[GunGeek]

The new M17 handgun is surrounded by controversy which is to be expected since so many have strong feelings on the selection of a handgun.
But there's a full on bruhaha brewing over 320's that discharge when dropped, and Sig's handling of the issue brings back painful memories of Glock, Dean Speir, and the infamous 6 part upgrade.

Here's an article that hits the high's and lows that have happened over the past 10 days.
The SIG P320 Has Problems, and We Have Questions - The Firearm BlogThe Firearm Blog

And this article has links to several stories that have come about over the past 10 days, if you're interested
Is The P320 Unsafe? | A New Failure And We Cover What Has Happened So Far - The Firearm BlogThe Firearm Blog

What I'm seeing is deny, deny, deny, and then try to quietly fix the problem. Problem is, they can't do it quietly in the information age. Just as Glock couldn't do it back in the days of Dean Speir.

What was that story about people who don't learn from history???

 

[CaptainGyro]

So, people were able to take a pistol that has never discharged when dropped accidentally and make it discharge inconsistently by rigging a test where the pistol has to be dropped from a sig-nificant (see what I did there?) height and strike a hard surface at a precisely controlled angle.

I can't really get myself into a lather about this. I refuse to believe that the Army failed to conduct drop tests or that they were unsatisfied with the results. Nor can I believe that, should unmodified pistols remain afield, any injuries will result. I am reminded of the hand-wringing over the 1911 having the potential to shoot down into the ground if carefully dropped perfectly on it's muzzle.

The fix for this seems relatively trivial: decreasing the mass of the trigger, trigger shoe, sear, and striker. So, SiG will spend an enormous amount of money to fix a contrived issue, and in a few months nobody will remember any of this.

 

[csmkersh]

Sounds like a fix looking for a problem.

 

[Tim Burke]

So, people were able to take a pistol that has never discharged when dropped accidentally

Never say never.

 

[CaptainGyro]

Good find Tim...Googling "p-320 accidental discharge" did not return that on the first two pages of results.

I still have to believe it's a remote possibility...I'd bet more cops will be shot by their wives than by dropped SiGs.

Of course if you drop your wife the odds go up.

 

[WaltGraham]

I've got one.

It hasn't shot me yet.

Of course, I haven't dropped it.

Or my wife...

 

[Daniel Watters]

Houston PD and Harris County SO have issued warnings for the P320.

"HPD firearms instructors and officials from the Houston Police Officers' Union tested the weapons recently and found that the gun drop-fired four times in 30 drops - or more than 10 percent of the time."

Houston-area law enforcement warned about safety problems with service pistols - Houston Chronicle

 

[stand watie]

Daniel Watters,

I wouldn't believe THE HOUSTON CRONICLE if they said that it's often dark at midnight. = That rag LIES as often as they print the truth.

I've carried a Sig-Sauer P225 for almost 3 DECADES without a single problem & have been in "a wrestling match" or 3 while wearing it, on/off duty.

yours, sw

 

[Daniel Watters]

I always preferred the late Houston Post over the Chronicle, but that was because they had a better comics section.

FWIW: The P225 is a different animal than the P320. The legacy of the original Swiss and German engineers is gone.

 

[stand watie]

csmkersh,

SPOT ON, imvho.

yours, sw

 

[stand watie]

Daniel Watters,

I see NO REASON to dump the M11 pistol & buy something else, as I knew exactly NOBODY in USACIDC who didn't like the pistol.
(Our agency probably had/shot/defended ourselves with as many M11 pistols as anyone in the armed services.)

As I have small-medium sized hands, I shot the M9 fairly well on the range but was PLEASED when I was issued one of the first M11 that our CID district received.
(USACIDC was gathering up & turning in all of our various handguns at that time. - I had previously been issued an old/tired Model 10 S&W "snubbie" & thus I was one of the first people to get the M11.)

yours, sw

 

[GunGeek]

... but that was because they had a better comics section.
.

It's important to have priorities in life

 

[stand watie]

GunGeek,

YEP.

yours, sw

 

[MichaelS]

The M17 isn't even involved in this witch hunt, as it is not affected. It is the civilian 320 that the torch bearing villagers are panicking over. Largely over hyped, but Sig is addressing the remote possibility that the Barney Fife's among us might drop it JUST RIGHT to induce an accidental discharge. The present unaltered design meets and exceeds the required safety standards, but an upgrade is being offered

As owner's manual clearly states, ANY firearm may discharge if dropped, but the internet rumor mill has already done what it does. The flames no doubt fanned by Glock and the Glock-ites.

I'm not likely to go through the ordeal of sending in my 320C for this optional upgrade. YMMV.

 

[Tim Burke]

Handguns should be drop safe. I hear lots of concerns about GLOCK™ and 1911 safety issues. You know what I don't hear? Lawsuits being filed because of injury from a dropped gun.
If a gun can fire when dropped, but it meets the required safety standards, that doesn't mean the gun is good to go. It means both the gun AND the standards are flawed.

 

[MichaelS]

"ANY firearm may discharge if dropped".