A Stamford police officer has sued gunmaker Sig Sauer over injuries he suffered when his holstered P320 pistol discharged and hit him in the leg after he dropped it in a parking lot.
According to the complaint filed Aug. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, officer Vincent Sheperis dropped his holstered department-issued handgunwhile loading equipment into the back of his car in January. The gun fired when it hit the pavement, and the bullet entered beneath his left knee and lodged to the side “with the round protruding from his leg.”
Sheperis, a 34-year-old member of the department’s Special Response Team, underwent multiple surgeries and is back on light duty, although more surgeries may be required, according to his attorney, Jeffrey Bagnell of Westport.
Sheperis is seeking at least $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages, and is demanding Sig Sauer recall the pistol or include a warning that the gun is not “drop safe” when a round is chambered.
“For it to just go off—it’s kind of horrifying, really,” Bagnell said.
The Stamford Police Department said it’s shelved all P320s it issued to its officers because of the incident.
IN OTHER NEWS, Sig has posted how to “VOLUNTARILY” fix your broken firearm!
SIG SAUER is offering a voluntary program for P320 pistols. This will include an alternate design that reduces the physical weight of the trigger, sear, and striker while additionally adding a mechanical disconnector.
3 Steps To Upgrading Your SIG SAUER P320 Pistol
- Have your P320 serial number and home address available.
- Fill out the Voluntary Upgrade Sign-Up Form — one serial number per form submission.
- SIG SAUER will contact you regarding the best method for you to get your P320 pistol to them.
Once SIG SAUER receives your P320 pistol, they will apply the upgrades, test it, and then return it to you free of charge.
If you run into any issues, please call Customer Service and they will help you through the process. Customer Service can be reached at (603)610-3000 Option 1, from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. EST.
UPGRADE REGISTRATION HERE
If you own multiple P320s, you will need to enter each P320 serial number separately.
How to locate your P320 Serial Number
Your P320 serial number can be found by looking on the right side of the pistol grip. The serial number will be stamped into the receiver. This number should be entered into the first entry field of the form. SKU will automatically populate if your P320 is on a qualified list of U.S. Domestic consumer serial numbers.
With some exceptions, most U.S. Domestic Consumer P320 serial numbers begin with “58A”, “58B”, or “58C”, followed by six numbers.
- Example: 58Axxxxxx
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is my P320 safe in its current configuration?
Yes. The P320 meets and exceeds all US safety standards. However, mechanical safeties are designed to augment, not replace safe handling practices. Careless and improper handling of any firearm can result in an unintentional discharge.
What is the P320 Voluntary Upgrade Program?
SIG SAUER is offering a voluntary program for P320 pistols. This will include an alternate design that reduces the physical weight of the trigger, sear, and striker while additionally adding a mechanical disconnector.
Why is this upgrade happening?
Through additional testing above and beyond standard American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Sporting Arms & Ammunition Institute (SAAMI), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Department of Justice (DOJ), Massachusetts (MGL, Chapter 140, Section 123) and other global military and law enforcement protocols, we have confirmed that usually after multiple drops, at certain angles and conditions, a potential discharge of the firearm may result when dropped. Although it is a rare occurrence, with very specific conditions, SIG SAUER is offering an upgrade to all of its current P320 owners.
Does the owner’s manual say it can be unsafe?
The language used in major manufacturer’s owner’s manuals with regard to drop safety is consistently written to warn the user that dropping a loaded firearm is not recommended and could possibly result in an accidental discharge. All precautions should be taken to avoid dropping a loaded firearm. Although extremely unlikely, it is still possible for any loaded firearm to discharge when dropped.
What calibers and models are affected?
Due to the modularity of the pistols, which all share the same trigger group, all calibers and pistol sizes are affected.
What type of ammunition was used during testing?
A variety of calibers and brands of ammunition were used.
NOTE: Loaded ammunition is not used for drop testing, only primed cases with the powder and projectile removed are used.
What is different about the updated assembly?
The new design has a physically lighter trigger, sear, and striker assembly with the addition of a mechanical disconnector.
Will this affect the X-series P320’s?
Yes. However, the X-series flat trigger will not be replaced.
What about my CAL-X Kits?
