I have decided to buy a P320. I have already bought a caliber conversion kit, full size in .357 Sig ( probably my favorite caliber ). I will probably buy a M17. Great features and now our nations official sidearm. I can afford the X5 Leigion, but it does not give me the option of a safety...
Why the safety at all? I am thinking of the future if I wish to carry it. And possibly get. for example. a subcompact version. However, and here is the problem, I LOVE great triggers. An experienced hand gunner now for many tears, I know I will probably buy a Greyguns/Apex trigger system in persuit of that elusive 3 1/2 to 4# crisp trigger pull all experienced hand gunners crave and love.
But jamming a P320 into a holster pointed at my family jewels with what amounts to a cocked 1911 with the safety off, dosn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling.
So, here's my question to those that actually own a P320 with the safety. I have extensive experience with 1911's. Currently owning four. Is the safety comparable to a 1911 type. Is it "right where it belongs" as it were. Easy to flip off without a problem. Does it feel like a 1911 intuitive type of system where I can transition to it without much of a problem?
Of course the answer is "Buy both!" but finances will not allow it. I CAN afford an M17 or a legion X5 now. With possibly a carry kit in the future. But as the basic foundation of my new P320 "system" the question is to buy the safety version or not. Thanks for the help and advice.

I also have a similar question ... waiting for answers.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGWALLY:
I have decided to buy a P320. I have already bought a caliber conversion kit, full size in .357 Sig ( probably my favorite caliber ). I will probably buy a M17. Great features and now our nations official sidearm. I can afford the X5 Leigion, but it does not give me the option of a safety...
Why the safety at all? I am thinking of the future if I wish to carry it. And possibly get. for example. a subcompact version. However, and here is the problem, I LOVE great triggers. An experienced hand gunner now for many tears, I know I will probably buy a Greyguns/Apex trigger system in persuit of that elusive 3 1/2 to 4# crisp trigger pull all experienced hand gunners crave and love.
But jamming a P320 into a holster pointed at my family jewels with what amounts to a cocked 1911 with the safety off, dosn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling.
So, here's my question to those that actually own a P320 with the safety. I have extensive experience with 1911's. Currently owning four. Is the safety comparable to a 1911 type. Is it "right where it belongs" as it were. Easy to flip off without a problem. Does it feel like a 1911 intuitive type of system where I can transition to it without much of a problem?
Of course the answer is "Buy both!" but finances will not allow it. I CAN afford an M17 or a legion X5 now. With possibly a carry kit in the future. But as the basic foundation of my new P320 "system" the question is to buy the safety version or not. Thanks for the help and advice.

I would say that if you've already decided to buy a M17 then you will adapt to the safety.
Reading your post, an X-Five would be off the table.

Forget Apex and focus on Gray Guns full kit with sear and springs.
$129 kit if you don't want adjustable trigger
$149 kit if you want adjustable trigger and more spring options.

My X-Five with the $149 kit breaks at 2lbs using the light spring group. (range gun)
If I wanted more weight I would use use the medium spring group.

If you wanted even more weight, I would use the stock bar spring or the +10% Galloway bar spring.
You get the idea...very workable trigger system.

Play with different triggers all you want. A simple trigger upgrade alone can get you you more leverage and maybe shorter reach, but "break quality" happens at the striker lug - sear interface.
It's the Gray Guns sear that gives you that magic, super-clean break.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DirectDrive,

Pardon the crap answer, but the best I can tell you is to pick one up and fiddle with it to see what you think.

It's been a while since I've owned a 1911, but I do own 320s both with and without the safety. The nit I pick is that the safety and the slide lock/release lever are right freakin' next to each other - I can't thumb down the safety without pressing the slide lever without consciously thinking about it. To me it's a little bit like the 2022 - there's just too much stuff in that particular piece of real estate.

Of course, if you're engaging or disengaging the safety then the slide must already be forward into battery. The safety itself is easy to engage or disengage without thinking about it, and you can positively feel the safety engaging or disengaging. IOW, I see no real downside to having a model with the safety.

While I've rambled a bit, the bottom line is that I have a 320F in 357SIG with one of the sweeter triggers to have escaped the factory that I would love to retrofit with a thumb safety if that ever became practical (or at least fairly affordable). While I personally cannot begin to understand the logic behind pointing a loaded pistol at one's wedding tackle (not to mention the artery in the off-side thigh), I wouldn't hesitate to get a model with the thumb safety if I were in your position.

