How can it be that Sig is so good?

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HighVelocity

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
2,176
Location
IDPA junkie in DFW, TX
I picked up my 2nd Sig yesterday, a P230SL so I decided that today was going to be Sig day on the firing line.
I bagged up my P220 and the new/used P230SL and a few hundred rounds of various 45ACP and a couple hundred rounds of mixed .380.
The P220 of course, runs like a sewing machine. It gobbles up anything and everything and I think it actually shoots better the dirtier it gets. I've had this one a while so flawless performance was what I expected and it certainly delivered.
Yesterday when I rescued the P230SL from a local pawn shop, it was really REALLY dirty. I don't recall ever seeing a gun as dirty as this one. The price was so low I just couldn't walk away from it. It cleaned up real nice and everything appeared in order.
At the firing line... If the 220 is a sewing machine then the 230 is a stapler. It never missed a lick. I ran several different brands of hollowpoints through it, as well as a few different brands and weights of fmj including some chinese stuff made in 1983.
Not one single malfunction and could shoot a tick of a dog at 50 feet without even trying. I am VERY happy with Sig #2.

How can this be? How can the most neglected Sig I've ever seen run 100%? How is it possible that Sig is that good?
I am starting to wonder why I even mess with other "non-sig" pistols. :confused:
 
Sounds like you got a great deal on the 380. I picked up a Sig 220 with night sights a few weeks ago and have been very happy with the accuracy and reliability. How about some pics of the new little one.............
 
I've shot a few SiGs and they are a great gun. Rented one at the range that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in well over a year. That baby functioned as though it was right out of the box. And the accuracy was absolutely amazing!

later,

Dave
 
Furious Styles is responsible ( :p ) for my straying into SIG territory!

But since having ''succumbed'' I also have a sorta feeling of pleasant amazement. These are remarkable guns IMO - mine is now broken in and I anticipate many 1,000's of rounds will go downrange. Over and above which I have a feeling of trust toward this gun (226) regarding carry.

I still much enjoy BHP and many other platforms but - well - SIG just seems to have an edge.
 
My first autopistol is a used Sig 229 and I don't care for it. Seems like the weapon is 100% reliable, but there is a lot of trigger creep, and the trigger action is what I would call "gritty." Maybe I'm just spoiled with wheelguns, and this is what an autopistol trigger action is supposed to be like. I'm going to call Sig and see if they can do anything for me. I'll keep you posted.
 
P.S. what would you guys call good accuracy? When I fired mine at the range, I got 75% of the rounds within a 5" circle at 15 yards. I don't think thats all that impressive.
 
I was just about to post a Sig thread when I ran into this one.

I love my P226. It's a police trade-in that the gun shop sent off for some sort of teflon-like finishing (I think it's Black-T...not completely sure). The accuracy is way better than I am, and thanks to the Black-T on all the internals, the trigger is smoother than a gravy sandwich.

Never had a problem with it until I took it to the range today. I had a few failures to feed with various ammunition. It has sort of shattered my faith in my "go to" self defense gun. Okay, don't want to hijack the thread. I'm gonna go ahead and post that other one now. I still love the Sigs. My next one's gonna be a 239.
 
it's zee germans, they are good at the engineering, ya?
Click to expand...

Well, the Germans deserve some credit, I suppose. Of my 4 SIGs, 2 were manufactured in Germany. My P226 was made in W. Germany, so that should give you a clue as to how old it is.

My P239 and P229 were both assembled right here in the good old USA! They must be doing something right.

I think that the engiineering credit should go to the Swiss.

I love my 1911, but for a modern made pistol, I will take a SIG, thank you.
 
Sigs sure are fine pistols! After getting mine and putting a couple hundred down range last weekend, it made me think that I'll never get another Glock. And after I shot an H&K USP9, I'm positive that I'll never get another Glock.

I'm not flaming Glock, I just love the single action capability. The SA on the Sig is so smooth to me.

I got mine as a CPO from Ordanance Outsellers. It was in almost new condition, not even a hint of holster wear. :D

I just got done cleaning it and I must say that it is a PITA to clean! :p
 
SIG:Design the pistols. Based in Switzerland.


Well if you've sampled their chocolates, or owned one of there watches it wouldnt be such a big surprise. I turn 21 in November here and I plan on a Sig of some variety being my first handgun. Doing things right the first time, seems like a good way to start things off.
 
