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Sig P320 vs Glock 17: A Detailed Comparison with a Clear Winner
Apr
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The Sig P320 series is a remarkable handgun, celebrated for its innovative modularity and versatility, but when compared to the Glock 17, a lingering unease about its safety history complicates the decision. We get this question a lot—P320 or Glock 17?—and our answer has shifted over the years as we’ve weighed both firearms’ merits. Having spent extensive time with each, we value the P320’s strengths, particularly the M17 variant we’re most familiar with for this comparison.
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Our years carrying a Glock 17 during winter, before switching to a Glock 19 for its compact size, have built unshakable trust in Glock’s reliability. Ultimately, a nagging fear about carrying the P320 with one in the chamber, a concern absent with the Glock 17, tips the scales. This review explores the P320’s merits, addresses its safety concerns, and provides a thorough comparison with the Glock 17, enriched with insights into trigger, sights, feel, and recoil, concluding that the Glock’s proven track record makes it our choice in 2025.
The Sig P320: A Modular Marvel
The Sig P320’s brilliance lies in its Fire Control Unit, a serialized trigger mechanism that enables swapping frames, slides, barrels, and calibers from 9mm Parabellum to 10mm Auto to fit roles like concealed carry, duty, or competition. We focus on the P320-M17, a full-size model with a 4.7-inch barrel and 17-round capacity, Coyote Tan finish, and ambidextrous manual safety, as it’s the variant we know best. Other models, like the M18 with a 3.9-inch barrel and 17 rounds, XCompact with a 3.6-inch barrel and 15 rounds, X5 Legion with a 5-inch barrel and 17-plus rounds, and AXG Legion with a tungsten grip, highlight its adaptability. The P320-XTEN Carry Comp, a 10mm with a compensator, pairs well with holsters for secure carry.
The Sig P320-M17’s trigger is exceptional, offering a smooth, predictable pull at about 5.5 pounds with a short, crisp reset that feels polished for a striker-fired pistol. We find it promotes rapid, accurate follow-up shots, with a clean break that builds confidence. The factory SIGLITE night sights are precise, featuring a bright green front dot and tritium rear for intuitive targeting in dim conditions. Ergonomically, the M17 excels, with grip modules in small, medium, and large sizes that conform comfortably to our hands, providing a rounded, full feel ideal for long sessions. Recoil is noticeable due to a higher bore axis, leading to moderate muzzle rise, but the M17’s balanced weight keeps it manageable during fast shooting.
The slide’s Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint supports optics like the Romeo X Pro, enhancing precision. Accessories such as rail-mounted lights integrate seamlessly, and the Sig P320’s selection as the Army’s M17 and M18 underscores its capability. However, since 2014, reports of unintended discharges, over 100 by some estimates, have sparked lawsuits tied to drop-safety issues. A 2017 voluntary upgrade refined the trigger and added a disconnect, and Sig Sauer insists the Sig P320 is safe when handled properly. Our experience with the M17 has been flawless through thousands of rounds, yet a persistent concern about carrying it chambered, unlike other firearms, casts a shadow.
The Glock 17: A Timeless Standard
The Glock 17, introduced in 1982, is a cornerstone of striker-fired pistols, known for its rugged simplicity. We carried one for years during winter before moving to a Glock 19 for concealability, cementing our confidence in its performance. Available in Gen 4 and Gen 5, it’s chambered in 9mm with a 4.49-inch barrel and 17-round capacity. The Gen 4 offers modular backstraps, while the Gen 5 refines this with a flared magwell, ambidextrous slide stop, and no finger grooves for a universal fit. Its trigger, around 5.5 pounds, has a distinct take-up and rolling break, less refined than the P320 but predictable, with a clear reset we trust.
The Glock’s trigger feels functional, with slight creep but consistency that rewards practice. Stock sights are basic polymer U-notch, serviceable but lackluster; we prefer aftermarket tritium options for better clarity. The Glock’s grip, especially in Gen 5, feels slimmer and more angular, sitting high in the hand for a secure hold, though it lacks the P320’s tailored comfort. Recoil is brisk due to the lighter frame, but the lower bore axis minimizes muzzle flip, enabling quicker follow-up shots than the P320’s upward tilt.
Weighing 24.9 ounces unloaded in Gen 5, the Glock 17 is lighter than the P320-M17’s 29.6 ounces, and its dimensions of 8.03 inches long, 5.47 inches tall, and 1.34 inches wide make it slightly easier to conceal, though both are full-size duty guns. The polymer frame is nearly indestructible, and aftermarket support with sights, triggers, and holsters is unmatched. The Glock 17’s record is impeccable, used by law enforcement and militaries globally, with no systemic issues across millions of rounds. Our testing confirms this with zero malfunctions across ammo types.
Head-to-Head: Sizing Up the Contenders
Comparing the Sig P320-M17 to the Glock 17 reveals distinct advantages. The P320’s modularity is unparalleled; we’ve tailored it for carry or competition by swapping grips and slides, a flexibility the Glock’s backstraps can’t match. The M17’s grip fills the hand comfortably, with a rounded shape that feels more natural than the Glock’s blockier frame, which can feel sharp during extended use. The P320’s trigger is smoother, with less take-up, giving it a precision edge, while the Glock’s trigger, though less refined, is dependable and easier to stage for rapid fire.
Sights favor the Sig P320-M17’s SIGLITE night sights, which excel in low light over the Glock’s basic polymer set, though aftermarket upgrades close the gap. Recoil dynamics differ: the P320-M17’s higher bore axis leads to more muzzle rise, requiring focused control, while the Glock 17’s lower bore axis delivers a flatter, quicker return to target, ideal for fast strings. The P320’s heavier frame softens recoil, but the Glock’s lighter build makes it snappier yet easier to carry.
The Sig P320-M17 is slightly larger at 8 inches long and 5.5 inches tall compared to the Glock 17, making the Glock a bit more concealable, though neither rivals subcompacts like the Sig Sauer P365 series (P365, X Macro, XL, Fuse, or P365X). Weight favors the Glock by about 4 ounces, noticeable in long carry. Optics integration is simpler on the P320 with its standard DPP cut, while the Glock’s MOS in Gen 5 requires plates but supports varied footprints.
The Sig P320’s safety concerns overshadow its merits. Despite 2017 upgrades, reports of unintended discharges fuel unease. While we’ve had no issues with the M17, the worry about carrying it chambered, unlike our complete confidence with the Glock 17, looms large. The Glock’s 40-year record is unblemished, a decisive advantage.
Conclusion: Glock 17 Takes the Win
The Sig P320-M17 is an exceptional pistol, with modularity, a superior trigger, and comfortable ergonomics we admire, and our range time proves its accuracy and reliability when maintained. Its night sights outperform the Glock’s stock offering, though its recoil demands more control. Over the years, we’ve leaned toward the P320 for its versatility, but the nagging fear of carrying it with one in the chamber, rooted in its safety controversy, has shifted our stance. The Glock 17, familiar from years of winter carry, offers a lighter frame, flatter recoil, and absolute trust chambered. Its trigger and sights are less refined, but its durability is unmatched. In April 2025, that peace of mind makes the Glock 17 our winner; its proven reliability trumps the P320’s strengths when doubt persists.