The Sig Sauer P320, a striker-fired pistol renowned for its modularity and widespread adoption, has faced significant scrutiny due to reported incidents of uncommanded discharges—situations where the firearm discharges without the user intentionally pulling the trigger. These incidents have sparked debates in both civilian and military circles, leading to lawsuits, bans by law enforcement agencies, and a reevaluation of the pistol’s safety features. Despite Sig Sauer’s assertions that the P320 is safe and reliable, a new patent from Angled Spade Technologies (AST), a Connecticut-based engineering firm, claims to address a critical flaw in the P320’s design, offering a potential fix to enhance its safety. This article delves into the controversy surrounding the P320, the details of the new patent, and the broader implications for its users, particularly in military and law enforcement contexts.
The P320 has been a cornerstone of Sig Sauer’s product lineup since its introduction, gaining popularity for its versatility, ergonomic design, and adaptability. It serves as the basis for the U.S. military’s Modular Handgun System (MHS), with the full-size M17 and compact M18 variants adopted as the standard sidearms for the Department of Defense (DoD). However, the pistol’s reputation has been marred by reports of uncommanded discharges, raising questions about its safety and reliability. These incidents have not only affected civilian users but have also prompted significant concern within the military, where the M17 and M18 are integral to operational readiness.
The issue of uncommanded discharges first gained widespread attention through a series of lawsuits and media reports. Law enforcement agencies, competitive shooting organizations, and even some shooting ranges have banned the P320, citing safety concerns. For instance, a federal jury in Massachusetts on July 31, 2025, unanimously concluded that the P320’s design was defective, leading to an injury sustained by a police officer. Although the officer was unable to recover damages due to Massachusetts law—because he was aware of the defect but continued to carry the pistol—the ruling underscored the severity of the issue. Other lawsuits against Sig Sauer have either been settled out of court or decided in the company’s favor, but the persistence of these cases has kept the P320 under scrutiny.
Sig Sauer has consistently defended the P320, maintaining that the pistol cannot discharge without the trigger being pulled. In a statement to We Are The Mighty, the company emphasized, “The P320 cannot, under any circumstances, discharge without the trigger first being moved to the rear.” This stance aligns with Sig Sauer’s broader claim that the P320 is one of the most popular and reliable pistols globally, trusted by millions of users, including military and law enforcement personnel. However, the company’s position has been challenged by incidents involving both civilian and military versions of the pistol, including models equipped with manual thumb safeties.
One notable case involved the M18, the compact military variant of the P320, which features a manual thumb safety. A Marine Corps report documented an uncommanded discharge of an M18 that was holstered, on safe, and not mishandled. The report concluded that the incident warranted an engineering review of the weapon’s design. Similarly, the tragic death of Airman Brayden Lovan, reportedly caused by an uncommanded discharge of an M18, prompted the U.S. Air Force to conduct service-wide inspections of the pistol. These incidents have led to operational changes in some military units, with new guidance requiring M17 and M18 handguns to remain unloaded unless actively pointed downrange.
The controversy has also affected the civilian market, where some P320 owners have faced challenges selling their firearms. Certain retailers have refused to purchase used P320s, and market data from June to July 2025 indicates a decline in the resale value of these pistols. For owners reluctant to part with their P320s at a loss, the question remains: how can the safety concerns be addressed without abandoning the platform?
Enter Angled Spade Technologies, a Connecticut-based firm specializing in engineering and innovation. AST, in collaboration with engineer Brian McDonald, has developed a patented solution aimed at mitigating the P320’s alleged safety issues. The U.S. Patent Application US20250164203A1, filed by McDonald and licensed to AST, introduces a firearm safety mechanism with a sear block specifically designed for the P320. The patent explicitly states that the P320’s design is “incomplete and unsafe,” citing multiple lawsuits related to uncommanded discharges as evidence of the need for improvement.
The proposed fix involves a mechanism that physically blocks the sear’s movement when the manual safety is engaged, providing a redundant safety feature to prevent unintended discharges. According to AST Partner and Engineer Joe Salvador, “Our solution physically blocks the sear’s movement when the manual safety is engaged. Something that, to date, has not been a feature of the P320® and its variants.” This mechanism is intended to enhance the safety of P320 models, particularly those equipped with manual thumb safeties, such as the M17 and M18.
