Impressed with Sig 220

[frankie357]

About a month ago I posted for help in selecting a 45acp semi-auto. There were many opinions out there as to what was the best for my needs. Thanks to all of you I narrowed the field quite a bit. After handling and shooting my final three choices( 1911, HK USP, and the Sig 220), I decided on the Sig 220 two tone, fixed sights.
After I took it home and field stripped it(very easy to do I might add) and put it back together, it was off to the range in my back yard. I filled one mag with assorted FMJ, another with FMJ staggered with JHP, and the third with JHP's of different weights. There were no problems of any kind.
I then got down to business, and shot an additional 200 rounds or so down the range. All shots were centered dead on, except for elevation, which changed with bullet weight. Let me add that I do not shoot from a rest but offhand, as would probably be the case in real life situations.
Thank you all very much for your help it was appreciated. I am very happy with this gun.

 

[4v50 Gary]

While there are newer higer capacity firearms out there, I'm happy with my old (1987) Sig P220.

 

[10-Ring]

As you know, there are a lot of options out there. Judging from all the happy patrons of the SIG pistols, you made a good choice! Congrats on the new addition.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

An Old Range Report on the P220...

Hope it's of interest and kudos on your purchase....Best.

Hello. I bought a SIG-Sauer P220 ten years ago after seeing some very fine shooting with them at the Texas Department of Public Safety firing range while taking a course there. While I'd casually shot some of this maker's line, I'd never really "worked" with them. Seeing what could be done with a stock DA/SA automatic "forced" me to buy one. My P220 has the older internal design and all-metal "sharp" spur hammer. When decocked using the lever, it drops to kind of a half-cock position rather than farther forward as on current versions of the pistol. I think I like the older version better as the DA pull is considerably shorter. The gun has the green paint-marked recoil spring which I think is a bit heavier than earlier recoil springs. I've shot the pistol over the years to keep my "hand in" with it as I use it as a "house pistol," but have not really tried to see what it'll do with various factory loads. (I didn't include handloads on this report although this pistol's worked fine with them except for CSWCs when more than 5 rounds are loaded in the magazine; it jams, but only with the semiwadcutters.)

The Pistol: This gun's stock as a stove except for a piece of skateboard tape on the smooth front grip strap. It came with two 7 rnd magazines.

This picture shows the pistol with the hammer decocked via the decocking lever and the position it rests in for a DA shot.

Sights are quite usuable out of the box and in this particular case, "on" out of the box. Their design is kind of plain compared to many others, but they DO work in slowfire and at speed.

The front lever is the take-down lever while those nearest the thumb are "reversed" in that the foremost one is the decocker while the rear one is the slide release. I did find myself pressing the wrong one on a couple of ocassions.

Ammunition Used: Seven factory rounds were used, 2 being ball loads with the rest being more in tune with self-defense usage.

Left to Right: Federal Classic 230 gr JHP, Federal 230 gr HydraShok, Corbon 200 gr JHP +P (Old, discontinued bullet), Corbon 165 gr PowRball +P, Remington 230 gr Golden Saber, Sellier & Bellot 230 gr FMJ, and Winchester USA 230 gr FMJ.

Targets & Shooting: Shooting was done standing, single-action, two-hand hold and slow-fire unless otherwise noted. Distances: 10, 15, 25, and 50 yards.

15 Yards: These are 5-shot groups. Left Column, top to bottom: Corbon 200 gr JHP, Corbon 165 gr PowRball, Federal Classic 230 gr JHP. Middle: Federal 230 gr HydraShok. Right Column, top to bottom: Remington 230 gr Golden Saber, S&B 230 gr ball, and Winchester USA 230 gr ball.

Continued...

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

P220 Conclusion...

Continued...

25 Yards: I may have somehow miscounted, but this is supposed to be 10 shots of S&B ball. Looks like it might be 12 or so! Oh, well...

50 Yards: This 10-shot group was fired sitting at a bench with my wrists resting on a box covered with a jacket, single-action and slow fire.

Ammunition was Winchester USA 230 gr ball.

10 Yards: Statistically at the outter edges of the defensive scenario, I chose this distance as it would magnify errors or difficulties getting quick, accurate shots inherent to either the pistol ..........or the shooter! Ammunition used was Federal's 230 gr HydraShok as it seems to be pretty popular with many shooters.

This target consists of 5 controlled pairs, the first round of each being fired double-action. I suspect they are the low hits. Didn't have a timer, but I estimate each pair at a second or so. Not fast as some to be sure, but about what I can do.

Each shot of this 10-shot group was fired double-action to see how it would/wouldn't affect groups. Accuracy seems fine, but for me, it does slow up both controlled pairs as well as just slow-fire single shots.

Observations: While felt recoil is subjective, the pistol "kicks" no more to me than the most obvious one to compare it with, Colt's LW Commander. However, muzzle flip does seem slightly greater with the P220.

There were no malfunctions of any kind with today's tests and all cases were ejected to the right approx. 12 to 15,' with the Corbon 200 gr +P hulls going the greatest distance.

I did note "primer wipe" with both standard and +P ammunition. I don't know if this means that a stronger firing pin spring's needed or if the pistol begins to unlock quicker than it should. No cases showed unusual swelling near the base so it's likely the former...or just common to this model SIG-Sauer. Perhaps those more familar with the gun can answer this.

