Sig-Sauer is a juggernaut in relation to new product introductions, and the P320 XTen is one in all a number of 2022 releases. The XTen isn’t Sig’s first 10mm pistol, however it’s their first striker-fired double-stack 10mm. The Sig XTen is an upsized variation of the favored P320 line, most of that are chambered in 9mm. Aside from micro-compact 9mm pistols, one of many hottest segments of the semi-auto handgun market currently has been 10mm pistols. The cartridge that nearly went nowhere is now extra fashionable than ever—significantly for backcountry carry. The Sig P320 line is fashionable and versatile, and it is smart for them to develop a 10mm model. Just how effectively does the Sig P320 XTen stack up towards the competitors? That’s precisely what I wished to search out out.
Double-Stack 10mm’s for Backcountry Defense
Led by the Glock G20, double-stack 10mm pistols have grow to be wanted for one main objective—backcountry protection. Although massive revolvers chambered in .44 Mag, .454 Casull, and others are nonetheless comparatively fashionable, there’s been an enlightening. Those massive smoke wagons are a ache within the ass to hold, robust for the common particular person to make use of proficiently, and nonetheless don’t ship the facility of even medium-sized rifle cartridges. Further, they’re way more costly and tough to apply with than 10mm pistols that mimic the ergonomics of acquainted 9mm pistols.
The 10mm is much less highly effective than massive revolver cartridges, however with correct stable bullets, it’s going to penetrate adequately to be an affordable protection towards bears. It’s simpler and cheaper to shoot, extra handy to hold, and most 10mm pistols have ergonomics just like these of 9mm fashions. Another advantage of double-stack 10mm pistols is their dramatically bigger capability than revolvers and single-stacks. Many 10mm fashions was 9-round 1911-style single-stack pistols, however polymer-framed double stacks supply practically twice the capability at 16. Some will argue that further capability won’t ever profit you in a bear protection scenario, however they’re flat-out incorrect. I’ve seen first-hand how rapidly 4 or 5 rounds can evaporate (even from a rifle) when coping with a less-than-ideal bear scenario, and I don’t wish to be left needing extra.
A double-stack 10mm pistol for backcountry protection ought to ideally be able to holding no less than 15 rounds, be snug and intuitive to shoot, able to internet hosting a tactical gentle, and never overly cumbersome to hold.
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Magazine Capacity: 15+1
- Magazine Material: Carbon metal physique, polymer baseplate
- Dimensions: 5.6 inches (H) x 8.5 inches (L) x 1.3 inches (W)
- Weight: 33.1 ounces (measured)
- Frame: Black Polymer, 5-slot accent rail
- Slide: Stainless metal, black Nitron end
- Barrel: 5-inch, carbon metal, supported chamber
- Sights: X-Ray 3 tritium 3-dot sights, metal
- Optic: Cut for Romeo2/Trijicon RMR-pattern optic ahead of rear sight
- Trigger: 4 kilos, 13 ounces (measured)
- Safety: None
- Retail Price: $799
The Sig-Sauer P320 and P320 XTen
In current years, Sig has been rolling out fashionable handguns left and proper, staying aggressive in each full-size and compact markets. The fashionable Sig P365 collection is continually being up to date, and so they additionally dropped their new P322 this 12 months (you possibly can learn our assessment right here). The P320 collection is derived from the Sig P320 M17 that’s now the U.S. Army’s main sidearm.
The normal P320 is a striker-fired pistol chambered in 9mm, with a polymer body and 4.7-inch barrel. The normal grip is barely rounded and has a 17+1-round capability. One distinctive function on the P320 is its hearth management unit. It’s simply and utterly detachable for cleansing and upkeep.
There are round 25 variations of the P320 in 9mm, with totally different colours, barrel lengths, body sizes, grip contours, and body supplies. Most components are interchangeable between pistols of the identical caliber, and you should buy custom-made and improved hearth management models for a greater set off pull. The Sig P320 XTen is one in all few P320’s which can be in a unique caliber, and the one 10mm Auto.
Nuts and Bolts of the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen
The very first thing to notice concerning the P320 XTen is that it’s, actually, a P320. Sure, it’s chambered within the bigger 10mm Auto, however other than vital upsizing of the journal effectively and barrel, and a stiffer recoil spring, there actually isn’t a lot that’s totally different than the full-size 9mm variations.
External dimensions are primarily the identical, and the slide meeting will match and dry operate on a 9mm body. They’re not interchangeable as a result of the distinction in journal dimension, and Sig says that solely .45 ACP P320 components are suitable to shoot. However, total dimension and match are the identical. This is notable as a result of on many 10mm pistols which can be a part of a much bigger line (just like the Glock G20), virtually every thing is up-sized from the 9mm fashions.
