Advice on SIG P220 Elite Stainless.

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

GhostyDan

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
91
Location
Heart of Dixie
I am interested in getting a SIG P220 elite stainless and would like some advice and suggestions. Is there quality control issues with this pistol? Where would be the best place to buy one? How much should I pay? What is your opinion on this pistol? If there is anything interesting/helpful you can add about the SIG P220 Elite stainless, please do.
Thanks
 
I have no idea whatsoever what the best price on this pistol is, but in spite of those who've taken issue with recent SIG quality control, I've continued to buy SIG pistols and never, ever had a problem with one. I'm pretty sure you're going to have to pay over a grand for the Elite, probably close to 1200 bucks, whether you buy on-line or at a local gun store.

I am aware that there were reports of loose or maladjusted sights on some of the SIG Elite line.

Frankly, I don't think one can go wrong with any P-220. I've got older German models and late-model U.S. production 220s. All are 100% reliable and as accurate as any production .45 on the market today.

I do not have an Elite, but I've got both non-railed and railed versions of the P-220, without and with the excellent SIG-Lite nightsights.

Aside from 1911s, the P-220 (well, and my P-227) are my favorite .45s in the world ...
 
Frankly, I don't think one can go wrong with any P-220. I've got older German models and late-model U.S. production 220s. All are 100% reliable and as accurate as any production .45 on the market today.
Click to expand...


I have the exact same opinion based on the same experience.
Have never had a problem with any P220, other than paying for them. :)

My 220's are my favorite pistols to shoot.
 
Thanks for the replies. I had herd of issues with recent SIG quality control, especially coming out of Exeter, NH. It seems that most people say not to worry about that though.
 
Bought two recently, one in 45 and one in 10mm. Both look great and shoot even better. Nothing bad to say about them. Hope this helps.
Sigs-1_zpsufayekjy.jpg
 
I had an alloy-framed P220 with Siglites once, these guns are built like bank vaults. This Elite already has the Short Reset Trigger, which is nice to have, and the Siglite NS, so it's going to be a great range gun out of the box. You could get the Sig Custom Shop to do an Action Enhancement Package so for an extra $180 plus shipping, you'd have the best sorted-out P220 you could ask for. Buds has these for @$1,200.00, but good used ones are about $400.00 less.
 
Here is a quote from me from another 220 Elite thread a while back, sharing some thoughts about mine:

I have a 220 Carry Elite Dark, which came with that same skinny "short reach" trigger. Mine was annoying me when dry-firing and shooting the gun in DA mode, as it kept pinching my finger. I finally found a standard thick 220 trigger and recently installed it. It makes a big difference in comfort for me. So if you notice that skinny trigger bugging you, you may want to consider it. FYI - swapping the triggers doesn't affect the SRT (short reset trigger) mechanism that comes on the Elites.

Has your rear sight stayed put? I picked my Elite up brand new, and after the first 20-30 rounds, my rear sight was loose and required a re-tightening with their included little wrench. I hear this was a very common problem with these adjustable "combat" night sights. But 700 rounds since I tightened it, it has stayed put.

One more note - long OAL self-defense rounds such as Hornady's 230-grain T.A.P. +P were just a hair too long for my stock magazines. I've read that the newest 220 mags (8 round) are shaped just a bit differently than the older 7 rounders, so some long hollow point bullets can hang up with the newest 220 mags.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the replies.
It seems the reports I've heard of bad guns coming out of Exeter are a little exaggerated. Another question: if I got a pistol with problems, how is SIGs customer service?
 
if I got a pistol with problems, how is SIGs customer service?

I've asked that question of a few buddies but like me they've never had to use it.
 
GhostyDan said:
Another question: if I got a pistol with problems, how is SIGs customer service?
Click to expand...

I've never owned a Sig pistol, but I have a Sig 556 rifle that had an issue (happy to explain if anyone cares) that ultimately required return to the factory. I would rate their customer service a B. They took care of me, fixed my problem, did so in a reasonable amount of time. I believe I paid shipping back to the factory, they paid to return it to me. No "delight the customer" touches - no free stuff, no response to my inquiries about what had caused the specific problem, no note of thanks, no updates on when to expect return. Just accepted the gun, got to it in a couple of weeks, returned it. Like I said, I would grade it a "B." Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Perfectly adequate.
 
Your looking a atleast 1100 on the p220. In my opinion its worth every penny. My p220 was made in 2012 and i have no problems from it what so ever.
Its been realiable, its not picky about ammo and its super accurate.
Its perfect for nightstand duty but for me a little to heavy to carry.
It is definitely one of the finest .45acp pistiols your going to find.
In the unlikely event you get a p220 with problems, Sig will stand behind their product.
 
Haven't shot the Elite with the new short trigger reset but have put a lot of rounds thru a plain Janel Blue P220 "old style". I'm a 1911 guy. The Sig seems a bit blocky and a bit heavy for carry. Thats just the "it ain't a 1911" coming out in me. The ones I have used were accurate and reliable. My biggest complaint was the "Sig sight picture" as I call it. I am used to the bullet hitting exactly on top of the front post with the front post in the center of the 10X ring. With the Sig, I found I had to put the top of the front sight at the top of the ten ring to hiit the center of the ring. Kinda blocks the target for me with the front sight. Hope that made sense. I guess with adjustable sights that would be an easy fix. Then again, that may well be the way you sight. MY Sig AR runs like a well tuned sewing machine.
 
