THE SAME, BUT DIFFERENT

Tim Finley tests the versatile SIG Sauer P320 ASP pistol

Itested the Sig Sauer M17 a few months back, a CO2 pistol, based on the current United States Army handgun. Now I bring you the pistol it was based upon, the P320 ASP (Advanced Sport Pellet). This is a completely different animal to the M17 in a few ways, so don’t expect just a rebadged M17 CO2 pistol from Sig Sauer, because it isn’t. For a start, the P320 is a more versatile animal for the airgun plinker. The M17 shot only 4.5mmm lead pellets; the P320 can shoot both 4.5mm lead pellets and 4.5mm steel BBs and it also holds ten more BBs or pellets than the M17; the P320’s removable drop-out magazine has 30 ammunition compartments.

The outside dimensions are as expected, identical to the real-deal weapon, and this gas version runs off a single 12g CO2 bulb and is double-action-only. The M17 can be fieldstripped and the P320 cannot.

SUPERB GRIP

The P320 has a really superb grip and there’s something about the P320 balance and ergonomics that makes you want to pick it up and start aiming at things with it. Seriously, I’ve tested hundreds of pistols now, and the P320 ASP is right there in the top five for feel and balance. The fine stippled pattern on all four sides of the grip looks low key and discreet, but by jingo, it works.