sig p220 vs. hk usp 45

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boondock_19

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Im in the process of searching for a new handgun for all around use; carry, home defense, range shooting, etc. i have it narrowed down to either a sig p220 or an hk usp 45. any one who has any experience with these two guns i would appreciate any info you could offer. two topics i would like to here about specifically are reliability and durability, does one stand out above the other??
 
I have both.

Reliability? Same.
Durability? HK might last longer, but that is up for debate. I say same here too.

The biggest thing is the HK holds 4 more rounds in a gun that is the same size and thickness in the grip. Given a choice between a free HK or 220, I take the HK 10 times out of 10.

The HK recoils less, unless you get a fully stainless steel 220, then it's reversed, but that's a pain to carry.

The HK can be converted to a bunch of different actions, right or left-handed, though I prefer the V1 or LEM. V1 (right hand) allows DA with the ability to carry "cocked and locked". This is the most common form out there, so anything you pick up with a safety will likely be V1.

The HK is more friendly for home installation of night sights. I have a sight tool, and I still have issues removing SIG sights. HK slide can be taken apart easily, while the SIG will be a bitch because of the firing pin pos. pin. Many people have damaged the finish on their SIG slides and/or installed the one-way pin backward, ruining the slide. A call to SIG will tell you the newest guns have gone back to a roll pin because of this.

The only downside I see to the HK is the accessory rail. It either requires the Streamlight M2 (UTL II) or a cheap adapter to convert it to take standard lights. I have a UTL II, and it works just fine. Same thing as the popular M3 with a different housing...parts are compatible (bulbs, bezel, etc.).
 
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Thanks! great info! to be honest i WAS leaning towards the sig after reading a lot of posts that basically concluded the two were fairly comparable, especially since the p220 i can get for 799 vs. 869 for the usp 45. but im beginning to think the usp is worth the extra 70 bucks. as a bonus, i prefer the looks of the usp.
 
Welcome to The High Road.
I'm debating between the same two firearms myself. I had a USP and foolishly sold it. I shot some of my best groups with it. Super soft recoil for a .45, 100% reliability, it also digested my semi-wadcutter hand loads which my Glock would not.
I was pretty sure about getting P220 recently, but I found a few too many complaints about extractor issues, which got me thinking about the USP again and how reliable it was.
The P220 fits my hand so well and is so nice and slim, that it's still in contention.
I'm having a hard time deciding.
 
In terms of wear out, I've got somewhere between 9,000 and 10,000 rounds between my Sig and it still is very solid and reliable. I called Sig and asked them what I could expect out of it. They know some that have 150,000+ rounds through them. I'm sure the HK will hold up just as well. However, this starts to become like debating whether a car will list 1.5 million or 1.7 million miles. You would be very hard pressed to wear either pistol out.
 
Honestly, whichever way you lean...get the one you like better. It doesn't matter the reason. One common issue we all share is when we settle for something, we end up wishing we got the other.

I've had my USP .45 since 2000, and my 220 since 2002. Both have been great performers. I have had a broken FPPP in the SIG, but it was replaced and no more issues since. That was in '05, I think.
 
I don't know what you've heard about extractors, so hopefully this clears it up.

SIG kept the internal extractor when they went to the milled 220 slide, but changed to the external extractor (I think in 2004), which is the same one as is on the milled 226, 229, 239. I've not heard of issues with the ext. extractor, only the internal. My P220ST has the internal extractor, and I've had no issues.

Did you hear something else? If so, I'd be interested.
 
I have both Sig P239 & USPc in 9mm. I agree with most posts but if you take care of both like the maker recommends you will have no problems with them. It makes no difference which I carry, I have complete confidence in both pistols.
 
This was an old question for me when I was looking for a hicap 45acp. I liked the feel of the Sig over the USP. The felt recoil should be relatively similar as the bore axis of both are higher than say the Sig 210. I went with the USP primarily due to capacity and the ability to hold a light. You can retrofit 10 rounds +1 in the Sig but the USP will hold 12+1 (I've altered mine to hold 17 +1 and it is incredibly reliable). Another downside for me was the manual of arms of the Sig. It was confusing enough transitioning from the 1911 to a Glock and back. Going with the HK was a smaller transition. All in all I'd like to own a SAO Sig 220 someday but I'm content with the USP for now. Let us know what you chose and why.
 
I have both and really like each one. The Sig feels more refined when shooting and has a smaller, more ergo grip. The HK has greater capacity. Both have been completely reliable and are very accurate.

HK wins based on capacity in my book but you can't go wrong with either.
 
I don't know what you've heard about extractors, so hopefully this clears it up.

