The XTen was soft-launched earlier this year at the company's Freedom Days event in Arizona, where Phil Strader, SIG's director of firearms product management, told us that 10mm Auto was probably the most asked-for new caliber choice for the P320.
Using a completely redesigned grip module based on feedback from the popular XFive series, the new XTen sports an improved beavertail, an improved undercut at the trigger guard, and – this is key – a grip circumference almost the same as the XFive, something that is notoriously hard to get in a 10mm double-stack.
SIG hasn't traditionally made a lot of 10mm pistols in the past – and those they did produce used older platforms – which makes the new P320-XTen special. For those curious, there was a SAO Elite variant of the P220 – coated in a custom Kryptek camo pattern – dubbed the Hunter that was available for a couple of years. Added to the SIG 10-milly list was the short-lived 1911 Tacops. Other than that, the P220 Legion has been offered in 10mm lately.
Specs (Via SIG)
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Sight Radius: 6.8 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Weight: 33 ounces (unloaded)
Magazine Capacity: 15+1
Function
Takedown is easy, with the well-known modular P320 fire control unit design, and can be accomplished without tools. This is an easy setup for future growth with the platform.
Besides its obvious use in competition and personal protection, SIG has been active in marketing the XTen as a personal carry choice for outdoorsmen in backcountry areas where large predators could be, and 15+1 rounds of 10mm Auto – especially if using heavy hard-cast bullets designed to penetrate deeply through thick skin and bone – can prove big medicine in such instances.
Shooting & Accuracy
We headed to the range with a mix of 400 rounds of practice ammo consisting of Winchester white box, CCI Blazer Brass, and SIG's own Elite performance ammo, all in 180-grain FMJ ball. Added to this were about 150 rounds of self-defense ammo including SIG's V-Crown and Nosler's ASP, both 180-grain JHPs. We logged one malfunction – early in the evaluation with the WBB.
The flat-faced trigger is superb for a factory striker-fired pistol. We found it to break crisply at 4 pounds after just under a half-inch of travel at the tip of the bow, with a correspondingly short reset.
The trigger in action:
While a lot of 10mm pistols are a bit rowdy on the range, the XTen has excellent ergos that give it a controllable recoil impulse, and it is easy to get back on target even with personal protection rounds as seen below:
Customer reviews of the XTen
Pros & Cons
Pros
Impressive 15+1 capacity
Optics ready with an RMR-pattern cut
Night sights are standard
Fantastic trigger
Decent price compared to similar offerings
FCU modularity
Dependable
Accurate
Controllable
Cons
Tough to carry concealed
Limited holster fits
Final Thoughts
The P320-XTen is a serious handgun that provides a great option for sportsmen in the field or even in home defense. It really feels and shoots like a big 9mm, something that a lot of 10s can't say. However, while lighter than a 1911 by a good bit, it is still every inch as long, wide, and tall, meaning that the XTen isn't really an option for those seeking a compact concealed carry piece – but that isn't what the gun was designed to accomplish.
Also, as the grip module and slide are different from a standard full-sized P320, holsters for the XTen are limited. Galco was quick to the market with a model of its High Ready chest holster while International has an OWB Kydex model.
When it comes to price, sure, you can get a G20 a little cheaper, but the G20 doesn’t come optics-ready with night sights installed or with a flat-faced trigger and great ergos. Seems like an obvious choice there.
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