The Sig Sauer P320 is clearly one of the best firearms on the market. Can it compete with Glock or other firearms of a top caliber? I’ve owned quite a few firearms over the years, and the P320 is one of my favorites to shoot. My wife likes ‘borrowing’ mine at the range so much that she decided to get her own, with a different frame, grip, and a smaller caliber.
SIG SAUER (SIG) is a renowned manufacturer of rifles, pistols, and many handguns. The SIG name is one of the most respected in the world of firearms, so it is not much of a surprise that their P320 is pretty popular. But, is it right for you?
Let’s discuss this gun’s features, limitations, and strengths, so you’ll know how it will work in the real world.
Keep reading to learn all about the Sig Sauer P320.
P320 Overview
All handguns do pretty much the same thing. From a holster, a nightstand, a pocket, or a safe, a pistol allows users to defend themselves from threats.
Imagine this: a 250-pound patrol officer needs a full-size pistol for their duty belt. Their 130-pound partner needs a full-size gun with grips that fit their smaller hand. Their department requires both to be .45 caliber. A civilian wants a compact pistol to carry in a holster at the small of their back, chambered in 9mm, while a retiree wants a nightstand .357 with a medium frame. They all need different guns, right?
Not with the Sig Sauer P320. By utilizing SIG’s series of X-Change caliber conversion kits, and its series of modular and interchangeable grips and frames, the P320 transforms into whatever you need it to be.
P320 Pros and Cons
There are some pros and cons to consider before buying a P320.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to handle
- Ambidextrous controls
- Easy to takedown
- Simple and thoughtful design features
- Extreme modularity
- Integrated tritium triple-dot sights
Cons
- Overall a large gun
- Some early models may fire if accidentally dropped
- Requires some shooting to loosen up magazine springs
P320 Features
The Sig Sauer P320 has a few notable features of which to be aware.
Modularity
The P320 is a truly modular firearm platform, and this is its most exciting and unique feature. The polymer frame of this striker-fired handgun allows you to customize the pistol to meet your specific needs. Sure, other guns enable you to swap calibers or grips without much work. But the P320 design makes it possible to change almost any feature, and usually quite quickly.
Seamless Design
The P320 is a unique pistol. It has a standard stainless steel chassis, but its integration with the surrounding polymer frame makes it a standout. Other handguns have similar construction, but none matches the seamlessness of the SIGs integration. That translates into a smooth shooting and reliable handgun.
Well-Equipped
Unlike some other pistols, the P320 comes with everything you need right out of the gate. A set of at least two 17-round magazines, a lockable case, and a simple paddle holster are included.
Safe
The Sig Sauer P320 sports a ‘Three-Point Take Down Safety System’ that requires the removal of the magazine and locking the slide back before you can disassemble it. You also don’t have to pull the trigger to do so. This setup might seem like a bit of a gimmick to experienced shooters, but it’s certainly an added safety buffer and appreciated by new and novice shooters.
Practical Disassembly
The stamped, serialized, stainless steel chassis is all the ATF really worries about when it comes to handguns. On the P320, you can completely remove the chassis from the frame by dropping your magazine, pulling the slide back, and rotating the takedown lever. No tools are needed. This makes maintenance and modular changes practical and simple.
What Are People Saying About the P320?
The P320 is enormously popular, and it is the contracted choice of a handgun for issue by the US Army. It is also a favorite of many shooters and reviewers. SIG also has a general reputation for high-quality firearms, and innovative products, like the P320 and their new bolt-action SIG Cross rifle.
Possible Alternatives
If you want to check out the competition for the Sig Sauer P320, the Glock 19 is in many ways comparable to the P320. It’s popular, versatile, large-framed for high-power ammunition, yet small enough to conceal. For all intents and purposes, the P320 and the Glock 19 are pretty similar. The modularity of the P320 enhances its appeal for some, but the simple practicality of the Glock is undeniable.
You might want to also check out the HK VP9 from Heckler & Koch. The Glock 19 and Sig Sauer P320 are great guns; they’re a bit egalitarian and not super expensive. The HK VP9 is a bit fancier, more expensive, and upgradeable. And of course, it’s also easy to shoot and comfortable.
Sig Sauer P320 Bottom Line
While being a jack-of-all-trades sometimes translates into being a master of none, that’s not true with the Sig Sauer P320. This is a supremely well-made, ultra-reliable, and user-friendly handgun that has appeal for all shooters.
It’s also pretty easy to find a Sig Sauer P320 on the shelf, even with the supply-chain issues. So check out your local gun broker today.
Brady Kirkpatrick is the Editor of Gun Made. Brady is a passionate firearm owner from Omaha, Nebraska. Gun Made has been featured in various publications such as Forbes, Officer.com, American Police Beat, and countless others.
