Sig Sauer P320 40S&W disappointment

T

Tibult

New member
Bought a used Sig Sauer P320 Full size with compact grip in 40 S&W took it to the range to test my typical defense ammo I used in Glock 23 165 grain Speer Gold dots and Hornady 180 grains XTP. I put approximately 120 rounds through it and had 3 Failure to feeds in between two magazines that came with it.:mad:
The groupings were decent for the most part at 10 yards when shooting in the center of the silhouette but it was shooting high left so I had some shots miss the silhouette when aiming at the head and hit the blank paper two inches.The recoil was atrocious and very snappy compared to my Glock 23 Gen 4 I had. So I am already putting it up for sale for a Glock 23 Gen 4 that I regret selling.

Is 40 S&W for this gun typically avoided in favor of 45 or 9mm because of most people having experienced what I did?
I shot many different 40 S&W handguns from Beretta PX4 to XD 40 Subcompact.This pistol had the worst recoil out of all of them and its a full size it felt like shooting a airweight snub nose 38 with high power loads.
 
Pretty happy with the way my CZ75B shoots 40S&W.

Ditto the Ruger SR40c.

Both of these guns manage the recoil of the 40S&W round very well. I might add that both of mine are dead-on with fixed sights.
 
I shot many different 40 S&W handguns from Beretta PX4 to XD 40 Subcompact.This pistol had the worst recoil out of all of them and its a full size it felt like shooting a airweight snub nose 38 with high power loads.
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That's interesting because DHart, a member here, that is a big fan of the 40SW lists the P320 as one of the most comfortable pistols in that caliber, if I remember correctly. I've typically found the 40SW in a Glock to not be that comfortable compared to some other models.

I put approximately 120 rounds through it and had 3 Failure to feeds in between two magazines that came with it
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With both the Speer and the Hornady? That is disappointing. Not really in SIG's defense, but used pistols are always a gamble. Don't get me wrong, I buy used pistols all the time. But you don't always know if the person sold the pistol because they simply wanted something else or wanted to get rid of a problem.
 
With both the Speer and the Hornady? That is disappointing. Not really in SIG's defense, but used pistols are always a gamble. Don't get me wrong, I buy used pistols all the time. But you don't always know if the person sold the pistol because they simply wanted something else or wanted to get rid of a problem.
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Here's the thing I bought probably 20 different used handguns in gun shops from different manufactures and calibers over the past 6 years and only 3 of them including this one have had issues the rest worked flawlessly even Taurus handguns. 15% failure rate tells me its quite rare for handguns to have issues if properly checked over for obvious defects and most people don't shoot their handguns enough to wear parts out.

And there is no need to put 500 rounds through a handgun to tell if it has issues the first hundred in my experience is all that is needed the issues will happen in that number of shots.
 
Doesnt surprise me, people bark up the P320 to be the next best thing, but i have my doubts, knowing how the P250 went and sigs current quality output. To be fair i have not shot or handled a 320, i also have no desire to do so.

I have shot a G3 Glock 23, a 2012 made M&P40, my dearly missed Walther PPQ .40

Of all these, i think the M&P full size had least felt recoil, but i shot it the worst. PPQ has heaviest recoil, although still manageable and quick to come to target. I will be getting another PPQ in .40 to replace the one i had to sell.
 
Here's the thing I bought probably 20 different used handguns in gun shops from different manufactures and calibers over the past 6 years and only 3 of them including this one have had issues the rest worked flawlessly even Taurus handguns. 15% failure rate tells me its quite rare for handguns to have issues if properly checked over for obvious defects and most people don't shoot their handguns enough to wear parts out.
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Right, but I never said used handguns were all bad. All I said is sometimes people dump problem pistols.

And there is no need to put 500 rounds through a handgun to tell if it has issues the first hundred in my experience is all that is needed the issues will happen in that number of shots.
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Okay, I don't see any comments here that made this statement, so I'm not sure who this is addressed to. I would tend to agree.

Doesnt surprise me, people bark up the P320 to be the next best thing, but i have my doubts, knowing how the P250 went and sigs current quality output. To be fair i have not shot or handled a 320, i also have no desire to do so.
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The market tends to exaggerate a lot of pistols, not just the P320. A number of folks on this forum and elsewhere have had good luck with the P320. I tend to think it's decent. I've also owned pistols that had issues from every manufacturer.
 
Okay, I don't see any comments here that made this statement, so I'm not sure who this is addressed to. I would tend to agree.
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I stated it to differentiate myself because, its the norm on youtube gun training channels and alot of gun forums seem to promote it as the gospel even though its purely subjective.
 
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I stated it to differentiate myself because, its the norm on youtube gun training channels and alot of gun forums seem to promote it as the gospel even though its purely subjective.
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Okay. Seems a bit defensive without cause, but go for it.
 
I have a buddy with one that I have shot and it's pretty awesome! He bought it in 40 with the intention of getting a 357Sig barrel for it. I think he gave up on the 357 barrel due to performance of the 40 barrel.
 
