P320 Testing - Malformed & Worn Firing Mechanism Parts

In this episode, we'll review the theory related to heavily worn or malformed fire control parts causing an uncommanded discharge of the pistol.

If you have a heavily worn sear, striker foot, or parts that are malformed from the factory could they cause an issue? Could the combination of these worn or malformed parts result in an uncommanded discharge?

For our testing, we used a used sear from a pistol with more than 40,000 rounds through it, plus an untold number dry fire repetitions. We also replicated wear and a factory defect of the striker foot. We also tested with a very warped trigger bar spring, and used only one sear spring for this testing period.

We completed drop testing on concrete and about two hours in a vibrating tumbler. The pistol did not fail and the sear and striker foot held in place.