Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Clash of the Compact Titans

We live in a world of great handguns. We’ve reached a point in the market where even the cheaper guns are quite reliable and easy to use. Modern pistols follow a very similar layout. Polymer frame, striker-fired, and feeds from a double-stack magazine, most often in 9mm. The Glock series of pistols established this, and it became the dominant force in handgun design. Glock has long ruled the market, but SIG has been coming after them with the P320 series. 

Today we are going to compare Glock’s flagship pistol, the Glock 19, with the SIG P320C. The P320C is the compact variant of SIG’s latest slugger. These two guns compete in the same market, and the P320C has taken some of the market share from Glock, but does Glock still rule? Today we dig into it. 

History of the Glock 19

The Glock 19 was the third Glock pistol ever created. Glock released the Model 19 to be the compact variant of the Glock 17. Glock initially released the 19 in 1988, and since then, the pistol has dominated the market. This includes the military and law enforcement markets, but it also been extremely popular with the civilian market. The Glock 19 helped define what a pistol is and established itself as a very versatile handgun for duty use, home defense, and concealed carry. 

History of the P320C

The success of the P320C comes from the same success that benefited the Glock 19. The P320C is the compact version of the established P320. It’s been ticking around since 2014 and has slowly been adopted by numerous police forces. In 2017 the P320 series won the Modular Handgun contest and became the United States Military’s newest general-issue handgun. A competition that put the P320 series against the Glock series.

Spec Comparison

Sig P320 Compact

• Final Grade : A-

Caliber 9mm

Action Striker

Capacity 15+1

Frame Polymer

Barrel Length 3.9

Weight 25.8 oz

Safety None

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Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS

• Final Grade : A

Caliber 9mm

Action Striker

Capacity 15+1

Frame Polymer

Barrel Length 4.02

Weight 23.8 oz

Safety None

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What They Have In Common

 Both guns fall into the compact realm, and both have a capacity of 15 rounds. Both SIG and Glock produce optic-ready variants of their respective guns. They both use the same general footprint we discussed prior. They are polymer-frame, striker-fired pistols that use modern double-stack magazines. They are very common at first glance, but let’s dive deep into the two guns and find out where they differ. 

Immediate Differences

Right off the bat, the Glock 19 is one singular pistol that chambers 9mm. Other compact calibers exist, like the Glcok 23, which is the same-sized gun but in 40 S&W. The P320C comes in 9mm, 40 S&W, and .357 SIG, although 9mm is the most famous variant of the gun. 

Sig P320C vs Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS Our Grades

Sig P320 Compact

Shootability

A

Reliability

A

Ergonomics

A

Accuracy

A-

Value

B

Final Grade: A-

Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS

Shootability

A

Reliability

A+

Ergonomics

B

Accuracy

A

Value

A

Final Grade: A

As you can see above, the Sig P320C and the Glock 19 are very similar. So, let’s start the side-by-side comparison by looking at 5 areas and how they compare:

• Accuracy
• Ergonomics
• Reliability
• Modularity
• Price

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Accuracy

These guns are very similar, and off the bat, there isn’t much difference in practical accuracy. Both the Glock 19 and P320C feature similar-length barrels with a similar sight radius. Both have striker-fired triggers with a partially cocked striker design. The P320C tends to have a slightly more refined trigger than the Glock 19, but the differences are very minimal. In this category, it will really come down to the shooter and their skill level. 

A skilled shooter should be able to engage the torso of a man-sized target at 50 yards repeatedly with either gun. Printing small groups is also possible at close range. Both guns give you that consistent striker-fired trigger that’s both predictable, light, and crisp. 

Winner of Accuracy: Tie

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Ergonomics

Ergonomics is often a subjective experience, and it comes down to what you prefer. Today we are examining the Gen 5 Glock, which has some significant changes compared to the previous generations. Both guns have ambidextrous slide locks and the ability to reverse the magazine release. 

One of the most significant differences is the grip angle. The P320C has an 18-degree grip angle similar to the M1911, while the Glock uses a more European 22-degree grip angle. The two guns feel very different in hand, and this is a subjective difference. I may prefer the 18-degree grip angle, but blaming the grip angle for how badly you shoot isn’t a viable excuse. 

One of the P320’s advantages is the trigger guard undercut that allows for a higher grip that’s a bit more comfortable as far as I’m concerned. I have big hands, and that undercut is a very nice addition to the platform. Speaking of big hands, I do have a small issue with the Glock grip. My hands are big, and my pinky just hangs off the bottom, which pins the magazine in place. This means I have to alter my grip every time I reload, which I’m not a fan of doing. 

Winner of Ergonomics: Sig P320 Compact

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Reliability

Modern striker-fired, polymer frame pistols are incredibly reliable. They have cracked the code to make these types of guns work. They are insanely reliable, and both guns have a great history of reliability. With that said, I must give this one to Glock. Why? Well, they were the first company to make a gun that was dead to rights reliable. The simplicity of the Glock series leaves very little to fail. 

