Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Amid growing media attention and a wave of lawsuits alleging uncommanded discharges, SIG Sauer is pushing back hard, with Director of Product Management Phil Strader stating flatly: “The gun cannot fire without a trigger pull.”
Table of contents
Strader sat down for an extended on-camera interview with Military Arms Channel’s Tim Harmsen to address the controversy swirling around the P320. The conversation took place at SIG’s New Hampshire facility, where Harmsen was given full access to the factory floor, testing labs, and internal testing data.
“I’m not here to defend or condemn the handgun,” Harmsen said at the outset, “I’m here for informational purposes.”
What followed was one of the most comprehensive breakdowns yet of SIG’s internal safety mechanisms, testing protocols, and response to public concern.
Addressing the SIG P320 Drop-Fire Controversy
Much of the controversy dates back to early drop-test videos where unaltered P320s were shown discharging when dropped at specific angles.
Strader explained that the original models—compliant with both SAMMI and NATO drop standards at the time—could be induced to fire if dropped from greater heights and at unconventional angles.
That prompted SIG’s voluntary upgrade program, which reduced the mass of internal components like the trigger and striker, and added a secondary sear notch and a captive striker safety lever.
“We did a lot to make sure we could survive an unreasonable drop test,” Strader said.
No Replicable Failures
Strader was adamant that despite claims on social media and in legal filings, no one—inside or outside the company—has been able to replicate an uncommanded discharge in the lab without physically pulling the trigger.
“We along with major police departments, agencies, and even the experts hired by attorneys attacking the firearm have all come to the same conclusion: they cannot replicate these incidents without a trigger pull,” Strader said.
Holster Interference a Real Risk
Strader demonstrated how poorly designed or incompatible holsters can allow foreign objects like keys or seatbelt buckles to enter through the gap between the holster body and trigger guard—especially with duty lights attached.
He cited the Montville Police Department incident, where video appears to show a key dangling from a belt keeper slipping into a duty holster and depressing the trigger as an officer stood up.
“This isn’t a gun issue—it’s a system issue,” Strader said, showing examples of similar vulnerabilities with Glocks and other striker-fired pistols.
He praised holster companies now updating designs to block trigger access entirely.
Army Swaps Not Related to Safety
Another flashpoint came when the U.S. Army swapped out its early M17s. Some speculated this was related to safety concerns.
Strader clarified it was part of a planned upgrade involving slide weights and control finishes for enhanced reliability with military-issued ammunition—not any mechanical defect.
“There were no safety issues,” he said. “It was a reliability upgrade—and the timing with the lawsuits was just really unfortunate.”
Millions in Circulation, Microscopic Failure Rate
Strader estimated SIG has produced more than 3.5 million P320s, and that uncommanded discharge claims represent “0.00001%” of those guns.
“That’s one one-hundredth of a percent,” Strader said. “The more guns are out there, the potential for claims like this are going to go up… but that doesn’t mean it’s a problem with the gun.”
Rigorous Testing Exceeds Military Standards
According to Strader, SIG’s internal testing exceeds military standards, with more drop orientations, vibration testing, mud and sand testing, and salt-fog exposure than the official protocols demand.
He also confirmed that foreign militaries and domestic law enforcement agencies continue to adopt the P320, even as some departments reevaluate or pause new purchases.
“All we ask is that decisions be based on facts,” he said.
Manual Language Clarified
Strader also addressed concerns that SIG’s updated owner’s manual discourages carrying with a round in the chamber. He called that claim misleading
He emphasized that while carrying with a round chambered is completely safe for trained users, SIG also acknowledges that less experienced gun owners might prefer additional caution.
The manual outlines safer carry options, but it does not discourage condition-one carry for those who are confident and properly trained.
Final Word: “We Stand Behind the 320”
Strader closed by stressing SIG’s transparency and continued evolution. “This is the most tested firearm we’ve ever made,” he said. “And we’re still testing, improving, and listening to end users every day.”
