SIG Sauer P320 Review | Features, Application and Observations

P320 RH Closed feat

February 14, 2017 / Comments (7)

Buying Info Guns & Ammo

Recently, SIG Sauer won the contract to produce the new M17 pistol which will replace the Beretta M9. The new pistol is being called the Modular Handgun System (MHS) since the same frame can accommodate four different calibers. Instead of the long, convoluted military acquisition process for this weapon, I am going to go through my own attenuated selection process. In the end I selected the SIG Sauer P320 as my handgun of choice, but not before a lot of preliminary work. Read on to learn about the SIG Sauer P320 Review.

SIG Sauer P320 Review

Background

First, some perspective on me. In many respects, I am a normal middle-aged civilian who lives in suburbia. I don’t come from either a law-enforcement or military background and I haven’t owned firearms until recently. Growing up, my family didn’t own guns of any type and the only time I had a chance to shoot was with friends or relatives. I enjoy shooting, but can’t say that I am either a pro or an experienced handgun user. Like millions of other civilians over the last decade though, I decided to take greater ownership of my safety and security. This meant purchasing firearms, including a handgun.

SIG Sauer P320 Review | Features, Application and Observations closed

Evaluation

Before I decided to purchase my P320, I shot a lot of other similar handguns. When I would go to the range, my friends would let me shoot their pistols since I would always bring a lot of extra ammo with me. I also joined an indoor range and rented several different pistols to evaluate them. For the most part these were chambered in 9x19mm and mostly used Double-Action Only (DAO) striker-fired trigger mechanisms. Here is a partial list of the ones that I shot before making my purchase:

  • Glock 17
  • Glock 19
  • FN FNS-9
  • Springfield XDM-9
  • Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
  • Smith & Wesson MSP
  • CZ 75 P-07
  • Magnum Research Baby Eagle
  • SIG SP2022
  • Ruger SR9

There were a few other odd-ball ones (i.e., Makarov PM) that I fired but never considered as a viable pistol candidate.

Selection

You will notice that the SIG P320 did not appear on that list. Since the pistol was fairly new (fall 2015), none of my friends owned one and no ranges had them available to rent. However, I decided to go off of first impressions on this one. When I handled one of the display models, it felt good in my hand. It just fit perfectly and pointed naturally. The P320 also felt solid but not too heavy, somewhere between a Glock 17 and a CZ 75 P-07. Personally, I like larger-framed handguns and this one felt natural in my hands. So I decided to go on faith with this purchase, I had good reason to do so.

SIG Sauer P320 Review | Features, Application and Observations open

Features

My objective was to get a striker-fired, full-sized handgun chambered in 9mm that would be enjoyable to shoot. I wanted something modern too that incorporated all of the lessons learned in firearms design over the past two decades. For millions of firearms owners, the default answer to this would be a Glock 17 or 19. When I started this process, the 17 was the leading candidate because it had everything I was looking for. However, the P320 was better in several respects.

The platform is modular, meaning you can use the same frame and grip with different calibers. I opted for 9mm but you can also get the .357 SIG and .40 S&W top-end modules. While this wasn’t the most important feature to me, it is good to know that I can switch to .40 S&W if I wanted to. This is a good capability to have and one of the reasons the military selected it.

The P320 also has a built-in Picatinny rail on the bottom of the frame, which is good for mounting lights or lasers. While I am probably not going to mount any accessories to this gun, it is a great capability to have built-in. It comes with a standard three-dot combination of front and read iron sights.

SIG Sauer P320 Review | Features, Application and Observations magazine

Like most modern “wonder nines” it has a double-stack magazine that can hold 17 rounds of 9mm. I definitely wanted a higher capacity magazine because that way I can take more shots before reloading. Of course, this will vary depending upon which caliber is used. The .357 SIG and .40 S&W versions can hold 14 rounds in the magazine whereas the (future) .45 ACP version will only hold 10.

It can safely carry a round in the chamber because the internal safety mechanisms make it very difficult to accidentally discharge. The trigger is self-cocking and DAO, just like Glocks and other modern pistols. This can be very helpful in an emergency because the trigger pulls will be consistent on every round. The guy at the gun shop also raved about how the P320 can be disassembled without tools or having to operate the trigger.

Projected Costs

Most places I have seen list the P320 at $599, although I got mine for a discount at my local gun store. It comes with two magazines which are the same ones used for the P250. I’ve seen those for between $30-40 per, so you may want to shop around for those.

Observations

So what do I think as an owner of a SIG P320? Truth is, I love it! The first time I went to the range to shoot it, everything worked like a charm. It took me a few rounds to get used to the trigger pull but after that, I was on target. Since it is a full-size handgun, the P320 handles recoil really well and I was able to get some pretty good groups right away. It felt great in my hands too, which probably contributed to my accuracy. The sights work fine for me, now I need to work on the getting more range time.

