(Photo by Mark Fingar)
December 02, 2024
By Guns & Ammo Staff
SIG Sauer announced a number of new versions of its flagship P320 pistol. The P320-XFIVE SXG is a dedicated competition version of the striker-fired 9mm. Guns & Ammo staff first shot the P320-XFIVE SXG at an event in New Hampshire where SIG Sauer revealed more than 20 new products. SIG Sauer Team Captain Max Michel was available to walk G&A through the features of the new pistols, including the P320-XFIVE SXG. When production samples became available, one was sent to G&A for evaluation.
The P320-XFIVE SXG is an all-stainless-steel version of the striker-fired P320. It has a 5-inch barrel and several unique features. It is chambered in 9mm and is provided with three, 21-round magazines.
The Fire Control Unit (FCU) is an assembly on a serialized stainless-steel chassis, which is considered to be the “firearm.” Attached to the P320-XFIVE SXG FCU is a steel, flat-face trigger with subtle finger hook. Trigger weight was tested at 41/4 pounds. (Photo by Mark Fingar) SIG Sauer has made XFIVE pistols for years, and they’ve always been competition-oriented pistols. They used to be produced by SIG Sauer’s Custom Shop in Germany, and were originally based on P220 and P226 models. The first XFIVE built on the P320 pistol was introduced in 2017, but it was only offered with a polymer grip module. SIG Sauer also introduced a heavy tungsten-infused polymer grip module (TXG) and an aluminum grip module (AXG) for the chassis pistol. For 2024, the P320 was given a steel X-grip module, the SXG.
The P320 is a chassis gun, meaning that it has no “frame” per se, just an internal Fire Control Unit (FCU), and a grip module. The serialized part is the stainless-steel chassis that organizes the trigger, slide lock, sear, pins and springs. It is easily removable from the grip module.
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In SIG Sauer’s nomenclature, the “S” stands for “steel.” “G” in “SXG” stands for the “grip” module. As for the “X?” It has nothing to do with this model being an X-Five. The original P320 and P365 models had almost vertical grip angles. It wasn’t long before SIG Sauer offered “X”-grip modules for the P320 to provide a more angled grip alternative. It was so successful that almost every P320 and P365 manufactured today — apart from the military M17 and M18 models — feature X-grips. The grip angle is close to that of a Model 1911.
Slide cuts enhance the aesthetics of the P320-XFIVE SXG and reduce mass, keeping slide weight similar to a standard P320. (Photo by Mark Fingar) It isn’t just the increased angle of the X-grip that is functional, it is the undercut below the triggerguard and at the rear of the frame, which also has a high-grip beavertail. A shooter’s hand is positioned about an eighth of an inch higher on the P320-XFIVE SXG than a standard P320. That slight difference results in less felt recoil and less muzzle rise, which is important to a competition shooter.
As an all-steel pistol, the P320-XFIVE SXG weighs 49.8 ounces with an empty magazine inserted. For comparison, the polymer-framed P320-XFIVE weighs 35.5 ounces. The all-metal pistol weighs nearly a pound more than the polymer version. The P320-XFIVE SXG measures 81/2 inches in length, 61/2 inches in height with a magazine inserted, and 1.6 inches wide. Although the width is at the steel magazine well, this pistol is 1.3 inches thick at the grips.
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Sighting is accomplished with either the green fiber-optic front sight and adjustable rear on the cover plate, or with an optic. (Photo by Mark Fingar) The original, full-size P320 had a 4.7-inch barrel. With the P320-XFIVE SXG, the barrel is an even 5 inches, and given a thicker bull-barrel profile and target crown. The extra barrel length adds weight and provides shooters with a little extra velocity, important if you’re worried about your ammo making minimum power factor. Plus, the additional slide length translates into a longer sight radius to help with accuracy. When you’re pushing the edge at a match, every advantage helps.
Every veteran competition shooter has learned that more reciprocating weight equals more felt recoil and muzzle rise, which is why there are cutouts atop the P320-XFIVE’s slide. While it is .3-inch longer than a standard P320, the slides actually weigh the same.
Three recoil springs — 12, 14 and 16 pounds — are included to enhance reliability and manage recoil from different loads. (Photo by Mark Fingar) The front sight is steel and has a green fiber-optic insert, which is dovetailed into place. The rear sight is adjustable and made of steel, and it’s integral to the slide’s cover plate. The P320-XFIVE SXG comes optic-ready with the slide cut to fit optics using a DeltaPoint Pro footprint. G&A’s sample was supplied with the SIG Sauer ROMEO3 Max , which, along with this pistol, was designed with input from Max Michel. It’s available with a 3- or 6-MOA dot. G&A tested the latter.
Fieldstripping includes removal of the serialized FCU, which contains the trigger, slide-lock lever and sear assembly. The P320 remains the easiest chassis system to remove from a grip module. (Photo by Mark Fingar) Both the slide and the SXG grip module are machined from stainless steel and given a matte bead blast finish. The barrel is carbon steel and given a nitride finish. The slide features serrations at the front and back, angled and flat-bottomed.
