Sig Sauer has just announced the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has selected the full size Sig Sauer P320, chambered in 9mm, as their new standard issue sidearm. Prior to this selection most OHP Troopers were carrying the Glock 17, with a few Troopers carrying personally bought but authorized for carry Smith & Wesson M&P pistols, both in 9mm.
Sig Sauer is far from new to American law enforcement. Several Federal agencies, State, and local police agencies across the country have used variants of Sig P220-P229 pistols since the 1990’s. Sig Sauer has a well-earned reputation for crafting an amazingly smooth action pistol with the grip ergonomics that melts the pistol into the shooter’s hands. With a majority of law enforcement agencies moving to striker fired pistols, Sig’s introduction of the P320 striker fired pistol was just a matter of time. That time was well worth the wait, as the pistol combines the great features of Sig pistols with the advantages of a striker fired action.
The choice of the Sig Sauer P320 by a large State police force is a definite sign that the market is still open to new offerings, and ones that are more expensive than previous standards. The Sig P320 is a bit larger than competitor full size handguns, but the features and take-down procedures are huge selling points to law enforcement agencies. Not having to pull the trigger to take down the pistol is a very important safety feature.
Sig Sauer handguns have always been on the upper end of the price range, however the excellent feel and function of their pistols has kept them a viable option. The addition of striker fired options will likely see a significant influx of Sig Sauer pistols in the hands of American law enforcement officers. The striker fired design has proven to be one of the easiest and most repeatable trigger pulls to teach and maintain, both features important to agencies responsible for training new and veteran officers alike.
The picture above shows the “standard” trigger offered on the Sig Sauer P320. Though the Sig striker fired design is smooth and reliable as designed, they do offer an optional trigger with a trigger safety bar. This system is similar to a Glock trigger, where the shooter’s trigger finger first engages the trigger safety bar. As long as the safety bar is in its outward position, the pistol will not fire, even if dropped or bumped. Once the shooter squeezes the trigger safety bar back and flush with the trigger, the firing sequence can be completed as normal.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Being a long-time Glock shooter, I am a big supporter of the trigger safety bar. In addition to the drop safety it provides, I truly believe that the trigger safety bar helps officers (and civilians) from inadvertently pulling the trigger when they are not actually ready to do so. The depression of the safety bar is a conscious and tactile movement, and there is a noticeable difference once the actual trigger is engaged. This process helps ensure that the shooter is making conscious decisions to pull the trigger, and has a tactile reminder of when that process is occurring.
Some may argue that the trigger finger should not be on the trigger until all the safety rules have been satisfied, and the shooter is ready to fire. I agree! However, many law enforcement training and shooting situations require officers to process shoot-no shoot targets in very dynamic circumstances under time constraints. In all reality, when multiple threats are observed near no-shoot targets, it is highly unlikely the brain will be able to process the trigger finger on and trigger finger off rule as the shooter engages those multiple targets.
Where threats and no-threats are in close proximity, the added safety of having a tactile trigger safety bar can mean the difference between a good shoot and a tragedy.
Sig Sauer P320 Features:
- Serialized, Stainless Steel Frame – allows changing size to caliber to grip at will
- Exceptional Trigger – smooth, crisp trigger pull and short tactile reset
- Optional Triggers – Standard solid trigger, and tabbed safety trigger (trigger safety bar)
- 3-Point Takedown Safety System – magazine out, lock slide back, rotate takedown lever
- No Tools or Trigger Manipulation for Takedown
- Striker Safety – prevents the striker from releasing unless the trigger is pulled
- Disconnect Safety – prevents the pistol from firing out of battery
- Integrated M1913 Accessory Rail – allows for lights, lasers and other accessories
- Convertible Calibers – 9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W or .45ACP (coming soon)
- Multiple Pistol Sizes – full-size, compact, subcompact (coming) slides and grip modules
- Interchangeable Grip Modules – small, medium or large modules for optimal grip circumference
- SIGLITE Night Sights – tritium 3-dot night sights.
Sig Sauer P320 Duty Specifications (Full Size)
- Calibers – 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .45 ACP (coming soon)
- Slide Material – Stainless steel
- Slide Finish – Nitron
- Receiver Material – Polymer
- Overall Length – 8.0″
- Barrel Length – 4.7″
- Width – unlisted (over 1.0″)
- Height – 5.5″
- Weight – 29.4 oz. (with unloaded magazine)
- Sight Radius – 6.6″
- Trigger – Double action striker
- Trigger Pull – 5.5 lbs.
- Capacity – 17+1 rounds
- MSRP – $713.00.
Despite the higher price of the Sig Sauer over both the Glock and Smith & Wesson M&P competitors, the features, reputation, and function of the Sig P320 will still likely make a strong move into the law enforcement market.
Here is the Press Release issued by Sig Sauer:
NEWINGTON, N.H. (June 22, 2015) — SIG SAUER, Inc., has been selected by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to deliver more than 800 P320® Full-Size pistols in 9mm. An exhaustive test and evaluation found the P320 to meet or exceed the Highway Patrol’s expectations.
Over a two-week span, P320 pistols were evaluated by cadets and firearms instructors of the 63rd Academy class. After more than 78,000 rounds of assorted brands of ammunition, the P320 continued to perform “without any mechanical issues,” according to a letter from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
“All of us here at SIG are proud to have the Oklahoma Highway Patrol be the first state police agency to adopt the P320,” said Tom Jankiewicz, Vice President of Law Enforcement Sales for SIG SAUER, Inc. “The pistol’s safety, accuracy and reliability are what our law enforcement customers expect in a striker-fired pistol worthy of the SIG SAUER name.”
Designed with the input of law enforcement officers, the P320 offers enhanced ergonomics, a short, crisp trigger pull with a tactile reset and the ability to take down the pistol with no tools and without the need to press the trigger.
Instructors also found that inexperienced shooters saw a reduced learning curve with the P320 and they progressed more quickly through training. The ability to switch interchangeable grip modules allows each officer to have a pistol that is fit to their hand, helping them more quickly find success on the range.
“We have observed the pistol to be accurate, reliable and operator friendly,” wrote Lt. Todd Fenimore of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. “We are looking forward to the statewide pistol transition.”