SAR 18#6

P320
wave of high capacity polymer framed
handguns. Gun culture members are by
nature conservative and view new offerings
skeptically until proven via use.
The P250 found its reception somewhat
cool in the U.S. market. The P250’s
adaptability to individual shooter needs
seemed too good to be true and the
hammer firing mechanism affected a not
very user friendly trigger. Time elapsed
with SIG evaluating what could be done
different to attract users. SIG knew its
P250 concept was valid with its modularity,
but turned to a striker fired design
to breathe life into platform.
The P320 is currently available in
9mm (tested herein), .40 S&W, and .357
SIG with a .45 ACP variant in the works.
The heart of the SIG P320 is the fire
control mechanism or chassis. (For clarity
sake, SIG refers to it officially as the
frame assembly.) The chassis is considered
the pistol and bears the required
serial number marking. The chassis is
the key component allowing for the SIG
P320’s modularity. The fire control chassis
fits into a grip module. Grip module
sizes are labeled as “Full” and “Carry.”
It is obvious to see the reasoning behind
the titles. The grip modules are further
adaptable to individual preference with
three different grip circumference sizes
available – large, medium, and small.
An optional tabbed trigger safety complements
the P320 modular package if
required to meet certain agency specifications
with the smooth trigger face
standard. Rounding out the P320 ergonomic
package are ambidextrous slide
levers and the ability to switch the magazine
release to either side of the frame.
The SIG P320 features a trigger pull
measuring approximately 6 pounds. The
key with the P320 is it is the same trigger
pull every time. Overall, the P320’s trigger
is an asset with its consistency. Anyone
that dedicates the time to familiarize
oneself with it will not be disappointed
as it is similar to other striker fired weapons
on the market. The fire control
chassis aids in reducing the number of
parts in the P320. The chassis contains
the trigger mechanism, hammer, and
slide catches. The slide assembly does
not interact with the grip module, but is
guided/operates along the chassis integral
steel rails located on both sides
of the chassis front and rear. The fire
control chassis is easy to swap between
grip modules without requiring any tools.
Rotate the takedown lever and remove
the slide. Remove the takedown lever
by turning and pulling simultaneously.
This frees the fire control for removal by
pulling/pushing it upward while drawing
the hammer backward allowing for the
trigger to move into a position for it to
move from the trigger housing. You are
done. Reinsert into another grip module
in the reverse order of direction. The SIG
Sauer operating manual details this in
only two pages; most of which is largely
graphics. An important nuance pointed
out in SIG literature is that the P320 can
be field stripped without requiring either
tools or needing to pull the trigger. Anyone
who is familiar with what concerns
law enforcement administrators knows
this is an often heard gripe against
some of SIG’s competitors for safety or
logistic reasons.
The SIG P320 Full model weighs
29.4 ounces without magazine and
measures 8 inches in length, 5.5 inches
tall, and 1.4 inches in width with a barrel
length of 4.7 inches. For comparison’s
sake, the P320 Carry model weighs 26.9
ounces without magazine and measures
7.2 inches in length, 5.1 inches
tall, and 1.3 inches in width with a barrel
length of 3.9 inches. The P320 come
equipped with SIGLITE night sights with
a Nitron finish on the slide. Both the Full
and Carry P320 models feature an integral
accessory rail dust cover. Magazine
capacity of the P320 9mm Full size is
SAR Vol. 18, No. 6 28 Nov., Dec. 2014