I prefer the safety version. I have two M17 Bravos (black nitron) and one Compact MS. I have X-series flat triggers in them, but will probably change to the Legion trigger.

The safety is very similar to a 1911, same place, same angle, same ability to ride it with your thumb to control recoil and ensure it is disengaged with your firing grip. If you are used to 1911's it should be no problem.

Manual Safety Conversion - $200
Seems high, but consider :
Safety cut must be made in FCU
Safety Lever cut must be made in grip module
"Safety" specific parts are needed
https://www.abprototype.com/p3...l-safety-conversion/

I wouldn't bother with the safety, personally (ad haven't, with any of my P320's, but it's a personal decision.

The apex trigger is short and crisp. The Grayguns trigger is short, light, smooth. I like both.

Thank you so much for the input so far. To answer a few questions; No gunshops I have been to, or that are open, have the P320 M17 MS (Manual safety) model in stock. One had the regular M17 without the safety, I was impressed. So I am unable to sample a MS variant at this time. I have tried several modes of carry and appendix seems best for larger firearms. I do pocket carry my P365 on occasion (Pocket holster of course) or if the mood strikes me a S&W 638.
NO, I don't enjoy pointing my Rosco at my manly parts but again, appendix seems to work better for me. Especially seated or in a vehicle. Please continue with any available advice. All will be considered and appreciated...

I like having the safety in general on service pistols that offer them, but I used to have worry about a gun grab back when I wore a duty holster and was pretty paranoid about it.

After playing with the P320, I realized the striker is just about fully cocked instead of just prepped. That combined with the trigger mechanism makes me feel better carrying with the safety. I'm well versed with the 1911 anyway. That being said, if one doesn't want to use the safety just don't use it. If you are really worried about accidentally activating it, then don't get the safety version. SIG is nice enough to give you a choice if you feel strongly about it.

Specifically with the P320 I am impressed with the safety, design its just the right size, and the right amount of force. Since one reason I bought it is to train people to use the M17, it should have the safety. The .mil had issues with old style guns like the 1911 and M16 that couldn't have the safety on unless cocked, and there fore potentially loaded, and I find having the ability to rack the slide safety on makes training newbies a little less worrisome. I also like that if I have to stow my gun somewhere it has the safety on.

quote:

Originally posted by k:
I like having the safety in general on service pistols that offer them, but I used to have worry about a gun grab back when I wore a duty holster and was pretty paranoid about it.

After playing with the P320, I realized the striker is just about fully cocked instead of just prepped. That combined with the trigger mechanism makes me feel better carrying with the safety. I'm well versed with the 1911 anyway. That being said, if one doesn't want to use the safety just don't use it. If you are really worried about accidentally activating it, then don't get the safety version. SIG is nice enough to give you a choice if you feel strongly about it.

Specifically with the P320 I am impressed with the safety, design its just the right size, and the right amount of force. Since one reason I bought it is to train people to use the M17, it should have the safety. The .mil had issues with old style guns like the 1911 and M16 that couldn't have the safety on unless cocked, and there fore potentially loaded, and I find having the ability to rack the slide safety on makes training newbies a little less worrisome. I also like that if I have to stow my gun somewhere it has the safety on.

I don't think I'll ever buy a P320 with a safety, but the points above are extremely valid for having a safety.
Maybe someday if I decide to carry a P320 pointed at my Johnson, I might change my tune.

To add my $0.02, I owned a standard P320C (without the manual safety) and it came out of the box with an outstanding trigger. I could drive nails with it.

One day, experienced an ND and I sold it a few weeks later.

Have now acquired the M17 Bravo, and while the trigger isn't as light or even fully broken in, the MS helps me feel more comfortable. Probably not comfortable enough for Appendix Carry, but that has nothing to do with the gun itself.

Now to the OP's question; the safety is only 1911-ish. It's smaller, but seems comparable with regard to On-Off Operation. After a month of draw/dry-fire/reholster training, it became almost as second nature as the decocking routine for my P226. Furthermore, I heartily approve of the option to cycle the slide while the safety is engaged!

Now if I could only find a good concealment holster that would accomodate the MS, I'd make it my daily carry.