While both my experience and the industry’s experience point to both weapons being extremely reliable, I have to give the point to the Glock 19. It’s incredibly reliable and has been since 1988. That kind of reputation matters, and it’s a firearm that has consistently functioned reliably since 1988. 

Editor’s Note – The SIG P320

The SIG P320 has been the subject of a recent controversy regarding uncommanded discharges. While we cannot replicate the problem, or speak to its validity, it’s important for us to inform our readers of the facts.

• Drop-fire videos: Videos are posted online demonstrating that certain P320 pistols could fire when dropped at specific angles. The cause was due to a fully cocked striker system, the lack of a trigger safety, and a heavy trigger that could be pulled due to inertia.
• Voluntary Upgrade Program: In response, SIG Sauer announces a “Voluntary Upgrade Program” for P320 owners. The company states that the P320 is “safe” but that the upgrade program would enhance the pistol’s safety features, including a lighter trigger and other internal modifications. This program is offered to customers at no cost.
• Ongoing Lawsuits: Numerous lawsuits are filed against SIG Sauer by individuals who claim to have been injured by P320s that discharged without a trigger pull. The company has maintained that these incidents are a result of user error, not a defect in the firearm.
• Mixed Legal Outcomes: The lawsuits have had mixed results. While SIG Sauer has successfully had many cases dismissed, juries in some cases have found the company liable, with some resulting in multi-million dollar judgments.
• FBI Report: An FBI Ballistic Research Facility report, commissioned by the Michigan State Police, is released. The report, which came after an officer’s P320 apparently fired while holstered, finds that a P320’s internal safety could be rendered inoperable “with movements representing those common to a law enforcement officer.”

SIG Sauer’s Response: SIG Sauer continues to defend the P320’s safety, stating that it has been thoroughly tested and validated by military and law enforcement agencies. The company has also stated that its contracts with agencies like ICE have been extended and maintains that the pistol cannot discharge without the trigger being pulled.

Winner of Reliability: Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Modularity

Ooh boy, both guns swing into the modularity section with high scores. First, since Glock has been around for decades and has absolutely dominated the market for decades, they have a massive aftermarket. Holsters, sights, triggers, gunsmithing, and more are all widely available for the Glock 19 pistols. You can swap basically everything from the slide to the barrel and beyond to turn the pistol into what you want it to be. Its aftermarket offers Glock an insane degree of modularity. 

The P320’s modularity comes from the fact that it comes with a removable serialized fire control unit. This packs all the internals outside of the magazine release for the P320 and is legally the firearm. You can remove the FCU and move it to a full-sized firearm, a subcompact firearm, or even something like the Flux Raider to create a PDW. 

The popularity hasn’t reached Glock levels, but companies have taken notice, and shooters have tons of frames available from aftermarket sources, as well as slides, barrels, triggers, etc. 

Both guns have optics-ready options that are worth mentioning. The Glock factory options include a MOS version which accommodates over a dozen optics via a system of plates. The SIG cuts are all aimed at either SIG or Leupold DPP optics. The latest Pro Cut can also accommodate Trijicon RMR cut optics. Both offer options, but SIG has been a bit less consistent with sticking to one footprint. 

Ultimately the P320C is going to be the more modular firearm. You can swap it to different calibers, frames, slides, and beyond, and you can’t do that with the Glock 19. 

Winner of Modularity: Sig P320 Compact

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: Price

Talk about a tie. Both the p320C and Glock 19 slide in at the 550-ish price point. Different features will demand a different price, but that’s about where we sit. When looking at the guns out of the box, I don’t see a slight advantage to either gun. The P320 comes with metal sights, and the Glock comes with crappy plastic sights. 

The Glock magazines are much more affordable, and SIG is quite proud of their P320 mags. While that may not factor into the initial price point, it’s something to be aware of and notate. It’s more or less a tie, with the winner picking what they prefer. 

Winner of Price: TIE

Sig Sauer P320C vs Glock 19: My Pick

I love Glock. In fact, I own one SIG P320, but I own three Glock 19s. I own a standard Gen 3, an Adams Arms Gucci model, and a Polymer 80 frame I completed myself. Either gun will give you a fantastic and reliable pistol you can count on.

Look, I’m not going to sit here and tell you the P320 isn’t a great gun. The modularity is awesome, and I appreciate the ability to swap frames, direct-mount an optic, and all that jazz. It’s a tinkerer’s dream. I’ve got buddies who use their P320s for everything—from competition to home defense, and the ability to have a different setup for each task is a cool feature. It’s like having a LEGO set that could potentially save your life.

So, while the P320 might be a cool gadget, the Glock 19 is a tool I can trust. It’s not as flashy, and it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it has a long-standing reputation for being a reliable pistol that just works. It’s like a loyal dog—it might not do fancy tricks, but you can always count on it to not bite you when you’re not looking.

Since you listened to me run my mouth, I’ll give you a turn—comment below which model you prefer and why. 

Sig P320 Compact

Winner

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See our full review on our winning handgun, the Sig P320 Compact.