As a civilian or law enforcement officer, in a hostile situation, you will likely deal with it via a handgun. What if there were ways to maximize the potency of your personal-defense handgun? Sig Sauer is here to help with their P320 Spectre Comp and P365XL Spectre Comp models.
Sig Sauer Custom Works P320 and P365XL Spectre Comp Duo
Both Spectre Comps emanate from Sig Custom Works. Its offerings are always distinctive in appearance while offering performance-enhancing features. The P320 Spectre Comp and P365XL Spectre Comp compensated pistols are the epitome of this.
Both pistols shine with their laser stippled grip modules (P320 Spectre a TXG—tungsten infusion frame), Titanium Nitride (TiN) gold-colored barrels/triggers, and custom-designed milled slides.
The Spectre series pistols come standard with XRay3 day/night sights and flat XSeries triggers. Additionally, they are optic-ready out of the box. The Spectre Comp models are further distinguished with Sig Custom Works designed compensators.
The P320 Spectre Comp
The Sig compensator is screwed on the Spectre’s threaded barrel and further secured via two screws. These tapered screws are installed from the top of the comp. The screws interact with notches milled into the side of the P320 Spectre barrel to ensure proper timing orientation of the comp.
Sig has also set up the P320 Spectre’s comp to house the front sight. This maintains maximum sight radius and allows for superior front sight tracking between shots.
The combination of a full-sized TXG frame with a single-port compensator makes the P320 Spectre one of the smoothest shooting 9mms available. However, the P320 Spectre’s slide-to-compensator interaction is not your typical screw-on comp arrangement.
Sig Custom Works has milled an “O” ring-like projection into the front of the slide. This ring interfaces with a similar-sized cavity in the compensator for a tight fit between slide and comp.
Only 1/8 inch of the compensator protrudes past the dust cover for a very clean look. Especially compared to most threaded compensators that appear to dangle off the front of the threaded barrel.
The P365XL Spectre Comp
The P365XL Spectre Comp goes about its compensator business differently. Specifically, it has an integrated comp milled into the slide itself—no threaded barrel.
Not only does the P365XL Spectre reduce muzzle flip by nearly 30%, but it can never come loose and requires no extra steps for field stripping due to its integrated construction with the slide.
A P365XL-length slide and frame are used with the Spectre Comp. However, a P365 3.1-inch barrel is employed to sit behind the milled compensator ports in the slide.
Why a Comp?
Just as with red-dot sights on handguns, compensators are expanding beyond competition applications, becoming more prominent with personal-defense weapons. This drives the impulse to reduce compensator size while still retaining effectiveness.
Why? Part of the challenge of using a handgun involves controlling muzzle flip and enhancing the shooting experience. No one is saying a 9mm needs a brake. Do not confuse a muzzle brake with a compensator. However, controlling muzzle rise is a valid goal.
Muzzle flip reduces the speed with which you can accurately fire multiple rounds. The weapon must return to the alignment point, and the sights recovered before firing again. Recoil and muzzle flip also cause the pistol frame to move in the hand.
A well-designed compensator reduces muzzle flip and allows for an easier job in firing the weapon under normal conditions as well as under duress or with one hand.
Most literature on compensators indicates that there is a 30% to 40% reduction of muzzle flip. Testing protocols can be somewhat subjective. For this article, equivalent non-compensated Sig handguns were fired next to the Spectre Comp versions.
A Sig P365 and XCARRY Legion were chosen due to the nearly identical dimensions and weight of the Spectre brethren. I not only fired the weapons but also volunteered students who were attending a concealed carry certification course at my home range. Many were new to handgun shooting, which served my purposes perfectly.
I would load the same ammunition—Ammo Inc and/or Sig 9mm—in the P365 and P365XL Spectre Comp and have shooters engage a target 7 to 10 yards away. There was no prefacing what I was looking for. I just asked questions after each handgun was shot as to perceived recoil/muzzle flip.
The same exercise was performed with the XCARRY Legion and P320 Spectre Comp.
The Compensator Difference
Notably, the smaller P365 versus P365XL Spectre was the easiest to discern advantage of the comp. The P365XL Spectre Comp was unanimously judged as much more pleasant and easier to place multiple rounds on target.
A shooter had one of the new Sig P365-380s on hand. The P365XL Spectre Comp with 9mm +P ammunition was similar in recoil impulse to the .380 ACP-chambered P365.
A side note that I have to relay was the favorable impression made by the Sig XSeries flat trigger. The P365 had the typical curved trigger shoe, while the Spectre Comp P365XL featured the flat XSeries trigger. Correspondingly, the Sig XSeries flat straight trigger offers a 90-degree break for better geometry and is less likely to pull sights to the right or left.
The impressions involving the larger frame P320s were more nuanced. After all, 41-ounce 9mm handguns are not harsh to fire. The tungsten-infused frame not only adds weight but concentrates it in your hand. Thus, lowering the pistol’s center of gravity for better controllability.
The P320 Spectre Comp was noticeably easier to track sights during recoil. Along with this, the P320 Spectre Comp was “smoother” in its slide cycle. All of this translates into a handgun that stacks rounds on top of each other in a hurry.
Unabashedly, the P320 Spectre Comp is one of the sweetest shooting handguns I have experienced over 25 plus years of testing/evaluating weapons.
