[Kestrel]

I have a P220. It is a new model. The factory grips are very slippery. It makes me feel like I don't have complete control over the gun. I replaced them with Hogue (non-finger groove) rubber grips and it feels better, but a bit heavier. Also, the grip is a bit large for me, although I don't have small hands. (The full size USP .45 is a bit large for me, too.)

The DA trigger reach is just the slightest bit long for me to feel real confortable with it. SA is fine. It's very reliable, shoots fine.

It seems like everyone regards these as being one of the best .45s out there and I agree. I want to like it, it just doesn't fit me like I want. (I'm used to 1911s and Hi Powers.)

I like the weight of the gun and the concept, it points fine, it just doesn't feel as good in my hand as the 1911 and Hi Power.

Does anyone else have reservations about them?

Steve

[Meowhead]

Does anyone else have reservations about them?I'd like to reserve yours if you're looking to get rid of it (hey, this response was going to come up sooner or later. might as well be now :D).

Anyway...the stocks are my only complaint about the P220, and indeed all classic Sigs. The checkered plastic is too slippery. But Hogue makes those rubber grip panels, so no problem..

For me, the grip shape and overall size of the gun are perfect. Just as good as a BHP. It comes down to personal preference.

[cslinger]

Yes.

[sanchezero]

I'm not a fan of any of Sig's guns. I know they're good; they just don't fit me well.

[CPR]

Sounds like you should have spent more time with it before you bought it :neener:

I bought a new manufacture P220 recently and there is nothing that I dislike about it. It fits my medium to large paws very well with the standard trigger and to me the grips aren't slippery at all. You may want to have the short trigger installed, it may help your reach a little.

The often claimed statement is that the P220 is the best D/A handgun out there, although in my opinion, it is the best .45 available! I'm tired of fidgeting with 1911's to get them running right and the P220 I have has been perfection out of the box.

Also, shoot it as much as you have your 1911's and Hi Powers and then come back with a status report :)

Take care,
Chris

[Boats]

Last time I was out shopping for a DA/SA .45 for a change-up range banger, I went back and forth between the SIG 220 and the Beretta 8045. I just couldn't bring myself to tolerate the SIGs ergonomics for my huge hands and the Beretta won and I saved myself over $100.00* Nothing against the SIG, but its reputation had preceded it and I was simply disappointed to find I didn't like its fit, even after borrowing a friend's for a flawless 200 round range session. It works for others just fine.


*(I traded the Beretta four years later for yet another 1911 purchase.:D )

[9x19]

I get along much better with Ruger's KP97D, than I did with a Sig P220 (or 226 or 229). Trigger reach and other ergonomics made it a no-go for me.

[Lexter]

I looked at a Sig 220 also. It just didn't feel right to me. You said it best by stating you didn't feel like you had perfect control of it. That's my feeling as well.


Lexter in NC

[Kestrel]

Possibly I should try the short trigger and shoot it a lot more. Does anyone know of a site with instructions on installing the short trigger? I actually have one, but have never used it.

I always thought the P220 would be a good nightstand gun...

Thanks for the input,
Steve

[Handy]

Agree with the above.

The only thing preventing you from loving the thing may be a short trigger and hogue grips. Maybe not? Probably worth trying.


My reservation, if any, about Sigs is the alloy frame. I don't think they'll fail, but on such a nice gun it would just be nice if the frame rails were tougher and more wear resistant. Some much shot police turn ins have fairly sloppy slide fit.

But, there are more than a couple 226s with over 100,000 rounds through them, and counting. It's a damn fine example of the DA/SA handgun.

[Black_Talon]

I think the P220 is the best non-1911 45ACP pistol you can get.

My only beefs with it are the feel of it( the line-of-bore sits rather high above your hand), the DA/SA transition (not limited to the P220, obviously a "feature of any DA/SA pistol), and the durability of the aluminum frame.

[Rob96]

Last March I was in a gunshop getting ready to buy a P220, when I spotted a Ruger P90T in the case. I asked to see it, and took it home instead. Never looked back.

[HSMITH]

I don't like the 220 either, if I was given one I would sell/trade it off in a flash. Darn fine pistol, but it just does not suit me.

[George Hill]

SIG sells a "Short Trigger" that you can have installed.
You can get checkered wood grips for it too. Nonslip and they are very handsome.
The SIG P220 truly is one of the best .45ACP handguns out there.

