy a new frame for 40 bucks or so, and have a smaller or larger grip, and not have the issue of the back strap falling off or slipping like it can on and M&P or Gen 4 glock.
Bruce thanks for taking the time to read the article. I believe it is a solid platform. When I was comparing the groups in the article I did mention back straps when referring to frame size. My editor who is not a gun girl let it slip (as did I). Thanks!
Me wonders how closely based on the P250 this is, and if it will have similar problems, especially given the *epic failure* of the P250 in the ATF trials.
SFF, you’re thinking of the 1st generation of the P250, the reputation of which the P250 has never shaken off. SIG redesigned the P250 and post 2009-2010 guns exhibit great reliability and accuracy. It’s a shame SIG didn’t do it right from the start.
I had a 2nd gen P250 that ate everything bullet profile I fed it and the ability to change frame sizes and calibers was a bonus. It was very easy to strip and clean. My father-in-law, who grew up on revolvers, absolutely loved it and it is now in his possession. Add to that the fact that earlier this year you could pick up a P250 with night sights for well under $400 made it a steal.
Unfortunately the P250 has never shaken the stigma of the ATF/FAMS/Danish contract debacles. A real shame.
The modular frame and mags are the only parts that at 250 bases. The trigger group is striker so it is in no way the same as the gumpy long pull DAO 250 was. I hate the 250 and so far am in love with the 320.
Bruce it was just an error in wording that should have been caught by the editor but wasn’t, where he said backstrap he was referring to the grip frame, I’m surprised nobody corrected that miswording.
Arik, thanks for the writeup man, coming from you it carries a lot more weight.
Drew, thanks for reading through the lines…and for the support!
The 320 is an ugly handgun. Stick to metal frame guns.