as i am still looking for an in the waist nine, i had a chance to handle a p250. long reset, but still nice. how reliable/durable/accurate etc. are they?
Any verdict on the Sig 250?
- Thread starter rjk2475
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They are accurate shooters. Buddy had one in 9mm, I like it quiet a bit, ran without a hiccup. Reminded me of a really loud cap gun with that trigger.
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
don't do it. If you're looking for a DAO type pistol, there are lots of other choices that are astronomically better than the P250. It's a flop compared to the classic SIG line.
ATF pistol trials...
The P250 failed to demonstrate good reliability in the ATF pistol trials. These pistols had a real high malfunction rate and were quickly disqualified.
The .40 claiber M&P pistols and the .40 caliber Glock pistols won equal shares of the contract. Neither model had any mechanical malfunctions in 20,000 rounds of testing. Both pistols were limp wristed a few times, but these user induced malfunctions only happened a few times in over 20,000 rounds.
The P250 failed to demonstrate good reliability in the ATF pistol trials. These pistols had a real high malfunction rate and were quickly disqualified.
The .40 claiber M&P pistols and the .40 caliber Glock pistols won equal shares of the contract. Neither model had any mechanical malfunctions in 20,000 rounds of testing. Both pistols were limp wristed a few times, but these user induced malfunctions only happened a few times in over 20,000 rounds.
I had the P250, hated it, sold it right away. Could not get used to that loooong trigger pull and when trying to fire fast, trigger would often not reset because I wasn't letting it out far enough. No thanks. There are better Sigs, like the SP2022 if you really want a poly gun.
That's been my experience too. I got past the trigger, but it FTEs a bit. I thought perhaps that it could be me, but, so far it has does the same for all but one shooter that has shot it.
It's a bit bulkier that I like for a CCW as well. Mine is the compact model.
i know there were isssues. however, i've heard sig changed some things on newer models that now have a rail. anyone know if this has improved quality?
A year ago I bought the subcompact model in 9mm. Have had no malfunctions with it and it is more accurate than I am. I like it a lot and it is my warm weather carry gun in an IWB holster.
rbernie
Contributing Member
A lot of folk point to the ATF competition as proof that the P250 is a flop, and it may well be. However, I'd like to actually learn WHAT specific failures were experienced during the ATF trials and what Sig has done about it (other than issue the most appalling letter of appeal that I've ever read)....
If i keep defending the p250 on this forum I'm going to get a reputation as a crusader for it. 
I own a newest gen p250 .45 full size and it is my carry guy for cooler weather IWB (shameless plug for UBG holsters = excellent leather). I've put about 600 rounds through it which were about 95 percent XTP hollow point reloads and have had no problems at all. I feel the design of this pistol is possibly one of the most simple out there and I dig simple.
To my knowledge the newest gen pistols have an upgraded trigger spring, frame and slide release spring.
The frame upgrade I think mostly just differentiates it from the older gen pistols more then anything else. The slide release spring upgrade prevents premature locking that the .45 was experiencing during recoil.
By far the biggest improvement was the trigger spring upgrade. The old design was prone to failure due to extreme angles and was too weak to do the job. This underpowered spring would cause the trigger bar to slip off of the hammer prematurely and cause light strikes which was a well documented problem with the pistol. The new spring is a better design and heavier which more positively connects the trigger bar to the hammer and remedied the light striking issue. The p250 dimples primers way more then my Springfield 1911 ever did which also had no ignition issues. I am 99% sure that the new spring can be retrofitted to an older pistol.
Keep in mind that most of the haters for the p250 never fired one and are running on internet bias. The only real valid complaint is about the trigger, it is a long pull and long reset akin to a revolver and while it is a shining example of a DAO, it still isn't for everyone.
I own a newest gen p250 .45 full size and it is my carry guy for cooler weather IWB (shameless plug for UBG holsters = excellent leather). I've put about 600 rounds through it which were about 95 percent XTP hollow point reloads and have had no problems at all. I feel the design of this pistol is possibly one of the most simple out there and I dig simple.
