Finally got a SIG P220 after many years of lustful thoughts

Status
Not open for further replies.
1KPerDay

1KPerDay

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
20,845
Location
Happy Valley, UT
Exactly the type I wanted... stamped slide, KC date code, basically new. Very little use, judging by the minimal smiley on the barrel. No wear on rails. Sexy old-style grips.

Seller misplaced the original mags but provided stainless 8 rounders instead; didn't bother me as I wanted primarily a shooter. And it shoots!

First 5 rounds out of the gun, 25 feet standing, Rem/UMC ball:
IMAG0721_zpsb85defc2.jpg

Then ran through a few mags full at steel plates at 20 yards; didn't miss a single one. Oh, yes... I like this pistol. I may eventually get a short reset trigger but I could get used to it the way it is. My P226 (which is my primary competition pistol) has the short reset and short reach and it's very nice, but this feels verrrry good.

Sorry about the crappy cellphone pics... thought some might want to see them.
IMAG0711_zps6a76e113.jpg
IMAG0712_zps7e3a24ca.jpg
IMAG0713_zps23842816.jpg
IMAG0715_zpsedeed106.jpg
IMAG0716_zps0d712e9e.jpg
IMAG0720_zpsa865f725.jpg
 
I have a P220 just like that with the original spur style hammer. I bought it NIB in '92/'93 ... it came in a cardboard box with a test target. You made a great choice there ... ENJOY!!


allaroundhunter said:
I'm pretty sure that every P220 that I have shot came with stainless magazines.
Click to expand...

My first P220 came with blued steel 7-round magazines ... I still have them.
 
Very nice! I've tried to like Sig triggers, but just cant get used to them:( It took me 300rds to get a group like yours, then next time out, gotta get used to it again...
 
Very nice choice.

I must say that I've never seen one with the original (sharp) spur hammer with the dovetailed front sight. The last one I saw had the front sight as part of the slide...and it did come in an orange cardboard box. Every dovetailed front sight model I've seen has been in a black plastic box like the one you have.

I really do like the older style checker grip panels too. Do you know if you have the longer mainspring with the steel retainer or the shorter one with the plastic boot?

allaroundhunter said:
I'm pretty sure that every P220 that I have shot came with stainless magazines.
Click to expand...
The original, German made, factory magazines were all in blued steel...mine all have the dovetail rear seam. The stainless magazines are all manufactured in Italy by Mec-Gar
 
9mmepiphany said:
Do you know if you have the longer mainspring with the steel retainer or the shorter one with the plastic boot?
Click to expand...
I guess the longer metal one... the guide rod is metal with a lip on it that butts against the spring.

I think. don't think I've ever seen a plastic one.
 
9mmepiphany wrote,
Do you know if you have the longer mainspring with the steel retainer or the shorter one with the plastic boot?
Click to expand...

1KPerDay wrote,
I guess the longer metal one... the guide rod is metal with a lip on it that butts against the spring.

I think. don't think I've ever seen a plastic one.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure 9mmepiphany is talking about the mainspring, along the backstrap, found inside the grip, while I'm pretty sure you are talking about the recoil spring.
 
9mmepiphany said:
Every dovetailed front sight model I've seen has been in a black plastic box like the one you have.
Click to expand...

My P220 (top) has a dovetailed front sight and spur hammer and it came in a cardboard box which I still have along with a test target. When I bought it from The Place To Shoot in Portland, Oregon in late '92 or early '93 there was only one SIG P220 model available. I much prefer Hogue grips over the factory ones.

p220_p220_carry.jpg
 
By the way, I bought my first P225 back in '95 which also came in a cardboard box with a test target and I still have those too. Back then I don't ever remember seeing a SIG sold in a plastic box. Don't make me get my camera out and start taking photos of cardboard boxes and test targets ... 'cause I will. :scrutiny:
 
The P220 was my first experience with Sig pistols and I was instantly in love. It belonged to a co worker that I met up with for a range day once. It's definitely on my want list.
For now I have a SP2022 and I guess it will have to do me until I am in a position to get a real one. :)
 
Nice gun! I have an old P220 as well, it's easily my most accurate pistol. It has the checkered grips too, which I'm especially fond of. It's a '96 though and has the rounded rebounding hammer. I have two nearly mint 7 round mags, and to be honest I prefer the newer 8s. The baseplate on the 7 doesn't have much meat on it, and it's a little funky to seat it quickly on a closed slide. The 8s have that nice bumper to slap.

