Sig P320 XCompact Review [Video]

Sig Sauer's adds this new compact version into the popular P320 XSeries line of handguns.

SIG P320 XCompact Review —

Several years back, Sig Sauer released the P320, and it received high praise. The gun had a nice ‘out of the box' trigger and it was part of a fire control unit (FCU) that was able to be placed into a P320 of any caliber.

Sig had various sized grip modules (frame) that would accept the FCU, giving the owner a number of different size and caliber combinations.

The Sig Sauer P320 XSeries:

The natural progression of things led Sig to produce a ‘refined' P320 model called the XSeries. The XSeries line started out with a Glock 19-ish sized gun called the X Carry, which sported an enhanced, crisp-breaking flat trigger, and a grip module.

The grip was slimmer and had a different texture from the standard P320. The ergonomics on the XSeries frame got a makeover with a larger beavertail and undercut trigger guard allowing for higher grip placement.

With the increased demand for red dot optics on handguns, the XSeries came with a slide that was pre-milled to accept the Sig Romeo handgun red dot, as well as Sig's X-Ray day/night sights.

The XCompact sports all of the features in the XSeries, but the XCompact will only work with the new ROMEO1 Pro which is to be released sometime in May, or the Deltapoint Pro sight.

This year, Sig added to the line with the XCompact. A gun that sports all the same features of the XCarry, but at a slightly smaller package. The XCompact's dimensions are listed below, as well as how it compares to the XCarry, and standard P320 Compact.

The dimensions of the XCompact are very similar to the standard P320. However, the slight changes to the grip dimensions allow for a higher grip and make a world of difference in the ergonomics.

You can see the differences between the XCarry and XCompact are slight, but for anyone who has carried a number of different gun/holster combinations will tell you, sometimes the slightest difference in weight or length can make a huge difference in comfort while carrying and how the gun feels in your hands.

9mm

Side by side-the original P320 Compact, and the new XCompact

First Impressions:

I have been carrying the new pistol for a little bit now, but I don't have as much time with it as my standard P320. Still, I feel confident in relaying my first impression to you.

Getting a solid grip on the gun is important to me. The XCompact has a good amount of texture (similar to the P365) in the right spots.

However, I prefer a rougher, more aggressive feel. So while the gun's grip texture may work for a lot of you, I will definitely be adding some Talon Grips like I do on all of my other guns. If you are used to the rounded grip of the original P320, you will have to adjust to this slim grip.

The 9mm's frame has a nice undercut where the trigger guard meets the grip. Visually it won't make a difference but will become evident as soon as it is in your hand.

If you have ever developed a hot-spot on your shooting-hand knuckle from it rubbing under the trigger guard, this undercut will help reduce or eliminate it. I was also able to easily access the magazine release without breaking my grip, which for a guy with smaller hands is sometimes difficult to do.

9mm

The undercut where the trigger guard meets the grip provides a higher grip and better ergonomics.

The Sig X-Ray sights that come on the XSeries guns are killer. I have them on my P365 and are one of my top two sights, the other being Night Fision's ‘Perfect Dot' tritium sights.

The magwell on the new gun is not flared like a competition mag well, but is wider because there is no rear obstruction inside like the standard P320.

magwell

Removing the material inside the mag well allows for easier insertion of the magazine during reloads.

The XCompact feels much lighter than the standard P320, while in reality, it is only .5 oz, you will certainly notice the difference once you get it in your hands.

The upgraded trigger is amazing. Not only is it a flat-faced trigger which gives more leverage without having to exert as much pressure, but there is only a small amount of takeup and then it crisply breaks at 90 degrees, and a short reset follows.

As far as its pull weight, my P320 consistently breaks at 5lbs, while the XCompact breaks at 4lbs.

handgun trigger

The flat face of the trigger, combined with little take-up, short reset and a 4lb weight, feel amazing.

Sig also included a loaded chamber indicator on the top of the barrel as you can see in the picture. There are plenty of different ways manufacturers go about putting a loaded chamber indicator on their guns.

Some are strictly visual, like a witness hole, and some, like this one, are also tactile. I still like press checks. For me, press checks are more of a systematic part of the loading process, but to each their own.

I don't think there is a way to not use the loaded chamber indicator, it's clear as day. A byproduct of this is that barrels are not interchangeable between standard and the XCompact.

Sig added a visual and tactile, loaded chamber indicator.

The mounting screws that hold the removable optic mounting plate are accessed through two holes inside the top of the slide. There are some who voiced concerns about the location of the screws. The concern is that if they were to back out, the gun could seize up.

That is a legitimate concern, but I think it can be remedied if you use Loctite on them, and inspect your gear through routine maintenance. The screws come with blue Loctite, so Sig did address this from the factory.

I think the probability of this being an issue is no higher than any another component of the gun failing. In fact, I have not heard of this problem happening in practice, more of cautionary advice.

