Controversies with SIG Sauer handguns

[searcher]

Dozens of cops hurt after SIG Sauer handguns allegedly fired on their own — without even being touched​

One of America’s most popular guns is a “ticking time bomb” that allegedly fires spontaneously and has injured dozens of cops.

The SIG Sauer P320 semi-automatic handgun is used by some 1,000 law enforcement agencies from the local to the federal level, as well as being a popular civilian purchase.

But its manufacturer is facing a slew of lawsuits alleging that it can fire even when holstered, even when the trigger isn’t pulled, and even when it is just sitting at rest, lawyers allege.

MSN

 

[pmbug]

I would like some explanation for how the pistol fires while it is "just sitting at rest". That sounds like bullshit.

I also found this story from 2021 (two years ago) on the same subject:

Lawsuit: Semi-automatic police service gun goes off by itself, nearly killing detective

"Never, in my wildest dreams, would I have believed that my gun would just have shot me," Det. Brittney Hilton said.

abc7.com

According to the OP article, there is one lawyer who is bringing multiple lawsuits representing LEOs. It sounds like the pistol only fires spontaneously when handled by LEOs. Logically, that would, IMO, be highly indicative that it's a user error problem. It's similar to the complaints that were leveled at Glocks:

VIDEO: Holstered Pistol Discharges... Negligent or Accident? - The Truth About Guns

&#9664Previous Post Next Post▶ This video was submitted anonymously by a reader in Nevada. It shows a firearm that had been holstered discharging when the carrier bent over to pick something up. We’re told that the gun in question was a GLOCK 43. The holster was a GCode INCOG. The bullet...

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

The following is a good read on the subject:

Trigger Recall : Understanding the GLOCK Trigger

GLOCK’s domination of the handgun market is the envy of all of its competitors, yet there’s a controversial element of the GLOCK design: the trigger. So how does the GLOCK trigger really work?

www.gunsamerica.com

Maybe something in their holster or clothing is inadvertently catching on the trigger. Having a manual safety of some kind might alleviate the problem in that case, but ultimately, it's likely an issue of user error.

 

[searcher]

Interesting article originally published in 2018.

We recently published a news item that updates our readers on legal troubles the SIG Sauer P320 is encountering. Most recently, the Loudoun Times-Mirror website is reporting that a Loudoun County (Virginia) deputy has filed a lawsuit against SIG Sauer alleging that her fully-holstered P320 duty weapon discharged and sent a bullet into her leg. According to the newspaper’s account, the incident occurred this year on Feb. 7, “… when 37-year-old Loudoun County Deputy Marcie Vadnais went to the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy to attend a general instructor course.” The Times-Mirror further reported, “In accordance with academy policy, Deputy Vadnais began removing her firearm from her belt when she arrived.” According to the lawsuit, as she fed the belt through the holster’s first tooth, her SIG Sauer P320.

Problems with SIGs P320 - Gun Tests

We recently published a news item that updates our readers on legal troubles the SIG Sauer P320 is encountering. Most recently, the Loudoun Times-Mirror website is reporting that a Loudoun County (Virginia) deputy has filed a lawsuit against SIG Sauer alleging that her fully-holstered P320 duty...

www.gun-tests.com

 

[searcher]

Remembered reading about drop tests a while back. Came up with this from2017.

Sig Sauer P320 Drop Tests - AllOutdoor.com

There are some rumors going around which say the Sig P320 can discharge when dropped. The guys over at OmahaOutdoors put together a video showing exactly what they found. The standard drop tests calls for the handgun to be dropped with either the muzzle down, or on its side. When the Sig P320...

www.alloutdoor.com

 

[Jarrod32]

I have a P320 (Compact model, 9mm). I will say this...it is a great range gun. 15 round mags, very accurate, smooth trigger. A bit large for carry purposes in my opinion, though others will disagree. While I don't like it for carry purposes, it is a good "nightstand" gun.

It could be that the trigger is a bit too smooth. It is a double-action trigger, so there is no external safety. And it seems to me (again, my opinion) that the trigger pull is a bit too smooth and short for being a double action.

Just my thoughts having shot the P320. Nothing scientific here, mind you...

 

[searcher]

A Thoughtful & Nuanced Take on SIG's P320 Nightmare​

May 13, 2025

Here's the video I did 2 years ago on this topic. I stand by my conclusions in that video, but with the caveat that it assumes the parts are all made to designed spec (I didn't think I would have to specify that...):
• What's the Deal with the SIG P320 Exp...

So which camp am I in? "I found a way to stick it to a big company and now that's my entire personality" or "Look at these morons, SIG makes a flawless pistol!". Neither, so I'm sure I will take flak from both of them (hence the flak jacket).

It sure does seem like there is something going on with P320s, but it's proving very difficult to figure out exactly what it the cause. Usually when I talk about a phenomenon like this I do so with the benefit of a few decades or centuries of hindsight and research, and I can explain things like how Springfield used receiver color to dictate 1903 heat treat, or how the CZ52 was only supposed to be a temporary service pistol.

One thing that I think really contributed to SIG's problem here is the three-fold set of issues with the P320. First was the drop safety flaw, which they did fix. Then the number of discharges caused by foreign objects in holsters or just by negligence - issues that I think are significantly exacerbated by the short, light trigger in the 320 and its lack of trigger dingus safety. Then third came the appearance of truly uncommanded discharges. In the public perception, I think these issues all blend together, making each individual issue seem more common than it probably really is.

Would a company hide and deny a problem that they found while quietly fixing internal processes to fix it? Yeah, of course they would. Does anyone really think they wouldn't? Is that the case here with the P320? I really don't know...but I look forward to following up with a definitive explanation video in 2035.


19:47

 

[nickndfl]

Love my P365 better than Glock.

 

[SilverStacker]

I carried a .45 ACP P-220 for many years on the street and now use it as a night stand gun. I have 4 P-365s in both 9mm and .380 and they are probably my main carry guns now that I'm retired. Ive had no issues with either, not even a FTF, but I dont think I'd buy a P-320. When you carry guns all the time they can and will fall accidentally and if they are prone to going off when they do then you have a big problem.

Its never happened to me but it could. Just saying.