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Question on carrying a P320

6.7K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  Fastball  
#1 ·
I recently acquired a lovely Sig P320 AXG Classic. I've never owned a striker fired gun, but this bugger really hooked me. Handles great like my P229 and that 320 trigger is soooo fine!

My problem is after running over 200 rounds thru her, I'm a bit "spooked" about carrying this gun with one in the chamber and NO external safety. That's how awesome this trigger break is. Carrying with chamber unloaded is an option, but after over 25 years of carrying a firearm with one in the chamber and not racking a round after drawing is gonna be difficult. Not to mention if a switch back to something I carry with a round in the chamber, what am I going to do in a SHTF moment.

Any other 320 owners have this dilemia. If so, love to hear your thoughts.
 
#2 ·
I carry a P320 as part of my rotation and have for a few years. Honestly, I keep it in a good kydex holster and don't think twice about it. If I didn't feel comfortable carrying it, I would switch back to a gun that I do feel comfortable with and just use the P320 as a range or bedside gun. I absolutely wouldn't carry an unchambered gun as a self-defense weapon, regardless.
 
#3 ·
Having the same issue with mine. Trigger guard is huge, and easy to slip a finger in on the draw. I don't worry about this with my 1911, because it's clear of my person before the safety is disengaged on my draw. Perhaps "striker leg" is a better term than Glock leg. Preemptively, I know the best safety on my gun is my finger. That being said, I worry about that draw in an adrenalin situation.
 
#5 ·
You could get a fcu from a m-18 or m-17. Both have ambi safeties. Then you just notch the grip module where the safety rides. I my self have the m-18 with a romeo 1 pro and love it. Im used to the 1911 so had to have a safety. I think you can buy the fmu with manual safety. You can call Sig and ask if one can be added like the p-365.
 
#8 ·
I trained for years with traditional SA/DA semi autos both with and without an external safety. Never phased me. This 320 is from Sig's custom shop, so this trigger is nothing like I've ever carried without a safety.
 
#9 ·
If your apprehension is in an AD during reholster that is a valid concern. You might want to consider a holster that you can holster the gun before placing it on your belt. Leave it in the holster until you take it off at night. If you need to take the gun off for restroom break or entering a gun free zone remove the gun while still inside the holster and remove as a unit. The only other concern would be if you needed to draw the gun for SD. This is a training issue. Keep your booger hook off the go switch. That said I purchased 3 striker fired pistols this year and all three have an EMS. I would reach out to Sig and see if that is an option.
 
#11 ·
If you are involved in a self defense shooting then reholstering is of no consequence as you won't be doing it. You will place/drop your firearm on the ground well beyond your reach when LEO's are approaching.........................if you're smart.
 
#12 ·
Sig has already stated an external safety is not available for this model.
I just do not think I could retrain myself for carrying this gun, hence my apprehension and seeking input here.
I do like the idea of keeping it in a holster at all times, one that I can remove and put back on with weapon still holstered. Sounds like a paddle holster to me.
Sorta wishing I didn't buy this model, but it's to damn sweet of a pistol.
 
#14 ·
That trigger on the AXG Classic is smooth, for a striker, but it isn't some kind of touchy competition gun. The things the OP is worried about are training issues rather than something inherently unsafe with the firearm.

And, in my ever so humble opinion, carrying a semiauto with no round in the chamber is like believing you'll have time to put on your seatbelt before the car crashes. You will lose.

I'm a dedicated traditional DA/SA guy, but as soon as a custom holster comes in, my P320 AXG "Classic" is entering my carry rotation. I trust it.

Here is mine. As much as I like the accuracy of the factory compact 9mm slide, it makes one sweet-shooting .40S&W.

Image
 
#15 ·
Carrying without one in the chamber isn't really a viable option, IMO. The key here is training.

And really, ask yourself: Did you have a problem with unintentionally pulling the trigger on your gun before, or keeping your finger on the trigger when it shouldn't have been there? If the answer is yes, you were already breaking the rules. If the answer is no, as it likely is, then what is there to worry about? You've already built up a habit conducive to safe firearms handling, regardless of the presence, or lack thereof, of a manual external safety.

As far as the holster thing goes, I wholeheartedly agree. The only time I draw a loaded firearm is when it gets cleared to be handled, or shot at the range. Otherwise, my carry guns stay holstered, and the holster gets moved with the gun still in it, trigger still neatly concealed and protected. Minimizing administrative handling outside the holster minimizes opportunities for the trigger to get pulled and the gun to go off.
 