To my knowledge the newest gen pistols have an upgraded trigger spring, frame and slide release spring.
The frame upgrade I think mostly just differentiates it from the older gen pistols more then anything else. The slide release spring upgrade prevents premature locking that the .45 was experiencing during recoil.
By far the biggest improvement was the trigger spring upgrade. The old design was prone to failure due to extreme angles and was too weak to do the job. This underpowered spring would cause the trigger bar to slip off of the hammer prematurely and cause light strikes which was a well documented problem with the pistol. The new spring is a better design and heavier which more positively connects the trigger bar to the hammer and remedied the light striking issue. The p250 dimples primers way more then my Springfield 1911 ever did which also had no ignition issues. I am 99% sure that the new spring can be retrofitted to an older pistol.
Keep in mind that most of the haters for the p250 never fired one and are running on internet bias. The only real valid complaint is about the trigger, it is a long pull and long reset akin to a revolver and while it is a shining example of a DAO, it still isn't for everyone.
I will come out of the closet and admit that I own a P250. While I cannot necessarily recommend it due to the documented issues experienced with the gun, I have not found any major issue with mine so far.
The gun appears to run reliably using a variety of FMJ and JHP ammo. I have not had a single stoppage yet, though granted I have not run the gun very hard yet either.
The ergonomics are solid IMHO, and the ability to rapidly convert calibers is neat now the SIG is FINALLY getting the kits out on the market. The gun seems pretty well-built, although the polymer components feel a bit cheap. The gun also seems reasonably accurate (though I am honestly not good enough a shooter to push a pistol to its maximum accuracy).
The major beef with the weapon seems to be the trigger. I'll just come out and say that I have no huge beef with it. In fact, compared to a typical DAO trigger, I don't really mind it much. It is considerably lighter than other DAO triggers I've tried as well as some striker-fired triggers. The long reset is the only issue but can be overcome with practice.
If I have time this weekend, I plan to grab a bunch of 9mm and replicate the ATF's test (2x 50 round shooting sets, 1x 100 round shooting set) to see how it does. I obviously don't have time/$$$ to shoot 20,000 rounds in one day but running a few hundred rounds at once ought to give a pretty good impression.
The gun appears to run reliably using a variety of FMJ and JHP ammo. I have not had a single stoppage yet, though granted I have not run the gun very hard yet either.
The ergonomics are solid IMHO, and the ability to rapidly convert calibers is neat now the SIG is FINALLY getting the kits out on the market. The gun seems pretty well-built, although the polymer components feel a bit cheap. The gun also seems reasonably accurate (though I am honestly not good enough a shooter to push a pistol to its maximum accuracy).
The major beef with the weapon seems to be the trigger. I'll just come out and say that I have no huge beef with it. In fact, compared to a typical DAO trigger, I don't really mind it much. It is considerably lighter than other DAO triggers I've tried as well as some striker-fired triggers. The long reset is the only issue but can be overcome with practice.
If I have time this weekend, I plan to grab a bunch of 9mm and replicate the ATF's test (2x 50 round shooting sets, 1x 100 round shooting set) to see how it does. I obviously don't have time/$$$ to shoot 20,000 rounds in one day but running a few hundred rounds at once ought to give a pretty good impression.
I have the earlier model of the gun. Ejection is the only issue I have faced. Tried a new clip, an extra firm grip, greasing the heck out of the slide... Guess I'm going to have to send it out for a warranty fix at Sig. It is a sweet looking gun. I love the fat grip on it. And the trigger pull is fine once you adjust to it.
For what it's worth I've read any problems people seem to be having are getting fixed from a trip to the factory.
I read the ATF write-up, http://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/4023393.htm, notice that there were 58 malfunctions but 45 of those were operator error. The discussion seemed to be that the operators were firing ill-fitting forms of the p250. An example is found at the bottom of the page where one had stoppages with medium palm swell, but changed to large and loved the performance then.
Of course, the smiths and glocks apparently didn't have these problems, so it would appear that the p250 is not as "user friendly" as the others, but would be quite reliable upon familiarity and setup.
