Is this a perfect pistol? Possibly the most enjoyable firearm I’ve ever owned, my recently-acquired SIG Sauer P320 Nitron Compact (9mm). I can’t imagine a more simple and lightweight tool. Perfect crisp light 2-stage trigger practically locks on target. High-vis sights. So ergonomic it fits my hand like a glove, an extension of my own arm. Just effortless to pick up and use and maintain. Accurate enough for paper target competitions and ideal for IPSC.
The P320 weapon platform is a striker-fired semi-auto pistol (short recoil-operated, locked-breech) with a Nitron slide and polymer frame. The P320 series is characterized by modularity and extensibility. SIG factory parts and custom upgrades and parts are widely available. The P320 Compact’s OEM grip module provides a M1913 picatinny rail beneath the muzzle for accessories (e.g. typically a lamp or laser).
My P320 model (SKU 320C-9-B) ships with two OEM 15-round mags. SIG also makes a 10-round mag for this model, and additionally I use Magpul 17-round extended mags as well as Magpul’s 15-rounders. The calibre is 9mm Luger “Parabellum” (9×19 mm). The model I used in this video was manufactured in 2024 in New Hampshire, USA, to European standards, with the 2017 FCU version.
The official military versions of the P320 pistol series are the M17 (full-size) and M18 (compact) models. The M17/M18 (P320) weapon platform is “the official sidearm of all branches of the US military” including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. The official description of the M17/M18: “The Modular Handgun System (MHS) pistol is a mechanically locked, short-recoil operated 9mm pistol, featuring an automatic striker pin safety lock, ambidextrous manual safety and external ambidextrous slide catch lever.”
My current loadout for the shooting range:
- Pistol: SIG Sauer P320 Nitron Compact (9mm) [SKU 320C-9-B]
- Mags:
- Ammo: Geco – 9mm FMJ – 124gr [Item No. 2431562]
- Eye protection – NoCry safety glasses (compliant with ANSI Z87.1 spec)
- Gloves – Mechanix Wear: Tactical -Specialty 0.5mm Covert (High-Dexterity)
- PIstol case: MEIJIA Waterproof Protective Hard Case (11.65×8.35×3.78″)
Other reviews:
- Is the SIG P320 9mm modular pistol the best polymer-frame high-capacity sidearm ever designed? (Shooting Times)
- P320 2,000 round test – “This is an extremely accurate pistol” (Gritr Sports blog)
- P320 – “extremely customizable” (Gun Digest)
- P320 10,000-round review (Calibre Mag)
- P320 Compact review – “It’s a solid gun.” (Gunmade)
Postscript – debunking the mythical Accidental Discharge debate on P320 series pistols (especially Compact models):
- A detailed analysis rebutting all known concerns/reports to date by arguably the most experienced SIG gunsmith in the US – Robert Burke (“The Sig Armorer”) (30 May 2025).
- Re-holstering: there is no conclusive video of a P320 firing without user error/involvement (example with clear video evidence)
- Drop test – there is no conclusive video of a post-2017 P320 failing a drop test, and in terms of fundamental mechanics, and in terms of the laws of physics, it’s impossible for a current generation P320 to fire without the trigger being pulled (SIG interview recapping the 2017 FCU upgrade) (drop-test conclusions – official opinion of the leading independent expert, The Sig Armorer)
- Glocks have a trigger blade safety (“Dingus”) but can and do exhibit unwanted discharge (e.g. video example of a Glock 43 firing while in an appendix-carry holster when the user bent over) so this type of safety is not a panacea. There are many other Glock AD/ND examples on record (example). There are many examples of AD/ND affecting other pistols (e.g. HK 45). It’s a matter of record that some US police departments have ceased using certain holster types because of AD/ND (example, example, Safariland holster example) and similarly some firearms manufacturers advise against certain types of holster (example).
Naturally, nobody wants to blame themselves, and it’s easy to blame the machine, but to cite the old maxim: “A bad workman sometimes blames his tools.”