For what it's worth, I have a large stock of the older Corbon 200 gr +P JHP using the older bullet and will likely continue to use that in the pistol for "serious" purposes, although I'm looking more and more at the PowRball. Any of the JHPs shown in today's tests should work fine in my opinion.

While I personally like the single-action automatic better, these pistols "shoot," are reliable in my experience EXCEPT w/SWCs, and are very viable defensive arms. I have seen a few SIG-Sauers crack frames at the slide rails, but have seen breakages in other makes as well.

Here's the pistol compared to the LW Commander:

Best.

PS: Since posting this, I've learned that the "primer wipe" seen in the P220 is normal for the SIG-Sauer pistols. The link below might be of use as well:

http://home.t-online.de/home/cswimm/sig/sigfaq.htm

 

[Kahr carrier]

Mr Camp I enjoy your range reports. Keep up the good work.

 

[Stephen Ewing]

The Sig P220 is my favorite .45.

It might just be my favorite 9mm, too.

Steve

 

[Steve in PA]

I've been carrying a Sig P-220 in .45acp as my primary on-duty weapon for the past year and love the way it feels and shoots.

The primer wipe is normal........

On my Beretta 92FS I get a "dimple" on the primer, again perfectly normal.

 

[blades67]

My SIG Sauer P220 is my favorite .45 ACP and .38 Super.

 

[Don Gwinn]

Ah the 220. . . . a thing of beauty. I started out with a Ruger MkI, which you probably know is a pain the butt to strip. The 220 was a revelation.

It does offer a bit more muzzle flip than necessary, the bore being somewhat high, but it's comfortable, accurate, reliable, and I love those sights.

 

[Neal Bloom]

Glad your happy with your p220. Great gun! I have had mine for about 2.5 months now and love it. Have fun and be safe.

 

[agony]

Enjoy the greatest DA .45acp pistol ever devised....long live the P220!

Hopefully, you'll realize just how great SIGs really are, and pick up a 9mm too.....**you want a P226, you want a P226, or how about the P228, you want a P228....**

 

[frankie357]

Thanks for the replies everybody. While I'm at it, what are the best magazines to buy for this gun? I got two factory 7 rounders with the gun, and bought an 8 round Mec-Gar in stainless on the way out of the shop.

 

[cslinger]

Stick with either Factory magazines, Mec-Gar or ACT-MAG. Mec-Gar makes the factory magazines and ACT-MAG is run by some old Mec-Gar people, I believe.

CDNN had been selling factory blued 8 round demo mags for like $17.99 for a while and I got four of them. They look brand new and work flawlessly. They are listed as 7 round magazines but they do indeed hold 8 rounds.

ACT-MAG makes 8 round magazines and they are only like $20-$25 bucks a piece. I believe they should be shipping the stainless or nickle plated mags very soon.

Good luck with your 220, the finest double action combat handgun the world has ever known, at least to me.

 

[agony]

Pachymar mags are very good also...they are also made by MecGar.

 

[Black_Talon]

I was always a die-hard 1911 fan until I got my first P220, a Browning BDA back in the early '80s. What a wonderful gun! Sold my Commanders and went with the BDA as my defense pistol, but I always had a hankering for a 1911. Several times I bought a 1911 intending to go back to using it as my primary pistol, but always kept coming back to my BDA. I've had it for over 20 years now and it still keeps plugging away.

 

[1goodshot]

My sig 220 is the most accurate out of the box gun I've owned.It never jamed or gave me any problem.The finish wore off quick , thats the only complant I have with it.

 

[Robert J McElwain]

Congratulations. You win, by picking the best on the list.

Bob

 

[Safety First]

Happy to see so many Sig Fans...

I bought my first carry pistol several months ago. I purchased a Sig P-239 after doing a lot and I mean a lot of research... Carry it in a WildBills IWB holster,and needless to say I have been a very Happy Camper with both..I am very relieved to see so many people who have owned Sigs and believe they are a top quality gun,that gives me added confidence in my choice,so thanks again...

 

[tlhelmer]

Nice job again Stephen!

 

[agony]

Mr. Camp,

I did note "primer wipe" with both standard and +P ammunition. I don't know if this means that a stronger firing pin spring's needed or if the pistol begins to unlock quicker than it should. No cases showed unusual swelling near the base so it's likely the former...or just common to this model SIG-Sauer. Perhaps those more familar with the gun can answer this.

This is common to all SIG classic pistols. The firing pin stays engaged during extraction, and was designed to keep firing pin channel powder build-up from accumulating. It makes for easier ID'ing of your brass at the range. HTH!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks.

Best.

 

[kidcoltoutlaw]

i love the SIG line.you might check out the AGI video.it does a complete breakdown.i have never tried the p220 but the p229 will drive tacks.the p239 is more accurate than it has a right to be for it's size.

 

[45R]

Sigs are great!!!

 

[STEVE M]

Congrats, you got one of the best. I carry a 2 tone to work everyday and wear it on my own time too. Bought mine used a bit over a year ago (my second 220). It had a nicer trigger pull than the others in the case thanks (I think) to the nickel plating of the trigger and hammer.
Mec-Gar makes very good magazines, but haven't seen any new ones for the 220. Don't know if they still sell them to the public. Bought 2 ACT MAG's a couple of months ago and have been shooting the heck out of them with every bullet I can get my hands on. Not a problem one, and now carry them as daily equipment. You can order them online from: www.precisionsights.com