[agony]

I'm a great proponent of the SIG P220. My favorite .45ACP pistol line.

Consider the short trigger. It may help.

Check out SIGforum (http://www.sigforum.com) for more info about the short trigger etc.

Consider the older style checkered P220 grips. These have more bite than the new-style pseudo-stippled grips available on current production 220s. Also as Mr. Hill mentioned, Hogue and Nill makes great wood grips...smooth, checkered, or stippled.

Some guns just don't fit, no matter what. I read a lot of praise for the Beretta 92 series for instance, but I cannot group with it to save my life. It took me 15,000 rounds through my old 92FS to learn my lesson. (traded it for a SIG P220ST).

[MJRW]

There are many guns that are like that for me. Most Beretta 92s and 96s. Only the Vertecs feel ok in my hand. All HK USPs. Most Sig double stacks. These are all GREAT guns. But I can't get my short fingers around those grips. Strangely, the Glock 19 is no problem for me.

But I have not answered the question. Even though they don't fit me, I'm still crazy about all of the above guns. They are all great and wouldn't hesitate at all to keep them on my list of great firearms. I see a Sig 220 at the range and I'm still like "ooooooh, lemme see!" I keep picking them up hoping that I will find a magical one that fits.

[boing]

Don't force it.

Play with the short trigger (I have) and different grip options and see if something clicks.

You're not alone. I love my Sig, but it doesn't love me. Oh well.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Thanks for the great responses, concerning my much
beloved SIG-Sauer "Classic" P-series line!:)

As most of you know, I have been shooting the P220
for many, many moon's. Over those years, it has been
a very plesant surprise; not only by functioning without
a hitch, but also by being one of the most accurate guns
I have ever owned or shot!

Mine is the older model P220, with the "green recoil"
spring and the older style grips. I have not changed a
thing on this gun; it remains in its original configuration.
My current P220 is the 2nd one that I've owned; as I
purchased it NIB on the 31st day of March, 1995. There
was nothing wrong with the first one; a fellow LEO who
needed a duty weapon and had lots of cash bought it
for his 1st duty weapon. My current SIG P220 has been
in service since its arrival; with 0 malfunctions of any
type. I feel like it has and will continue to serve me well!
I would not hesitate to recommend this fine handgun; or
purchase another one myself. That is how confident I am
with SIG-Sauer "Classic" P-series self-loader's.

I do admit, they are not for everybody. In some few
cases, it simply takes getting use to the firearm. It has a
few operational differences, that one must become some
what accustom to before use. All of you that have read
my previous post from day to day, also know that I don't
care too much for the "European" grip angle of the P226;
or the balance of the P229. With that said, I still think that
the SIG-Sauer "Classic" P-series line ranks as one of the
best self-loaders available to the consumer.

In closing, I simply would like to thank you folk's for trying
to like these gun's. One shall never know until he and/or
she takes one for a test drive!

Disclaimer: I do not work for, or am I associated
with the company known as SIG-Sauer, SIGARMS, SIG-
Hammerli, J.P. Sauer & Sons or any other affliate. I'm just
a bonafided SIG Lover at heart.

Best Wishes To All- Stay Safe and Shoot Straight!

Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Berg01]

I like the weight of the gun and the concept, it points fine, it just doesn't feel as good in my hand as the 1911 and Hi Power.

Frankly, there aren't too many guns that fit better in my hand than the 1911 and the BHP. But the P220 ain't bad!

[Grayrider]

I had one very briefly. Terrible trigger, did not fit my hand, and was not accurate in comparison to a good 1911. Passed it on to a friend who really wanted a Sig. He likes it, but it still doesn't impress anyone for accuracy. I suppose part of it is what you are used to. I will say this, it is very reliable.

GR

[DonGlock26]

I just bought a P245(compact P220) and I'm planning on getting a P220 soon. They are great pistols. I really think the FBI and DoD should have adopted this fine pistol back in the 1980's. We would have got the P245 a lot sooner. And, I don't know if we would have the .40S&W or .357Sig today. Things that make you go Hmmm....

[CPR]

Steve,

If you keep the P220 and end up liking it, the SureFire Nitrolon pistl light (and training) is a great addition for a night stand P220 (if you're into that kind of thing).

Take care,
Chris

[Nero Steptoe]

I'm not too nuts about the 220. I don't like the limited mag capacity; high bore axis; loooooong first trigger pull. Accurate, well-made pistol; just don't like 'em for the reasons stated.

