We explored the role of the C-160A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of CDH1 in susceptibility to gastric cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fourteen studies were included, the original groups collapsed, and re-grouped in accordance with the most appropriate genetic model. Potential sources of heterogeneity were sought out via subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses, and publication biases were estimated. No significant association of C-160A was found with the overall risk of developing gastric cancer, but the apparently opposite tendency was noted between Caucasians and Asians, and a statistically significant association was found among Asians. The seemingly opposite tendency of associations was also seen between noncardia and cardia types or between sporadic diffuse and intestinal types of gastric cancer, but no statistically significant findings were noted. Genotyping techniques, sample size, quality appraisal scores, or article publication time did not constitute the source of heterogeneity across studies; and no publication biases were found in our meta-analysis.