You should send any and all P320 slides with your shipment, as the striker(s) will be replaced, and the slide(s) will need the disconnector cut.
Does this affect the MHS pistol?
No, the MHS pistol is a different variant of the P320 platform. It has passed the US Army’s testing protocols (TOP).
What are my next steps?
If you are a consumer and wish to participate in the voluntary upgrade, please fill out the form at the top of this page.
If you are a U.S. domestic commercial dealer or distributor:
- There will be an online form available in the near future for dealers to register.
- For additional support, please contact Dealer Services M-F 8:30am – 5:00pm EST directly at 603-610-3000, option 2.
If you are a U.S. or Canadian law enforcement agency, a Canadian Consumer or an individual who purchased on the Armed Professional Program (APP) or Individual Officer Program (IOP):
- Because of the unique circumstances involving these customers and needed additional logistical planning, there will be additional information and an online form available in the in the coming days.
If you are a domestic government agency/entity or individual who purchased on the Armed Professional Program (APP):
- There will be an online form available in the near future for Government/Federal Law Enforcement to register (including those individuals who purchased via the APP). Additional information regarding this program will be made available in the coming days.
If you are an international customer (including Puerto Rico):
- Please contact your Global Defense Sales representative or local distributor.
Is there a charge to participate in this upgrade?
No. The upgrade is being offered to our consumers at no cost.
Will SIG SAUER cover the shipping both ways?
Yes.
What if I don’t want to upgrade the trigger assembly on my P320?
This is a voluntary service, as the P320 meets and exceeds all ANSI/SAAMI, NIJ, DOJ, Massachusetts (MGL, Chapter 140, Section 123), and safety standards. SIG SAUER welcomes all of its P320 owners to take advantage of this program.
What if I have incorporated aftermarket items into my P320?
DO NOT RETURN YOUR P320 WITH ANY MAGAZINES, AFTERMARKET TRIGGER GROUPS, OR ACCESSORIES SUCH AS OPTICS, LIGHTS, OR LASERS. IF YOU SEND YOUR FIREARM IN WITH AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES, SIG SAUER CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THOSE ITEMS WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU.
Is SIG SAUER still shipping the pistol without the enhanced trigger system?
SIG SAUER has temporarily suspended shipment of the P320 from the factory while we ramp up to implement the changes.
What is the turnaround time to receive my upgraded P320?
For the US Commercial market, once you contact SIG SAUER and register for the process, you will receive an email from us at a later date with a shipping label and instructions as to when you may return your P320. This may take several weeks, as we will need time to prepare for this program. Once your P320 is received at SIG SAUER, turnaround time will be approximately 4-6 weeks. This lengthy process is due to the high volume of pistols in the marketplace. Transit times may vary depending on your geographic location and receipt of your returned pistol.
Can I have the work performed at my local dealer instead?
No. This work must be done at the SIG SAUER factory.
What serial number ranges are affected?
All current serial number ranges are affected.
Am I required to send the entire pistol?
Yes.
How will I know if the P320 has the upgraded trigger system without disassembling?
The most obvious external difference is the lightweight trigger. It has a thinner profile than the standard curved trigger. The other changes are minimal and would likely not be noticed.
How often has the incident described occurred?
Minimal reported drop-related P320 incidents have occurred in the US commercial and law enforcement markets, with hundreds of thousands of guns delivered to date. These instances occurred in conditions that appear to be outside of normal testing protocols. The current P320 design meets and exceeds all US safety standards. As it relates to the ad hoc media drop tests, these were not part of standardized testing protocols, and they were performed using firearms in unknown conditions.
How will this affect my current P320 trigger pull?
There should be no meaningful or significant change from the current P320 trigger pull.
Should I conduct my own test to determine if my pistol is safe?
NO. SIG SAUER DOES NOT RECOMMEND THAT ANY CONSUMER PERFORM DROP TESTING BEFORE OR AFTER THIS UPGRADE. Mechanical safeties are designed to augment, not replace safe handling practices. Careless and improper handling of any firearm can result in unintentional discharge. Be aware that ad hoc testing is occurring and individuals are testing guns in conditions outside accepted testing protocols. ALL STANDARDIZED DROP TESTING IS DONE IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS WITHOUT USING LIVE AMMUNITION.