When you go to change recoil springs, make sure you get the one with green marking paint. The red ones are for the short slide versions.
 
My P220 served me well and never had any issues with it. It was completely reliable and very accurate. I prefer these older folded slide SIGs and do not care for the rail models. My gun was a mid 90s production and came with the blue/phosphate zipper-back mags. I used mostly Mec-Gar mags(7 rnd) before they actually started making the SIG mags,they worked flawlessly. The early 8(90s) round P220 mags did not have the best rep for reliability.
 
Thanks for the tips, Bovice. :cool:


After shooting a couple of mags, my brother was curious if it recoiled more than a full-size steel 1911... so we did a quick test.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYGmpB1_pXo

Results for those who can't abide cell-phone videos:

Completely non-scientific, subjective evaluation of the felt recoil and muzzle flip of the SIG P220, 1992 date, alloy frame, .45 ACP, compared to the Dan Wesson Heritage Razorback 1911, steel frame, 2011 date, .45 ACP. Ammo used was Remington/UMC 230 grain ball.

Results: Shooter 1 felt the SIG kicked more and the recoil felt "faster"; Shooter 2 felt the SIG had slightly more recoil to the hand overall, but the 1911 had more muzzle flip. Both are awesome handguns.
 
I guess I can see the "fast" recoil thing in comparison to a 1911. The 220 is a tad shorter and lighter than the typical 1911. I think it feels like catching a not-so-softly thrown softball in the web of a glove.

I should post a picture of one of my first groups with my P220. it looks remarkably similar to yours.

I have new SIGs and old, but not one of them seems as well "fit" together like my 220.
 
1KPerDay said:
Completely non-scientific, subjective evaluation of the felt recoil and muzzle flip of the SIG P220, 1992 date, alloy frame, .45 ACP, compared to the Dan Wesson Heritage Razorback 1911, steel frame, 2011 date, .45 ACP. Ammo used was Remington/UMC 230 grain ball.

Results: Shooter 1 felt the SIG kicked more and the recoil felt "faster"; Shooter 2 felt the SIG had slightly more recoil to the hand overall, but the 1911 had more muzzle flip. Both are awesome handguns.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the videos. I always find them interesting when comparing two guns with the same shooter...adding a second shooter just made it better.

The SIG 220 is about the same size as the 1911 Commander and the lighter slide does come back a bit faster.

The DW did seem to have a bit more muzzle flip, which would be a bit different that common belief as the SIG's bore is a bit higher above the hand...but what you felt is what I observed in the vid of you shooting
 
9mmepiphany said:
Thanks for the videos. I always find them interesting when comparing two guns with the same shooter...adding a second shooter just made it better.

The SIG 220 is about the same size as the 1911 Commander and the lighter slide does come back a bit faster.

The DW did seem to have a bit more muzzle flip, which would be a bit different that common belief as the SIG's bore is a bit higher above the hand...but what you felt is what I observed in the vid of you shooting
Click to expand...
Yeah, I would have bet money the 1911 would have less muzzle flip. But pudding=proof.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Dragonfly
  • Locked
A quick look a my new-to-me P220 Legion
Replies
12
Views
658
Reinz
Reinz
Z
  • Locked
Combat Sig P220, HK P30, HK45 Your thoughts
Replies
14
Views
2K
PabloJ
P
C
  • Locked
Finally got to shoot my new (to me) SIG 226
Replies
7
Views
533
chaim
C
B
  • Locked
Sig P226 Custom Works X-five. The best USA Sig...ever.
Replies
11
Views
454
DesertFox
DesertFox
S
  • Locked
Total non-Sig guy qualifies with a department-issued Sig 226
Replies
3
Views
403
duncan
D
Back
Top