[Sean Smith]

To answer the topic question: no.

I have alot of respect for their objective performance. I just dislike them subjectively. If they work for you, you have an excellent firearm.

[10-Ring]

I had a 220 a few years ago. After years of wanting (mostly from reputation since I had never shot one before) one, I finally broke down & bought one. Sold it after a few thousand rounds and trip back to the factory for warranty work. It just never worked right.

[Gordon Fink]

My SIG P220 is my nightstand gun and one of the pistols I shoot the most accurately. Yes, the grip is large for my small/medium hands, and the double-action trigger reach is long, but I can still put my first shot in the black on a B-16 target at 10 yards.

I’m thinking about ordering the short trigger, and if anyone ever puts out low-profile grip pannels, I would certainly give them a try. It would at least be instructive on the merits of thin vs. fat grips. Still, the pistol gets the job done as is.

I did have a couple failures to feed during the first hundred rounds or so, but these were probably due to me not seating the eight-round magazines properly. Otherwise, the pistol has been completely reliable.

I consider the P220 a combat pistol, something you grab when you know trouble is coming. In that respect, I would cock it if I suspected danger—glass breaking in the middle of the night, for example. Even in single-action, a deliberate trigger pull is required to fire the weapon. I experimented (with the pistol unloaded, of course) and could not “accidentally” pull the trigger.

~G. Fink

[Handy]

limited mag capacity; high bore axis

FYI, the 220 has the same capacity and bore axis as the 1911. But this is a fair comparison to a 13 round G21 with its lower axis.

[Tamara]

I might buy a P220 if I ever stumbled across one in .38 Super, just for the funkiness value. Other than that, while fine pistols, they just don't blow my kazoo.

[jacketch]

Very fine gun but I too dislike the long trigger pull, high bore axis and the fact that it isn't a BHP.:D

[B27]

Steve-
Consider the short trigger and some Hogue smooth wood grips...


http://www.fototime.com/D0F914B64273AEC/standard.jpg

I am a big 1911 fan but this is the gun I carry every day. With the short trigger I can grip it exactly the same as I do my 1911's. And I wear medium sized gloves so must assume I have average size hands.
:)

[jimbo]

Yes.:neener:

[sig970]

I personally don't think it gets much better than a Sig P220 or a Beretta 96 Border Marshal for DA/SA handguns.

[Schuey2002]

Disclaimer: I do not work for, or am I associated
with the company known as SIG-Sauer, SIGARMS, SIG-
Hammerli, J.P. Sauer & Sons or any other affliate. ...
So, are you saying that you're not being paid by them?!

I'm shocked! :neener: :D

[dairycreek]

One is a two tone and the other is a stainless. Love them both. I have particularly large hands and, for me, fit is no problem at all. My son-in-law has small hands and both guns present him real problems. Such is life! Good shooting;)

[DoubleAction]

I'll see your two, and raise you one ! Just kidding, Mine is just plain brown wrappers, nothing fancy.
The 220 got my attention in 1982, after reading about it in "Handgun Tests", I still have that same article in a plastic bound binder. Alot has happened with the Sig 220 and the P-Series Sigs since then.

Standard 220 .45 ACP
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195114/SIG220Stock.jpg

220 .45 ACP, Trijicon Tritiums, Eagle Rosewood
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195114/220Eagles.jpg

220 - 38 Super , Hogues
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195114/220-38super.jpg

The 220s led to the purchase of Six more Sigs, these are three others in the .40 S&W & 357 sig.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/195114/sport.jpg

[albanian]

I had a really nice SIG 220 that was made in W. Germany and had nite sights. It shot sub 2" groups at 25 yards and never jammed after the first 200 break in rounds. It was the best DA/SA pistol I have owned with the possible exception of my Beretta 92fs. Count me in with the people that had to get rid of it because it didn't fit my hand.

SIG is really dropping the ball by not making the trigger in DA more reachable for the average person. Same goes for CZ. I can't buy a CZ because the DA trigger is such a far reach for me. My Beretta 92fs fits me better than the SIG or the CZ so I guess I don't really have small hands, just average.

[natedog]

I rented one, fired 100 rounds, decided it wasn't for me. I shoot the heavier 1911 better, and the 1911 has a single action trigger. I just couldn't warm up to DA/SA in only 100 rounds. It was 100% reliable, very high quality, and I imagine in trained hands very accuracte. Just not for me.

