FOCUS Sig Sauer P320 Striker-Fired Duty Pistol
Field Evaluation The P320 is Sig Sauer’s latest product to compete in the striker- fi red handgun market. The Sig P250® debuted in 2007, and Sig Sauer has made vast improvements on that ‘modular’ plat- form; modular because only the trigger group is serialized, and instead of being molded in the polymer frame, it comes entirely out by manipulating the takedown lever. (The Sig P320 can be considered a striker version of the Sig P250.) The overall concept is simple. If someone purchases one handgun, they can convert it to three different calibers: 9mm, 357 Sig, 40 S&W and 45 ACP caliber, change from a full size to a subcompact, and even upgrade the trigger without having to go to an FFL dealer each time. The fi t and fi nish are excellent, exactly what one would expect
from Sig Sauer. It is obvious that the company created this weapon for battle.
For example, one of the fi rst things noticed just looking at the gun was the extended trigger guard. This feature allows even someone wearing gloves to operate the weapon without issue. The frame comes with subtle texturing in all the right places as well. The P320 comes with an ambidextrous slide release/stop and a magazine release that can be switched from left to right. Other good features are the slots molded into the grips just above the magazine base plate that allow the shooter to get some ‘bite’ when stripping out a magazine.
The P320 comes with a Picatinny rail that facilitates numerous add-on lighting/laser systems that are on the market. And the P320 already comes with tritium night sights from the factory. The stock trigger is incredible for a striker-fi red pistol. It feels much more like a Sig P226 in single action mode than any striker-fi red pistol. It has a short take-up without resistance, which actually progresses naturally to the point of release when one’s fi nger is placed on the trigger. The reset is very minimal, which allows for quick follow-up shots or double taps. The ease with which someone can completely disassemble the P320 is incredible. Simply lock the slide back and turn the takedown lever clockwise to the seven o’clock position until it locks into place; the entire slide assembly comes right off. Then, with a slight tug on the takedown lever perpendicular from the frame, it pulls straight out. If one lifts the trigger assembly from the front, the entire works rotate up and out from the frame. During shooting, the full-size 9mm fed every round we tried without incident, including Speer, Federal and Win- chester. The recoil was snappy for a 9mm and closer to a 40 S&W, which was surprising for a full-size weapon. It is unclear to what to attribute the recoil (tall gun, straighter grip angle, top heavy), but it wasn’t signifi cant enough to taint the overall performance. Installing a weapon light on the front, it would defi nitely fl atten the follow-up shots.
As with most pistols, the weapon is more accurate than any shooter can hold it. We were getting 1-inch groups at 7–10 yards. The Sig P320 is a solid performer with one of the best triggers of any striker-fi red weapon out there. Sig Sauer defi nitely put some forethought into the P320. Whatever the requirement (patrol duty, competition, time at the shooting range, or concealed carry), the P320 brings Sig Sauer legend- ary reliability, durability, and quality to the polymer-framed, striker-fi red duty pistol.
20 LAW and ORDER I January 2016
The compact also has two available slide finishes: O.D. Green and Flat Dark Earth. All but the subcompact grip modules have an integrated M1913 accessory rail, which is a True-Mil-Std. M1913 ensures stability and performs with lights, lasers, and other accessories.
If someone is looking to have multiple calibers and shooting platforms with only one trip to the dealer, the Sig Sauer P320 fits the bill. Shown is a Sig P320, 9mm, compact.
Jim Weiss is a retired lieutenant from the Brook Park, Ohio Police Department and a frequent contributor to LAW and ORDER. Lt. John Connor from the Clearwater (Fla.) Police Department has over 21 years of experience. He is the Assistant Commander of their SWAT team and is currently runs the Downtown District. He is a department high-liability instructor and has competed numerous times at the SWAT Round-Up as well as other tactical competitions. Mickey Davis is a California-based writer and author.
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