On the Sig P320
Seen at Joe’s: What handgun the Army has chosen for standard issue should have exactly zero impact on what handgun a civilian should consider for self defense use.
I get the point but the one thing I may disagree on is, like the AR-15, it will become popular. Parts will eventually be plentiful. And aftermarket stuff for them will soon go gangbusters.
March 8th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
You’re both right. Having a Glock means never having to ask if a holster will be made for your gun. It means night sights are available in every single format you could desire. In a couple years, the same will be true for the P320. I’m not a striker fired gun man, but I do shoot Sigs almost exclusively. It will be nice to be at the top of the group for holster compatibility instead of having to hunt for the scraps.
March 8th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Have to disagree . AR-15 is a “platform” . Furniture , caliber change , externals , etc etc . The AR has the ability to take the “firearm” portion and become multitudes of calibers , as well as a rifle , SBR, or pistol . The reason it is so popular is the vast configurations available as well as reliability and support .
A pistol can not compare to versatility . Just because the military picks it does not mean it is a home run . The 1911 has a good following , but Glock is as , or more popular .
BTW , just how popular was the SIG 226 or Beretta 229 . Was there a massive after market for them that was ” gangbusters” ?
I do agree that parts will be more plentiful . But are they replacement or somewhat better vs performance . And other than a slight performance upgrade , why would one need to buy “stuff” for them
if the improvement is minimal ?
I seriously doubt the military contract will be a huge driving force . The AR took many years to become what it is . Pistols on the other hand have changed many times over the years . Glock probably being one of the most popular .And not necessarily because it was “military” .
just my .02 . Do not believe in the mystique of military purchases till proven through combat and several years of use both military and civilian . There may be an uptick in sales but it is not a holy grail type weapon from I can see . More of a ” it’s new , I have to have it” type of thing
March 9th, 2017 at 12:28 am
@Paul
If by Beretta 229 ou mean Beretta 92FS/M9, then yes, the aftermarket was ‘gangbusters’. It wasn’t quite to Glock levels (after all, nothing makes something popular like .gov saying ‘you can’t have this’, followed by the giant ‘F**K YOU! I’ll take two” of a quarter of the country), but there wasn’t a store I’ve been to without holsters, mags, parts, and assorted accessories for the Beretta.
March 9th, 2017 at 10:27 am
There is a certain wisdom in owning the same weapons employed by the world’s most powerful military. If DoD had chosen Glock, I’d be the next guy in line for a G19.
March 9th, 2017 at 1:18 pm
I think you are missing something important about the AR as a market leader. Sure it helps that the military adopted it. Sure it helps that variants have been around for 50 years. What really drove the market was the ability of any company to make a copy that was made to the technical specs the military demanded. Some of this was the result of the mistaken release of Colt’s technical data package for the M4A1 by the army in 1996ish; some was the expiration of patents. I’m sure there were other forces involved, but don’t underestimate the termination of a monopoly to drive a standard that has staying power.
Same same with the 1911. Once anyone could make it, it became the standard.
How long will it be before just anyone can come out with a Sig clone? I’m not sure, but if it happens, then I would expect it to take off like the AR at that time.
March 9th, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Should have zero impact.
Probably will have minimal impact.
There will always be those who want what is chosen by authority. Glocks in every LEO holster was/is the primary driver behind its private demand. And of course that product reached irreversible critical mass long ago by virtue of brilliant marketing and subsequent ubiquity…and let’s face it, while it’s not the best at anything, it is capable, sufficient, and efficient at everything.
But Glock was revolutionary and transformative to the extent that everybody now essentially makes a Glock…like this Sig. There are those like me who do like Sig products in general, though I haven’t handled this one, and might buy one if I like shooting it and need a Glocklike handgun.
But I won’t rush to own one as I and pretty much every shooter did in the 80’s and 90’s for a Glock, even those who were critical of it recognized its importance and its universal adoption by cops guaranteed demand, improvements, and aftermarket support.
Point being, Glock, like the 1911 before it and other spawn of JMB and others whose inventions and methods were gamechanging in the evolution of firearms.
The P320 is likely a fine gun and will serve its purpose well. But it ain’t no Glock.