Sig P250 vs Sig P320: Sig Showdown

Should I Get The Sig P250 vs Sig P320

If you want a Sig pistol but don't like the double-action format or a 1911, the choices come down to the P250 vs. P320. You're likely to find the P250 at a bit of a discount these days, as that model has been completely superceded by the P320, thus leading to some people wondering if the elder model is just as good for less money. Some new P250s are still on gun store shelves, so they're out there.

After all, not everyone wants to tote a gigantic steel pistol on the daily and these two have become the better-regarded of the larger guns, as both are big enough for use as a service gun but are compact enough to carry...in the compact configurations, as the P250 and P320 are both modular. Both are also available in a subcompact format as well.

Which should you get? Either way, you get a great gun. However, there are a couple things that may push you to one camp or the other.

Sig P320 vs. P250 Is A Hard Pick

Virtually every virtue of the Sig P320 is present in the P250, which is what actually makes the Sig P320 vs. P250 a real hard decision to make if you had to pick one over the other.

In fact, it's basically the same gun. Both guns have polymer frames and steel slides and an accessory rail on the full-size and compact models. Neither gun has a manual safety, but instead relies on an internal firing pin safety deactivated by pulling the trigger. Both models come with optional Siglite Night Sights.

Both guns are modular, with a swappable trigger unit that can be changed from frame to frame, and even caliber with purchase of a Sig Caliber X-Change Kit. Take the trigger out of the full-size and drop it into a compact or subcompact frame group, add the slide and barrel and away you go.

Both are available in three dominant frame sizes, namely Full Size, Compact and Subcompact. The Subcompact has a 3.6-inch barrel, with an overall length of 6.7 inches, sitting 1.3 inches wide and 4.7 inches tall and holding - in the 9mm model - 12+1 rounds.

The Compact sizes the barrel up to 3.9 inches, length increases to 7.2 inches, height to 5.3 inches and capacity to 15+1 of 9mm. The Full Size model is a battleship, with a 4.7-inch barrel and overall length of 8 inches and height of 5.5 inches, carrying 17+1 of 9x19mm.

You can also get each gun in .40 S&W, .357 Sig and .45 caliber, though each caliber isn't available in all frame sizes.

So, what's so different about these guns that could add up to one being better than the other? That depends a lot on what you like in a gun.

The P250

Though the frame and so on of the P250 do differ quite a bit from the P320, there are some noticeable differences.

First, is the guts of the pistol. The P250 doesn't use a striker to fire, instead employing an recessed spurless hammer. While this technically makes the P250 double-action only, it lacks the stiff trigger pull of most DAO pistols as the P250 breaks at roughly 5.5 pounds, just like the P320.

Does that make a difference? Actually, yes; DAO operation necessitates that the trigger pull cock the pistol and then fire it, making the P250 trigger travel on the long side. You also have to let the trigger completely reset before firing again, making it more difficult to "ride the .

Almost everything else is exactly the same. The slide lengths and barrel lengths are the same. They both hold the same number of rounds in the same chamberings.

Other than that...well, let's see. The P250's slide is 0.1 inches narrower on the full-size and compact models. There also isn't a factory slide that will take an RMR optic. You also have to live with the trigger safety mechanism; there's no option for a tabbed trigger.

• Overall Length: 8"
• Height: 5.5"
• Barrel Length: 4.7"
• Width: 1.4"
• Weight: 29.5 oz

The P320

You can insert the bits about how the Army chose the P320 here, but here's the kicker: they actually didn't. The P320 is the civilian version of the Sig Sauer M17 pistol, which is different from the P320. The M17 has a manual safety and some fairly sig(pause for comedic effect)nificant (see what we did there?) differences in other areas as well, so it's not the same gun.

That said, the P320 differs from the P250 in that the firing system is a striker system, like the and other striker guns we're used to. The P320 has, at least on paper, both tabbed and non-tabbed triggers available at least up until it was discovered the non-tabbed versions had a bit of a drop-fire problem.

The M17 has a tabbed trigger, in case you're wondering.

Aside from that, the P320 is also offered with a number of other factory options. Reflex optics are available, as are threaded extended barrels should you want to use a suppressor. There is also the Sig P320 X series of pistols, which are optimized for competition.

• Overall Length: 8"
• Height: 5.5"
• Barrel Length: 4.7"
• Width: 1.4"
• Weight: 29.4 oz

P250 vs. P320: Comes Down To What You Want Or Need From It

Ultimately, if you're trying to decide between the P250 vs. P320, what it's going to come down to is what you want out of a gun.

If you're getting the P250 at a cheaper price, the question is whether you can live with the long trigger pull. Some shooters can't; shooters with smaller hands had issues with the P250 and have discovered the P320 more to their liking.

The Subcompact P250 will be a bit easier on small-handed shooters in this regard, with a reduced grip circumference compared to the Compact model and certainly the full-size. However, if you're after the Compact or Full-Size, then the P250 won't be the best option for people with smaller fingers.

Another point in the favor of the P320 is the greater diversity of options. Beyond frame size, you can get red dot optics and competition-optimized models as well. That's a lot of options out of one family of pistols.

However, something that is and isn't in the P250's favor is that Sig is currently advertising only the .22LR model. You'll need to buy additional modules if you want more, though they are readily available. On the one hand, that means a greater expense if you want a 9mm, .40 or what have you pistol, because you have to buy the conversion kit. However, you also get a .22 conversion, which means a whole bunch more shooting on the cheap and there isn't one offered for the P320.

So really, it all comes down to what you want. Both guns are workhorses and can serve as a carry gun, nightstand gun or duty pistol for years without issue, so you get a solid gun in either case. If you want something more than that, then the P320 is probably the better choice given the greater number of factory options but don't sell the P250 short; lots of aftermarket accessories are available if you want to customize it.

You're also going to want to handle each gun and shoot each one to get a feel for it. Ultimately, the one that feels better and that you shoot better is the pistol to get.

Looking for your first concealed carry weapon, or adding to your collection? Check out our other !

When you head to the range, use our free 8.5" x 11" printable target! We'll be adding more to our collection of targets as well!