P229 vs P320 for duty use

[Blake3140]

Hey fellas, I am currently issued a P229 in .40. The agency is switching to P320’s in 9mm with the option of an Sig red dot.

We have the option to keep our currently issued gun. I have always shot the P229 well and it’s never given me any trouble. With all the negative press around the P320 is it worth switching?

The pros I see are the option of a red dot, increased magazine capacity, and lighter weight. Still not 100% convinced it’s a great idea to turn in the trusty P229.

 

[Stanislao]

Negative press around the P320 is primarily lawyers exploiting user error. The gun itself is as mechanically safe as any other.

Regarding your situation, going from a DA/SA to single action striker will probably require an adjustment period before you're as equally good with both guns. The dot is a far greater advantage once you're through the fairly easy learning curve.

 

[TheBigDog65]

Unless your agency has a well thought out and robust conversion training for officers who move to the P320 I would advise to stay with what you know for as long as that is an option. The negative press on the internals of the P320.... Sig solved for those issues in the last decade and is now dealing with the long tail of litigation from incidents that happened in the last decade. New P320s purchased now are not the same internally as the guns made and shipped between 2014 (introduction) and 2018 or so (when the issues were acknowledged and rectified).

I was a DA/SA user at work, S&Ws and later Sigs, for about 15 years. I did not go polymer until after I retired. But when I did change (S&W M&P) to polymer for everyday use I spent a couple thousand rounds learning the ins and outs of the gun and training myself out of running a DA/SA. I spent that time based on what I had observed in my career during the years when Glock first started replacing the revolver. Shot lockers and detainees or arrestees getting the back of their head blown off by an officer who went from a revolver to a Glock with little or no conversion training (Glock sales people reportedly insinuated that conversion training wasn't a big deal) will make a big impression. They did with me.

Fast forward to 2016 and the article linked below concerning Los Angeles Sheriff's Department switch from Beretta 92 to S&W M&P. Long story short, their conversion training was shitty, at best, and deputies in service started having unintended discharges with the new guns by the basket full, while kids coming out of the academy who were trained from the ground up on the M&P had no such issues.

The moral of the story is do not go short on conversion training when moving from DA/SA to striker fired. The LA County OIG report on the issue is linked in the first paragraph of the linked story, and it well worth the time for agency range staff and instructors to read.

Why the argument against striker-fired guns for police is flawed

LASD's experience with the M&P pistol reaffirms the importance of training, and confirms that software is more important than hardware in preventing discharges

www.police1.com

 

[weaver1032]

Negative press around the P320 is primarily lawyers exploiting user error. The gun itself is as mechanically safe as any other.

Having seen multiple body cam and squad cam videos of guns going off in holsters with no hands anywhere near them makes me doubt this claim.

 

[pointblank4445]

The gun itself is as mechanically safe as any other

Each firearm should be considered on their own individual merits and not assumed they're "all as safe as any other".
Action, metallurgy, parts tolerances, fail-safe measures all should be considered. The Sig 320 (for me) has enough going against it given it's a fully-cocked striker design manufactured by a company known for cheap, lower quality metal parts and releasing unvetted production designs....even after instituting the 2018 design changes . But that's just me...I know plenty of people rocking/rocked 'em for a while with great success. We all have to make our own choices.

Love how things never change....
Series 70 vs 80 debates (and the current is Staccato drop safe?)
Is the Rem700 Walker/XMark dangerous?
Free float AR15 firing pin/HK416 slam fire?
Should I load 5 or 6 in my Colt SAA?


(Posted ironically)

 

[jnc36rcpd]

My understanding is that SigSauer may changes in the 320 as of June 2019 that prevent uncommanded discharges. There are multiple large agencies using the 320 which have not experienced these issues. I'd suggest you contact the ICE National Firearms Training Program to get their perspective. That said, even a current 320 would not be my first choice.

You don't mention which caliber 229 you have. Nonetheless, your comfort level with the operating system should be a factor in your decision. The 320 has significant advantages over the 229 of which you're aware. but you want to be absolutely proficient when and if you transition. While my former employer had more unintentional discharges with DA weapons, striker-fired pistols are less forgiving of errors.

Good luck and be safe..

 

[Joe _K]

Could you get your Sig 229 cut for an optic? Or aqquire a pre-cut 229 Slide? I would stay as far away from the 320 as long as possible. Unless it has the Glock-esque trigger safety installed.

 

[Stanislao]

Having seen multiple body cam and squad cam videos of guns going off in holsters with no hands anywhere near them makes me doubt this claim.

Any links to these videos? All the ones I've seen have involved the weapon being handled in some way.

 

[shoobe01]

Could you get your Sig 229 cut for an optic?

Yes. Some guns are hard to cut into there, but there are a few places (here's one I have not used) that will do it for not totally outrageous cost:

Sig Sauer P229 RMR / SRO Optic Cut

Once Cut, optic is professionally installed and witness marks will be added. Please Supply Optic with the slide. If you include the complete slide assembly, we will be able to laser bore sight your optic for free. If you want to get DLC/PVD Coating click this link DLC/PVD Coating 2 weeks lead...

dualhammer.com

Here's a cheaper one:

Sig Sauer - Trijicon Optics

Discover Vulcan Machine Werks for top-tier firearm customization, laser marking solutions, and Cerakote finishes. Elevate your firearm experience with us.

vulcanmachinewerks.com

Note these two have limited options for what optic they cut for, though RMRs work for most folks, shouldn't be a showstopper.

 

[Joe _K]

Yes. Some guns are hard to cut into there, but there are a few places (here's one I have not used) that will do it for not totally outrageous cost:

Sig Sauer P229 RMR / SRO Optic Cut

Once Cut, optic is professionally installed and witness marks will be added. Please Supply Optic with the slide. If you include the complete slide assembly, we will be able to laser bore sight your optic for free. If you want to get DLC/PVD Coating click this link DLC/PVD Coating 2 weeks lead...

dualhammer.com

Here's a cheaper one:

Sig Sauer - Trijicon Optics

Discover Vulcan Machine Werks for top-tier firearm customization, laser marking solutions, and Cerakote finishes. Elevate your firearm experience with us.

vulcanmachinewerks.com

Note these two have limited options for what optic they cut for, though RMRs work for most folks, shouldn't be a showstopper.

I was asking the OP if we was allowed by policy, I should have been more specific.

 

[Lutz501]

I switched from a P226 to the P320 when my agency switched back in 2019. I am now very happy with and proficient with the P320 but it was definitely an adjustment. I had the benefit of a very robust training program which got about 2,000 rounds through all the new guns so everyone could be proficient. 2025 is not 2019 though and I would be amazed if the ammo budget or staffing could be found these days to do the same training again.

IF policy allows, a red dot on the slide, and a 9mm conversion kit could be a good option for you. Mecgar magazines in 9mm give the same capacity as P320. Then you'd have the capacity and RDS benefits and be able to keep the platform you're used to.

If you options are stock .40 P229 and an RDS P320, then I can only tell you I am happy with and have learned to shoot my P320 with RDS much better than I ever shot my P226 with irons. YMMV of course.