[WhoKnowsWho]

The first handgun I fired was a P220, I liked it a lot, but have not gotten around to getting one. I do have a 225 and Sig Pro 2340 though. I missed the boat when CDNN had them real cheap.

[Dienekes]

The 220 was one of the semiautos authorized for personal purchase and use by my agency while I was instructing. Took the SIG armorer's course in the 90s, and while I didn't own one of my own in those days I certainly shot them quite a bit. A friend of mine took his to Gunsite and brought back an "E" ticket in the 250 course, so there was no question as to whether the pistol can deliver the mail or not.

Funnily enough I sprung for one after retirement. I still have it (mothballed) but like some others mentioned, I never could shoot it as well as I should have. I recontoured the stock trigger to my idea of a short trigger (about the same curvature as a BHP) which helped with my small hands, and experimented with it in the stock DA/SA and also DAO. Also had SIG do an action job on it. Went back to DA/SA in the end.

In the end I was never able to shoot it very well under stress; the gun is about 10% too big for me, the trigger reach still a little long in DA, and the bore axis a little higher than I liked. Trigger weight and smoothness not bad, but nothing like a good wheelgun which was what I was used to. All those problems go away by picking up a good 1911, which tells me what I need to know.

Of late I have been thrashing out a Ruger P97, and the awful truth is that in my hands at least it far surpasses the 220, and for a lot less money. Hitting with the P97 is almost as easy as the 1911, and it shoots better than I can.

I have still not quite given up on the 220, but I would carry the dorky plastic Ruger on duty tomorrow.

BTW those checkered Hogue wood grips sure improve the looks of the gun...

[Berg01]

The P220 is a big frame handgun, so persons with smaller hands & fingers may have issues with it. But it is absolutely one of the very best service pistols "out-of- box", and it is superb with a little action tuning, such as the Action Enhancement Package performed by the SigArms Custom Shop; it would be tough to complain about one of these triggers.

[SAWBONES]

I've owned two of 'em, a European P220 and an early (non-rebounding, sharp-spurred hammer) P220A.
I don't own either anymore, nor any of the other Sig-Sauer pistols I used to have.

I absolutely HATE DA/SA pistols, and refuse to own any of them, since lots of better options exist.
Aside from which, the Sigs' bore axis is way too high for best use.
And the finishes (black and electroless nickel on different examples) were crummy.

Other than those issues, I found them to be accurate and dependable.

[Black Snowman]

I've been debating on renting on but I'm afraid I might like it and I'm not a huge fan of the .45 ACP round, single stack autos, or SIGs in general. I've found that the CZ 97B is a perfect fit for my hand and I've shot one already, and very well. Nearly as good as my Buckmark 5.5 Target. It points so well and is so accurate I find it difficult to belive that the extra $$$ for the Sig can be justified in any measurable way for my collection other than being able to say "I have a SIG 220 too".

So, I'm not sold on the 220 either. I guess I just like my guns like I like my adult film stars, from Czechoslovakia. ;)

[W Turner]

I have never owned one, but have shot two different examples. One was a LEO-friend's duty weapon in nickel and the other was a range gun. They both fed and functioned fine with good accuracy, but I was completely underwhelmed.

If I ever spend that much on a non-1911 .45 it will be for an HK. The DA trigger is at least as good if not better and the HK can be carried in condition 1.

However, like Sean Smith said, I can and will recommend them to anyone looking, they are just not for me.

W

[KMKeller]

If I ever spend that much on a non-1911 .45 it will be for an HK. The DA trigger is at least as good if not better and the HK can be carried in condition 1.

I've owned both and can say from personal experience that there is no comparison between the triggers. The Sig triggers are far and away better than the HKs. HKs were my first guns and I couldn't get beyond the gritty, jerky nature of their triggers. I owned a USP 45c and a USP a45t. Both were the pits with the triggers. I now own and compete with 220 and 226 Sigs and won't move to anything else unless something really impresses me. In fact, I traded my HKs for my Sigs.

[Sean Smith]

Um, why was this dead topic revived? :confused:

My opinion is still the same; you can look at my post from over a YEAR AGO on this topic and read it. :rolleyes:

[jimbo]

Yes, yes you are. You are ALL ALONE in not worshipping the P220 unlike every other man, woman and child on the planet.