Shooting the P320 and P365XL Spectre Comp
While the Sig XRay3 day/night sights are superior factory sights, the ability to mount a red-dot sight could not be resisted. A compact ROMEOZero was installed on the P365XL Spectre Comp and ROMEO1Pro on the P320 Spectre Comp. With the red-dots installed, testing continued.
I turned to known diagnostic instructional scenarios in the form of Bill Drill and classic El Presidente drills to explore what the two Sig Spectres offered. Each of these drills stresses recoil control, trigger manipulation, and sight tracking.
Not to mention whether the handgun’s ergonomics are conducive to proper grip from the holster. Galco and DeSantis holsters were used with the Sig Spectres.
The Bill Drill
For example, with the Bill Drill, you start with the handgun in the holster with hands in the “surrender” position at shoulder level. A target is placed 7 yards down range. On command, you draw and fire six rounds as rapidly as solid hits allow.
Following your sights during recoil is crucial. The red dot-equipped Sig Spectres already assist in this drill, and the compensators are further enhancements. Likewise, the XSeries trigger pull and geometry are other important factors.
When done properly, the red-dot is never stationary. You just “ride” the recoil long enough to confirm the ROMEO dot is back in the “A” zone and send another round into the target.
The P320 Spectre Comp with ROMEO1Pro allowed me to smoke the Bill Drill with some of my best times of late in the 2.2- to 2.4-second range. The more compact P365XL Spectre bucked a little more. But it produced times of 2.6 to 2.9 seconds, keeping six rounds in the “A” zone.
The El Presidente Drill
El Presidente is a three-target array spaced three feet apart 10 yards down range. You start with your back to the targets, hands in “surrender” position, and firearm in the holster with six rounds in the gun and six rounds in a spare magazine.
Upon command, turn, draw, and fire two rounds into each target, starting from the side of your choice. Then, reload and engage targets with two more rounds opposite your first run. The El Prez works draw stroke, movement, sight alignment, reloading, and transitioning between targets.
The P320 Spectre Comp allowed me times of 8 to 8.5 seconds. Similarly, the P365XL Comp is in the 9- to 9.2-second range while achieving proper hits.
Learned Lessons
There are a few quick observations based on time spent on the range with the two Sig Spectres. With the P320 Spectre Comp, be sure to mind your hand placement when racking the slide. Do not grab too far forward on the slide near the comp.
Two negative things can happen. First, you can pinch your hand between the slide and comp. Second, trying to rack the slide with your hand on the comp will not move the slide rearward.
The P365XL Spectre Comp does away with this concern as the compensator is part of the slide.
Lastly, the magazine well on the P320 Spectre Comp does not work with standard base pad profile P320 magazines. Make sure you are using LEGION P320 magazines or 21-round P320 magazines. The P320 Spectre’s magazine well can be easily removed if desired.
On the P365XL front, make sure no 10-round P365 magazines get into your P365XL Spectre carry gear.
The Sig Spectres came into their own for precise fire by placing the dot on the target and applying correct trigger control. Groups with the red dot-equipped Spectres were markedly smaller versus iron sights. This statement became even more true as distances increased.
Lastly, concerns of blinding muzzle flash when using a compensator were not borne out. Slow-motion videos and burst photography did not witness this phenomenon. You could definitely see the gas cloud of muzzle blast directed upward, which counteracts muzzle flips but no ignition.
Perhaps this is because the type of powder used or a 9mm just doesn’t have the same potential as larger pistol or rifle calibers to ignite muzzle flash.
Wrap Up
You cannot default into thinking it is only about the gear—no matter how nice the equipment is in the form of the Sig Sauer P320 and P365XL Spectre Comp models. Mindset and sound instruction are crucial. However, red-dots are not going anywhere, and the same can be said for compensators.
A compact handgun such as the P365XL Spectre, stoked with full-power 9mm +P rounds, certainly benefits from the compensator for both the experienced and novice shooter for different reasons.
Experienced shooters can run the weapon faster and maintain accuracy. However, novice shooters are provided with a more controllable platform, allowing for their experience to catch up. The larger-framed P320 Spectre allows for such a fine-tuning of skill that is certain to impress with its capabilities.
For more information, please visit SigSauer.com.
Sig Sauer P320 Spectre Comp Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.6 inches
Overall Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 41.8 ounces (empty)
Grips: Polymer
Sights: X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights (Sig ROMEO1PRO mounted)
Action: Striker-Fired
Finish: Nitron
Capacity: 21+1
MSRP: N/A
Sig Sauer P365XL Spectre Comp Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 20.7 ounces (empty)
Grips: Polymer
Sights: X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights (SIG ROMEOZero mounted)
Action: Striker-Fired
Finish: Nitron
Capacity: 12+1
MSRP: $1,117-$1,319
Performance
| P320 | P365XL | |||
| Load | VELOCITY | ACCURACY | VELOCITY | ACCURACY |
| Ammo Incorporated 115 TMC | 1,190 | 2.25 | 1,060 | 2.50 |
| Federal 124 HST | 1,130 | 1.50 | 1,010 | 1.75 |
| Hornady 147 XTP | 985 | 1.25 | 905 | 2.33 |
| Remington 115 FMJ | 1,117 | 2.33 | 1,014 | 2.66 |
| Sig Sauer 147 Match V Crown | 934 | 1.00 | 833 | 1.66 |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards.
This article was originally published in the Combat Handguns September/October 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
