Check out Sean’s review of Sig P322 in the video above!
The Sig P322 is another entry into the growing category of .22 LR trainers. We recently spent some time with one out at the range to see how it performed.
This is an exciting new category of firearms with applications to a lot of different shooters. In short, the P322 performed very well! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Follow along as I give you the pros, cons, specs, and features as well as my final verdict on this plinker.
So, read on!
Table of Contents
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Sig Sauer P322 Pros & Cons
Pros
•20+1 capacity
•Great trigger
•Optics ready
•Suppressor ready
Cons
• Runs out of ammo quickly
The Bottom Line
Sig has done an outstanding job with the P322. If you’ve got the cash and the inclination, you can’t go wrong in picking up this fun little shooters.
Sig Sauer P322 Specs & Features
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Single-action, internal hammer-fired
- Capacity: 20+1
- Overall Length: 7″
- Barrel Length: 4″
- Height: 5.5″
- Width: 1.4″
- Weight: 17.1 oz.
- Frame Material: Polymer/ stainless-steel
Features
- 20+1 capacity, largest in class for a .22 LR
- Threaded barrel for suppressor use
- Fiber optic front and rear sights
- Ambidextrous manual safety and slide release
- Optics-ready slide for red dot mounting
- Modular grip with interchangeable backstraps for fit customization
Source: Sig Sauer
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Background
Recently there have been a few entries into what I’d describe as a new category of handgun, the .22 trainer.
This is basically a gun that looks and functions just like a standard 9mm model, but it is chambered in .22 rimfire.
Glock came out with the G44 modeled after the G19. FN offered the 502 Tactical — a plinking copy of the 509.
And now, Sig Sauer has created the P322…a fun-packed, rimfire model very reminiscent of the P320. In essence, it is a slightly smaller version with a 20+1 capacity, threaded barrel, and its optics ready.
By now I’ve tried a few of these pinking marvels so I knew what to expect. I grabbed a cross-section of .22 ammo and headed to the range to start testing.
Who Is It For?
The P322 would be an obvious choice for anyone starting out with shooting handguns, particularly if they will be transitioning to the P320 in the future. That’s no requirement though, as the gun is just plain fun, and would be a hoot for shooters of all experience levels.
Fit & Feel
Out of the box the P322, like other .22 models, is much lighter than its predecessor.
Other than that, a few things stood out prominently in my mind — the green, fiber optic, sights were pretty amazing in the Texas sun. And its grip texture was aggressively on point.
Not to mention, the gun fit in my hand marvelously
How Does It Shoot?
I noticed an external safety, a rail for a weapon light, mount for a red dot, and two 20-round magazines.
Digging through the box a bit, I noticed there was an adapter for a suppressor, as well as a magazine loading assistance tool.
This loading tool is a nice little sleeve that fits over the magazine and helps you apply downward pressure on the two thumb buttons which help you compress the spring under the follower.
I ran some drills and also tested accuracy but was delighted with the whole experience. It’s hard to describe how pleasant it is to shoot this gun.
There’s no recoil, your sights stay on target, the trigger is really good and the ergonomics are great!
The only thing that sucks about this gun is you very quickly find yourself having to reload, over and over again.
I tested accuracy from 7 yards and was able to put some groups together that were decent.
Running the plate rack, I found it pretty easy to adjust my aim to hit the top of each plate so I could get them to fall.
For reloads, the magazines dropped freely and inserted easily due to the design of the magwell. There’s a slight flare on the outside, but the interior has a funnel-like feature that guides the magazines in.
The slide locked back on empty every time with one exception. Likely, that’s due to ammo. You can’t discount how much .22 ammunition affects the performance of guns like this.
For testing, I ran Aguila Super Extra 40 grains, SK Standard Plus 40 grains, Wolf Match Extra 40 grains, and SK Match 40 grains.
Box after box, the P322 ran with remarkable reliability.
In total, I think I had one stovepipe and one failure to lock back across 500+ rounds during testing.
What Sets it Apart?
Without a doubt, the 20-round magazine capacity sets this gun above its peers in the .22 Trainer category. Otherwise, it is very much a Sig in form and function.