SIG kept the internal extractor when they went to the milled 220 slide, but changed to the external extractor (I think in 2004), which is the same one as is on the milled 226, 229, 239. I've not heard of issues with the ext. extractor, only the internal. My P220ST has the internal extractor, and I've had no issues.

Did you hear something else? If so, I'd be interested.
Click to expand...
That helps me, not sure about the OP.
I've read quite a few threads, mostly at Sig Forum, about extractor issues. The basic advice was go 'old school', folded slide, German made or get the latest model with external extractor.
Any opinions on the overall quality of the newest Sigs in general?
One model I'm looking at is the P220 Elite Stainless.

boondock_19, I hope I haven't stolen your thread.
 
I just bought a brand new basic P220 with night sights that was assembled a little over three weeks ago. It has a German frame and American slide. I put 150 rounds through it yesterday. It was incredibly boring. It shot where I pointed it, there wasn't one malfunction (with four kinds of magazines and three kinds of cheap ammo), and then I took it home and cleaned it without any trouble.

So safe to say - I really, really like it. :D

I understand how great the old folded slide German guns are but I am kind of tired of hearing about it. The milled American slide on my gun (with external extractor) exhibits excellent quality and frame fit. The finish on both the slide and frame are well done. I have no complaints. Overall the fit and finish are at or above expectation on all metal surfaces.

I just have ONE complaint. Mine came with the plastic "slim" grips. I like the feel of these grips, I even like the way they look. But they do not sit on the frame very well. The grips come together to form the backstrap, and they come to a point. The surface on the back is stipled, so it can really dig into your palm. When the backstrap is aligned, the edge of the grips along the frontstrap is not symmetrical. And the top of right grip panel does not sit perfectly flat in the frame. Really, all of this is surprising, considering the rest of the gun is executed perfectly, the grip panels hold captive a couple springs underneath, and the form the backstrap over the mainspring. They seem like a critical thing to ensure fits correctly, I was surprised they don't pay more attention to these things. I solved all of that with a set of Hogues (which didn't fit 100% either, but better). If you're looking at one of the models with woods you probably won't have any problems.
 
Another thing - my new production P220 apparently came with the new short trigger. It feels really nice. But I didn't have much experience with the regular trigger.
 
all very helpful info guys! let me ask this.... i had a chance to go look over the two and i gotta say the sig definetely won as far as feel, but while i was there i took a look at the glock 21. anyone have any opinions or experience with this gun?? i do love my glocks. i own a g17 gen 4 and love it. i believe glocks to be the most reliable and durable handguns out there and i do like the fact that i could get the 21 for low 600's vs. at least 800 for the sig or hk...opinions??
 
the disadvantage of the Sig in capacity is an advantage in index...it points much like a 1911 with an arched MSH, at least mine with the Hogue aluminum grips does.

the USP feels like a 2"x4" in my hand and the checkering is pretty sharp after a weekend class and 1k rounds...however the HK45 doesn't have this problem. while i love my G19, the G21's backstrap just puts the "hump" in the wrong place for my hand for good control or index

i also like the more defined trigger feel of the Sig 220

the availability of the .22lr conversion kit for the 220 should not be discounted
 
anyone out there who has owned a glock 21 for a while??? hows the reliability? durability? accuracy? etc. etc. if people have nothing but good things to say about the G21 it may take the cake at 600 bucks...
 
I own them both, never had a failure or non fire, misfeed from either, did have some dented ejected brass with the 220, but my gunsmith took care of that problem by flaring the ejection port. Both reliable, accurate. My 220 is the Equinox carry, I like the looks better than that of the HK , but not the capacity. With either you cant go wrong. By the way I usually carry a 1911, and a jframe revolver.
 
if people have nothing but good things to say about the G21 it may take the cake at 600 bucks...
Click to expand...

that's what i paid for each of my CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) 220STs (stainless steel framed)...which looked almost new when i got them
fixed2.gif
 
I have a SIG 220 Carry (with the internal extractor) and an HK USP40 and I much prefer the ergonomics of the single stacked SIG. Both pistols have been reliable in the extreme but, in terms of accuracy, I give a slight nod to the SIG. As much as I like both pistols, if I had to part with one it would be the HK. Keep in mind that much of my preferences are subjective by definition and someone else examining the same two pistols might well legitimately prefer the HK for all the "right" reasons.
 
P220 vs HK. Hmmmmm????
Lamborghini vs Ferrari??????
Which one do you like?

It's not like you said P220 vs Glock. Then it would be.....
Lamborghini vs Ford
Which one do you like?
 
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