I will answer your burning question about holster fit. Yes, this XCompact will fit a standard P320 compact holster.

Yes, indeed the XCompact with fit a standard P320 Compact holster, like this one from Blackpoint Tactical.

First Shots:

The excitement surrounding this gun prompted me to bring you this review as soon as I possibly could. I got out and put 200 rounds of the general purpose Winchester 115 grain FMJ through it, as well as some steel cased Federal ammo.

I know it is a small sample size, but I did not experience any issues whatsoever. No stoppages or failures in any way.

As expected, the feel was very similar to the P320 that I have been carrying. I liked being able to get a higher grip on the gun because of the beavertail and undercut. The trigger is awesome, crisp, and responsive.

The mag release is very responsive and the magazines whether filled or empty easily drop free.

You can watch my SIG P320 XCompact Review Video, here:

Wrap-up:

I have been switching between a SigP320 and P365 for the last year or so, and while I still love my Glocks, I enjoy shooting both of these Sig Sauer guns.

The XCompact is a bit larger than my P365 but I find I can conceal it just fine. I still will likely carry my P365 on occasion, barring some catastrophic mechanical failure, or recall, I anticipate this XCompact will be my everyday carry gun.

The gun seems to be made to fit my smaller hands perfectly. I can manipulate the gun easily, reaching the mag release, slide stop. The front and rear slide serrations are nice, especially because I find the tension on the recoil springs of the P320's is a little stiffer than what you feel in, say, a Glock 19.

Maybe it's just me.

It comes with two mags and uses the standard P320 15 round magazines. Though, I'm not gonna lie, I kinda' wish Sig would ship all the XSeries guns with three mags, but I may be nitpicking here.

I'm a righty, but with an ambidextrous slide stop and reversible mag release, lefties won't feel left out.

I added some Talon Grips to the XCompact. I like my grips, well ‘grippy'.

Everything would suggest that this gun would fit the ROMEO1's that are already out there. I purchased one, only to find out it's not compatible which was a huge disappointment.

And for those of you who already have an RX model and want to upgrade … you're out of luck. It isn't a deal breaker, more of the same frustration you get when Apple decides to come up with some new proprietary connector that makes everything else obsolete.

For what it's worth, the ROMEO1 PRO is nearly identical but has a different footprint and will be more durable.

Naturally, the price is around $120 higher than the standard P320. It is new, so it is possible that the gun will come down in price after being on the market for a while.

But without a shadow of a doubt, the gun is worth every penny, especially if you like the P320 platform and want a gun that you don't have to upgrade with aftermarket products.

The XCompact lands in your hands with practical and well thought of enhancements from the factory. Kudos Sig, you guys killed it with the XCompact!

What did you think about this P320 XCompact Review? Let us know in the comments below.

About Matthew Maruster

I follow my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is the eternal co-equal Son of God. I currently live in Plain City, Ohio with my wife and daughter. I served in the Marine Corps Infantry. I was a Staff Sergeant and served as a Platoon Sergeant during combat in Iraq. After I was a police officer at a municipal agency in San Diego County. I have a Bachelors's Degree in Criminal Justice from National University.

8 Comments

  1. Maz on April 24, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    Did you put talon grips on your xcompact?

    • Matthew Maruster on April 24, 2019 at 6:22 pm

      Yes I did and think it enhances the grip quite a bit. The last photo in the article shows my gun with the talon grips.

  2. Ed on May 11, 2019 at 1:22 pm

    Have you tried accuracy test at 25 yards? If so, how was it compared to the 3.9 in barrel or in general

  3. Diane on May 12, 2019 at 9:19 am

    Well, you’ve just convinced me to buy one. ?

  4. Charley on May 15, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    I’ve had my X-Compact for a month and it has become one of my all time favorite handguns. The ergonomics are excellent and its a joy to shoot. I agree with everything you said in your review except for grip texture. I find the texture to be aggressive enough for my taste and will not be adding Talon grips to mine. Sig hit it out of the park with this new edition to the X series.

  5. Tony Perrone on June 2, 2019 at 6:15 am

    Excellent gun, excellent article. Thorough, honest and professional; I purchased the XCompact to go along with my P365 and P320 X-Five Full-Size. This will make 6 SIG’s for me. Though a Colt collector, I shoot my SIG’s more often. Thanks for your service to our country and a great SIG review!

  6. Travis Flowers on June 17, 2019 at 3:14 pm

    Am going to exchange the lower module on my P320 Compact to the X Module. #Number 1, should I get the “Carry” version or the regular? And#2, I have no problem with the medium grips my gun came with but am thinking of getting the larger grips because my hands are large and I just read that larger grips seem to help accuracy somewhat.

    • Jason on July 25, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      If you have the compact and get the carry frame your magazines won’t work and you will have to get the full size. The x compact grip will fit the regular compact. However, depending on how old yours is you might need new base pads for your mags (new mags base pads fit all compacts but old mags base pads don’t fit the x series).

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