[RDF]

I recently bought a used Sig P220, European Model. It has the Mag release on the butt, rather than below the trigger guard.

The magazines fit rather snuggly. The mags do not POP OUT nor FALL OUT when released. In fact it is necessary to pull them out of the magazine well. There is no noticeable difference between the two magazines that came with the pistol.

Do you know if this is a common condition?

A second question: Do you know of a vendor who sells this specific magazine? I'm able to find the USA Version mags at gun shows, but no Euro-spec magazines.

TIA

Ralph

[Black Majik]

Hmm... all of the heel release pistols I've encountered did not drop magazines freely. There isn't anything to "push" the magazine out of the magwell like a button release. Also, the heel release also usually rides against the magazine, not allowing it to drop free.

[Snapping Twig]

Ask here:

http://sigforum.com

They have a lot of good info.

[brownie0486]

The mags not dropping free on that heel mag release is normal. The Europeans are known for heel released weapons preference and the mags not just falling out upon their release.

Brownie

[9mmepiphany]

question: even if the mags were "fall fee", how fall could they fall? your thumb would be in the way, because it would be holding the mag release back.

there are only 2 heel release guns where the mag fall free...the HK P7 PSP and the beretta 92S

the point of the heel release is to keep the mag in place so it could be manually withdrawn

[Norinco982lover]

Completely normal. Thats a good gun too:D I like to shoot it!

[RDF]

Thanks for the info folks.

Ralph

[Jim Watson]

The nearest you can get to a "speed reload" is to hook your left forefinger over the toe of the magazine floorplate as you push the heel catch with your thumb. Then strip the magazine out vigorously. This will throw the empty magazine across the room and get it out of the way of the reload. I got pretty good at that with an early heel-catch P7.

[brownie0486]

Jim Watson,

Thats the same method described that I've come to for the heel clipped P7's as well. It works out to being pretty darn fast with a little practice.

Brownie

[pistolero6869]

The newer mags should fit your older gun but your older mags wont fit a newer gun . Ask me how I know.

[RDF]

Well Pistol6869, I'd guess that to be true as long as the new mag has a flat steel floorplate. Any raised bumper on the bottom would interfere with the catch.

I'll look into that firment issue and see if that helps me locate more good mags.

Ralph