I bought a P320 Carry. Out of the box I had ALOT of issues shooting 180gr rounds. Just dropping the slide would cause a misfeed.

Same ammo worked fine in my XD40.

Self defense rounds worked 100%.

Packed up, left the range. Took it back to the range without touching or cleaning it. Ran 100% on my second trip.

I am used to shooting heavier recoiling firearms so the recoil does not bother me. Also it is very accurate in my hands.

I'd strip it down, clean it and switch ammo and see how it goes.
 
If a handgun fails because of a small amount of dirt and grime then its a range gun not a defensive handgun.This gun is touted as a defensive handgun from every reputable source.When I bought it there was some gun oil and it was clean enough to shoot.Every Glock,Smith and Wesson,and Ruger I have shot dirty and out of the box new functioned with all ammo I shot through it.
 
Who's a ''reputable'' source?? The gun rags?
I don't listen to any of the gun magazine writers about anything.
Your 320 has full size slide, with compact grips? I wonder if there is some kind of weird recoil thing going on there. Kinda like a 3lb hammer with a short handle.
I don't think the gun has been out long enough for any conclusions to be made between the different caliber models.
Well, the good news is, your selling it.
 
Who's a ''reputable'' source?? The gun rags?
I don't listen to any of the gun magazine writers about anything.
Your 320 has full size slide, with compact grips? I wonder if there is some kind of weird recoil thing going on there. Kinda like a 3lb hammer with a short handle.
I don't think the gun has been out long enough for any conclusions to be made between the different caliber models.
Well, the good news is, your selling it.
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Nutnfancy because, he actually tests his guns and military arms channel they do non-biased tests of popular guns and give their experienced viewpoint on each one.You may be right about the slide to grip ratio being weird with the recoil spring. Glocks have 32 years of testing their models and perfecting the design every couple of years whereas the Sig 320 is only three years old. I am sure Sig Sauer will improve the 320 where needed or replace it with something else if they can justify it.
 
I have a Beretta 96 and a 1911 in 40. My FiL now has my CZ P09. Of the three, my surplus Beretta shoots the best and has the least felt recoil - for me anyway. They are (or were, anyway) pretty cheap. Maybe you could make a good trade at a gun show or LGS.
 
I've typically found the 40SW in a Glock to not be that comfortable compared to some other models.
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To each their own naturally, but I've found the opposite. The Glock 23 was the only .40 I tried/owned (Sig 229, Sig 250, M&P, SR40c, and one of the Baretta 92 type guns) that I actually enjoyed shooting, ate the recoil best for me.

I only dumped it because it was a Gen 3 and I had wanted a Gen 4, then got out of .40 completely.

I would assume the 320 is similar to the 250 (same basic frame/slide right? ish?) and I found the 250 pretty darned snappy in comparison to any of the other models I shot/owned. I liked the 250 fine in 9mm, but 40, no.
 
The Glock 23 was the only .40 I tried/owned (Sig 229, Sig 250, M&P, SR40c, and one of the Baretta 92 type guns) that I actually enjoyed shooting, ate the recoil best for me.
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I enjoyed my P229 and P2000 much more in 40SW than the Glock 23. As you said, to each his own.
 
I have a 320 9mm carry and have not had any failure to feed or hang ups.
I have a gen 3 Glock 19 and SR9 as well. Over all IMHO the Sig has hands down the best trigger, it is also the most accurate, I felt the Ruger was the softest recoil.
I hope you have better luck with your next .40
 
Just got a Gen 4 Glock 22 testing it tomorrow at the range should be even softer shooting then the 23
The 320 is a striker fired 250 very similar frame
If someone offered me a 9mm P320 compact for $350 I would give it a shot but, I see them over $450 typically so no.
Glock 19 will be next gun I will get.

I usually only buy Glock because, I have never had any issues with them.My second choice is Smith and Wesson and Third Ruger those have also been flawless.Have tried a handgun from every major brand except HK and Browning which I may give a try in the future.
 
I don't have much experience with Sig but I have read some mixed reviews of the P320. Considering that it's polymer and supposedly has a high bore axis, the "snappiness" of .40 S&W might be more pronounced. That said, you aren't new to guns but this gun is new to you. It might be worth experimenting with your grip on this pistol. You might be able to conquer, or at least mitigate the failures to feed. Even if you do though, you're probably right that this one isn't going to be a reliable "defensive handgun".

On the broader issue, I prefer a pleasant shooting experience. I want good ergonomics and a decent ratio of power to felt recoil in any firearm, whether it be a pocket gun or a big-bore revolver. Some guns are just better than others in these areas and .40 S&W is good at revealing it. Like some other folks here, I've found the PX4 in .40 to be a real shining star.
 
Man I wish I was nearby, I'd snatch that guy up at a steal and carry it forever.


I've been wanting a 40 and I've been wanting a 320 since shooting a buddy's two at the range back in the summer.


Congrats on buying what may be the best striker fired handguns out there. Accurate, reliable, excellent trigger, soft shooting and last but not least as ugly as a glock.
 
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