Since I purchased mine in the fall of 2015, I have put a few hundred rounds through it without any problems. For the most part, I have used Winchester 115 and 124 grain ammunition except when I go to the indoor range. It eats-up anything I put through it without a problem. That is just it, this pistol works reliably without any drama and is accurate right out of the box. I am glad I have mine!

Pros

Great materials and workmanship, this is a finely-crafted pistol.

Cons

A bit heavier and more expensive than other offerings out there.

Bottom Line

Just as Glock helped redefine the 9mm pistol a quarter century ago, the SIG P320 takes the concept of a modular pistol and makes it mainstream. Everything about this firearm works better than expected and it feels great to shoot it. I own one and will recommend it to anybody who is considering a striker-fired, DAO pistol.

Overall Rating 9/10

Up Next: Rossi Matched Pair $200 | Gun Carrier Reviews

Did you enjoy this post? Do you have something about your SIG Sauer P320 that you'd like to share? Let us know in the comment section below.

7 Responses to :
SIG Sauer P320 Review | Features, Application and Observations

  1. carl bellia says:

    p320 the way to go..i bought mine in the spring os 2016.purchased based on all the articles from various gun magazines in the fall of 2015..interchangeability at an””AFFORDABLE PRICE”” well I got fooled there.i bought the 45cal..not interchangeable no big deal I like ..to change calibers the cost is about 450.00$$.I paid 600 for my 320..so I do not have to worry about a bunch of pars laying around..For the difference in$$$ just go buy the other caliber complete..i had mine magnaported and no buyrs remorse there big difference..excellent gun accurate,confortable eats everything but 1st place goes to sig v crown ,,2nd federal American eagle..but everything goes thru without a hiccup.i alternate between the p320 the second amendment 45 cal ed brown and thw smith &Wesson 329pd 44 mag..all three carry well and I am just a little guy.i tried to contac tsig about the possibility to mount the RX on the original model..no reply..there a an outfit called the sig-doctor and he does tune ups and trigger jobs.i bought the 45 because I just did not want a 9mm.,and if I get another{absolutely no reason too oo//}}good at 5oclock hip 3oclock hip groin shoulder holster and vest carry..just a great gun at a very good price.

  2. brucefandrews says:

    So if I have this correct the only qualification you have is that you bought one. Hmm doesn’t give me a good reason to leave my SR9c or County supplied VP9 and jump ship for the p320.

  3. George Resnick says:

    I am a novice to pistols, so I joined a gun range, worked my way up from .22 to .38 sp to 9mm. I have been shooting mostly compacts. In 9 mm, I have shot Ruger, SW, SA, Glock and the 320 Compact. Though it’s a big larger than the other compacts, its size is still manageable for everyday carry. It felt great in my hands (mid-sized). The sights were accurate (esp. for a new shooter) and very visible. I like the trigger. The construction is solid. Only problem was I thought the mag release was a little too hard to press. The Sig 320 compact is #1 on my list. Now, I’m going to see if I can find anything that matches or beats it.

  4. Toby says:

    I noticed you didn’t try any Berettas. I have a model 92F that is lights out. Have well over 20,000 rounds in it and still shoots as smooth as a baby’s behind.

  5. John merritt says:

    I am a vet… grow up around guns… personal ownership of 66. I have semiautomatic hand guns in CZ, Glock, Ruger, Canik, walther, Sig, and a Raven. I have two Taurus judge ( one 3 inch and one 6 inch) and a SW judge. Shotguns are stoeger Winchester, Remington, bennelli, and Mossberge, and keltec. Rifles are Tikka, Bergara, Savage, Henry, Marlin, Ruger, keltec, Remington, 2 MPA with Remington and CZ laid in them. Ak in C39v2 (2) and a Zastava,
    Ars pistols carbines and rifle length in Radical, Anderson, Wyndham (formerly Bushmaster)sooo I think I am fairly knowledgeable about guns and actively trading with SWAT in force on force ( they always need bad guys to fight). I also shoot 1/2 moa or better at 300. My last purchase ( yesterday) was a Sig 320 with the compact x carry frame and an apex trigger in 9 mm. 100 rounds through it yesterday at a variety of ranges and tightened up to under 1inch group at 15 yards with 10 rounds in under 8 seconds, Remington 124 hp…I think plus p ( will have yo check on that) it is a good shooter… more trigger time will tell but with already owning a 226, so 2022, a365 and a 365 xl I feel confident in saying it is a go to war gun and certainly more than accurate enough. It is ergonomic and the flat bow apex is awesome. I still highly favor my CZs Caniks and Walther, but the digs are right there with them. Feel free to contact if you have questions

  6. fastfred says:

    mine shoots left 3 inches at 10 yards
    no good

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *