Yes the 320 just doesn't reliably make me smile.

 

All three are as reliable as a Glock. I say that as a long time owner of just about every major pistol brand out there. Haha. When it comes to anything by Glock, SIG, HK, Beretta, S&W, CZ, SA, etc., the reliability question doesn’t even enter my mind (unless we’re talking 1911’s). Buy any of the above with confidence. Any company can make a lemon, but the probability of getting one from these companies is low enough I don’t even factor it in. Modern ammo, on the other hand, is a whole different story.

 

This

 

I have a P226, P228, P320 X-VTAC, and a P365. I thoroughly enjoy shooting them all. Use the 320 for IDPA, and to be honest it is on equal footing as my 226 as being my favorite to shoot.

 

I have a M11A1 (P229) and a P320RX Full. The only issues with both has been with the iron sights. The front sight fell off the P229 at the range and the rear iron sight on the P320RX became loose when shooting. Sig repaired both.

I do shoot more accurately with the M11A1, I often use a P229RX conversion kit slide on it.

 

It's hard to compare reliability between a relatively new model and one that is long established.

There are some 30 year old P226s, but to find a 30 year old polymer striker you have to look at Glock. And there are plenty of those.

My steel P22x pistols do feel more substantial and rugged. But my P320s still feel as if I'll never be able to wear them out. Is a gun that will last 100 years really more valuable to me than one that might only last 50 years?

From my personal point of view: With two guns that will last a lifetime, which one will last longer is a moot question.

 

That's a very good point. I bought my P228 when I first turned 21, which was 26 years ago and it still shoots like a dream and has never had a hint of a problem or a single malfunction that I can recall. Heck, I've shoot some recent IDPA matches with it and it's done really well.

 

I have a P226 in 357 Sig with a 40 cal barrel, 3 P229's (2-9MM) and (1-40 cal) A P320c and a P320 X-Carry, The only hang-up was that my P320 didn't like Underwood 40 cal in 155 gr. JHP, but the P226 shot it just fine.
Other than that all the pistols shot everything without a single hitch...

 

I own two SIG P320s and two SIG P229s. The SIG P229s are chambered in .40 S&W but I also have a 357 SIG barrel and have shot that cartridge with both pistols. Neither P229 has had any malfunction I can recall.

Of the two P320s one is a full-size chambered in .45 ACP and the other is a 9 mm compact. I do not recall having any issues with the full-size .45 ACP. Both of the P320s were sent in for the "voluntary upgrade". After I got the compact 9 mm back it started ejecting spent cases directly back at me and the ejection pattern seemed to be definitely more anemic than before the upgrade. A good cleaning of the ejector hook, which seemed to have metallic crud from the slide milling that had been done for the disconnector pocket, did seem to improve the BTF issue.

But a couple of weeks ago, I attended a one-day pistol event that involved shooting around 200-250 rounds. For economy sake I took the 9 mm compact P320 and a Glock 19 as a backup. After the first 4 or 5 magazine loads, I had to switch to the Glock 19 because my P320 had suffered about a half dozen failures to extract. I was shooting 115 grain Blazer Brass FMJ. The Glock had no problems whatsoever with the same ammo.
I have not yet disassembled and closely inspected the P320, but I suspect it is going to be making a trip back to SIG.

Of course, quality of design and manufacture are more important predictors of reliability than firing mechanism, but all else being equal I do believe that a hammer-fired ignition system has a small reliability edge over a striker-fired system. Strikers and striker springs sit up in the slide and are more exposed to powder residue and other crud than the hammer and mainspring of a hammer-fired pistol. On the other hand, striker-fired pistols typically have fewer moving parts which one would expect to enhance reliability.

 

Classic SIGs are built like tanks....jury still out on the 320 & 365....time will tell...

 

My hammer pistols have all been p22x, and my striker pistols were all Glocks until I bought an early 320 in 2014 or so. The 320 has been such a delight through my testing of it that I eventually sold my Austrians. It's been as reliable as any of the Gaston gats or Sig p22Xs I've owned. The p320 has been on the market for almost five years now, so many of us have put tens of thousands of rounds through them.
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My hammer pistols have all been p22x, and my striker pistols were all Glocks until I bought an early 320 in 2014 or so. The 320 has been such a delight through my testing of it that I eventually sold my Austrians. It's been as reliable as any of the Gaston gats or Sig p22Xs I've owned. The p320 has been on the market for almost five years now, so many of us have put tens of thousands of rounds through them.
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That puts you in position to give valid long term reliability, which you have.

Your input increases my confidence in the P320.

 

I'm surprised this thread hasn't received a lot more comments... :abe:
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Had many Glocks and Smith M&P’s for polymer guns. My metal guns couple Colt 1911’s, one .45ACP and one a .38Super. Bought my first P320 a year ago and now have a P320 RX compact and a Full size slide on a Xcarry frame. The 320’s are reliable, accurate and fit my hand better with the modular options. I’ll be dumping most of my Glocks and all my M&P’s except for a Shield and my Pro.

 

I don't recall having any issues with the 3 P320s or my P22x models, but I have probably only put 1000 rounds total through the plastic pistols.

 

Reliability wise I’ve seen no difference between my classic P series and my P320. Actually I can say the same thing for accuracy as well as ergonomics, I enjoy them all.

 

The hammer fired P series pistols have been around a while and have a proven track record. The striker fired P320 and P365 are relatively new to the party. I have a M11 A1, P320and a P 365. I have confidence in all three models. The P320 was rigorously tested prior to being awarded a military contract. My M11 A1 is a smaller version of the P226 MK25 used by Navy Seals. It’s also used by law enforcement. So, I am confident that they are reliable. I have not had any problems with either the P320 or the M11. The P365 has not even been out a year. Although there were numerous reported bugs, I believe Sig has addressed all issues. I’m confident carrying any of the three.

 

Currently own a P220 and P320, plus I've owned several other Classic Sigs through the years. I cannot tell any difference in reliability between the Classic Series and the P320.

The only difference is the design difference (DA/SA hammer vs. striker-fire) and which is better boils down to your personal preference. I don't think there's a wrong choice. The challenge is trying to decide which is the best option for you.

 

No difference; completely reliable.

 

No difference.

 

Several thousands rounds through each and several other brands. The P320 is very reliable. If you are looking for a good shooter and not caring about passing down to someone else, the P320 will do you well. If you want to pass it down, I would say go with a classic P series.

Now if only Sig would release an Aluminum frame for the P320, like they did for the Old Guard, then it would be a different story.

 

Have a P226 Combat, an X5L1, a P210 and my newest Sig is a P320 X5. Also previously owned a FS P320. Reliability-wise, I haven't seen a difference in any of them ie no issues or failures of any kind.

 

Hoping not to jinx myself, but I've had no issues with any of my 320s, 226, 229 or even 365. They seem to eat whatever they are fed. Regular cleaning and lube, straight back to work - just don't tell the 320s I think metal frames are more sexy

 

I’ve got a p226 legion. Awesome right out of the box.

I’ve also got a p320crx that’s fun to shoot, and hs been reliable from a weapon function stand point, however it had to go back to sig to repair loose iron sights.

 

Just put 200rds through my new to me P320.

Same great reliability, accuracy and ergonomics as my P series classics.

Have been shooting/carrying Sig P228/P226's since first LE job in 1995.

Having a progressive reloader and easy range access, I'd say I have put at 150K plus of 9mm down range in the past 23 years.

I've had one blown extractor in hard use P228 I attribute to a bad reload on my part.

 

It is rare that I buy a gun that doesn't have to go back. I can break anything.

Having owned both the 229 and 320, there simply isn't a comparison to make. Each has good points, but I do like steel and hammers!

 

Both have about the same amount of steel.

A lot of folks in threads recently have been confusing aluminum alloy for steel. I personally like aluminum the best of the three common frame materials, but they all have advantages. Ironically, I think a P320 has more steel, now that I think about it, by the time you include the fire control unit.

Aside from liking hammers better, I believe the OP was asking about reliability, have you had any issues with your P320? The point I believe that Lancer L5 has been making, and it’s a valid one, is that lots of folks claim “reliability “ as the reason they dislike the P320, and yet nobody is coming up with experiences that back it up.

I’m not trying to be a tool, but let’s analyze your post. The OP starts a thread, asking very specifically, if anyone has had reliability issues with the P320 compared to a P229. You respond by saying you can break anything, you’ve sent lots of guns back, there is “no comparison” between the two, and you prefer hammers. That, my friend, is all smoke and mirrors. You are heavily implying that the P320 is less reliable, but you won’t actually say it. Why is that?

 

My P226 MK25, P229, P320C, P320 Fullsize TacOps and P320 X-Carry have all been 100% reliable.

 

Every time I pick up a classic Sig, I like it. Every time I pick up a 320, i put it down. I want to like them, but I dont.

 

The OP asked for opinions from people who own both and shoot often.
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