Sig Sauer’s new P320 – this one chambered in .357 Sig.
When you think of Sig Sauer pistols, you think of classic double/single-action. Or single action like the new P938 and classic 1911s. Or maybe that Double Action Kellerman (DAK) design. What you don’t think of is striker-fired.
While the new P320 clearly inherits some ideas and inspiration from the modular Sig P250 design, the action is all new. It’s a constant action, striker-fired pistol, complete with the internal safeties you would expect in a striker design.
Being a .357 Sig caliber but, I just had to try one out in that caliber.
In the box
The model tested was chambered in .357 Sig. Note the brass stains.
This Sig Sauer P320 chambered in .357 Sig came with two (14) round magazines. Additionally, Sig includes an outside-the-waistband Kydex paddle holster. The holster is marked “P250 Full Size” and “P250 Compact” which implies holster compatibility across those models. The holster includes a retention screw to adjust the tension to your preference. The lockable hard case also includes owner’s manual, a cable-style gun lock and a small tube of Sig Sauer Mil-Comm TW25B lubricant and protectant.
A quick and dirty tour
There are slide release levers on both sides.
The slide release lever is not exactly ambidextrous, there are actually two of them already in place, one on either side.
The magazine release button is, in fact, ambidextrous. By default, it’s on the left side of the pistol. It’s easy to reverse to the other side, again without specific tools. A paper clip is all you really need to release it from the grip model and reinstall on the opposite side.
The sights are SigLite with tritium inserts and they’re made of steel so you can rack this gun on a belt, boot or hard surface without worry should the need arise.
The magazine release button can be moved to the opposite side.
Following the steel parts theme, the magazines are also made of steel. They drop freely when released, but seat with equal ease. No encouragement is required to lock them in place. The guide rod is also made of steel.
The first thing I do with a new pistol is press the trigger – a lot. I worked this one quite a bit and found it to be – awesome. For a striker-fired pistol, it’s smooth and crisp. A brief take up is followed by short travel of constant pressure and a clean break. The reset is positive and very easy to feel if you’re into that sort of thing. I measured the press weight at six pounds, although it felt lighter.
The full size grip module offers a spacious M1913 rail for accessories
Safeties
Internal safeties prevent the striker from firing unless the trigger is pulled. Another locks the striker if the slide is out of battery.
As a classic striker-fired gun, there are no manually operated external safeties. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t internal safety systems in place to help prevent unintended discharges.
An internal striker safety locks the striker in the back position until the trigger is pressed all the way to the rear.
A disconnect safety prevents the P320 from firing when the slide is out of battery. With everything unloaded and the magazine removed, I tested this out by pulling the slide back a fraction of an inch then pulling the trigger. Sure enough, the striker didn’t release.
A three-point take down safety design ensures that the takedown process won’t work until the slide is locked to the rear, the magazine is released, and the slide can be removed without need of pressing the trigger.
The standard P320 does not need a tabbed trigger insert to provide drop safety. However, if you want that, it’s available as an option. The P320 also, by default, will fire without a magazine in place. If you prefer the opposite scenario, you can order the P320 with a magazine safety. I think it’s interesting how the Sig folks have taken full advantage of the modular design and side-stepped those issues that upset people so much. Like a magazine safety? Great, buy it that way. Hate that? Great, buy it that way. It’s hard to go wrong when you give customers what they want.
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