By The Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
I’m used to having a bit of a struggle with .22 trainers…but I didn’t have an issue with the Sig. It ran very well with a few different ammo brands.
Ergonomics: 5/5
The grip contours were really nice, and the gun fit my hand extremely well. Though not strictly necessary, the grip texture was a nice touch. The controls were all easy to reach.
Accuracy: 4/5
I shot several different groups from 7 yards and my best was around 1 inch or less. The sights were extremely visible and the trigger break was solid.
Customization: 4/5
Out of the box, this gun is ready to receive Sig’s Romeo Zero optic, a light, and a suppressor. It’s unclear how the gun will run with an adapter plate and other optics though.
Value: 4/5
The prices I’m seeing at the time of this review are around $400 and I think if you’re in the market for this type of gun, it’s a great buy.
Overall: 4.5/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Upgrades for Sig Sauer P322
With the rail, you can mount nearly any light you want on the front of the P322. In addition, shooters can mount up Sig’s Romeo Zero optic.
I’m guessing other optics via adapter plates might be a viable option but would want to test how the additional mass may or may not affect cycling.
Also, check out our review of the FN 502 Tactical to see some realities of shooting a red dot on a .22 pistol.
The P322 comes with a thread protector for the barrel, as well as an adapter to 1/2 by 28 for those wanting to shoot suppressed.
Field Strip & Reassembly
Since .22LR is dirty and you’re going to have so much fun shooting…we made our own quick field strip guide so you can clean and oil it back up for more.
Final Verdict
The P322 is a great pistol and I had a lot of fun shooting the gun. Pinging steel repeatedly, at just about any speed you can muster, is a great time.
It’s even better when you don’t feel like you’re putting yourself in the poor house doing it.
This is a superb shooter that ran reliably with a variety of different ammo and it is a good value at around $400.
Have a P322 and need to know how to break it down? We got you! Check out our field strip video below.
Do you have a use for 22 Trainers like the P322? Let us know in the comments below and check out our 6 Best .22LR Pistols/Handguns for even more options.
Sig Sauer P322 Gun Deals
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Rating score
9 Leave a Reply
The P322 is absolutely garbage. Don't waste your money unless you want to practice clearing misfeeds constantly. Sent mine in to Sig, they said nothing wrong, and it still has constantly failed to feed. 5 out of 5 on reliability? You have got to be kidding me. Do a little research and you will find people with this problem all over the internet Even their useless loading tool makes no difference.
Sig happens to make some of the best guns you can buy. My P226 Navy is the nicest 9mm I have ever shot. So reliable, such high quality, lowest recoil. Can’t wait to get a P322. No wonder the entire US Army is switching to Sig Sauer rifles and pistols.
Thanks for the review Sean... my only point would be I question the statement about this being a "new category of handgun". Smith & Wesson goes back many years with the K-22 Model 17 & Model 18 to be used as practice for service issued S&W .357's. They were made to the same K-Frame and weight, but in 22LR. My Model 18 serial number tracks to 1959. So, not so new.
Anyway, I've been looking at the S&W 22Compact for this same reason. This review plays in to my thoughts. Thanks.
PC, that's a good point. When I first started in law enforcement, revolvers had just recently been traded in for autos and Glock had just come out with the G17. I own several revolvers, even have a couple like you've described, but they don't always make it into my salient thinking. But you're right, the concept is certainly not new.
I am glad Sig actually came up with a decent 22 auto pistol. I bought a mosquito some years back,talk about DISAPOINTMENT. Yes i used the CCi Stinger ammo
the proper recoil spring and still
nothing but jam city.the mosquito
is nothing but a well made piece of
junk . So I will never give Sig any more of my money! My purchase in
the future will only be H&K (German) or least Colt ,Ruger or S&W!
So how exactly does the threaded adapter attach to the barrel?
Screws on the barrel just like the thread protector that comes with the gun.
Bill is correct, the barrel is threaded and comes with a thread protector.
Is it similar to the Walther P22 with respect to the threaded barrel?