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Read below to learn why this firearm needs thorough training, knowledge, and respect—just like any other firearm. “The P320 is a semi-automatic pistol which has become very popular throughout the country. At SAFE, we urge healthcare clinicians to educate their patients and community members who own and use firearms to learn the functions of the firearms they use and to handle and store all firearms safely. Sig Sauer’s P320 line of Variants of the pistol are in service with all branches of the United States military, and millions are in the hands of private citizens and governments around the world. However, it has been plagued by safety concerns. In 2017, a massive voluntary “recall” and redesign of all P320s was issued to improve internal safety mechanisms after testing found it to unintentionally fire when dropped under laboratory conditions. Although these conditions are unlikely to be replicated under normal use, concerns have persisted considering numerous high-profile injuries leading some police departments and militaries to shelve the pistols. This month, the pistol is again under scrutiny following a ruling in a Philadelphia court where Sig Sauer was found liable for its defective handgun and holster that caused permanent injury to Army veteran George Abrahams. In this $11M verdict, the pistol was determined to be too easy to fire, due to the manufacture’s decision to not have an external safety mechanism. An interesting caveat of the Philadelphia case is Mr. Abrahams’ admission that the trigger had likely been pulled and that he had no training on the pistol prior to the incident. So, what makes the P320 different? Unlike pistols of comparable design made by Glock, Smith and Wesson, Walther, and Heckler and Koch, the majority of P320 variants do not have external safeties. The internal striker safety needs only about 1.5-2 pounds and 2.3mm of trigger travel to disengage. A relatively light 5.5 pounds and 5mm of total trigger travel is required to fire the gun. For the military variants of the P320, external safeties were added to prevent any unintentional movement of the trigger. By comparison, Sig Sauer’s P250, from which the P320 is derived, has a trigger weight exceeding 10 pounds and a travel length exceeding 6.3mm to ensure safe handling without an external safety. As designed, the P320 will not fire without pulling the trigger, but its trigger is significantly lighter and shorter than what precedes it. Additionally, concerns surrounding quality control standards of critical components used in the pistol’s firing mechanism—significant enough to deviate from design— have been raised in multiple lawsuits as cause for unintended discharge. Knowing this, we recommend completing training and using holsters specific to the P320 if you do choose to use one. Avoid carrying the P320 with a chambered round. Also, consider adding an external safety; for $210 plus $55 shipping, Sig Sauer will install one. The P320 requires thorough training, knowledge, and respect—just like any other firearm. We urge gun owners learn the functions of their firearms. Handle and store all firearms safely.” ~ Andrew Lithen
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