Grip Module
The Sig P320 XTen has a full-size body or “grip module” that’s of the “X-Series” variation. Rather than the rounded grip profile of the M17/M17, the grip is contoured with an undercut-like groove slightly below the set off guard. The sides of the grip are flat, and it has a pronounced beavertail. The entrance, again, and sides of the grip have a stipple texturing that’s abrasive, however not too aggressive.
The body has an extra-long five-slot accent rail. I contemplate a rail-mounted gentle an absolute necessity for a backcountry protection gun, and there may be loads of room to mount one right here.
Fire Control Unit
Like different P320’s, the hearth management unit (FCU) might be simply eliminated by pulling out the takedown lever and lifting the meeting from the body. This is useful for cleansing or upgrading the FCU for those who select to take action. I swapped FCU’s with one in all my P320’s in 9mm and it seems to be precisely the identical. Like different X-series FCU’s, it has a flat set off shoe that breaks at 90 levels.
Unlike many different pistols, the 4 slide rails are literally a part of the FCU, not molded into, or completely connected to the body. There are two rails on the entrance, and two on the rear. At the rear-most place of the recoil cycle, the slide contacts a metal floor on the entrance of the FCU. I’m a fan of this. The contact floor between body and slide on the favored G20 is polymer, and I’ve seen these polymer tabs rip off the body after plenty of heavy use.
Slide and Barrel Assembly
The XTen’s slide is chrome steel and coated with a black Nitron end. It has ahead and rear cocking serrations and comes with metal 3-dot tritium night time/day sights. Just in entrance of the rear sight is a plate protecting the optics reduce. The Slide is reduce to be suitable with a Sig-Sauer Romeo2 or Trijicon RMR reflex sight.
The slide homes a easy striker meeting, in addition to an externally seen, sturdy extractor. The pistol has a captured recoil spring/information rod meeting, however spring weight isn’t listed.
The Sig XTen has a 5-inch barrel, which is longer than the G20’s 4.6-inch barrel. They name it a “bull barrel,” but it surely’s just about normal weight for a 10mm. It’s solely about .004-inch thicker-walled than the Glock G20’s inventory barrel. The 5-inch barrel will definitely give somewhat extra velocity than shorter barrels, however the distinction isn’t as pronounced as you’ll see with revolver cartridges. Across quite a lot of full-house 10mm hundreds, I’ve seen solely a couple of 75-100 fps velocity distinction between 5-inch and three.8-inch barrels.
The XTen additionally has a well-supported chamber. A totally supported chamber signifies that the chamber utterly surrounds the case wall. Most semi-automatic pistols have a bevel reduce into the chamber on the prime of the feed ramp that helps guarantee dependable feeding. That bevel often leaves a few of the case wall uncovered. Older Glocks had a fame for getting ruptured instances in high-pressure 10mm hundreds. Although the present G20 barrels have higher chamber assist than they used to, they aren’t fairly totally supported. Neither is the XTen, but it surely’s shut. The case encapsulation of the P320 XTen’s barrel is corresponding to my Lone Wolf aftermarket 10mm barrel.
Shooting the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen
To check the Six P320 XTen, I fired over 400 rounds via the pistol, specializing in each slow-fire accuracy and recoil manageability in speedy hearth. About half of the taking pictures was holster work and taking pictures at 40 and 25 yards on a half-size USPSA/IPSC metal plate. The different half was fired indoors at 25 and 50 ft, alternating with a number of different 10mm pistols.
A Superb, Comfortable Grip
To handle the elevated recoil of a 10mm pistol effectively, the grip must be snug and maintainable. To reduce straight to the purpose, the XTen has essentially the most snug grip on a 10mm pistol that I’ve fired. That is partially a matter of choice, however I discover the vertically oriented and petitely-contoured X-series grip to be quick-pointing and straightforward to hold on to. The XTen has primarily an identical-feeling grip as my P320 AXG in 9mm—a pistol I shoot effectively. Although the grip texture isn’t essentially the most aggressive that I’ve seen on a 10mm, it’s good, and the beavertail on the body lets the shooter choke up on the grip.
Manageable Power
I spent plenty of time taking pictures the XTen alongside a number of different 10mm pistols, akin to a inventory Glock G20, a Lone Wolf G20 clone, and my Springfield 3.8-inch compact XD-M 10mm. Everything is measured towards the G20 within the 10mm world, and I discovered the XTen to be snug and controllable. The XTen has barely snappier recoil than the inventory G20, however not as stout because the felt recoil of the Smith & Wesson M&P2.0 10mm or my G20 Clone.
I credit score the G20’s win on this facet to a decrease bore axis, and beefier grip. Overall, the XTen’s grip is extra snug for me to carry, sooner to level, and simpler to get a repeatable grip out of the holster than the G20. However, the bigger floor space of the G20’s body appears to make a superb grip simpler to take care of as soon as established—primarily with the assist hand. The recoil of the XTen was simply sufficient to trigger some motion in my assist hand towards the left facet of the body. I’d should barely re-position my grip after just a few photographs.
