New Sig P320 Compact 9mm LE Tolerance

[shlike]

This is a new addition to my fleet: Sig P320 Compact 9mm.

I purchased this gun from my LGS for $566.00. It has a unique model designation: W320C-9-BSS-PRE. The owner of my LGS said it was part of an over-run for a large LE order. The invoice says "L.E. Tolerance", whatever that means. The only information I could find in my online research is that on "PRE" models, the barrel is individually fitted to the slide, and is not interchangeable. So I guess the only benefit of this might be slightly better accuracy, which is meaningless to me, as the gun, even in standard form, is much more accurate than I am. The "non-interchangeable" part is also not a disadvantage to me as I will never put enough rounds through the gun to wear out the barrel. Any Sig experts please feel free to reply if you are familiar with this and if I am missing something.

Anyway, the gun came with 3 mags instead of the normal 2 mags, and it has the SigLite Night Sights. Overall, I feel I got a pretty good deal considering what I paid.

I took it to the range for the first time and ran app. 150 rounds through it, a combination of Speer Lawman 124gr. FMJ range fodder, and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr. +P HP, which is one of my favored carry rounds. It ran 100%, no malfunctions of any kind.

The gun was dead-nuts accurate out of the box, but does require a #3 sight picture. The trigger is good, but not great. Short take-up and fairly crisp release, but a little heavier than I had hoped for (I hope the "PRE" designation LE Tolerance model doesn't mean it has a heavy LE trigger..). Roughly equivalent to my Glock 19. I do prefer the trigger feel of the Sig over the Glock, as I much prefer the single lever trigger of the Sig over the Glock "Safe Action" trigger with the dongle in the middle. I do enjoy shooting this gun more than my Glock, because of the more comfortable grip angle (for me, anyway). Shooting from the reset is great!

Overall, this gun is a keeper, and will be an important part of my carry rotation, probably winning favored status over my Glock 19.

 

[shlike]

I am the OP. I wanted to find out officially what the "W" and the "PRE" stood for in the model designation for my gun, so I reached out to SIG Customer Service. According to the rep I spoke with the "W" prefix means that it was a LE order, the "PRE" designation stands for "Pre-tensioned Slide & Barrel", which means that the gun was built with "tighter lock-up" and "tighter tolerances", which would have been specified by the LE agency placing the original order. He was unable to tell me what benefit or advantage that feature might have over a stock configuration. I also asked the rep about the trigger. He looked up the original build sheet for my gun based on the serial number. According to that, my gun has a completely stock trigger and fire control group.

 

[cowboy4evr]

When they first came out I got a subcompact in P320 9mm . After awhile I decided I wanted a 357sig instead . So , I called Sig and ordered one of their xchange kits for the new caliber and I wanted the next bigger size , compact . The kit arrived at my door ( no ffl required ) , I removed " the gun " installed it in the new frame , installed the slide and I was in business . It is an exceptionally accurate setup . I couldn't be happier .
BTW: reloading the 357 sig is not difficult like some will tell you .

 

[sodacan]

You can probably get all of the information you need on the Sig forum.

 

[Smithpride]

I know it's opinion, but I've shot the P320 next to the Glock and H&K and the Sig was THAT much better in the trigger department in my opinion. I'm completely invested into M&P, but if'n I weren't I would seriously consider the P320 line.

 

[GeoJelly]

That's a nice looking SIG - I have been wondering about the supposed-new finish that SIG is using on their barrels. Since you've got more than just a few rounds thru it; does the barrel have a smiley already, and how is the wear on the barrel hood?

I'm sure this is not point of concern by a typical shooter - but the fact that SIG barrels (previously) showed a lot of wear with just a little bit of shooting bothers me ...

 

[shlike]

That's a nice looking SIG - I have been wondering about the supposed-new finish that SIG is using on their barrels. Since you've got more than just a few rounds thru it; does the barrel have a smiley already, and how is the wear on the barrel hood?

I'm sure this is not point of concern by a typical shooter - but the fact that SIG barrels (previously) showed a lot of wear with just a little bit of shooting bothers me ...

The barrel and barrel hood show no wear marks at all after 200+ rouinds

 

[shlike]

You can probably get all of the information you need on the Sig forum.

I am active on the Sig Talk forum as well. They were perplexed as well as I was about the "PRE" designation. No one there had seen it before. That's why I decided to contact Sig directly.