SIG Sauer P320 AXG Classic

TALO is still bringing out the best of gunmakers. This SIG Sauer P320 AXG Classic became the first and only handgun chambered for 9mm Luger that I had ever owned. The cartridge itself dates back to Georg Luger’s 1901 design, but this pistol is thoroughly modern.

Why this one got my attention

Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft, or SIG, obtained a government contract to produce rifles in 1864. The SIG P210 pistol was developed in 1947 and adopted by the Swiss military in 1949. Because Swiss law limits firearms exports, SIG eventually partnered with J. P. Sauer and Sohn, forming the SIG Sauer name familiar to American shooters.

In 2017, the U.S. Army selected the SIG Sauer P320 to replace the Beretta M9 service pistol. There are no military-style guns in my collection other than the Flint River Armory .45 Carbine, and TALO wisely did not make this edition about commemorating the Army selection.

TALO chose to make this pistol feel classic, refined, and collectible.

The TALO angle

TALO was established in 1965 by fishing and hunting wholesalers. The name is an acronym for Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. TALO commissions limited editions from manufacturers and distributes them through stocking sporting-goods dealers.

It is highly unlikely I would have ever purchased a regular P320. This gun came onto my radar only because I was searching for the term “TALO” on an auction website. When I saw it and read about it, I did not hesitate to click “Buy It Now.”

The complete package

This pistol came with two additional 17-round magazines, the exclusive Negrini Custom Works case, a challenge coin, and the Hogue grips and insert panel.

After years of being accustomed to flimsy boxes with styrofoam or plain packaging from other manufacturers, this case was no less than amazing. The SIG Sauer Custom Shop Professional Series cases are hand-formed with double-wall composite construction, steel hinges, German combination locks, and finished interiors.

Is SIG Sauer the best?

The question of whether SIG Sauer is the “best” firearm manufacturer in America is subjective. It depends on personal preference, intended use, and what a buyer values most.

Up is down, and down is up

FN Herstal, a Belgian company, also came to our shores. Its South Carolina plant has produced U.S. military weapons. Modern firearms manufacturing often crosses borders, traditions, and old assumptions about where a gun “belongs.”

Summary

In my opinion, this gun is well worth the price tag. I do not own plastic guns, and this one is not plastic. The frame is stainless steel with a hard-coat anodized finish. The slide is stainless steel with a Nitron finish. The barrel is carbon steel. The grips are walnut.

The balance and feel in my hand exceeded expectations. Prior to this, my only experience with a double-stack high-capacity handgun was the Browning BDA .380 years ago. The P320 AXG Classic felt better than I expected.

One trip to the range with this one and I wanted to run out and buy one for Chris, Alec, and Zack.

This is the only striker-fired handgun in my arsenal. Most of my guns have exposed hammers, and many have the firing pin on the hammer. This one is different for me, but sometimes different is good.

The dimensions of the AXG Classic are 5.5 inches high, 7.4 inches long, and 1.3 inches wide. Barrel length is 3.9 inches. Unloaded weight is 31.3 ounces. Fully loaded with 18 rounds of Winchester 9mm Luger 115-grain ammunition, it gains about 9 ounces.

For a broader overview of handgun evolution, see Modern Handguns.

Update: My gun is very accurate, and I like it enough that I am buying a second one just to add the SIG Romeo reflex sight. See also: Two Identical Guns.

About Greg Cook

Greg Cook writes about firearms collecting, personal history, and the stories behind interesting guns. His Army MOS was 76Y, Unit Armorer, and he brings that practical background to his collector articles.