Sig Sauer Is Asking Us to Rethink the Polymer Striker Fired Pistol With The P320—SHOT Show 2014

Authors Paul Helinski Pistols SHOT Show 2014

Sig SauerSig003

https://www.sigsauer.com/

Sig Sauer, long known for its innovative firearms designs, is moving into an entirely new arena and  doing it in a big way. The Sig P320 is striker-fired pistol. That alone would be news enough for a company that has a dedicated following of shooters who like exposed hammers. But no. Sig is upping the ante. The Sig P320 is modular. One gun can be changed up to various frame sizes, or slide lengths, or calibers.

How is this possible? Easy enough. The serialized part is an interchangeable mechanism that fits inside what we’d normally call the frame. That part is now referred to as the grip module, and it is made of polymer. If you want a smaller frame for concealed carry, that’s available. If you’d rather have a full sized pistol, that’s available, too. If you want both, you only have to buy one “gun.” The rest is interchangeable. 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig? Your choice. That part’s modular, too.

Sig002I shot the full-sized gun at the range earlier this week. It shoots well. I’m not going to say too much about the performance before I get a chance to live with it for a while. But the gun fits in the hand like a Sig, which I associate with better ergonomics than many other full-sized pistols. And think about it this way. All of you modifiers out there, you are going to love this this gun. If you have that itch to stipple the grip or sand out areas that rub, you have nothing to mess up. If you screw up the grip on your Glock, or Smith, you’re done. On the P320, you can simply order a new grip module.

The best part? I can’t decide if it is the MSRP of $713, or the mile long list of safety features (none of which impede your ability to draw and fire). The combination of price, functionality, modularity, and safety will make this humble looking pistol a serious competitor.  We’ll have one in for review as soon as possible, so stay tuned.Sig005Sig004Sig001

 

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  • Caligula February 12, 2014, 9:57 pm

    The $700 list price is “the best part”? I remember when the P250 first came out, the list price was in that neighborhood, but within two years they were selling for less than $500. (I picked a P250 40 cal up new for $430. I traded it within a year.) I really wanted to like the P250; I loved the look, concept and ergos, but just couldn’t get past that long double-action trigger. The P320 is essentially a P250 that is striker fired. It may be a fine pistol, but I don’t know how its ground breaking.

    • AL August 26, 2016, 7:28 pm

      Just like to comment about my experience in purchasing a Sig P320-45. I can’t , it’s not being produced. I ordered
      the P320 in 45 cal. full medium the beginning of March, it is now the end of August and no word if this gun will
      ever be made. What marketing genius spends money on advertising and then pisses off your potential customers so they buy another brand of gun.

    • Bill Chalko November 26, 2016, 5:15 pm

      Amen brother…..P250 full size 45cal for me.

  • Jay February 2, 2014, 3:04 pm

    Well..I dont know how unique or extraordinary this is in a fundamental sense or it its enough for everyone to abandon all other options and flock over to this Sig..but it’s clear to me that they should have a striker-fired offering in this market.

    I love Julie’s interviewing style, engagement and enthusiasm..keep her around and give her a payrise!

  • Brian January 18, 2014, 5:15 pm

    SIG is unable to top their hammer-fired handguns. I do not see this catching on with very many people. It seems to be cheap like the P250 series and I am not talking about price.

  • Brian January 18, 2014, 1:44 pm

    I love the new offering from Carl Walther of Germany. The new P-38 in 9mm features the same double action trigger as the PP and PPK. Imagine being able to safely keep a round in the chamber of a semi-automatic. It can be ready to fire with the hammer down. Hopefully nothing goes wrong in Europe to interfere the import of these fine guns.
    This comment was deleted yesterday and has been posted again. I do not see it as offensive in any way. If you can not figure out what I just said, then I have given your intellect a lot more credit than it deserves.

  • Brian January 18, 2014, 5:41 am

    I love the new offering from Carl Walther of Germany. The new P-38 in 9mm features the same double action trigger as the PP and PPK. Imagine being able to safely keep a round in the chamber of a semi-automatic. It can be ready to fire with the hammer down. Hopefully nothing goes wrong in Europe to interfere the import of these fine guns.

  • Brian January 18, 2014, 12:16 am

    I love the new offering from Carl Walther of Germany. The new P-38 in 9mm features the same double action trigger as the PP and PPK. Imagine being able to safely keep a round in the chamber of a semi-automatic. It can be ready to fire with the hammer down. They should be imported soon. Hopefully nothing goes wrong in Europe to interfere the import of these fine guns.

  • acewarlock January 17, 2014, 7:49 pm

    I own the P250 C in 9mm, 40 and 357 sig and it shoots great. All they did was modify the (FCU) Fire Control unit and all the rest is the same.

  • William January 17, 2014, 5:49 pm

    From all the positioning, it’s to save the LE market from competitors Glock and S&W (M&P). Those who have P220/226/228/229 and are looking for lighter and are loyal to Sig will now have something to choose. The 250’s w/their hammer-fired approach obviously didn’t cut it when everyone is going striker fired. Look at FNH, they’re now pushing the newly created FNS to LE. Their FNP didn’t do it.

    Caliber-wise if Sig is more LE focused 9, 40 and 45 will be the ones out first. But at the MSRP of $713, it’s lower than the metal 220-series but at a disadvantage to Glock and S&W M&P offerings. Unless of course, they give the LE customers ‘high trade-in’ value of their current sidearms.

