Sig P320 Additions

At the 2015 SHOT Show Sig Sauer introduced new models for their P320 striker-fired, modular pistol line introduced at last year’s SHOT Show. This year, Sig Sauer expands on that line of pistols with versions in .45-caliber, subcompact models, and two new finish options.

Sig Sauer makes some of the finest handguns in the world. In addition to being accurate with an extremely comfortable ergonomic grip, Sig Sauer pistols also have one of the smoothest actions available in a handgun. These features have made Sig Sauer very popular for law enforcement officers and citizens alike.

Like other P320 selections, the shooter can customize the grip to fit their individual needs using the selectable grip module sizes. These are not removable back straps like competitors, but the entire polymer receiver frame offered in small, medium, and large sizes. The grip angle is also based off of the hugely popular Model 1911, and set at 103 degrees, with zero degrees being true horizontal. For comparison, the Glock grip is 117 degrees.

This not only makes the P320 grip fit better to the shooter’s hand, but can allow the P320 Compact to have the same grip diameter and trigger pull as the larger P320.  This feature can significantly reduce training time to master the new pistol. In addition, this can provide an officer who has had to go to a back-up pistol in a critical engagement greater confidence in use because of the common feel of the grip. 

As with all P320 pistols, the Subcompact features a modular, one-piece stainless steel frame which is the serialized part. By simply removing the takedown pin, the fire-control module can be converted to accept different size grip modules. In addition, changing the length of barrel and caliber is as easy as field- stripping the gun. The P320 is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG and this year .45Auto.

The P320 sub-compact, like many other sub-compact handguns, will accept the larger P320 magazines from the series. This is another great feature, in addition to its much reduced size, that makes the Sig Sauer P320 sub-compact a great option for a back-up, undercover, or off-duty firearm.

Sig Sauer P320 Sub-Compact Specifications

• Slide material – Stainless steel with Nitron® finish
• Frame – One-piece stainless steel
• Receiver material – Polymer
• Magazines – Stainless steel
• Action – Double-action striker
• Trigger pull – 5.5 – 6.5 lbs.
• Overall length – 6.67″
• Barrel length – 3.55″
• Sight radius – 5.5″
• Height – 4.7″
• Width – 1.06″
• Weight – 24.9 oz. with magazine (unloaded)
• Capacity – 12+1 (9mm); 10+1 (.357 Sig); 10+1 (.40 S&W); 8+1 (.45 ACP)
• Sights – SIGLITE night sights, or contrast sights
• MSRP – $713.00
• Availability – Coming soon, likely by 2nd quarter of 2015

Sig Sauer offers (2) primary options on their P320 series of pistols.

1. Trigger “tab” safety
2. Magazine disconnect safety.

The trigger tab safety is simply an add-on textile feature for shooters who prefer to have a positive, tactile feel of the trigger prior to the trigger beginning engagement. The trigger tab safety does not replace or alter the striker safety’s function or design, as it is only an add-on option on the trigger.

The magazine disconnect safety is a preferred option for many law enforcement agencies. In the event an officer is struggling with an assailant for their own sidearm, disconnecting the magazine will render the officer’s handgun unable to fire, potentially saving an officer’s life. Some prefer not to have this feature so that they can still fire one round if needed during tactical reloads. This is an agency or end-user decision. This is not the same “Disconnect Safety” that comes standard, and prevents disassembly with 3 conditions being met.

New P320 Colors

For those wanting to add a little color to their pistol, the P320 Flat Dark Earth (FDE) and Two-Tone FDE offer a break from the standard black polymer pistol. The FDE is completely finished in a PVD flat dark earth finish, with a matching polymer grip module.

Perhaps the one drawback of Sig Sauer handguns is that their great features come with a price tag that typically runs $100-300 more than the handguns offered by major competitors. This is unfortunately the likely reason why Sig Sauer has remained behind several other manufacturers in the number of agencies and individual officers using their brand.

When I started in law enforcement my agency issued S&W 4566 stainless steel firearms in DA/SA trigger. They were a boat anchor, and even with practice most of us never quite mastered that first, heavy DA trigger pull. However, the department allowed officers to carry the Sig P220 as a duty firearm at the individual officer’s own expense. Making less than $1000 a paycheck at the start of my career, and starting my family, I never could pull the trigger on a firearm that was priced at around $800 at the time. Though I would have loved to have one, we switched to Glock 22 pistols less than 2 years later, and removed the option to carry any other firearm.