I'll take it that everyone who likes SIG handguns is because they have tunnel vision, will ignore and not even acknowledge negative comments like they don't even exist.
 
I disagree with the tunnelvision comment. If a person has 100% good, even great, experiences with a weapon...why is it somehow wrong to not get all wrapped up in a person or two who has an issue? Same can be said for Glock, 1911 or Smith revolver lovers. You want real tunnel vision, go to a Kel-Tec forum. They even ignore their own bad experiences.

Are you saying Sigs are not generally fine pistols?...or were you just tossing an insult at other humans in general?
 
My first autopistol is a used Sig 229 and I don't care for it. Seems like the weapon is 100% reliable, but there is a lot of trigger creep, and the trigger action is what I would call "gritty." Maybe I'm just spoiled with wheelguns, and this is what an autopistol trigger action is supposed to be like. I'm going to call Sig and see if they can do anything for me. I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...
P.S. what would you guys call good accuracy? When I fired mine at the range, I got 75% of the rounds within a 5" circle at 15 yards. I don't think thats all that impressive.
Click to expand...
I'll take it that everyone who likes SIG handguns is because they have tunnel vision, will ignore and not even acknowledge negative comments like they don't even exist.
Click to expand...
Sigs are well designed guns and the vast majority of them are put together extremely well. Like anything made by humans, you can sometimes find a Sig that was not put together as well as it should have been.

Since you bought a used Sig, you might consider sending it back to the factory for a checkup. Sig has a great reputation for service.

You don't like the trigger on your Sig. Maybe the trigger mechanism needs a good cleaning. Or maybe it just feels different to you because you are used to something else. The trigger on my 228 is sweet, but it is very different from the triggers on my 1911, my son's Glock, or my wife's S&W revolver.

Practical accuracy, as opposed to mechanical accuracy, may just be how you shoot the gun (no criticism intended). If the barrel locks up tightly, mechanical accuracy should not be an issue, since Sigs are renowned for their accuracy potential. I shoot my 1911 much more accurately with a high-thumb hold rather than a low-thumb hold. And I shoot my Sig more accurately in DA than I could ever shoot my former Beretta 92 in SA. The Beretta was a finely made and mechanically accurate gun, but it just did not work in my hand.

PS - I own, or have owned, other pistols made by Astra, Browning, CZ, Ruger, S&W, Springfield, Taurus, and Walther, so I don't think I have tunnel vision about Sigs.

[insert standard Good Samaritan offer to buy POS gun for a fraction of its worth] :)
 
I own a variety of handguns and like them all for different reasons, so I don't think I have tunnel vision. I wouldn't call any of my pistols unreliable and I have confidence in all of them. But I trust my SIGs the most. They just run and run.
 
Being the price on a new Sig Id say most people have had at least several other handguns before owning a Sig, I’ve owned plenty of guns other then Sig so tunnel vision plays no factor, my Sig became my favorite "only" after out performing the other firearms I own/owned. Its reputation got me to give it a try, its performance earned its title as my favorite.
 
Are you saying Sigs are not generally fine pistols?...or were you just tossing an insult at other humans in general?
Click to expand...

LMAO, how childish.

Since you bought a used Sig, you might consider sending it back to the factory for a checkup. Sig has a great reputation for service.
Click to expand...

Good advice, I already tried to call them on Friday but their office was closed. I'll try again Monday, and let you know how it goes.

Or maybe it just feels different to you because you are used to something else.
Click to expand...

Well, this is my first autopistol, besides the crappy Colt 45's in the military, which I would not compare any other handun too. So, I'm not sure if the trigger action is typical of all handguns or just Sigs or perhaps I just got a dud, etc.

[insert standard Good Samaritan offer to buy POS gun for a fraction of its worth]
Click to expand...

I'll give you $20 to take this lump of junk off of my hands :neener:

Seriously though, good feedback gc70. Thats exactly what kind of feedback I was looking for. The only question that you didn't answer clearly, is what kind of accuracy I should expect from my sig. Is it typical to achieve (assuming good practical accuracy) a 3" shot group at 25 yards? 5 yards? Can anyone answer this question with their experiences?
 