Brian McDonald’s involvement in the project adds an intriguing layer to the story. McDonald, who worked as a designer at Sig Sauer from 2011 to 2016, has extensive experience with pistol design, including creating fixtures for testing and developing test plans for durability and function. Although McDonald is listed as the inventor and applicant for the patent, AST clarified that the design was developed independently of Sig Sauer. The company stated, “The patent was not affiliated with, nor did it include input from, Sig Sauer® or any of its affiliates.” McDonald was hired by AST as a contractor in 2022, and the safety mechanism concept emerged from that collaboration. AST subsequently acquired the rights to the design, completed its development, and pursued the patent.
In a gesture of professional courtesy, AST offered Sig Sauer the first right of refusal on the safety-enhancing design in 2023, after filing the provisional patent. Sig Sauer declined to engage, prompting AST to move forward with the patent process independently. In response to inquiries from We Are The Mighty, Sig Sauer acknowledged the patent application but dismissed McDonald’s claims, stating, “Mr. McDonald’s claims that these parts correct any unsafe design of the P320 are false.” The company further noted that McDonald did not collaborate with Sig Sauer on the design and reiterated their confidence in the P320’s safety and reliability.
The debate over the P320’s safety has created a complex landscape for its users. For civilian owners, the decision to retain, sell, or modify their P320s is fraught with considerations of safety, cost, and trust in the platform. Law enforcement agencies have taken varied approaches, with some transitioning to alternative pistols, such as Glock models, while others continue to use the P320. The U.S. Coast Guard, for example, opted for Glock pistols under a Department of Homeland Security contract, diverging from the DoD’s reliance on the P320.
In the military, the M17 and M18 remain the standard sidearms, with no immediate plans to replace them. However, the reported incidents have led to procedural changes in some units, reflecting a cautious approach to the pistols’ use. For military personnel wary of the M17/M18, one potential workaround exists within Special Operations Command (SOCOM) units. While some SOCOM units issue the M17/M18, others provide the Glock 19-based Mk27, offering an alternative for operators who prefer a different platform.
The introduction of AST’s patented safety mechanism could represent a turning point for the P320. If successfully implemented, the sear block could restore confidence in the pistol, allowing owners to retain their firearms without compromising safety. However, the adoption of this fix faces challenges, including Sig Sauer’s rejection of the design and the need for retrofitting existing P320s. The cost, feasibility, and regulatory approval of such modifications remain open questions.
For P320 owners, the decision to pursue AST’s solution, sell their firearm, or continue using it as-is depends on their trust in the platform and their assessment of the risks. The controversy has also highlighted broader issues in firearm design and safety, particularly for striker-fired pistols, which rely on internal safeties rather than external manual controls. As the P320’s safety debate continues, it underscores the importance of rigorous testing, transparency, and innovation in addressing potential flaws in widely used firearms.
The broader implications of the P320 controversy extend beyond individual owners to the institutions that rely on the pistol. For the U.S. military, the M17 and M18 are critical components of its small arms inventory, and any perceived deficiencies could impact operational effectiveness. The Air Force’s inspections and the Marine Corps’ engineering review signal a proactive approach to addressing the issue, but the lack of a unified response across branches suggests a complex path forward.
In the civilian market, the P320’s reputation has taken a hit, as evidenced by the declining resale value and retailer hesitancy. For law enforcement agencies, the decision to retain or replace the P320 involves balancing operational needs, budget constraints, and officer safety. The availability of AST’s patented fix could provide a middle ground, allowing agencies to enhance the safety of their existing P320s without the need for a costly transition to a new platform.
The P320’s saga is a reminder of the challenges inherent in designing and deploying complex systems, particularly those with life-and-death implications. While Sig Sauer remains steadfast in its defense of the pistol, the persistence of uncommanded discharge reports and the emergence of a patented fix suggest that the issue is far from resolved. For P320 owners, military personnel, and law enforcement officers, the path forward requires careful consideration of the risks, available solutions, and the evolving landscape of firearm safety.
Angled Spade Technologies’ patent represents a potential lifeline for the P320, offering a way to address its alleged design flaws while preserving its utility. Whether this solution gains traction in the market or is adopted by Sig Sauer remains to be seen. In the meantime, the P320’s users must navigate a complex and evolving situation, weighing their options in light of the available evidence and their own needs.
As the firearm industry continues to innovate, the P320 controversy serves as a case study in the importance of addressing safety concerns promptly and transparently. For now, AST’s patented sear block offers a glimmer of hope for those who wish to continue using the P320, potentially transforming a beleaguered platform into a safer, more reliable option for civilian, law enforcement, and military users alike.