Overall, the Sig-Sauer XTen is among the most snug and controllable 10mm Auto pistols that I’ve shot, even with full-power defensive hundreds like Federal Premium 200-grain HST hole factors, 200-grain Solid Core Syntech, and Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman.
My solely gripe with the pistol’s dealing with and performance is that the totally loaded 15-round carbon metal journal requires a considerable faucet to click on it securely into place. The first rack of the slide to chamber a spherical out of a full journal can also be tough and somewhat gradual. This isn’t unusual with another 10mm’s, however in comparison with my 9mm P320’s, it’s tight. This might be a operate of sustaining the 9mm exterior proportions whereas utilizing a bigger 10mm barrel and journal. The 9mm variants require little effort to attain a safe journal lockup, and easy operation when chambering the primary spherical.
Increasing Control With a GoGun Gas Pedal
A notable aftermarket assist that’s suitable with the P320 XTen is the GoGun Gas Pedal. I first tried one on my Springfield XD-M compact 10mm and couldn’t consider how a lot it helped scale back muzzle leap. It’s the identical story with the XTen. After doing stock-parts comparisons, I changed the takedown lever with a Gas Pedal, and simply having that tiny little bit of buy for my assist hand thumb eradicated any play in my grip resulting from recoil and saved my sights degree and on-target via your complete shot cycle.
Some people take a look at the Gas Pedal as a gimmick or try to bypass a superb and correct grip on the gun. It’s not. With a superb grip, it merely helps the shooter apply extra strain with their assist hand to counteract recoil. Poor grip? It will do nothing. It could or will not be for you, but it surely’s definitely price making an attempt.
A Good Trigger and Practical Accuracy
The XTen isn’t meant to be a bullseye pistol, and I didn’t check it as such. I discovered it to be correct sufficient for defensive functions and will preserve on-average 4 of 5 rounds on a Post-it word at 50 ft from a supported place. From the holster, I may simply repeat offhand hits at 40 yards on my half-size USPSA/IPSC metal plate.
While taking pictures sooner strings of fireside at a USPSA/IPSC goal at 50 ft, I may preserve A-zone hits, particularly when utilizing the Gas Pedal. When switching again to the Glock G20, I discovered that I pushed my impacts to the left because of the Glock’s rougher, stiffer set off. The XTen’s set off has some creep, which is typical for striker-fired pistols, but it surely breaks clear at slightly below 5 kilos. Comparatively talking, the 8-pound, 10-ounce inventory set off on the G20 I’ve is terrible.
Read Next: Best 9mm Ammo
The Sig P320 XTen is Reliable
In firing over 400 rounds via the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen and didn’t expertise a single malfunction. First rounds chambered sluggishly when racking from a totally loaded journal, however the pistol had no operate failures. I fired principally Remington UMC and CCI Blazer Brass FMJ ammo, which isn’t loaded to full 10mm pressures, so I additionally shot roughly 100 rounds of a number of sorts of full-power 10mm hundreds together with Federal 200-grain HST and stable core, Hornady Handgun Hunter, Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman, Grizzly Cartridge, and Underwood Extreme Defender.
I did discover that the bore gathered seen lead fouling when taking pictures hard-cast bullets. Glocks are infamous for lead fouling because of the form of the rifling, however I might you’ll want to brush and clear out any 10mm bore after taking pictures solid lead bullets earlier than you turn again to jacketed. Better-yet, simply shoot mono-metal bullets just like the Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense, or Federal’s Syntech-jacketed Solid Core ammunition.
What the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen Does Well
The XTen has nice ergonomics and dealing with traits, and it’s snug and controllable to shoot. It’s suitable with quite a lot of lights, the aftermarket Gas Pedal takedown lever, and comes with good manufacturing unit sights. It’s optics-ready, and anybody who likes the P320 collection pistols in 9mm will love this one.
Where the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen Could do Better
I’d like the complete magazines to seat extra simply (just like the 9mm P320’s), and I believe they may have stayed with a 4-inch or 4.5-inch barrel and made it somewhat extra compact with out sacrificing efficiency.
Final Thoughts on the Sig-Sauer P320 XTen
Variety and competitors drive incremental enhancements in any product. Having one other good 10mm pistol available on the market is great to see, and this pistol helps transfer the ball ahead. A couple of brief years in the past, the G20 was the one full-capacity choice for folk who wished a 10mm to shoot or carry within the backcountry. That’s not the case anymore.
I’ve no qualms about recommending the XTen. I’ve discovered it to be dependable, well-built, and some of the snug 10mm pistols to shoot. The XTen has precisely the identical ergonomics as different full-size X-series P320’s, and related set off pull and geometry to even the small P365. It would trip effectively in a chest holster and ship in each related class for backcountry carry. I wouldn’t say the XTen is the very best 10mm choice for everybody, however for those who already want Sig pistols, or simply shoot them effectively and need a 10mm, that is the place I’d begin.