I just bought my fifth Sig (P220, P228, P220, SHR970 and Satin Nickel P239). I've been carrying the P220, and now that summer is around the corner it was time to get a smaller carry piece for those shorts and hawaiian shirt days coming up. I just got the holster and mag pouch for the P239 (Kramer), and now my P220 is going back to Sig for a well deserved action job and full service package (they replace worn parts and thoroughly clean and lube every part of the weapon). I've shot over 10k rounds with it, and it was well used when I bought it. It is still my favorite pistol, and is by far the smoothest operating handgun I've ever handled. In the 13 years that I've been shooting it, it has failed to feed twice, both times due to faulty ammo. I will never carry any other brand of pistol for self-defense.

I've only had occasion to sell two Sigs, my like-new P228 because I just don't care for 9mm anymore (it's on gunbroker.com right now, auction 31737251), and my second P220. I only bought it to replace the first, which was confiscated by police who snowflaked me. Thankfully I got it back and the newer one found a good home with my friend. The P228 I will replace with a P229 in .40 S&W and .357 Sig.

God willing, my next Sig will be a 551! Then a Blazer LRS2, then a P226 Tactical, then.....

EDIT: Good article for anyone interested in Sig pistols: http://www.galleryofguns.com/shootingtimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=1230
 
Last edited:
My first autopistol is a used Sig 229 and I don't care for it. Seems like the weapon is 100% reliable, but there is a lot of trigger creep, and the trigger action is what I would call "gritty." Maybe I'm just spoiled with wheelguns, and this is what an autopistol trigger action is supposed to be like. I'm going to call Sig and see if they can do anything for me. I'll keep you posted.
Click to expand...

P.S. what would you guys call good accuracy? When I fired mine at the range, I got 75% of the rounds within a 5" circle at 15 yards. I don't think thats all that impressive.
Click to expand...

Definitely talk to Sigarms. If it's unusually bad creep and grit, they'll fix it. Also, provided you're an decent shot or use a rest, you should be getting at least 3" groups at 25 yards.

You've also got to remember that autoloaders are a different animal than wheel guns. If your primary experience is with revolvers, try out a DAO or DAK model Sig at the range next time and see if that suits your shooting style better. I grew up on semiauto pistols, so DA/SA is just more comfortable to me, although I really like the DAK action on the newer Sigs.

One more thing, unless the grit you mention is really bad, it will go away with regular shooting. Did you buy the gun new and have you shot it a lot? Brand new Sigs tend to be "tight" and become comfortably broken in after shooting a few thousand rounds. The trigger action gets smoother, the slide and slide release move more freely, the decocker moves more naturally and smoother with time. It might seem weird that you should have to shoot a gun that much to get it "broken in", but Sigs are made for the long haul. Because of the tight tolerances and precision engineering, you will be shooting this gun long after most autoloaders start falling apart.

If you find the trigger creep is still too much, the custom shop at Sig does an action enhancement job for $150, and the difference from stock is flat out amazing. Some might balk at having to spend another $150 on such an already pricy gun to get the trigger perfect, but ask any serious 1911 owner how much custom work has gone into their 1911 to get it just right, and you'll realize that Sig lets you off easy.

In the end, it may just not be the gun for you. I have friends that swear by their Glocks. I don't doubt that they are well made and very reliable pistols, but I have never shot one that ever felt comfortable in my hand and the trigger safety never sat right. It just came down to not being the right gun for me. But my advice is to give it a chance and shoot it for awhile before you decide to sell it. You might be glad that you did. A well-worn in Sig is the firearm equivalent of a comfortable old pair of shoes.

EDIT: I forgot to mention a couple things. The P228 and P229 models are rather a wide grip for their size, and do not feel quite the same as other pistols in Sig's line. The trigger pull seems longer on these two models and it's because of the wider grip. There is a short trigger replacement option for most models that solves the problem.

P.S. Don't ever get the short trigger for the P239 though, because it's a bit TOO short for the gun and the front strap will stop the travel of your finger before it fires.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
Sig p220 with Blazer Brass = Feed Issues?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Thug Lyfe
T
D
  • Locked
Sig & Springfield (or "Others") Question/Comparisons: 1911's & P220's
Replies
6
Views
608
Sapper771
Sapper771
Confederate
  • Locked
Sig Saur P220 .45ACP Mag Problem
Replies
18
Views
4K
Confederate
Confederate
Sapper771
  • Locked
Sig P220 Platinum Elite (long)
Replies
5
Views
2K
Sapper771
Sapper771
Chuck R.
  • Locked
Good Deal on NIB SIG 226Rs
Replies
1
Views
513
Old Dog
Old Dog
Back
Top