SIG Sauer has issued a safety bulletin regarding light-bearing holsters. Without naming any specific model of handgun, SIG is warning end users that holsters that accommodate weapon-mounted lights have larger openings and can cause unintentional discharges. This safety bulletin comes against a background of recurrent claims that the P320 fires without the trigger being pulled, including a recent video from a police station where a P320 fired while in a holster.

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As a recap, SIG issued a voluntary upgrade program for early P320 pistols. This program reduced the mass of the trigger and added a disconnector. Reports of “uncommanded firings” have persisted, though. Many of those reporting issues are law enforcement officers, who generally carry weapon lights on their duty weapons. SIG’s bulletin notes that both Safariland and Blackhawk have warning statements in their user manuals about added risks with light-bearing holsters. Also, SIG links to several safety bulletins from Safariland about specific models of light-bearing holsters and unintentional discharge issues. Apart from the whole P320 issue, this is a good reminder to us all that carrying and using guns involves risks, and we all need to be aware of those risks and work to mitigate them, regardless of what we carry or what holster it is in.

Warning statements from Blackhawk and Safariland in the SIG Sauer safety bulletin.

Screen grab of the moment a police officer’s P320 discharged while holstered. (video link)

From SIG Sauer:

NEWINGTON, N.H., (September 7, 2023) – SIG SAUER is reminding consumers about the risks associated with the use of light-bearing holsters, which have been involved in a number of alleged unintentional discharge incidents. Due to the large openings in these holster designs around the trigger (necessary for accommodating the bezels of attached weapon lights), fingers or foreign objects may be able to enter these holsters and contact the trigger. This vulnerability may be exacerbated by the use of a light-bearing holster without a compatible weapon light attached.

Placement of a firearm in a holster does not relieve the user from the requirements of proper trigger discipline, and safe firearms handling practices.

Selection of a proper holster is the responsibility of the user and special care must be taken to ensure a chosen holster complements safe handling practices (including adequate trigger protection) and other philosophy of use considerations. Holster manufacturers routinely publish warnings about the vulnerabilities of light-bearing holsters, including warnings printed directly in the manuals for these products, and stand-alone bulletins. Examples are reproduced below. If you choose to use a light-bearing holster with your firearm, you should review these warnings closely and ensure the additional risks are acceptable given your intended use.