Harmsen echoed that sentiment.
“I’ve toured manufacturing facilities all over the world,” he said. “And I will say that the level of manufacturing I see taking place here and the growth is truly impressive.”
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At the end of the day I’ll keep carrying a Glock with decades of safety and reliability
I believe this is what the kids call gaslighting.
Then again, we live in an age where the president lies 99.9% of the time so I guess it’s not surprising.
Check your math.
0.00001% = 1 in 10 million.
I’m a long time Sig Armorer, now retired LEO with 28yrs on the job and a decade of being the lead firearms instructor and armorer for a large PD. The 320 absolutely will not fire without rearward movement of the trigger bar. Not one of these ND’s have been proven to be an internal failure, nor have they been replicated in testing. The hatred for Sig and the internet has caused this paranoia and has perpetuated this false narrative. Striker fired pistols without an external safety have ALWAYS required more caution. Remember “Glock Leg” when they became popular? It’s a nature of the beast and if you aren’t properly trained on their use and deployment then you shouldn’t own one.
Perfectly said….+1.
“Strader estimated SIG has produced more than 3.5 million P320s, and that uncommanded discharge claims represent “0.00001%” of those guns”
And Mr. Strader would be 100% correct except that the vast majority of the guns in civilian hands are rarely fired thus rendering his point, well, pointless. Only a small percentage of the overall number of the Sig P320 outside the military are used by police and the rest are owned by everyday people. Those people will rarely handle their guns so using them as the basis of Sigs claim is faulty from the start. Most of the unintentional discharges occur within the military and police community with a small percentage of concealed carry discharges as well. When you compare the number of unintentional discharges to the number of guns actually carried on a daily basis instead of the total number of guns manufactured, the number of UD’s becomes problematic and cannot be gaslit back into the shadows.
I don’t have a dog in this fight and I have no idea who’s right and who’s wrong but it’s easy to see that Sig is being incredibly deceptive in their defense of the gun.
Have carried a firearm for 60 years (law enforcement officer at local, state and federal levels) and have a number of personal guns (revolvers and automatics, including SIGs). Never had an accidental discharge until I got a P320. I was shooting at the local range and I was putting the gun down when it discharged. I determined I had grazed the trigger and the pull was so light, it discharged. I have gotten rid of that P320 because of that.
Didn’t happen that way…you pulled the trigger period…been carrying a gun since 1988 Marine Corps, as a LEO since 1999, local and federal. I just spent 4 and a half hours on our outdoor dept range today, had it to myself. I read this post this am and tried and tried again to “brush” the trigger. It would not go bang. I drug my finger on the side of those things as hard as I could, dozens of times on 3 different 320’s and a sig macro. NO DICE. Not till my finger wraps around the trigger and I pull it will it fire. I don’t mean to be shitty but you’re in your 80’s?? You got sloppy that one time. Sorry…but can’t blame the gun when it fires because you pulled the trigger. That’s what it’s supposed to do. That’s what EVERYONE has done with these, pulled the trigger….imagine if it DIDNT fire…then all hell would be breaking loose the other direction.
On that same range some time back I had put a new Timney trigger in a glock 17. WAY lighter and shorter travel trigger. Both myself and the Lt. capped off rounds prematurely. We were both fully drawn but as we we both raising the guns to fire we both started with the normal pressure you’re used to with a glock trigger. We both dumped a round about 10-12 feet in front of us in the dirt. There’s a learning curve and if people aren’t going to train and train a lot, then stick with a DA/SA.
These incidents SIG denies could be happening with older models that were not “voluntarily upgraded”. If SIG had done the smart thing & issued a recall on all the old models this issue would be dead by now.
Sigs are overrated and overpriced. And somebody at the pentagon is getting kickbacks for all the contracts awarded.
Glocks are overrated and overpriced. There fixed it for ya!