Of course, the smiths and glocks apparently didn't have these problems, so it would appear that the p250 is not as "user friendly" as the others, but would be quite reliable upon familiarity and setup.
http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/CmsContent/documents/P250%20COMPACT%20GRIP%20CHANGE.pdf
That link shows the differences in the frame module. Notice as well that the updated P250 also has a steel guide rod.
A few other ways to tell if it is updated is as follows:
-With the slide assembly off, pulling the trigger should no longer activate the hammer. The hammer needs to be pushed back slightly in order for the trigger bar to be able to catch. This was not the case on the old designs.
-The new trigger spring does not have the same or as many dog legs as the older design.
-I believe the barrel hood was more of a box on the old designs. The updated ones have beveled angles Near the top.
-I think the trigger bar was updated as well, however this is unconfirmed.
-There should be a small washer on top of the slide release spring. Not positive why this is here but the exploded diagrams don't normally show it.
Some of the pistols mostly never saw the old design such as the .45 full size. But for the most part if you have an EAK serial prefix or if the blue box says it was made in 2010 you should be good to go. Some calibers of EAK didn't receive the updates right away.
just talked to a sig rep. he said one made in the last couple of months should be a new generation 250. he would not be more specific.
i saw one ran at a handgun course back in 08, and there were no issues with it in the 2 days, and about 750rds that were shot.
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
I bought a P250c about 1 1|2 years ago. I really like the gun, but I am so use to shooting revolvers in DA it was not that hard for me to shoot the 250.
The only FTE problems I have had has been with Federal factory ammo. I will admit, it's not a gun you can limp wrist. I always carried it in a OWB holster.
Most people that have problems with the 250 probably don't hold the grip high enough and lock their wrist out.
I like guns that have the same trigger pull on every shot. I don't like the short reset triggers at all. That's just me though.
Some people read some government agency trial and think it's the holy grail. IMO you could give some of those LE guys a match grade 1911 and they still couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!
I think most of us are real shooters and LE are just required to carry a gun. Unless you give them an idiot proof gun, they fail miserable.
The only FTE problems I have had has been with Federal factory ammo. I will admit, it's not a gun you can limp wrist. I always carried it in a OWB holster.
Most people that have problems with the 250 probably don't hold the grip high enough and lock their wrist out.
I like guns that have the same trigger pull on every shot. I don't like the short reset triggers at all. That's just me though.
Some people read some government agency trial and think it's the holy grail. IMO you could give some of those LE guys a match grade 1911 and they still couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!
I think most of us are real shooters and LE are just required to carry a gun. Unless you give them an idiot proof gun, they fail miserable.
this is great info guys. i tried a friends original 250c(shoot many times), and the trigger was incredibly smooth and light. In comparison to a new framed 250sc(that has my interest), its trigger seemed somewhat heavier. Do these triggers break in?
US Federal Air Marshal's issue the SIG P229 in .357SIG.
They recently adopted the SIG P250 in .357SIG as a replacement.
However, due to reliability issues they've halted issuing the P250s and have kept the P229s.
They recently adopted the SIG P250 in .357SIG as a replacement.
However, due to reliability issues they've halted issuing the P250s and have kept the P229s.
From the chatter I've read the FAMs didn't stop using the p250 because of their own problems, but because of the reported poor performance from the BATFE test. They are in a wait and see mode and I'm not even sure they received their first lot yet. If I put wanted to put on my tin foil hat I would think the BATFE may have already had their choices picked before the trial began, but we'll have to just wait and see if the pistol really distinguishes itself. I have little doubt that it will.
The triggers do break in with time and get considerably smoother. The upgraded trigger spring does add to the trigger weight a bit. A slightly heavier trigger pull is the trade off for getting rid of the light strike issues.
I own one and love it. Most of the rumors you hear are just that. The older ones had issues, the newer ones do not. Bottom line. Mine eats anything I feed it. It is one of the simplest designs possible on a pistol platform...... Very accurate, and very reliable. buy a new frame style and it will outlive you.
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