The Anti-Glock: P320 by SIG SAUER

The P320 from SIG SAUER is the new service weapon of the US Army. Behind this sentence lies a lot of drama that still has effects today - see yesterday's article about the ongoing legal dispute between SIG SAUER and GLOCK. But when it comes to a contract worth 580 million dollars, some quarreling is to be expected.

Shortly after the U.S. decision, we had the opportunity to get our hands on the weapon. In the back room of a Nuremberg trade fair, it lies before us, the winner. We take a first look at the design. Later in the year, we were able to test the weapon in its variations at SIG SAUER's testing site directly - HERE is the SPARTANAT article - also shooting. Moving images: HERE is the link to the SPARTANAT video from the factory visit at SIG SAUER. 

A pistol is a pistol is a pistol... And yet each one is different. Here is a look inside the slide of the P320 with the recoil spring and barrel inserted. After procurement, there was a heated discussion in the U.S. about the drop safety of the weapon, which SIG SAUER Germany countered with a certification of the weapon according to the Technical Police Directive.

The U.S. Army receives the weapon in two versions, as M17 and M18, a full version and a compact one. The weapon comes in an earth-toned color. With the Austrian competitor, about the same color is left with the now civilian-available Glock 19X.

The procured P320 fires 9mm ammunition. However, the weapon can also shoot .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP with other parts. The design allows for quick and easy changes in caliber, size, and fit - just like MOLLE on every piece of tactical nylon gear: I have the ability to change everything, even if you don't need it in bulk.

The dismantled slide group: barrel and recoil spring separated from the slide. The fact that SIG SAUER came out on top in the prestigious U.S. Army project is not only due to the technical options but also to the calculations. 580 million dollars are on the table (weapons, spare parts, training...). The P320 was offered by SIG SAUER at a competitive price of about 170 dollars per piece, it was reported. Competitor Glock was about 100 dollars more expensive with a bid of around 270 dollars per piece.

Barrel and recoil spring in detail. The weapon is the "bang for the buck," providing better value for money in procurement. This is not necessarily just a victory of technology but also of calculations, as SIG SAUER had to learn years ago when they lost against Beretta with an inferior 92FS in procurement. Or as stated in Murphy's Laws of Combat: "Always keep in mind that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder."

A "modular handgun" was requested, a requirement that the P320 fulfills well. Just with the magazines, there are options between 15 and 17 rounds. With expansion possibilities (above) up to 21 rounds.

The heart of the weapon is a housing with a trigger group that can easily be removed from the grip frame. This allows for completely changing the polymer grip frames and choosing the one that is ideal for the shooter in overall size and trigger-to-backstrap distance. Speaking from personal experience: you pick up the right grip frame and know that's it. Almost like with a woman you then marry...

Aside from cleaning and maintenance, the housing offers another advantage. It can be removed and used elsewhere. This idea is already taken up by the X01 Fire Control Unit, as well as by the USW-320 from B&T. In both cases, the grip frame is completely replaced, and the weapon is modulated into a pistol carbine with a few simple steps.

In short, this is the P320 system in a compact presentation of all possibilities by the manufacturer SIG SAUER themselves. For those who want to know more about SIG SAUER, HERE is the SPARTANAT interview with CEO Franz von Stauffenberg.

SIG SAUER Optics - HERE on SPARTANAT

SIG SAUER Firearms - HERE on SPARTANAT

SIG SAUER Germany on the internet: sigsauer-le.com

SIG SAUER Inc. on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sigsauerinc