Sig P290RS- review

Well I've finally replaced the snub nose, as my deep cover/summer carry piece.
Converted to the metric system, too. 10mm for my "big boy gun" and 9mm for everything else.

I got a new two-tone Sig P290RS for $493, shipped. Included Sig-lite night sights, a laser (sold it) and the mags and holster.

When I first handled the old version I was not impressed. It looked BIG and blocky. Upon further reflection though? It's "looks" bigger than it is. It's quite comparable to the Kahr CM/PM series in height and length. Right between the Kahr and Shield in width. Unlike the Kahr, to me at least, it feels stout, almost robust.
I like the improvements on the newer "RS" version.
The trigger is better and resets (duh! Who thought up the first version?) Reminds me of a double action revolver trigger, only a little lighter. If you're used to a snub, you'll feel right at home. With a little practice you can even get it to stage. The trigger is quite nice after, a couple weeks, of dry fire and then live fire. (I call it dry fire but, let's be honest I was playing with my new toy.)
The finger extension on the six round mag insures no shifting during recoil.
Fit and finish are excellent. It's a tightly toleranced sturdy little gun.

I finally got out between rain showers, to shoot it, last Saturday.
50rds 115gr FMJ WWB
50rds 115gr FMJ Federal Champion
100rds 124gr FMJ Blaser Brass
80rds 124gr +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel

No problems what so ever. Shot in that order without stopping to clean.

I found it very accurate and recoil was no issue. I feel that the fact that this is on the heavy side for this class of gun. Makes it much more "shootable" than the lighter competition. It looks bigger than it is and shoots bigger than it is. Not too heavy for convenient carry, though.
My wife did mention that the web of her hand was sore after 4 mags. My 11 year old son had no issues and put allot of ammo down range. Of course, he also loves putting full house 10mm through my Kimber, too.

My only gripes are:
XS needs to figure out which Big Dot front sight height to use! Since it uses standard Sig dove cuts they already make them.
Where are these interchangeable grip panels Sig advertises? It's been nearly two years.
I worry this will be a "best kept secret" and Sig will drop it!
Mags are too expensive.

The Yankee Marshall/Playboy Penguin has a good YouTube comparison video. Shows the P290 with the Kahr PM9. While I don't really like the polymer Kahrs. I think the PM/CM series is a good yardstick. They've been around long enough to kind of set a standard of reference, for size and weight.

I forgot to mention earlier the supposed issue of the near impossibility of disassembly of the P290! Apparently if a gun doesn't have a take down lever or a remote control with a "disassemble" button, it's quite daunting? MAN UP!
I've found that I can do it easily.
-Lock the slide back
-hold the gun in your left hand, with your index and middle fingers on either side of the barrel, at the front of the slide
-let the slide go SLIGHTLY forward, until the slide release/take down pin is aligned
-push the pin out
-remove the slide
To me, it seems easier than my 1911.

If you remove the firing pin, a la 1911, beware the disconnect plunger thing. It, and a very tiny spring, falls out. The spring blends in very well with my carpet.

An outfit named Bedair Machining makes a stainless guide rod. I'm seriously considering one. But, I guess if it ain't broke...

Just thought I'd bump this. I got to hijacking another thread talking about it.
This is a fantastic gun that was released before it was ready, and initially had too high a price tag.

I really want to spread the word on this. Sig mismanaged its debut. While they have fixed it up, it still seems to be their "red headed step-child?" I'd hate to see it "whither on the vine."

On another thread somebody questioned the point of the finger extension, on the six round mag. I found the flush fit base plate made it necessary to require my grip. Whereas, the finger extension has just enough lip to get a "full" two finger grip. Also the extension baseplate was faster to draw and fire. With the flush fit, I had to make a deliberate effort to scrunch my fingers up. In order to get 1-1/2 fingers, worth of purchase. I found the difference between the 8-rd and 6-rd (with extension), to be negligible. This is in both rapid fire and slow aimed fire.
I've since sold my laser and the 8-rd mag. This money went towards the purchase of more 6-rd mags. If I'm going to carry a full grip? I'm going to carry my 10mm.

While I am somewhat indifferent to lasers. I would love to see a "LightGuard" from Crimson Trace. Assuming they could do it about the same size as a "LaserGuard." Given this guns "under the radar" presence, I'd be surprised if we ever see it.

Storm, I follow your logic, makes sense.
I carry a spare mag in the "leg pocket" of my, carpenter style, pants/shorts (in a pocket pouch). The 8-rd mag is too tall, pokes out the top.

I've got to say, if the flush fit works for you? Go with it, makes for a smaller grip.
I wish it worked for me.

rhinoh, Don't forget, the poly-Kahrs had their teething pains as well. Most new guns do. Sig quickly addressed the "issues" with the P290.
As far as quality? I've handled four, including mine. Two P290's and two P290RS's. All have been of impeccable fit and finish. My 'RS is comparable to any German Sig Sauer I've owned. It's tight, with no blemishes, and feels sturdy. At less than $500 (nightsights, laser, two mags,), it's allot of gun for the money.

I won't knock the Kahr's, though. I've said it before, I feel they are the "yardstick" by which to compare these little 9's. They've been doing it RIGHT, longer than most of these other guns were even an idea.
The polymer Kahr's just don't "feel" right in my hand. Not flimsy...not stout, either. My P290RS works, for me. That's not to say that it's better than your CM9's. It's certainly not worse, either.

I don't know about that? There are a few really good guns, in this style, right now. There's a couple more that'll be pretty good, once they work out the kinks. There's a couple stinkers, too.
It's nice to have options, so you can pick the one that suits you.
I wonder how many more well see, before the next fad?
I also wonder if Glock is going to wake up and make one, before that ship has sailed? They would corner the market. Assuming it works?

I agree, for this dude, too.
I've carried a double action snub, for so long.
It was an easy transition.
It's that "meat" but, not too much. As well as the depth of the grip, offsetting the narrowness of it. That make it shoot "bigger" than it is. I think anyway.

I've heard that about the hammer, not striking, with the P290.

I don't like the concept of "Beta" testing. Unless, they maybe could say..."this is a Beta/prototype gun, at a discount price. It might not work, we'll fix it if it doesn't. Please let us know what you do/don't like." I suspect there are people that would take the plunge.
I don't think I will ever buy a gun within it's first year of production?

I can see how the trigger could be a problem. If you're accustomed to DA snub revolvers, it's a easy transition. Actually a little lighter. I can understand how it's a deal breaker.
There's an argument for this kind of trigger, with no thumb safety. That's really a personal thing though. After all Glocks are safe. Given proper gear and safe handling.
This is a DAO, hammer fired gun. It's never going to have a "striker" feeling trigger. For some people that's a good thing. It's also quite compact, do you don't have the same mechanical advantage a full size would. You could, I'm sure, have the trigger/action worked over. Make it slicker and lighter, to a certain extent. I personally don't like to mess with the trigger on a SD gun.

What's great is it's not the only thing out there. There are a few "best" guns available. Depending on what suits a person.

If Glock would get around to making a sub-compact, single stack, 9 and 40? They wouldn't be able to make them fast enough, for a long time. I've heard the "importation" argument. Don't they have a factory in Smyrna Georgia?

Your probably right. Maybe slicked up a bit though. That can make the perception of weight, to be less.
I don't notice the weight when actually live firing. It's the reset that makes revolver experience pretty handy.

If you want striker fired there's a few great choices out there.