I've been shooting a safety 320 for a while now. Never missed the safety and my thumb rides it without issue. One potential downside if it matters to you is that when riding the safety it's pretty easy to depress the slide release.
I've tried the M&P2.0 with manual safety and there's something about the angle and grip size that insures the base knuckle of my thumb gets beat to heck.

The Sig 320 is single action. Why is it that people say that a striker fired single action pistol shouldn't have a manual safety but of course a hammer fired single action should?

quote:

Originally posted by Fundman:
The Sig 320 is single action. Why is it that people say that a striker fired single action pistol shouldn't have a manual safety but of course a hammer fired single action should?

It's the Millennials and Flatbillers.

Either system is acceptable provided that you train with it to a level of of "unconscious competence". By this I mean that under stress you perform without having to "think" about it.
For example, when you come onto the target and the decision to shoot is made your thumb sweeps the manual safety to the "off" position. Conversely, when the decision has been made to stop shooting or not to shoot ( the threat is no longer present/viable), then the safety is actuated, i.e. "on".

Sadly, most earth people and law enforcement agencies don't train to that level due to time and/or money considerations. When I began carrying a semi-automatic pistol in the late eighties, I had a fellow officer comment that a Glock pistol was dangerous and he knew of one just "going-off". When I pressed him for details it was determined that the person had his finger on the trigger at the time. I explained that most firearms have a proclivity to do so when this occurrs. This accidental discharge (really negligent) was due to lack of training, specifically, trigger discipline.

My opinion, take it for what it's worth, is that the DA/SA and DAO trigger systems as well as the Glock "New York" trigger are all the end result of law enforcement agencies (administrative and legal departments) as well as firearms manufacturers attempting to compensate for lack of initial proper and continuing sustainment training in the proper employment of firearms, either real or perceived.

I carried a 1911 platform prior to my retirement. I was fortunate to have the time and was provided ammunition to train with that platform. It never let me down provided I put forth my effort. I now carry a Sig P320 "Carry" which has no safety. I have trained and continue to train with it. I have no training scars that carry over from the 1911 platform as I remain unconsciously conscious of the Sig platform.

Soooooooooo, find out what M17 system you prefer and train with it. Remember the "Four Rules of Firearm Safety". Choose a system and have at it. Professor Harold Craxton said it best, "Amateurs practice till they get it right; professionals practice till they can't get it wrong".


HTH.

P320C .45 MS is now my EDC. I am an old 1911 guy so the MS is second nature.
Other MS bonus: safer admin handling.
You can apply the MS and still work the slide to load and unload the gun safely.
As other have posted, train with any MS system until release on full draw is instinct.

I cant picture your grip on the pistol that somehow doesnt have the thumb on top of the safety. I can think of no way to accidentally activate the safety while firing. I can definitely see activating the slide release, but thats because this model has it in a terrible place for a person with large hands. If you place your thumb on the safety lever, press it down, and the fire your pistol, I cant see how you could activate the safety. You would have to somehow place your thumb UNDER the safety lever while firing, which doesnt make sense to me. Sorry I just cant see it.
You guys all remember back in the day the myriad of negligent discharges with pistols before everything was striker fired? Me neither.
I prefer the safety. No hammer to put my thumb over during holstering so safety lever is a must. For me.

quote:

Why the safety at all?

The safety is between your ears.

A manual firing inhibitor is no more safe than the trigger itself if your mental safety fails.

FWIW, I carry two P320s on duty... one full size, one subcompact, and the subcompact is also my off duty gun.

Neither have manual firing inhibitors.

That said, if the gun you want has a safety they're no big deal. Disengaging it will become rote. I used to compete with a P226, and despite safety and DA/SA trigger pull was faster than the guys with Glocks.

quote:

Originally posted by tanksoldier:

quote:

Why the safety at all?

The safety is between your ears.

I think most would agree, for myself I can make it work either way, but I now find that I feel better that I can tell a newbie to put the safety on before dropping the mag, and pull the slide while keeping their finger off the trigger and try not to sweep my gut because sometimes they'll screw at least one of those up. The P320 has become my new intro gun over the Glock, at least until I'm comfortable that the shooter is squared away.

Sage advice from all. I have decided to go with the M17 WITH the manual safety. I am comfortable with 1911s but will take the time to train until I am confident and safe with this new platform. A heartfelt thanks to all to have taken the time to offer your advice. It was, and is, greatly appreciated.