P320 X5 - Why did SIG change their barrel from Stainless to Black

[Sigarmsp226]

I just purchased my second P320 X5, my first one I purchased right after they were released, and I noticed that the new X5 that I just recently purchased has a black barrel in it rather than a stainless one like my earlier version....Anyone know why SIG made a barrel change on the X5 and when they made the change?  Thanks Mark

Edited November 30, 2018 by Sigarmsp226

[aalbert]

From my previous research it happened the middle of last year... Reason given was that the stainless barrels were showing wear scratches, etc, and that black finish retained lubrication better.... Who knows - seems that the new barrels are probably more cost effective to produce. 

Edited November 30, 2018 by aalbert

[Jeff_Alan]

Sig said the stainless was wearing bad. Mine was built in June or July 2017 and was told that was one of the 1st runs with black barrel. 

[Rudukai13]

If you really need a stainless barrel in your X-Five, Bar-Sto makes a match grade replacement. But it ain't cheap;

 

https://www.barsto.com/category_main.cfm?ID=3X5&cco=135

[Jeff_Alan]

No it’s not cheap. But supposedly a damn good barrel. My X5 can already out shoot me though

[Archer]

On 11/30/2018 at 7:54 PM, Jeff_Alan said:

Sig said the stainless was wearing bad. Mine was built in June or July 2017 and was told that was one of the 1st runs with black barrel. 

 

I can't find where Sig said that, but for sure the stainless barrel does show wear more and differently than the black.  Then again, it's not nearly comparable to what happens on the hood of a 1911.

[Jeff_Alan]

I called them right after the change

[021411]

I have an X5 match target Bar-Sto barrel and it shows a metric crap ton of wear marks and scratches. I don't care about it but just worth noting if you want stainless.

[Rich406]

17 hours ago, 021411 said:

I have an X5 match target Bar-Sto barrel and it shows a metric crap ton of wear marks and scratches. I don't care about it but just worth noting if you want stainless.

 

I installed a barsto, it was noticeably scratched just from racking the slide while fitting it. 

[dccarper]

interesting, I am late to the X5 game and didn't even know it had stainless barrels. But this is typical Sig, using early adopters as beta testers