What's the Deal with the SIG P320 Exploding and Firing "Un-Commanded"? (April 2023)

Published on April 20, 2023
Duration: 18:18

This video from Forgotten Weapons, hosted by Ian McCollum, an expert on SIG Sauer history, addresses concerns about the SIG P320 firing unintentionally. McCollum, a co-author of the Vickers Guide: SIG Sauer, explains the 2017 drop-safety issue and SIG's subsequent voluntary upgrade program. He analyzes claims of uncommanded firing, attributing many incidents to external factors like foreign objects in the trigger guard or ammunition issues, rather than inherent design flaws in upgraded models.

Quick Summary

Expert Ian McCollum explains that early SIG P320 models had a drop-safety flaw addressable by a voluntary upgrade. While some claim uncommanded firings, McCollum suggests factors like foreign objects in the trigger guard or ammunition issues are more likely causes for modern, upgraded P320s used extensively in law enforcement.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Controversy
  2. 00:30Speaker Disclosure
  3. 01:25The Drop Safety Issue
  4. 03:32SIG's Voluntary Upgrade
  5. 04:40Un-commanded Firing Claims
  6. 06:07Human Factors and Duty Use
  7. 08:40Chamber Support and Ammunition
  8. 10:02Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main safety issue with early SIG P320 models?

Early SIG P320 models had a documented drop-safety flaw where they could fire if dropped at a specific 29-degree angle due to trigger inertia. SIG Sauer addressed this with a voluntary upgrade program.

Does the SIG P320 still have issues firing uncommanded?

According to expert Ian McCollum, the P320 is safe after the voluntary upgrade and with proper ammunition. Many reported uncommanded firings likely involve external factors like foreign objects in the trigger guard or ammunition issues.

What is the SIG P320's voluntary upgrade?

The voluntary upgrade for the SIG P320 involves modifications to the fire control group and a lighter trigger pull, designed to prevent inertial discharges and enhance overall safety.

Why might a SIG P320 be more sensitive to ammunition issues?

The SIG P320's chamber support is noted as being slightly less robust than some competitors, potentially making it more susceptible to problems arising from over-pressured or poorly manufactured ammunition.

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