I’m looking at Sig P320 M17’s I’ve narrowed it to that but should I get the manual safety version or the non safety version? I’m used to 1911’s so the safety doesn’t bother me but fondling one in the Gun shop seems like it may be in an awkward spot. Anyone shot one or both?
Sig P320 M17 safety or no?
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AlexanderA
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Well, the army has chosen the one with the manual safety, so that should tell you something. I know there are some who say that the long trigger pull is safety enough, but I personally wouldn't have one without the manual safety.
If you use a retention holster like a Serpa or an Israeli IMI, which is released by pressing the trigger finger against the catch, there's a chance your finger might snag the trigger while drawing. In such a case, a manual safety is almost a necessity.
I recently got a Sig Sauer M17 with the safety. The operation is fairly natural for someone used to the M1911.
If you use a retention holster like a Serpa or an Israeli IMI, which is released by pressing the trigger finger against the catch, there's a chance your finger might snag the trigger while drawing. In such a case, a manual safety is almost a necessity.
I recently got a Sig Sauer M17 with the safety. The operation is fairly natural for someone used to the M1911.
shoobe01
Member
Better solution here is not using the intrinsically-dangerous Serpa (or the also pretty cheaply made IMI/Fobus/Etc. Roto retention). Get a Safariland.
Thumb safety is personal preference for a personal gun otherwise. I'd try to handle or shoot one. If very used to the 1911, you may find the thumb position on the safety-free 320 to make your brain hurt.
If I were buying one to be a collectors piece that represents what the military has chosen, I would go with the safety version.
If I were going to carry it, I would forgo the safety, but that's personal preference. I concur, get a Safariland. I've got one with the lock that is disengaged by gripping the gun. No way it gets in the way or causes a potential ND.
I love my basic full size p320. Best striker gun I have ever owned.
If I were going to carry it, I would forgo the safety, but that's personal preference. I concur, get a Safariland. I've got one with the lock that is disengaged by gripping the gun. No way it gets in the way or causes a potential ND.
I love my basic full size p320. Best striker gun I have ever owned.
bannockburn
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I would probably get the manual safety model as well. Just seems like second nature to me having had 1911s for a great many years.
JR24
Member
As a 1911 and SAO fan I dont mind the safety, it's in a nice spot and the one I tried seemed to fit well enough for my 1911 trained hands.
That said, I would pass with the long trigger pull. I dont find thumb safeties worthwhile on a striker fired gun with a trigger like the 320 has.
That said, I would pass with the long trigger pull. I dont find thumb safeties worthwhile on a striker fired gun with a trigger like the 320 has.
AlexanderA
Member
Some people go with the aftermarket Apex trigger to get a (slightly) shorter trigger pull. I doubt if the marginal improvement justifies the additional expense.
edwardware
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I carry a 1911, with a semi-extended thumb safety that my thumb rides on in firing grip. I can also live with NO thumb safety.
What I absolutely cannot live with is a thumb safety I can't positively disengage and ride during firing. That would be decisive.
What I absolutely cannot live with is a thumb safety I can't positively disengage and ride during firing. That would be decisive.
JR24
Member
The primary reason why I could never warm up to the CZ 75 series. I want to carry cocked and locked but the thumb safety just doesnt work for my hands.
AlexanderA
Member
It seems to me that riding the safety with your thumb during firing would be a good way to get your thumb pinched by the slide. The spring-loaded plunger is supposed to keep the 1911 safety in a positive "up" or "down" position, so that riding the safety should not be necessary. The M17 manual safety has a positive "click" in the same way.
JR24
Member
Not really an issue. As far as I was taught, thumb on the safety is the preferred way to achieve a good firing grip, both for control and to make disengaging the safety completely instinctive as you bring your gun on target.
Double stack 1911s without and extended, extended, grip safety can give me issues with my normal thumb high grip with not disengaging the grip safety. Not so much of an issue for standard, single stack 1911s, myself.
AlexanderA
Member
That's exactly what I got -- the all-black version. But I immediately switched out the grip module for one in Flat Dark Earth. The two-tone gun looks surprisingly good -- much better than one either all black or all FDE. (Grip modules only cost about $48, with shipping.) Note that Sig Sauer is currently offering a $50 rebate on the gun, if you send in your receipt.
