From internet forums around the world to the local gun shop coffee sessions, ammo is a constant topic of argument. Discussions about preference and performance are sprinkled in with nothing short of fairy tales. Sometimes you just need the big bore goodness of a 10mm pistol, like the Sig Sauer P320-XTEN, to officiate.

The 10mm Sig Sauer P320-XTEN

There’s always the fight between the 9mm crowd and the .45 ACP disciples, with the central focus being stopping power. This is where I interject an eye roll as taught to me by my daughter.

The general rule is that when we discuss the term “stopping power,” we do not include handgun rounds. In a majority of cases, they simply do not have the power to provide real-world, fight-stopping power. That is until we include one of the best handgun rounds out there—the 10mm.

This round takes a handgun and brings it into a high-power realm that has real fight-stopping capacity. However, the challenge has always been to get a gun that can harness this powerful round without weighing as much as a bus. Enter Sig and their newest addition to the popular 320 lineup.

Say hello to the Sig P320-XTEN 10mm.

Ever Evolving P320

Saying Sig has hit it out of the park with the P320 is an understatement. In all honesty, they could have just sat back, patted themselves on the back, and smoked a cigar. The initial 320 has and will continue to sell like mad. However, that is not the Sig way.

The company has continued to evolve the pistol and bring us a variety of options. When I heard they were making a 10mm version, I felt a warmth in my heart. The 10mm round has seen a renaissance of late. It was originally designed by Jeff Cooper in 1983. Since then, it has seen use with the likes of the FBI Hostage Rescue Team.

Many companies are jumping on the 10mm bandwagon. Some good, some not so good. What I know, though, is that when Sig turns its attention to a gun, it is never halfway.

Built Around the 10mm Round

The P320-XTEN is built around the 10mm round. This is a full-size pistol sporting a 5-inch bull barrel. That is a solid choice because it not only helps us better tame the 10mm round, but it also gives us solid accuracy.

The gun comes optic-ready and is compatible with the Romeo 2 or any optic using the Trijicon RMR footprint. Both the slide and frame are hearty stainless steel. This adds a little beef to the gun and brings it in at a well-balanced 33 ounces. As a result, this gives us enough mass and weight to run the 10mm round without it being too heavy.

Sig has used its all-new XSeries grip module, which I personally like. The grip has the perfect balance between texture and torture. It has enough stippling and texture to give me a good purchase without removing flesh after long shooting sessions. This is really important when you are running 10mm.

Trigger-wise, they are using their flat XSeries trigger. This is a solid choice with a flat face and a very clean 90-degree break. It has a nice short reset and works perfectly in this pistol.

While the gun is optics-ready, Sig has included great sights. The company is using the XRAY 3 day and night sights. I found them very easy to acquire, even in the super bright sun I experience on the range here in Arizona.

The XTEN is a 15+1 pistol, and Sig includes two magazines with the gun.

The P32-XTEN on the Range

Performance-wise, the gun is a shooter. For the range testing, I used three flavors of ammo. They included Hornady Custom 180-grain XTP, Hornady Critical Duty 175-grain FlexLock, and Federal HST 200-grain Personal Defense. The P320-XTEN ran them all equally well.

As a connoisseur of all things 10mm, I did notice that the gun was not punishing when you ran it. The 10mm round is a powerful creature, and it takes some engineering and unicorn magic to get a gun tuned to run it well.

Most pistols in this category see about 30 minutes of range work a year because they beat the hell out of your hands and wrists. This is not the case with the P320-XTEN. While it is obviously not a hand massage, it is relatively soft shooting. I ran about 300 rounds through the gun as a tune-up for this article and had no issues whatsoever.

I ran my test pistol with just the XRAY sights included with the gun. The additional sight radius given to us with a five-inch barrel helps accuracy quite a bit. I was ringing an 8-inch steel popper at 100 yards with ease.

Group-wise, I got an inch-and-a-half group at 25 yards with the Hornady 175-grain load. This impressed me even though I was shooting off a bench and bag.

The XTEN is a Real Do-It-All

The application for this gun is a trifecta mix. It is an excellent personal-protection gun without question. As I mentioned in the opening, 10mm is a round with real fight-stopping capability. Mix this with modern defensive ammo development, and you have an exceptional personal-defense gun in your hands.

It can also serve you in the role of a backcountry pistol. The 10mm round has been popular in the wild for decades.

For those who spend any time in the real backcountry, they know it can be a dangerous proposition. Not only are you detached from the security and comfort of society, but you are also now firmly implanted into an ecosystem where you are not at the top of the food chain any longer.

There are creatures that outweigh you by 300 pounds, run over 25 miles per hour, and have teeth as long as your fingers. While not generally aggressive, these animals do not take kindly to being surprised on the trail. Nor being tempted by an easy meal.

The plan for experienced hikers and campers is to include a ballistic equalizer in their gear as they head out into the wilderness. In some cases, it is a rifle, but more times than not, it is a pistol. The challenge has always been to carry a gun with enough power to affect said charging animal.

The 10mm as a Bear Round

The 9mm round has gained a newfound respect for its ability to stop or slow human predators. However, it is woefully underpowered for something like a bear. Even the beloved .45 ACP, with its mythical stopping power, is not going to have any serious effect on a 500-pound collection of teeth and claws.

The round that seems to be the best balance of power and shootability is the 10mm. In fact, the Finnish Special Forces carry a 10mm pistol to deal with polar bears. Mix this round with the comfort and performance of the P320-XTEN, and you have your backcountry pistol.

Lastly, the gun is perfect for simple range work. It is enjoyable to run and, with its accuracy, can provide some excellent range sessions.

Range Proven P320-XTEN

It is a rare day that I get genuinely excited about a pistol. The Sig P320-XTEN, however, has caught my eye and proven itself on the range.

My first thoughts about guns like this lean towards personal defense. I’m not going to lie. The gun is big at 8.5 inches, but that does not deter me. My petite, delicate figure can carry a full-size gun pretty easily. And this 10mm blaster will certainly find its way onto my hip.

Overall, the gun is an absolute winner, and it would make a great addition to anyone’s collection. If you are looking to step into the 10mm world, you would be well served to take a closer look at the Sig P320-XTEN 10mm.

For more information, please visit SigSauer.com.

Sig P320-XTEN 10mm Specs

Caliber: 10mm
Barrel: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 33 ounces (empty)
Sights: X-RAY3 D/Night Sights
Grips: Polymer
Action: Striker-fired semi-auto
Finish: Black Nitron
Capacity: 15+1
MSRP: $800

This article first appeared in the July-August 2022 issue of Tactical Life magazine. Get your copy today at OutdoorGroupStore.com.