Firearm: SIG Sauer P320X Compact (MSRP: $679.99)
SIG Sauer’s P320X Compact offers the same size and capacity as many other popular concealed-carry handguns, but with a host of upgraded features you might think would cost extra. There’s an optics cut up top should you wish to add a red-dot sight; there’s an accessory rail at the muzzle for a light, laser or combination thereof, SIG’s excellent XRAY3 night sights adorn the slide and the upgraded, flatface trigger offers a crisp, clean break.
The Compact is sized similarly to most other mid-range pistols, with a 3.6-inch barrel, 7-inch overall length, 5.3-inch height and 25.3-ounce weight. Capacity is 15 rounds, which puts the P320X Compact right in line with offerings from Glock, Smith & Wesson, FN and others. The grip is sufficiently large to allow a full firing grip with all three fingers of the strong hand, while a generously undercut trigger guard allows greater comfort when shooting. Rounding out the excellent ergonomics are an extended beavertail to ensure a strong, high grip and a rounded profile to tailor the pistol for concealed carry.
There’s another upgrade, or rather a number of upgrades, possible with the P320 thanks to the removable fire-control group: Grip modules. Available from SIG Sauer directly as well as Wilson Combat, Grayguns, L2D and others, there are myriad options to alter the grip frame portion of the P320X Compact. Want a metal frame rather than polymer? It’s out there. Wilson Combat sunburst? Yep. Amend2 even has a grip frame that uses P365 magazines. The modular fire-control unit of the P320X Compact allows significant customization to fit the shooter’s hand.
Between the upgraded components of the X-Series, the wide availability of grip modules to best fit the P320X Compact for different carry needs and the robust aftermarket for SIG P320 gear, there are a lot of reasons to include SIG’s P320X Compact for consideration as your everyday carry. Even if you have no intention of changing a single thing on the pistol, it’s still a great size for balancing concealability and shootability, and there’s no shortage of magazines, holsters and other gear. Options are always good, and SIG’s P320 has lots of them.
Holster: Henry Holsters Flint (MSRP: $85)
There’s no question we’re fans of the excellent Kydex rigs from Henry Holsters, with the company’s sturdy, minimalist taco-style construction and pull-the-dot loops. There’s a Modwing with two different attachment depths to best fit the gun to your carry style, and options are available should you wish the holster to be tuckable or have other belt-attachment preferences. This particular holster is for the full-size P320, which gives an advantage to the Compact in that the extra holster length below the belt helps keep the rig from rotating along the belt line.
There’s another little extra that Henry Holsters adds that I want to highlight once again, because I want to see it take root in the holster-making world: Henry embosses each holster with the pistol model for which the holster is designed. This may sound like a small thing, but if you’re like me and have a box of holsters (or three), having the model name permanently attached to the holster is nothing short of miraculous. It really helps when you’re looking for a holster for a specific gun. Keep up the great work, Henry Holsters!
Accessory: Pelican G5 Personal Utility Field Wallet (MSRP: $46.95)
We’ve added the Pelican G5 Personal Utility Field Wallet to today’s kit because, let’s face it, your wallet is one of the few things that you carry all day, every day, no matter where you might be headed. We often don’t give much thought to it, with the standard leather bi-fold wallet a staple for decades. Lately, it seems as though metal wallets like the Ridge or Trayvax are becoming more popular, and with good reason: the robust construction and ease-of-use make them natural choices.
Pelican is pretty much the industry standard in robust construction when it comes to carrying cases for sensitive electronics, firearms and pricy musical instruments. Why, then, would it not make sense for the company to make a nearly indestructible wallet? The G5 Personal Utility Field wallet offers rigid aluminum construction and RFID protection, meaning your important credit cards are safe from skimming, while your cash is safe while swimming. There’s even a lanyard and a carry strap for just about any occasion. All this at a price well below that of other bespoke wallets.