Can you post a picture? That sounds like it would look great! Also have you shot it much if so how do you like it? All I’ve ever seen is people put a few 100 rounds through and do a review
wally
Member
Its not necessary, but a lot of shooters, myself included, find it gives extra leverage to the grip during recoil. Lots of "target grips" have "thumb rests" to do pretty much the same thing.
AlexanderA
Member
I was at the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, Virginia, today, and all the large dealers had Sig Sauer M17's. This gun seems to have growing popularity, and prices are coming down (the lowest price I saw was $599 -- $60 less than what I paid 3 weeks ago). I only saw one of the all-black Bravo edition. The rest were Flat Dark Earth, but the grip and slide are two distinct shades of that color. I have to admit that the clash of colors bothers me. Some people might not notice it at first, but it's the sort of thing that grows on you over time, and not in a good way. I'm glad I got mine in black, and then changed the grip to FDE. The contrast is more pleasing than having two shades of the same color.
Also, the commercial M17 is being sold in versions with, and without, manual safeties. (As far as I know all the army M17's have manual safeties.) In addition, some come with 2 magazines, and some with 3 magazines -- at the same price. Check to see how many magazines you are getting, because these aren't cheap. (Mine came with 3 mags -- 2 17-rounders and 1 21-rounder. I don't like the 21-rounder at all, because it hangs an inch below the grip.)
Also, the commercial M17 is being sold in versions with, and without, manual safeties. (As far as I know all the army M17's have manual safeties.) In addition, some come with 2 magazines, and some with 3 magazines -- at the same price. Check to see how many magazines you are getting, because these aren't cheap. (Mine came with 3 mags -- 2 17-rounders and 1 21-rounder. I don't like the 21-rounder at all, because it hangs an inch below the grip.)
FIVETWOSEVEN
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I don’t think the safety is needed on the 320 but I still got my M17 Commercial with a safety because that’s what the military choose. I don’t see the point in getting a M17 Commercial without a safety because at that point it’s just a regular 320.
mrmike7189
Member
I dont like safeties EVER on pistols...I started carrying revolvers, then DAO pistols, now Glocks, and no safeties on any of them. You dont need them.
To make your gun SAFE,......... secure it in a holster. my .02 cents
To make your gun SAFE,......... secure it in a holster. my .02 cents
AlexanderA
Member
Not exactly. The M17 (even without the manual safety) has some differences compared to the regular P320. Probably the biggest difference is the removable plate on top of the slide, in lieu of which a red dot sight can be mounted. The regular P320 has a dovetail rear sight, whereas the M17's rear sight is mounted on the aforementioned plate. In other words, the M17's rear sight cannot be adjusted by drifting it in its (nonexistent) dovetail.
For some kinds of competition, you might really want the safety. If you're shooting most 3 gun competitions, for instance, there's a chance of having to re-holster or "safely" drop the gun while on the clock. The ability to flick on a safety before trying to get the gun back in the gunbucket really fast might be seen as a nice insurance policy against catching the trigger on the edge of the holster or a shirttail and discharging one into your own foot.
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
No to the 320
If it was yes, no to the safety.
If it was yes, no to the safety.
I intentionally held off on a 320 waiting for the military version with a safety. Mine should be in tomorrow.
I have Glocks and other pistols without the thumb safety. I also have 1911's with the thumb safety. Used properly I don't have a problem with either system. But having the OPTION of a safety opens more doors than not having the safety. There are times when being able to engage the safety is a good idea. If you don't like it, don't use it.
I have Glocks and other pistols without the thumb safety. I also have 1911's with the thumb safety. Used properly I don't have a problem with either system. But having the OPTION of a safety opens more doors than not having the safety. There are times when being able to engage the safety is a good idea. If you don't like it, don't use it.
Jeb Stuart
member
Yes to the 320
Yes to the safety
PS I love it when a company manufacturers a replica Air Pistol for training.
https://www.sigsauer.com/store/p320...=SIG+AIR+Introduces+the+M17+ASP+Air+Pistol+PR
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