  • Bigfoot January 17, 2014, 5:33 pm

    This is why I stay away from overpriced Sigs.

  • Pops January 17, 2014, 3:19 pm

    Lol Dremel. The back cover plate makes it look like it’s covering up where the hammer used to be when it was a P250. Nothing new “unlike anything I’ve ever seen”.

  • Unlicensed_Dremel January 17, 2014, 2:18 pm

    Seriously, how stupid do they think we are? This is the stupidest, most fraudulent claim I’ve ever heard from gun makers and I’ve heard some doozies: “New handgun, unlike any other handgun out there right now”? “RE-THINK” the polymer striker-fired pistol? “Set a new bar” “Entirely new arena”? “Upping the ante”? …. Let’s see – polymer? You mean, JUST EXACTLY LIKE THE SIG P250 and at least 346 other models out there? Striker-fired? You mean, JUST EXACTLY LIKE pretty much every other polymer gun out there, and only a slight change in mechanism from the P250 hammer model, with slightly improved trigger pull? Modular frame, to fit various LE staff hands? You mean, JUST EXACTLY LIKE THE SIG P250? This IS the P250 with a few minor changes…not only is it not in any way revolutionary, new, unlike others, etc…. it’s pretty much exactly the same as something that already exists from this very same manufacturer but without a hammer – they’re treating you like morons – how does that make you feel?

    • straightup January 17, 2014, 3:41 pm

      Unlicensed_Dremel – Please stop trolling. A hammer fired pistol works entirely differently than an striker fired pistol. The P320 internals dictate that it cannot be a P250.

      This gun gets Sig back into police and law-enforcement markets as the trend is towards less expensive polymer pistols. Are they late to the game? Yes. That doesn’t mean they should ignore this market.

      The modular feature gives Sig a distinct edge for the individuals in the armory who weigh heavily in the decision making process. Maintenance is easier to facilitate if parts are interchangeable.

      The trigger pull, reliability, and the rest are yet to be determined but EVERY gun manufacturer (up to and including Sig, Glock, and HK) has problems with their production guns at one time or another.

      The flexibility to adjust firearms to individual LE members and long-term maintenance costs are what drive winning new LE contracts.

      Just like when selling cars, the MSRP is always set too high so individuals feel like they are getting a ‘deal’ when buying it for less online or at their local dealer.

  • Pops January 17, 2014, 12:59 pm

    $750 ? I got my P226 MK25 for $800. Myself, I am not a fan of the P250, but this new pistol has enough differences to warrant a look. $750 seems high still. Probably shelf price will be lower.

  • Ron Nichols January 17, 2014, 12:30 pm

    They look good I like the sig have one one .45 acp looking forward to trying this one out if it holds up like my 45 I will keep it.

  • Steve Harsfald January 17, 2014, 10:45 am

    Enjoyed the presentation of the P230. Hope you will make this Massachusetts compliant, looks like a winner!

  • Bill Kleppinger January 17, 2014, 10:34 am

    Great looking handgun with wonderful safety features. Get rid of the interviewer. Tell her “you guys” is bad slang and she is not there for face time on the camera.

  • Randy January 17, 2014, 10:27 am

    So basically this is a striker fired P250

  • kenbay2015 January 17, 2014, 10:25 am

    $713 is way too high for a striker fired P250.

  • Thinkingblade January 17, 2014, 9:38 am

    Two questions, is that finally some ambi controls I see with the slide release? Also, what action is it? I don’t see a safety but DAO striker guns are a bit rare.

    Looks really interesting!

  • TexasVet January 17, 2014, 9:17 am

    “One gun can be changed up to various frame sizes, or slide lengths, or calibers. How is this possible?”

    Simple. You take a P250, and make it striker-fired.

  • Mike G January 17, 2014, 8:58 am

    She has on a NICE Bra! Full profile Sugar-Butt.

    WTG.

    Stong.

  • Gregg January 17, 2014, 8:49 am

    Looks like they’ve made a striker-fired version of the P250 modular pistol.

    I’ve used the P250 in 9mm, .357 Sig, and .40 S&W and they’re a good DAO platform; the P250 is also available in .45ACP and .380 but I didn’t see mention of either of those calibers in the video for the P320.

    it will be interesting to see how this pistol progresses, and if it accepted by the LE community.

    • Rich January 17, 2014, 2:23 pm

      CheaperThanDirt on their write up for it says that there are plans in the future for a .45 ACP variant. No idea whether there will be a .380 ACP variant though.

      http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=54917

  • William Kotila January 17, 2014, 8:32 am

    This looks like a striker fired version of the Sig P250 to me. I have the 250 in 9mm and 40 S&W and like it very much – of course, I prefer a double action only handgun. This may provide a similar set of reconfiguration options for those preferring a shorter trigger pull and reset.

  • Dan Cody January 17, 2014, 7:42 am

    Another plastic pistol, I would rather see them produce a revolver.

  • Dan Cody January 17, 2014, 7:41 am

    Another plastic pistol, I would rather see them produce a revolver.

    • Seth March 28, 2014, 7:45 pm

      Search Sauer and Sohn revolver. They make single action colt replicas… 😉

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