According to search engine traffic monitoring tools, roughly 40,500 people are searching for the Sig Sauer p320 every month making it one of the most sought after handguns next to the Glock 22 which has the same consumer demand. The Glock 19 still dominates with more than 200,000 searches a month, even more so than the AR-15 at just over 100,000. This is likely due to the Glock 19’s popularity in pop culture. So with all this popularity, why would the original version of the p320 firearm get discontinued?
First let’s jump into the reasons why the Sig Sauer p320 was created and became a beloved handgun, then go into the reasons why the Sig Sauer company would discontinue it. If you’re in the market to purchase one, but it doesn’t feel just right, we share a few alternatives to the p320 for personal defense.
Nicknamed the M17 (full size) and M18 (compact) for modified versions, the Sig Sauer p320 was introduced in the USA in 2014 by the Sig Sauer company as a semi automatic handgun for the military. Its popularity soared quickly due to the firearm being able to handle multiple calibers including 9×19mm Parabellum.357 SIG.40 S&W; 10 mm Auto.45 ACP, and having an effective range of 75 feet making it perfect for defense against direct threats in close quarters and near distances.
In addition to accuracy and being easy to handle, the 3-point take down system makes disassembling the Sig Sauer p320 easy as you don’t have to pull the trigger when it’s time to clean and lubricate it. You can also purchase an extended magazine for this model that contains 30 rounds making it effective for military and law enforcement use in combat situations.
Compared to the Glock 19 with a magazine weighing 29.6oz, the Sig Sauer p320 comes in at 28.3oz giving people that same hand feel weight wise for many.
Although the p320 is a little bit larger than the Glock 19 at .81 inches in length, .15 inches in width on the grip, it still stores easily in most handgun safes.
Because this handgun sounds like a dream for the military, law enforcement, and personal self-defense, you’re likely wondering why they took it off market for a while.
The Sig Sauer p320 was discontinued temporarily because when it was dropped at certain angles there was a likely chance it would discharge creating a hazard that can harm innocent bystanders. This is also known as a “drop safety” issue.
Think about law enforcement and tactical situations with direct threats and your fellow officers getting hit. There may be a situation where the handler needs to quickly release a firearm if someone is struck or someone needs help, and in this situation there is no time for an accidental discharge making it a potentially fatal flaw. That’s why Sig Sauer temporarily took it out of circulation.
Knowing the firearm on its own had potential, Sig Sauer offered customers a program to get an updated model that is retrofitted with technology to make it drop safe. So in reality, the Sig Sauer p320 is not discontinued, it just got an upgrade to help keep it being a defensive handgun. You can learn more about the upgrade program here.
And the Sig Sauer isn’t going anywhere soon thanks to its popularity in TV and the Movies. Here’s a few examples of where you’ve likely seen it.
- John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) – John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uses a Sig Sauer P320 during various shootouts in the film.
- Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) – The character Shocker (David Burnell IV) uses the P320 in a climactic gunfight.
- Interceptor (2022) – J.J (Elsa Pataky) uses a P320-M17 in her role as a military officer.
- Blindspot (2015-2020) – Special Agent Kurt Weller (Sullivan Stapleton) carries and uses a Sig Sauer P320 throughout the run of the show.
- SEAL Team (2021-2022) – Brock Reynolds (Justin Melnick) carries a P320-M18 during his missions.
- Hawaii Five-0 (2018) – Neil Voss (Phillip Phillips) and Adam Noshimuri (Ian Anthony Dale) are seen using the P320 in multiple episodes during this season.
Maybe you love this firearm, but the hand feel or grip just isn’t right. No problem, firearms for self defense need to be able to stop a threat, and that means you need to feel confident and in control when handling it.
Two alternatives to the Sig Sauer p320 are the Glock 19 we mentioned above as it is reliable, can hold fifteen rounds, and has roughly the same weight, and the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 not only for its visual appeal, but it’s M2.0 has an advanced trigger system and low bore axis to help with its accuracy.
The Sig Sauer p320 has made its mark as a protective firearm for the military and law enforcement, and is a staple in many personal armories. If you enjoyed learning about this firearm and want more content like this guide, subscribe below.