I must admit that when these “modular” pistols came out, I didn’t think much of the concept. The hype, at the time, was that your buddy could shoot your gun and fit him perfectly, by simply swapping the grip module. Or, you can have a long slide and large grip or shrink it down by swapping that grip. All in all, I’d rather have two pistols than one pistol with two different size grips. All of the polymer SIG Sauer pistols are modular. The original P250 and the later P320, as well as the P365 and all of their variants, in each model, are modular.
I’m used to slippery polymer pistols. The GLOCK 19 is virtually smooth, compared to today’s mainstream polymer grips. The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 grip is amazingly “grippy” compared to the original model. Long time readers and students know that I prefer to use Talon Grips on my smooth polymer guns. Even my P320 X-Carry has a Talon Grip. Things started to change when I bought the P365 and later the P365XL. The factory grip module was actually pretty “grippy.” I didn’t think the Talon Grip would even adhere well to the stippling on the grip. The addition of the ROMEO Zero optic, which has matching texture on its sides, made the Talon Grip unnecessary.
Grip modules give you the option to change color, as well as different stippling. Heck, if you’re handy with a soldering iron, you can do your own stippling, and if you mess up, replace the grip module – instead of the entire handgun. For those new to this, the pistol frame has traditionally been the part of the firearm that has been the legal “gun.” You can buy slides and barrels, firing pins and triggers, but the frame (grip) was the serialized portion that the BATFE had deemed to be the firearm. With the removable fire control module serialized, the grip became just another piece to swap in and out.
As I wrote above, the P365XL grip stippling was fine for my carry needs for a good year. Then Gray Guns (Bill Gray designed custom triggers for several of the SIG pistols) came out with a grip module for the P365XL. It looked amazing – and had a bit more texture. Out came the fire control module and an instant change to my gun. Nice job, I must say – and the texture still matches the optic. I like it so much that I purchased the Gray Guns P320 grip module about six months ago.
I was pleased to learn that Wilson Combat had created its own SIG P320 X-Carry grip module. Bill Wilson’s team puts out some excellent products. Their grip is marketed “to enhance your grip and improve recoil control.” According to the brochure that came with it, the Wilson Combat Grim Module features:
- Upgraded, high-cut 1911-style beavertail grip tang
- Undercut front-strap, reshaped, radiused trigger guard
- Enlarged, integrated magwell opening
- Improved grip traction and increased grip pattern coverage with the Wilson Starburst grip pattern on the sides and aggressive texturing on the front and backstrap (we should hope so!)
- Frame reference serrations for support hand thumb
- Internal grip slots for Tungsten weights (what???)
- Angled holster cuts on light rail
- Factory mag release pre-installed
The new grip arrived earlier this week, along with the additional Tungsten weights. There is no denying, the grip feels fantastic. I love the familiar starburst pattern and I’ll bet I can nearly tear flesh off my knuckles with the stippling on the front and back straps. Excellent. The beavertail is far better than the original SIG, and this pistol feels like it’s on some type of testosterone therapy now. Wow!
The best part, though, really are the grooves milled into the inside of the magwell. There are three. Two skinny ones on each side of a larger middle hole. The side grooves are conical, so pushing the thin rod down with a punch seats it nicely, with no rattle. The larger one, for the middle, sits in there nicely, but there is very little, if any, friction. Put the slide back on and that bad boy is bouncing all over when you holster, when you shoot, dry fire… A small dab of silicone made that a non-issue. Now the “light weight polymer pistol” is starting to feel like it has some heft. More muscle on this fella is making the recoil less “sharp” than it was. The GLOCK 45 is tamer in this department than the SIG, but with the added weights, the SIG shoots just as smoothly as the GLOCK.
The Wilson Combat grip module for the SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry is $65. The Tungsten weight kit is $20. I highly recommend both. You decide. Meet me at the range and we’ll try it out together. I’ve got the ROMEO 1 optic on mine, so you can try all the best, all at once.
See you at the range!
JoeGLOCK
Is this same Wilson Combat starburst grip module available for the newer Glock 45 Gen 5, and if so, what is the price?
Hey Tim,
Wilson Combat has the starburst grip modules available in many colors for the SIG P320, which is modular. The lower receiver is NOT serialized. GLOCK lower receivers ARE serialized. If you want your GLOCK 45 to have the starburst pattern, you must send your lower receiver to Wilson Combat to have it reshaped, which I’ve just done.
I think you meant the Sig P250, not the P220. The P250 has some parts in common with the P320 series.
Exactly correct, Don! Thanks for catching that. I’ll correct the copy.
Do you prefer the Wilson Combat grip over the Grayguns P320 grip? I have the Wilson grip but do not care for the texturing. Have you or do you think Talon grips would work on the Wilson grip module? Thanks for the in-depth review.
John
I do, John. I donated my Grayguns grip – which was great, but since I’ve owned the Wilson Combat Beretta 92G, I’ve fallen in love with the grip. I actually sent my GLOCK G45 frame to Wilson Combat to have it stippled just like my SIG! The consistent texture between both guns, which I rotate as my carry pistols is superb. Again, I really like the feel of the Grayguns grip and can recommend it. I do not think that the Talon Grips will hold sufficiently to the Wilson Combat. You may want to sell that grip and put the money towards the Grayguns grip.