I Carry: SIG Sauer P320RX in a High Noon Holsters Instinct Holster

Welcome to another episode of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated's weekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together a potential everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a SIG Sauer P320 RX in a High Noon Holsters Instinct-Medium holster. We also have a SIG Sauer Romeo1 reflex sight, a High Noon Holsters IWB Medium Duty magazine carrier, an Elzetta A313 flashlight and a Bear & Son Cutlery Bear Edge Model 61107 folding knife. Let’s take a closer look at this gear.

The Gun: SIG Sauer P320 RX Compact ($1,040)

The SIG Sauer P320 platform has gotten a great deal of attention in recent years, particularly when the platform was selected as the replacement for the Beretta M9 through the Army’s Modular Handgun System. One of the platforms selected was the M18, which is the military’s designation for the P320 Compact seen here.

The SIG Sauer P320 Compact uses the same fire-control unit as the company’s other P320 handguns, only this FCU is mated with a compact slide containing a short 3.9-inch barrel and a shortened frame that holds a 15-round magazine.

Out of the many options offered in the SIG P320 family, one of the more interesting models is the P320 RX Compact, which brings together SIG’s compact handgun with a slide-mounted reflex sight from the company’s electro-optics division.

The Optic: SIG Sauer Romeo1 Reflex Sight ($359.99)

Before we get into the details behind SIG’s Romeo1 reflex sight, it’s worth answering one important question: Why carry a handgun with a reflex optic in the first place? Well, in personal defense, speed is paramount. Getting rounds on target quickly means stopping the threat faster. With a red-dot optic, aiming becomes easy and intuitive. Just put the red dot over the target and pull the trigger.

Some consumers have concerns about counting on an electronic sight to save your life, but there are ways around that. For example, this P320 is equipped with tall SIGLITE night sights that you can see through the optic window. Not that there’s much to worry about anyway, since the Romeo1 has been endurance tested to extremes. SIG put 10,000 rounds of .45 ACP through a gun with this optic mounted on the slide, and the thing didn’t quit or lose zero.

Each Romeo1 reflex sight runs off a single CR1632 battery and features the company’s MOTAC system, which shuts the optic off after inactivity to save battery life. The unit is built with a housing machined from magnesium, so it’s purpose-built to handle any kind of rough environment.

The Holster: High Noon Holsters Instinct-Medium ($60.95)

To carry this unique handgun-and-optic combination, I chose the Instinct-Medium from High Noon Holsters, an all-Kydex design that features a minimalist profile for comfortable and secure appendix carry.  The interior of the holster is form-fitted to the contours of the P320 and features a slick surface that ensures a fast, snag-free draw once the user breaks retention.

The holster is attached to the belt through a one-way leather snap fixed to a polymer strip that enables owners to adjust ride height. In addition, the holster is completely tuckable and available in a number of color options, like this navy blue shown here.

The Mag Carrier: High Noon Holsters IWB Medium Duty Mag Carrier ($24.95)

For a clean-looking set-up, we also grabbed an IWB Medium Duty magazine carrier from High Noon Holsters, which is molded with the same form-fitted Kydex material as the holster. These magazine carriers also attach to the belt through a leather loop and are available in six different color options.

The Flashlight: Elzetta A313 Flashlight

Looking for the perfect EDC flashlight? Why not build your own with Elzetta? This particular model is the company’s single-cell Alpha model, which is outfitted with a crenellated strike bezel and a high-low tailcap switch. If you prefer a different setup, Elzetta offers different bezel rings, lens designs and tailcap-switch options to fit your needs. The maximum output of the company’s Alpha light is 415 lumens.

The Knife: Bear Edge Model 61107 Folding Knife

We’re rounding out our EDC setup with the solid Bear Edge 61107 from Bear & Son Cutlery, a unique and durable daily carry folder built with a 3.375-inch taper-ground blade made from 440 stainless steel. The knife has skeletonized aluminum handles and weighs just 3.5 inches long. Each blade ships with an installed pocket clip that allows for tip-up carry.