In response to a variety of reports of SIG SAUER P320 pistols discharging when dropped, the company announced today that it “developed a number of enhancements in function, reliability and overall safety including drop performance.” SIG is offering these upgrades to all P320 owners.
The M17 pistol selected by the US Army as its new sidearm of choice is not covered by this offer, because it already has all of the following:
– Reduced-mass fire control components (trigger, sear, and striker)
– New sear housing (reduces sensation of “double click” during trigger pull)
– Trigger disconnect (disengages the trigger bar if the slide is not fully in battery)
The SIG P320 trigger that passed myriad safety testing protocols — the trigger SIG submitted for the Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) testing — is the sames as the trigger currently in commercially-available P320s.
These upgrades were engineered subsequently, based on feedback on the trigger pull feel and requirements of certain contracts, then rolled into the M17s that are now shipping. SIG says they will appear as standard in future commercial P320s.
For owners of current, commercial P320s, SIG’s offering what they’re calling “voluntary upgrades.” The company claims the aforementioned changes greatly mitigate the specific drop safety vulnerability identified in recent non-standard drop safety tests. SIG says it will provide further details on the program next week.
For now, here’s SIG’s press release:
SIG SAUER Issues Voluntary Upgrade of P320 Pistol
P320 pistol meets requirements for industry and government safety standards; performance enhancements optimize function, safety, and reliability.
Newington, NH (August 8, 2017) – The P320 meets U.S. standards for safety, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI®), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), as well as rigorous testing protocols for global military and law enforcement agencies.
The design of the SIG SAUER P320 overcomes the most significant safety concern in striker-fired pistols today: the practice of pressing the trigger for disassembly. This can be performed with a round in the chamber which has resulted in numerous incidents of property damage, physical injury, and death. The disassembly process of the P320, however, uses a take-down lever rather than pressing the trigger, eliminating the possibility of discharge during the disassembly process.
Recent events indicate that dropping the P320 beyond U.S. standards for safety may cause an unintentional discharge.
As a result of input from law enforcement, government and military customers, SIG has developed a number of enhancements in function, reliability, and overall safety including drop performance. SIG SAUER is offering these enhancements to its customers. Details of this program will be available at sigsauer.com on Monday, August 14, 2017.
The M17 variant of the P320, selected by the U.S. government as the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS), is not affected by the Voluntary Upgrade.
“SIG SAUER is committed to our approach on innovation, optimization, and performance, ensuring we produce the finest possible products,” said Ron Cohen, President and CEO of SIG SAUER. “Durability, reliability and safety, as well as end-user confidence in the SIG SAUER brand are the priorities for our team.”
For more information on SIG SAUER, please visit us at sigsauer.com.
