By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
ABOUT SIG SAUER
The origins of the Sig Sauer Corporation began in 1853, when Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser, and Conrad Neher founded a factory to construct wagons and railway cars in Switzerland, the Schweizerische Waggonfabrik (“Swiss Wagon Factory”). Little did they know that seven years later, their company would become one of the most renowned manufacturers of small arms.
As part of a challenge from Switzerland’s Defense Ministry, the trio entered a competition to develop a state-of-the-art rifle with the hopes the Swiss Army would adopt it.
The men pooled their engineering talents and, along with gunsmith Jean-Louis Joseph Prélaz and army officer Edouard Burnand, created the Prelaz-Burnand rifle. The rifle was submitted to the competition in 1860, and it won! In 1864, the company was awarded the contract to produce 30,000 rifles, now known as the M1863.
The company name was changed to Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG, German for “Swiss Industrial Company”).
In 1947, the SIG P210 pistol was developed based on the design of Charles Petter’s Modèle 1935A pistol. In 1937, Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG) acquired the license for the Petter-Browning system. The patent was a refinement of the Browning Hi-Power (P35).
The P210 was adopted by the Swiss military in 1949 as the “Pistole 49” due to the precision manufacturing processes employed in its manufacture and its accuracy and reliability. This single-action semi-automatic brought SIG much acclaim. SIG also debuted the P230 for the Swiss Police.
Since Swiss law limits the ability of Swiss companies to export firearms, SIG required a foreign partner. So, in the 1970s, SIG purchased both Hämmerli Target of Lenzburg, Switzerland, and J. P. Sauer and Sohn of Eckernförde, West Germany, which created the formation of SIG Sauer.
SIG then targeted the USA and its expanding firearms market. In June 1985, SIG created SIGARMS and moved into their new headquarters in Tyson’s Corner, VA, while importing the P220 and P230, then quickly expanded to another facility in Herndon, Virginia, while importing the P226 and P228. SIGARMS then moved to its present location in Exeter, New Hampshire.
In 1992, SIG began production of the P229, and in 1998, their first shotgun line was followed by the Blaser R93 rifle. SIG expanded product lines with the Sauer rifle & Hämmerli target pistols.
In October 2007, SIGARMS changed its name again to SIG SAUER.
In 2014, they opened their new corporate headquarters and production facility in Newington, New Hampshire.
Today, SIG SAUER employs over 1,200 employees, producing pistols, rifles, airguns, ammunition, optics, and suppressors.
THE P320-XTEN COMP
SIG SAUER debuts the first carry length model XTen Comp. Designed with backcountry sportsmen in mind, the XTen Comp features a compensator to tame the recoil of the 10mm round and a 15-round capacity in a compact design.
“The P320-XTEN COMP answers the call of enthusiasts for a 10mm carry size handgun fully optimized for hunters, fishermen, and hikers. Beginning with the new carry size 10mm/45 ACP grip module, the P320-XTEN is a smaller package for all-around easier backcountry carry,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.
“Additionally, through the pairing of the ported slide and Bull Barrel, the P320-XTEN COMP delivers a 20% recoil reduction and brings with it the exceptional accuracy and durability that are the hallmark of the P320 and XSERIES pistols.”
THE FRAME & INTERNALS
The XTen Comp starts the all-new X Series carry length polymer grip module for P320 10mm or .45 ACP models and adds the X Series Flat Trigger with a 90-degree break. A Picatinny rail on the dust cover is ready for lights and lasers.
THE SLIDE & BARREL
The single port slide is equipped with an integrated expansion chamber for recoil mitigation and is paired with a 3.8” bull barrel that allows for maximum shootability. Other features include front and rear serrations and a PRO Optic-Ready footprint topped off with a Nitron finish.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Striker Fired, Semi-Automatic
Caliber: 10mm Auto
Magazine Capacity: 15 Rounds
Sights: X-Ray 3 Day/Night Sights, Optics Ready
Barrel Length: 3.8 Inches
Overall Length: 7.6 Inches
Overall Width: 1.4 Inches
Height: 5.6 Inches
Weight: 32.3 Ounces with magazine
MSRP: $949.99
URL: www.sigsauer.com
THE VERDICT
It’s an excellent pistol for the backwoods folks. A high-capacity pistol chambered in 10mm and compensated for recoil mitigation without losing firepower.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].