#16 ·
There is NO way I'm carrying it with an empty chamber, let's just get that out of the way. Yes, I brought it up just to let it be known I was aware it was an option, just not one I believe in.
I'm not so much worried about my finger on the trigger, I have enough experience and training to know better. It's something else that could inadvertently bump it while handling, holstering, putting it in/out of safe, who knows what. That's why it's called "accidental" discharge.
I don't mind it on my P229 decocked. But this 320 is like carrying my 229 cocked in SA mode. No one carries a traditional DA/SA auto like that without an external safety. And that's probably why I'm so apprehensive of carrying this 320.
Maybe I will feel better after a few hundred more rounds, maybe it will become a safe queen, (hope not). Was just looking for some feedback.
Thanks!
 
#21 ·
I've never handled the P320X-series, but I do have a P365XL, and a Steyr L9A2. Of the two, the L9 has the lighter trigger, but it has a dingus. The 365 has no dingus. I'd feel comfortable with either one, but I also carry AIWB.

I see your concern about catching the trigger, though I would still refer to that as "negligent" rather than "accidental," as it's the shooter's job to make sure nothing is obstructing the holster before stowage, but it's still a legitimate concern, for any firearm, not just DAO's. You might use this opportunity to examine your holster setup. Can you adequately "look" your gun back into it's home after you draw, making sure there's no obstruction? If you're doing it purely by feel, that's a concern. This is one of the big advantages to AIWB.

If it sounds like I'm accusing you of some wrongdoing, I don't mean to. Just my thoughts based on what you've said here.
 
#17 ·
Train to keep your finger off the trigger. Train to keep your 320 in a holster designed for that model. Train to be aware what you do when carrying it so nothing gets in the trigger guard. Sig 320's have become my go to carry pistol and I couldn't be happier. Every once in a while I'll carry my FN 509 or a Colt M1945A1, but most of the time it's one of my many Sig 320's.
 
#18 ·
Fastball with your years of experience is this tread really needed . You might want to swap for some stock springs , or at least a heavy trigger return spring to add some pull weight to your trigger .

If your uncomfortable not having a thumb safety well remember that fact when you look at your next handgun and fall in love with the looks before buying and do some research , reading reviews and see what others pull weights average trigger pull included . Sigs trigger pull weight can vary a bit but seem to think there pull weight is 4lb plus or minus 1/2lb so what your is in real pull weight and how you pull a trigger is unknown but if your uncomfortable with it you can always keep it as a reminder of what impulse buying does .
I carry a trigger pull weight of about 3.5lbs BUT there on pistols with thumb safety's be it a 1911 or a m&p with apex tactical upgrade kits added .

So decide if you use a follow the reset trigger pull style or a sweep the the trigger style - read up . Find out what you8r trigger pull weight really is and adjust it or have a smithy do it with stock spring till your comfortable to carry it . I used a sweeping the trigger style . After dumping my sigs I gone back to a lw commander for a primary CC and also have a couple m&p's apex'ed for short reset and take up for an adjusted 3lb 4oz and 3lb 8oz pull with thumb safety .

You might talk to the tec people at Grayguns to adjust your trigger pull with new sear and trigger return springs to met your needs .
 
#19 ·
Well my experience does not include these striker fired pistols. I believe I mentioned that in the beginning.
I actually have an early DW CBOB and she has about a 3 1/2 lb pull and honestly, even with a safety, I never carry that gun. I just don't feel comfortable with that trigger either on a carry piece. Just my opinion.
And your probably right, even after sleeping on it overnight, maybe I shouldn't have gone back and bought this 320. But at this stage in my life, I said ***, I had the coin, l really liked it and I bought it.
 
#22 ·
If you have a good holster that covers the trigger then you have nothing to worry about, I carry a P320 also on occasion during my rotation and have never had an issue. The problem I run across is that when I change out I have to dry fire with dummy rounds a few times and memorize the way my different guns fire because all of them have different trigger pull weights.
 
#23 ·
I've purchased a Safariland 6378 paddle holster and was going use the QLS connection to the holster to just remove the weapon while in the holster and store in the safe that way. However,I have found that with the QLS forks it really kicks the weapon away from my body compared to just the paddle, much more than I like.

Still toying with some ideas.