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P320 Carry vs P320 Compact. What's the difference?
January 26, 2020, 07:38 AM
vthokyP320 Carry vs P320 Compact. What's the difference?
Good morning, SF.
I've been stewing on picking up a P320 in 9mm.
Here's what I know:
* I don't think I want the full-size, and RXP, or the FDE color.
* One local shop offers the Carry (320CA-9-BSS).
* Another offers 320C-9-BSS (Compact, right?).
* I can't find a 9mm Compact on Sig's web site right now unless it has contrast sights or is MA-compliant.
* I don't see a P320 Carry on Sig's web site this morning.
* The Carry appears to be a 17+1, while the Compact is a 15+1.
* Barrel length (3.9), overall length (7.2), and weight (26) are the same in the info I can find.
Now the questions:
- What else am I overlooking?
- Dimensions I can find are identical... Is the grip module significantly different?
- Anyone here have both?
- Who's got opinions and recommendations?
Thank you.
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 07:40 AM
MNSIGI have both grip modules.
You are correct on capacity. The carry has a full length grip/magazine, but with the shorter slide.
January 26, 2020, 07:43 AM
vthokyquote:
Originally posted by MNSIG:
but with the shorter slide.
A shorter slide than the Compact?
I'm not sure I understand.
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 07:50 AM
Blume9mmCorrect me if I'm wrong but they both have the same slide and barrel length but the Carry has the full size grip and takes the 'regular' magazines... the Compact has a shorter grip and thus shorter mags.
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January 26, 2020, 07:56 AM
MNSIG^^^^
That is correct. Same slide as a compact, same grip length as a full size. It's kind of like the 1911 Commander vs CCO configuration.
January 26, 2020, 08:00 AM
vthokyOkay, I'm learning now. Thank you!
So, given the modularity of P320, I could buy the Carry and then later a Compact grip module, and essentially have both, right?
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 08:07 AM
pedropcolaYes but your mags would not work. The carry will only take full-size or bigger. The compact takes compact or bigger.
I prefer the compact by a large margin. I have a full-size but I would rather use the compact knowing I could carry a larger mag if I wanted the extra capacity.
Both grip module will work with your fcu but they take different sized mags. You can use the bigger mag with each but the compact mags won’t work in a Carry frame. Make sense?
January 26, 2020, 08:14 AM
vthokyI think I'm following.
By "different sized," are you referring simply to capacity, or are they different widths?
Maybe I should reverse my thinking, and buy the Compact, then maybe get a
Carry grip module later?
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 08:17 AM
DirectDriveIt sounds like you understand P320 sizing now.
Another thing to consider is grip style...
"Standard"
or
"X"
So if you are looking at Compact, then there is the standard Compact or X-Compact grip modules.
It's something to try out when at the Fun Store.
January 26, 2020, 08:26 AM
vthokyOh, golly.
What's the X? How is that different?
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 09:06 AM
nhracecraftquote:
Originally posted by pedropcola:
Yes but your mags would not work. The carry will only take full-size or bigger. The compact takes compact or bigger.
I prefer the compact by a large margin. I have a full-size but I would rather use the compact knowing I could carry a larger mag if I wanted the extra capacity.
Both grip module will work with your fcu but they take different sized mags. You can use the bigger mag with each but the compact mags won’t work in a Carry frame. Make sense?
I'm in the opposite camp. I much prefer the Carry! I purchased a P320-RX Compact, but the grip was just a little small for me in length. I added a X-Carry Grip Frame and found I get MUCH better 'purchase' on the gun as my pinky is completely on the grip. I also preferred the profile of the 'X' style grip as it's straighter/flatter and eliminates the bulge of the std. P320 grip.
That said, I did recently purchase a GrayGuns 'laser-sculpted' X-Compact Grip Frame after acquiring an X-Carry top end, and P320 Compact top end in 357 SIG. I figured if I wanted to carry a slightly smaller/slightly more concealable pistol, I'd get greater purchase with the add'l texture the GrayGuns frame offered. I haven't shot it in that configuration yet, but it looks absolutely gorgeous! It's great to have options!
Suffice it to say, it's my 'go-go-gadget' pistol....

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January 26, 2020, 09:46 AM
DirectDrivequote:
Originally posted by vthoky:
Oh, golly.
What's the X? How is that different?
Compact
X-Compact
January 26, 2020, 10:02 AM
vthokyThank you for pics, DirectDrive. That helps a bunch.
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 10:06 AM
Bigboreshooter
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January 26, 2020, 10:16 AM
vthokyThank you, Bigbore.

- - - - - -
Has Sig dropped the Carry? Is that why I don't see it on the web site? (Or am I just overlooking it?)
God bless America. January 26, 2020, 10:32 AM
KskeltonYes, according to the rep for Sig at show shot Sig has dropped the factory carry models. They will still make the carry frames for purchase for conversion, but no factory built models with carry frame.
January 26, 2020, 10:52 AM
gearhoundsquote:
Yes, according to the rep for Sig at show shot Sig has dropped the factory carry models
I'm sure this will be the case for the civilian market, however LE contracts will undoubtedly still be filled. The Carry has a lot going for it as a duty weapon over the ginormous FS. In fact, we are still transitioning to the Carry.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown January 26, 2020, 11:29 AM
hileIt's absurd they'd drop the carry model. While I'm not a P320 fan in the least, the carry is damn near the perfect dimensions. Similar to a Glock 45 or my (2019) Staccato P DUO.
January 26, 2020, 11:35 AM
Lefty SigP320:
Full - G17
Compact - G19
Subcompact - G26
Carry - G45
P320 X:
Full - G17
Carry - G45
Compact - sort of a G26 slide on G19 frame
It's all modular. Just get one that has the features you want with respect to barrel length, slide type (optics ready or not) and sights. Then interchange the frames - and try the small or large versions of each kind if you need to. But you can always get conversion kits to change the top end too - but only the regular series, not the X series.
January 27, 2020, 04:51 PM
pedropcolaI said compact. While true I actually transitioned over to the X Compact grip or whatever Sig calls it.