Thanks for the replies.
It seems the reports I've heard of bad guns coming out of Exeter are a little exaggerated.
Click to expand...



I don't think they are exaggerated at all. They quality is the same as it's been for a long time. They just don't catch as many as they used to getting out the door. :confused:
 
Last edited:
This may be a weird question but, the p220 is considered very reliable right?
The reason I ask is the P220 elite seems like my dream pistol, and I want to make sure it is very reliable. I like the p220 elite because I like all steel guns, da/sa is my preferred pistol action, and I like the controls.
 
Last edited:
They have a very good reliability reputation.

The late Stephen A. Camp has an article on his Hi-Power and Handgun's site where he covers some differences between the older and newer models. These are aluminum frame models though.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/LongTerm Observations and ShortTerm Hopes-SIGSauer P220.htm

I'd probably buy a gun from my local gun shop unless they are complete jerks. The folks at Top Gun Supply are big SIG fans, and they at least should give you a starting point for figuring prices.

Top Gun Supply SIG P220 http://www.topgunsupply.com/firearm...auer-handguns/p220/shopby/caliber-45_acp.html
 
I recently picked up an Elite Stainless. I think that the stainless 226s and 220s are the pinnacle of (non-210) P-series quality. You buy them because they are solid hunks of steel. They have extremely mild recoil, even with hot loads. They are extremely handsome. The black accents help round out the look. The feature package of the Elite makes them easily worth the premium.

Honestly, the grips suck. Hogue never got it through their heads that they can make their grips thinner and they will fit the hands of their end users much better. I've been reducing, re-contouring and refinishing Hogue wood for 13 years now. This subject came to light @ SIGForum many years back. For a short period of time, they offered thin wood grips, then went back to the huge slabs that they now provide on the Elites. I greatly prefer a set of factory plastic panels with light stippling.

The beaver tail sucks too. I find that it detracts more than it adds. Hammer bite was never an issue for SIG shooters. The beaver tail forces you to have a lower hold on the frame, and it gets in the way of controlling the hammer when holstering.

I have plenty of carry guns, home defense guns, suppressor hosts, duty/rig type guns, etc. I think there are plenty of reasons to get a Stainless Elite, but they revolve around enjoyment and appreciation of the design and execution more so than the day-to-day practicality of the gun.

I view mine as an excellent example of SIG's abilities. I'm surprised, really, as I generally prefer pre-2004 SIGs.

226se.jpg
 
I'm not a SIG guy, but…

The feature package of the Elite makes them easily worth the premium.

...the grips suck…the huge slabs that they now provide on the Elites.

The beaver tail sucks too. I find that it detracts more than it adds. Hammer bite was never an issue for SIG shooters. The beaver tail forces you to have a lower hold on the frame, and it gets in the way of controlling the hammer when holstering.
Click to expand...
For what it's worth, I don't believe the features on the Elite models are worth the premium since they are features I don't care for, such as the thick wood grips and the beavertail.
 
For what it's worth, I don't believe the features on the Elite models are worth the premium since they are features I don't care for, such as the thick wood grips and the beavertail.
Click to expand...

In order for you to make a fair and accurate judgement, you should be informed that the shakedown actually looks like this:

-Night Sights
-Short Reset Trigger system
-Short Trigger
-Checkered front strap
-Front cocking serrations
-Stainless steel frame (more expensive and harder to machine than aluminum)
-Hogue wood grips

Given the above, it's very easy to realize a $200 premium over a standard model SIG, no matter whether or not you happen to favor that particular set of features. I don't care for Ford Mustangs one bit, but that doesn't mean they don't have monetary value.
 
I know about 5 years ago, the former CEO of Wilson took over at Sig. Engineering changes were made to designs of tried and true models. Additionally, some parts were outsourced to be manufacturered in other countries. As such, this well known instructor was seeing issues with newer Sigs that just didn't happen with older Sigs. A number of senior quality and engineering long time employees at Sig left because of this. The instructor who told me this was not one to disparage equipment folks used.

Sigs are my favorite pistols and I have probably close to 20,000 rounds through mine. Mine are about. 8 or 9 years old and out of 20,000 rounds I can only think of 1 or 2 malfunctions that weren't user induced. If I were on the market for a new sig, I would look to get one that was made shortly after they put a light rail on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
sig p220 stainless elite
Replies
7
Views
478
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
L
  • Locked
P220 Stainless
Replies
13
Views
815
1BLINDREF
1
mrbladedude
  • Locked
Sig P220 Stainless Elite question
Replies
12
Views
773
1KPerDay
1KPerDay
J
  • Locked
About the Sig P220 Elite SAO
Replies
4
Views
1K
SWMAN
S
mrbladedude
  • Locked
  • Poll
Question about SIG Elite pistols
Replies
14
Views
1K
JTQ
J
Back
Top