SIG Sauer has taken a bold stance against claims that its P320 pistol can fire without a trigger pull. In a statement posted on its official website and social media, the company flatly denies the accusations, calling them “baseless allegations” driven by individuals looking to “profit or avoid personal responsibility.” The post, titled The Truth About the SIG P320, asserts that the firearm “CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull.”
A Forceful Statement
SIG’s statement also takes aim at anti-gun groups, trial attorneys, and the media, accusing them of fueling misinformation. The company emphasizes the extensive military and law enforcement testing the P320 has undergone, maintaining that the gun’s performance and reliability are well-documented. With a fiery closing line – “Today, for SIG Sauer, it ends.” – the company signals that it will no longer tolerate what it sees as an unjustified attack on its reputation.
Gun Community Reacts: Divided Opinions on SIG’s Defense
The response from the gun rights and training community has been immediate and intense. Jared Yanis, host of Guns & Gadgets 2nd Amendment News, covered SIG’s statement in detail, noting that while many P320 owners report flawless performance, military reports and lawsuits suggest that unintended discharges have occurred. Yanis highlights multiple military incidents in which soldiers claim their sidearms fired unexpectedly, including an Army MP at Fort Eustis, Virginia, who was shot in the foot when his holstered M17 pistol discharged upon making contact with another officer’s holster.
Yanis also points out a 2024 jury verdict awarding $2.3 million to a civilian who claimed his holstered P320 fired into his leg without him pulling the trigger. Another case in Philadelphia resulted in an $11 million award for a man who suffered a serious leg injury when his P320 allegedly went off on its own while he was walking down a flight of stairs. While SIG has won multiple lawsuits, Yanis notes that some courts have ruled against them, raising questions about whether the issue is entirely user error.
VSO Gun Channel: “SIG Created Its Own PR Nightmare”
Curtis Hallstrom of The VSO Gun Channel takes a different approach, arguing that SIG’s aggressive response may have done more harm than good. Hallstrom points out that, before SIG’s statement, the controversy around the P320 had largely faded from public attention. But by publicly declaring that “it ends today,” SIG has reignited scrutiny.
Hallstrom also questions the absolute nature of SIG’s claim, stating that there is “verified video evidence” contradicting SIG’s assertion that the gun “cannot under any circumstances discharge without a trigger pull.” He suggests that SIG’s PR strategy is a form of “damage control” rather than a genuine attempt to investigate whether a mechanical issue might exist.
CarryTrainer: Brand Loyalty vs. Reality
Mickey Schuch of CarryTrainer takes a pragmatic stance, arguing that while brand loyalty is understandable, it should not override evidence. He recalls other firearm manufacturers, such as Remington, having to confront similar claims when their Model 700 rifle was reported to fire without trigger input.
Schuch also mentions that some law enforcement agencies have gone as far as banning the P320. While he personally has not witnessed a P320 firing on its own, he emphasizes that enough reports exist to warrant serious consideration. His takeaway? “Look at the facts. Brand loyalty is great – until you or someone else gets shot.”
Legally Armed America: “SIG is Gaslighting Us”
Perhaps the most damning critique comes from Paul Glasco of Legally Armed America, who not only disputes SIG’s claim but provides video evidence of a P320 firing without trigger manipulation. Glasco states bluntly: “SIG is full of crap.”
In his video, Glasco demonstrates that with a precise strike to the rear of the slide, his P320 discharged without him pulling the trigger. He accuses SIG of “gaslighting” its customers by insisting that every single unintended discharge is either user error or a hoax. Glasco also highlights footage of a law enforcement officer’s P320 discharging inside a holster while the officer was simply standing and another video of a police officer’s holstered gun firing as he exited his vehicle.
A Decade-Long Controversy: Is There Fire Behind the Smoke?
The debate over the P320’s safety is not new. In 2017, SIG voluntarily offered an “upgrade program” in response to concerns that the gun could fire if dropped at a certain angle. However, the company never called it a recall, maintaining that the pistol was safe. Critics argue that SIG’s refusal to admit any fault – while quietly modifying the design – suggests an unwillingness to acknowledge potential mechanical failures.
Now, with military reports, lawsuits, and video evidence stacking up, some in the gun community feel that SIG’s absolute denial of any mechanical issues is untenable. If SIG had acknowledged a limited problem and worked to address it transparently, the backlash might have been avoided.
SIG’s Strongest Defense: Millions of P320s in Use
One of SIG’s best arguments in its defense is sheer scale. Over 2.5 million P320s have been sold, with countless law enforcement agencies and military branches still using them. The vast majority of users have never experienced an issue, and many gun owners – including Jared Yanis – state that their own P320s have never malfunctioned.
Even if there are a handful of problematic cases, statistically, the percentage of issues is incredibly small. If the P320 truly had a fundamental design flaw, critics argue that the number of reported cases would be exponentially higher.
The Bigger Picture: Is This a SIG Problem or a Gun Industry Problem?
SIG’s statement also raises a broader concern: If SIG is being targeted today, will other firearm manufacturers be next? The company warns that “what’s happening to SIG today will happen to another firearms manufacturer tomorrow.”
This argument isn’t without merit. Lawsuits and media scrutiny have targeted gun companies before, sometimes using exaggerated claims to push an anti-gun agenda. The firearm industry is often in the crosshairs of political and legal battles, and SIG’s aggressive defense may be an attempt to prevent setting a precedent that could be used against other manufacturers.
Who’s Right?
At the end of the day, the truth about the P320 controversy likely lies somewhere between SIG’s absolute denial and the claims made in lawsuits and online videos. While it’s easy to dismiss all reports as either fraudulent or the result of user error, the consistency of some accounts – especially military and law enforcement reports – warrants closer examination.
SIG Sauer has a reputation for quality, and the P320 remains one of the most popular handguns on the market. But the company’s refusal to acknowledge even the possibility of an issue raises questions.
Questions Raised
If there were truly zero chance of an unintended discharge, why have some lawsuits resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements? Why do videos exist showing unexplained discharges?
For now, the debate continues. SIG has drawn its line in the sand, declaring that “it ends today.” But based on the reaction from gun owners, media figures, and ongoing litigation, it seems unlikely that the controversy surrounding the P320 is going away anytime soon.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.