It must be lonely being you...:what:

From now on, you will be called............Hermit!:D

[DoubleAction]

The Sig pistols is only the part of the good life of offered by Sigarms, they also have some very nice clothing from their apparrel store. If I had to own just one Sig in order to savor their garment line up of fashions, I would consider my life complete, with justice served on a silver platter .

[Master Blaster]

Its too huge for my hands, and it has a very long stiff DA trigger pull and the sa pull is not even close to any 1911.

When I fired a friends which had a trigger job, the muzzle flip seemed greater than on a 1911.

The 1911 beats it hands down in every way for me.

[Bob79]

Looks like we're seeing a pattern here, being that its a good quality gun, but it may not fit your hand properly.

I have DA/SA P220 in blue, green recoil spring, made in germany, and didn't like the grips it came with either. I got the Hogue rubber ones w/ the finger grooves. I love the feel, weight, recoil (or lack there of), and it's very reliable. I do have to cock the whole gun inward to reach the de-cocker though, but I'm used to doing it now.

Only problem I've had was the mag release button broke once, and obviously wouldn't hold the mag in then, rendering it useless. Weird as all heck though, I asked the smith who fixed it for me if he had ever seen this before and he said NO. Maybe (and hopefully) a freak thing, I suppose if it happens again I'll probably be really pissed off, and send it in to SIG.

[DoubleAction]

Bob; I hate to see a fellow Sig lover have to spend extra money to ship his pistol off to Sig, for a mag catch. I once posted photos on how to swap out the mag catch, for a left handed shooter on another forum. Sending in the broken mag catch to sig, will probably get you another at no cost. That is alot less expense than shipping your pistol both ways. I doubt if this will happen again, as long as you stick with the factory German Sig Sauer mags. If I'm not around, you can find me here: Handguns (http://handgunforum.proboards3.com/index.cgi)

[Barry in IN]

My P220 is one of my top three or four carry/defense pistols (the others are Browning HiPower, HK P7, and Commander-size 1911s).
Every time I shoot it, I wonder "Now why isn't it my very favorite?"

My P220 is an early "American" (1911 mag release button) model, made in 1988. Most other Sigs I've had are newer.
There is a difference in feel between older, and recent Sigs. The newer ones seem better suited to larger hands than mine.

The grips are different. I think the earlier checkered Sig grips feel better than the newer stipple-textured. Not due to the texture, but I think the newer ones are a little thicker.

Also, the decock system is a little different. I don't know if I can describe this well, but I'll try.
On the older ones, when you decock, the hammer drops farther at first than recent ones. But the big difference to me is that the hammer, when at rest, is at about 1/3 cocked.
This helps me because even though the trigger returns all the way forward, the DA pull is just light slack for the beginning, and for a pretty good length. Even if you can barely touch the trigger with your fingertip, you should do OK. By the time it gets back to where you're doing anything, your finger should be comfortable.

The internal change that messed all of that up had something to do with adding a hammer rebounding function to the decock system. I can't remember the year the change was made.

My 220 has always been extremely accurate. Reliability has been excellent. It did start to stovepipe a couple of years ago due to a very weak recoil spring that I left in waaayyy too long. A new spring returned it to normal. It was the original spring, and they were a couple of pounds lighter to begin with than current springs.

[BryanP]

I think the P220 is the best non-1911 45ACP pistol you can get.

You have a few extra unecessary words in there. Let me tighten that up.

The P220 is the best 45ACP pistol you can get.

There we go. Much better. :D

Seriously though. I think 1911's are quite cool, but I love my P220 and wouldn't trade it for the highest-dollar tuned 1911 on the market. Unless I was going to sell it, buy another P220 and pocket the change. ;)

[JohnKSa]

You're not alone. I'm not a big fan of the Sig P2XX series.

I think they're too expensive and they feel top-heavy.

[fedlaw]

I second Dienekes observation:
"In the end I was never able to shoot it very well under stress"

I hate the term, but that is the bottom line for me as well; in the end, I am not able to shoot SIG's well under stress (or even without the stress.)
In my buddy's hands, my P220 is very accurate. In mine it is not. The reasons really do not matter.
In the last five years, I have put approx. 10,000 rds through my two SIG's, 2,500 rds through my S&W 629, and less than 24 rds through several different Kimbers. Results: Satisfying accuracy with the revolver and the Kimbers and frustration with the SIG's.
It is time to wake up and smell the coffee: I am simply not meant to shoot Classic SIG's.
Steve