I must admit that I had not been following SIG’s polymer-framed releases in the last couple of years—the P250 didn’t really grab me and I had not even noticed the release of the P320. I was looking for a new 9mm, and, being an H&K guy, the H&K VP9 caught my eye, although I soon learned that its barrel length was a couple mm too short. However, in the course of reading about the VP9, the P320 was brought up a couple of times. I picked this one up off the EE this week—here are my initial thoughts.
The grip angle is more vertical than the P226, but it still points naturally for me.
I’ve always liked the look of SIG’s P2xx series pistols, and I like how SIG has updated the look to keep the SIG look, but modernizing it—I like the new slide profile especially.
I really like SIG’s grip texture—it’s very grippy without being too rough. I’ve found H&K’s new grip texture, like on the HK45, to be a little slippery, whereas the SIG’s texture “locks in” when it’s gripped tightly.
Unlike the Glock or M&P, there is nothing on the trigger like a hinge or anything.
My model has “Siglite” night sights, although there’s another version with regular sights. I like how they’re right at the end of the slide to maximize sight radius.
Initial takedown is straightforward, revealing the usual parts (the guide rod is steel)
However, the neat part is that if you rotate the takedown lever a full 180°, you can completely remove the fire control/frame rail sub frame from the polymer grip frame. This sub-frame is actually the serialized part of the gun. I had no idea until recently that this was a feature...I just wish we could take more advantage of it
In the States, you can swap out both grip frames and barrel/slide assemblies, even changing calibres. In Canada, however, the only legal barrel length in the 4.7” full-size one, so swapping frame colours (I think) or calibres is probably the only option. Grip size too, I think?
So, instead of replaceable backstraps or side panels you’d swap the whole grip frame. Mine’s the medium size and it fits my small hands fine—it’s a bit smaller than the P226 grip in feel. It’s close to my M&P40, but a little shorter front-to back with less “humpiness” in the grip.
The bore axis is high for a striker-fired pistol. I prefer a low bore axis, although I’m OK with a higher one. Here’s how the P320 stacks up:
H&K USP9 (l), P320 (r)
P320 (l), P226 (r)
Glock 31C (l), P320 (r)
The P320 is higher than the Glock by a fair bit, but lower than the DA USP9 and P226. I’ll have to see how this affects its shooting behaviour.
The trigger pull has a two-stage pull like most striker-fired pistols. The first stage is quite short, and fairly smooth. The second stage is heavier (I’ve heard 8 pounds), but fairly smooth. There’s a little trigger movement during the pull (i.e. it’s not the “breaking a glass rod” 1911 pull) but I like it. I reminds me of a little heavier, little shorter, little smoother M&P pull. I’ll see if I can find a trigger pull gauge. It has a positive, tactile and audible reset (a necessity for me) and the second-stage of the pull is right at the reset point. Thankfully, the trigger does not go all the way to the rear of the trigger guard.
Here’s what it looks (and sounds) like:
[youtube]RWzR68HUXP4[/youtube]
Generally my first impressions are positive but there are a couple of things I don’t like. The slide stop is really small and tough to manipulate—it’s probably the worst-feeling I’ve ever seen on any centrefire handgun I’ve ever owned. I’ll have to see if this is an issue at the range. Weirdly, the trigger “resets” even when you’re dry-firing, or at least looks and sounds like it does. I don’t think there’s any way to tell if the pistol is cocked—the trigger looks the same, and the initial stage of the trigger pull feels the same uncocked vs. cocked. I’d prefer the “dead trigger” of the Glock, I think, or maybe some type of visual cocking indicator. Finally, the polymer frame seems susceptible to minor scuffs—I can’t tell if that’s due to its smooth finish making the scuffs more visible or due to its softness.
I’ve got the range booked for Saturday—I’ll report back then.
The grip angle is more vertical than the P226, but it still points naturally for me.
I’ve always liked the look of SIG’s P2xx series pistols, and I like how SIG has updated the look to keep the SIG look, but modernizing it—I like the new slide profile especially.
I really like SIG’s grip texture—it’s very grippy without being too rough. I’ve found H&K’s new grip texture, like on the HK45, to be a little slippery, whereas the SIG’s texture “locks in” when it’s gripped tightly.
Unlike the Glock or M&P, there is nothing on the trigger like a hinge or anything.
My model has “Siglite” night sights, although there’s another version with regular sights. I like how they’re right at the end of the slide to maximize sight radius.
Initial takedown is straightforward, revealing the usual parts (the guide rod is steel)
However, the neat part is that if you rotate the takedown lever a full 180°, you can completely remove the fire control/frame rail sub frame from the polymer grip frame. This sub-frame is actually the serialized part of the gun. I had no idea until recently that this was a feature...I just wish we could take more advantage of it
In the States, you can swap out both grip frames and barrel/slide assemblies, even changing calibres. In Canada, however, the only legal barrel length in the 4.7” full-size one, so swapping frame colours (I think) or calibres is probably the only option. Grip size too, I think?
So, instead of replaceable backstraps or side panels you’d swap the whole grip frame. Mine’s the medium size and it fits my small hands fine—it’s a bit smaller than the P226 grip in feel. It’s close to my M&P40, but a little shorter front-to back with less “humpiness” in the grip.
The bore axis is high for a striker-fired pistol. I prefer a low bore axis, although I’m OK with a higher one. Here’s how the P320 stacks up:
H&K USP9 (l), P320 (r)
P320 (l), P226 (r)
Glock 31C (l), P320 (r)
The P320 is higher than the Glock by a fair bit, but lower than the DA USP9 and P226. I’ll have to see how this affects its shooting behaviour.
The trigger pull has a two-stage pull like most striker-fired pistols. The first stage is quite short, and fairly smooth. The second stage is heavier (I’ve heard 8 pounds), but fairly smooth. There’s a little trigger movement during the pull (i.e. it’s not the “breaking a glass rod” 1911 pull) but I like it. I reminds me of a little heavier, little shorter, little smoother M&P pull. I’ll see if I can find a trigger pull gauge. It has a positive, tactile and audible reset (a necessity for me) and the second-stage of the pull is right at the reset point. Thankfully, the trigger does not go all the way to the rear of the trigger guard.
Here’s what it looks (and sounds) like:
[youtube]RWzR68HUXP4[/youtube]
Generally my first impressions are positive but there are a couple of things I don’t like. The slide stop is really small and tough to manipulate—it’s probably the worst-feeling I’ve ever seen on any centrefire handgun I’ve ever owned. I’ll have to see if this is an issue at the range. Weirdly, the trigger “resets” even when you’re dry-firing, or at least looks and sounds like it does. I don’t think there’s any way to tell if the pistol is cocked—the trigger looks the same, and the initial stage of the trigger pull feels the same uncocked vs. cocked. I’d prefer the “dead trigger” of the Glock, I think, or maybe some type of visual cocking indicator. Finally, the polymer frame seems susceptible to minor scuffs—I can’t tell if that’s due to its smooth finish making the scuffs more visible or due to its softness.
I’ve got the range booked for Saturday—I’ll report back then.
Last edited:
and keep both. But, I've spent a bunch of cash of guns in the last few months and need to minimize where I can. The way things go with my I'll probably end up with another one!
