My P250 opinion

[BrokenArrow]

It's an interesting piece of engineering. The rear sight/firing pin/extractor arrangement is very interesting. Have to strip the slide to replace the rear sight (the rear sight is like the firing pin stop on a 1911; the firing pin and extractor go through it). The mainspring is actually contained in the hammer, not the backstrap part of the grip. No locking block; the bbl cams on the takedown lever and slide stop.

The internal frame and grip module are the same for the 9/40/357/45. The slide, bbl, and mags are not. Why you can't chamber the 45 (or the 40/357) in the 9 slide (duh).

It's not as modular as it could be, or I would have made it. For example, if any of the frame rails or the ejector break/chip (not likely, but still possible), you have to replace the whole frame (same for the HKs BTW). All of those parts are easier and cheaper to replace on the sig pro, FNP and S&W M&P.

The price of a new slide/bbl/mag set to convert your frame/grip will be cheaper than a new SIG, but not much, if any, cheaper than a new Glock/XD w/o NS. This convertability feature makes more sense to large departments than the avg user IMO. The local PD (1100 officers) does authorize 9/40/357/45 autos for example.

This frame/grip feature may give them a pricing edge in huge multi-caliber/gun group buy contracts like the DHS (ICE/CBP/USCG/USS/FAM) did in 2004 (and will again in 2009). Might prompt the DOJ (FBI/DEA/ATF/USMS) to consider the same type. Or not. An agent/agency could switch calibers and/or go from a sub compact to compact to full size w/o changing guns. A subtle distinction which may/may not be significant.

I watched some feds who were used to Glocks and HKs w LEM action try the P250. Some had trouble short-stroking it due to the long reset, but quickly got over it. I did not have that problem since I started out w DA revolvers more than 30 yrs ago and still shoot them; this feels like a very good DA revolver trigger to me. S&Ws JM does some fast n fancy shooting w long reset revolver triggers. I liked it a lot, had no trouble doing good work w it. Works for me.

Has a lot going for it for the military/police market, not much for the gamer/competition market. That link is a lot more important in the USA than the rest of the world.

 

[Chem Geek]

Couple of questions for you

I was under the impression that 9/357/40/45 all use the same slide, it's only the grip frame has to be different for the 45 due to the cartridge size. And of course the magazines are all different.

Also where did you get pricing on the new slide/barrel/etc setups, have they finally started releasing them??

I'm sure they'll be expensive, and while it's a neat idea I don't think it's going to be that great for most buyers. I think it'll be awesome for anybody limited to a certain number of pistols on a permit, then they can effectively have only one P250 with a whole bunch of options. But if the different slide/barrel setups are almost as much as a new pistol, I'd probably just have to get a new pistol for each size.

Oh yea, I thought it shot great. Incredibly smooth trigger.

 

[BrokenArrow]

The exterior dimensions of the 9/40/357/45 slide are the same; all fit the same holster. The breech face on the slides are different; 40/357/45 case rims will not fit in the 9x19 breech face.

Local dealer said a complete slide/bbl top was $450, grip frames $50, mags $40 each. Have not confirmed that, but it's probably close.

So it's another $130 ($50 + $80) to change size, $530 to change caliber ($450 + $80), $580 to change caliber and size ($450 + $80 + $50).

MSRP for P250 is $700, local price is $575 w night sights, so those actual parts prices may be lower too?

 

[Setzer77]

My favorite dealer has the compact 9 in stock, it's a nice pistol to be sure. I don't particularly care for DAO, but this one has a very nice trigger. I don't recall the price, $600-$650 maybe? If/when they release a DA/SA version and work out any potential design bugs (new guns, like new cars need market testing before perfection sometimes), I'd definitely buy one.

 

[the naked prophet]

I wonder if they couldn't have made interchangeable breech faces, so you'd only need one slide for all the calibers...

 

[George Hill]

We have them and BrokenArrow is spot on. Yes, different slides will be needed for different case dimensions because of centering extractors and firing pins.
The trigger is FANTASTIC for a DAO gun. Not like an old Smith, like a GOOD old Smith. It is very light, very smooth, with no warts in it.
The take down is simple, like any other SIG. Pulling out he serial registered sub frame is simply a matter of pulling out the take down lever.
What I like the best about it, is the price.
Stainless slide, with night sights... you are only 40 bucks more than a similar XD... yet the XD can't swap out grip frames like the P250 can. So you don't have to buy a Compact XD and a Service XD... just buy that 250 and a spare grip frame.
The Compact grip frames are very well designed. They still allow a full hand, are molded to fit most hands very well.
The only downside to the gun is that it looks pure vanilla. Almost SIGMA-like.

 

[Chem Geek]

Awesome thanks for clearing it up for me, makes sense when you say it like that. I would assume though that .357Sig and .40 use the same slide just different barrel right?

Any idea how small the subcompact is going to be? It is going to drop down to single stack??? Here's hoping!

 

[George Hill]

No idea. We are waiting for all the goodies. This is a bold plan, and a clever idea, well executed. We just have to see how this all pans out.

 

[Jim Watson]

Great DAO trigger. The short reset faddists complain but it feels good to this old revolver shooter.

I think the modular design is a disadvantage. It will be an ordinary compact .45 but is an overly wide 9mm. And I would want it only in 9mm.

 

[rbernie]

What I like the best about it, is the price.

Locally, they sell for just over six. That's just too much for what you're getting, IMO.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Does for me what the HK P2000/P30 w LEM does for about $300 less.

Fits me better than the Glock, XD, M&P w night sights for about the same price locally.

 

[Quickdraw McGraw]

I may buy one but i want it in 45acp compact or subcompact for CCW. I would also like full size for winter carry of target shooting etc.

My question is will you be able to just buy it in 45acp or do you have to buy the basic 9mm model then spend another $450 for to get a slide/bbl top? If that is the case then it is not for me! So far I have only seen it offered in 9mm.

 

[USMCDK]

I work at Sig Sauer broken arrow. Please email me any questions you have and I will find out any if not all the answers from the custom shop guys here.

or you could call Sig Sauer at your will.

(603)772-2302 ext. 3111 (customer service)

 

[Shadow1198]

Local dealer said a complete slide/bbl top was $450, grip frames $50, mags $40 each. Have not confirmed that, but it's probably close.

So it's another $130 ($50 + $80) to change size, $530 to change caliber ($450 + $80), $580 to change caliber and size ($450 + $80 + $50).

I know you said you haven't confirmed these prices, however if Sig actually prices these additional caliber conversion components anywhere near $400-500 then this gun is going to be a huge failure. One of the key components to modularity is price effectiveness, and at the price of a whole other gun for just a caliber conversion it certainly would not be. Somehow I have a sneaking suspicion they are going to make this mistake. Don't let us down Sig, because I was actually starting to consider one of these for a CCW.

 

[the naked prophet]

Yep... just like I said, replacable breech face inserts with corresponding extractors for the different calibers! That would seriously reduce the cost of swapping calibers.

 

[USMCDK]

I have heard that the P250 has problems like any new gun. I have heard that it has FTF's and FTE's. I haven't check up on this though so don't quote me.

 

[BrokenArrow]

And some old guns too.

FTFs!? FTE!?

Sounds like some 1911s, and they have been around for 97 years. Sure sounds like some of the M1911A1s I was issued from 1984 - 1988.

And some of the M9s from 1988 - 1998, and some of the M11s from 97/98...