Why so Heavy? Why a shooter would want more weight in a competition pistol might seem obvious to many, but a quick explanation is in order. Action pistol competition is all about points per second, so a pistol needs to allow you to shoot as fast and accurately as possible. A heavier gun softens recoil and reduces muzzle rise. Handguns will cycle before you can ready your finger to press the trigger a second time, but less muzzle rise means less disturbance to your sight picture, meaning you can get back on target quicker. This is especially important if you’re running a red-dot optic; less muzzle rise means less time that the red dot is out of the window. Features that would not be desirable in a carry gun — extra length and weight — are exactly what a competitive shooter wants on the P320-XFIVE SXG.
To remove the slide assembly from the grip module and FCU, first rotate the takedown lever down. (Photo by Mark Fingar) As part of its competition lineage, the team at G&A immediately noticed that the P320-XFIVE SXG has a noticeably lighter-than-average recoil spring. This pistol uses a 1911 spring system, so when you want or need to change the recoil spring, any spring meant for a full-size, 5-inch 1911 will fit the XFIVE. Honestly, it’s a big deal. Veteran competition shooters know that light recoil springs are what you want in a competition gun. First, the ammunition used in action pistol matches — whether USPSA, IPSC or IDPA — is as light as possible while still meeting the declared Power Factor. You want the gun to reliably cycle light ammunition. Beyond that, competitors have learned that lighter recoil springs keep the muzzle flatter during recoil. Lighter recoil springs equal less muzzle bounce.
The P320-XFIVE SXG includes a 12-pound recoil spring installed, but two additional recoil springs are provided, a 14-pounder and a 16-pounder that’s marked red. You can tune this gun to your ammo and your shooting or grip style. A 16-pound recoil would be considered factory standard for a full-size 9mm.
The SXG grip module features an accessory rail with one slot, allowing you to mount a light if you desire. The rail also adds non-reciprocating weight out near the muzzle, which can also reduce felt recoil.
The steel blade trigger is flat-faced with a subtle finger hook at the bottom. Note the triggerguard undercut, enabling a high grip. (Photo by Mark Fingar) Touchpoints The P320-XFIVE SXG sports the standard P320 controls, including a bilateral slide-stop lever where both levers properly work as a slide release. The takedown lever on the left side is flat and low profile. The magazine release is steel and checkered, and it does not stick out further than the grips. Due to the size and profile of the grip, most people shouldn’t need to shift their firing grip to use the magazine release.
Texture on the P320-XFIVE SXG is comprehensive with LOK grips panels, backstrap, and machine checkering on the frontstrap. A high grip is possible due to the beavertail, triggerguard undercut, and magazine funnel. (Photo by Mark Fingar) The G10 grips on this pistol are great. These thin, low-profile grip panels are made by LOK Grips for SIG Sauer. They are G10 and have aggressive texturing. The backstrap under the web of your hand matches the grip panels. On the front of the grip module, there is a small section of checkering in the stainless steel. Between the weight of the gun and the aggressiveness of the grip, the P320-XFIVE SXG will not shift in your hands when shooting.
Inside the triggerguard there is SIG Sauer’s new blade trigger. It is steel and black, with a wide flat face. It fires close to 90 degrees. G&A’s sample had a long rolling break, with a total pull weight of 41/4 pounds. Honestly, it doesn’t rise to the level of a true competition-grade trigger, but it is far better than a standard P320 trigger. It is a reminder that the P320-XFIVE SXG is not a custom gun. Rather, it is a factory gun with some unique features that make better suited for competition. The steel magazine well provided a generous opening and a smooth surface to guide mags in with speed. It is removable, if you prefer.
Three, 21-round magazines are supplied with the P320-XFIVE SXG, each having a textured basepad that extends beyond the bottom of the magwell for confident speed reloads. (Photo by Mark Fingar) At the range, the P320-XFIVE SXG proved reliable and more than accurate enough for competition. We did some shooting with the optic, but accuracy testing with the standard sights. The narrow front sight was about 8-MOA wide, whereas most front sights are 12- to 15-MOA wide.
It is a big, heavy gun, so recoil was as soft as one would expect — especially with a dedicated USPSA 9mm handload. SIG Sauer’s Team Captain Max Michel and other competitors have been winning local, state, and national matches with various models of the P320 for years. That trend is sure to continue with the P320-XFIVE SXG.
SIG Sauer P320-XFive SXG Type : Recoil operated, striker fired, semiautomaticCartridge : .9mmCapacity : 21+1 rds.Barrel : 5 in., carbon steelOverall Length : 8.5 in.Width : 1.6 in.Height: 6.5 in. (with magazine inserted)Weight : 3 lbs., 1.8 oz. (with empty magazine inserted)Slide : Stainless steelFrame : SXG, X-Grip module, stainless steel, G10 gripsSafety : Striker safetySights : Post front with fiber optic insert, fully adjustable rear notch removable for red dotTrigger : 4 lbs., 4 oz. (tested)MSRP : $1,799Accessories : Three, 21-rd. magazinesManufacturer : SIG Sauer, 603-610-3000, sigsauer.com
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