Information Wanted on the SIG Model 210 Target Pistol

[SwampWolf]

I've always wanted to get one of these pistols but I've heard a lot of people argue that the latest (American made?) ones don't come close to measuring up to the standards of the original ones made in Switzerland. Anybody have any firsthand experience with the SIG Model 210? I'd also like to get an idea as to how much a fair price would be on a new one. Thanks.

 

[bc1023]

I only buy Swiss and German models, but the American models shoot just fine.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

LGS by me stocks the target version for around 1400.

 

[Rock185]

I've had my American 210 for about 3 years or so now I think. No doubt about it, the American guns are different than the Swiss and German versions. To me, the different method of locking barrel to slide is the big one. My 210A is very precisely fitted, but the barrel/slide locking method is more like the traditional DA/SA SIGs, Glocks, etc. I'd guesstimate I have somewhere around 1000-1500 rounds through mine at this point. I've detected no change in precise fit, no unusual wear of any parts, nothing has bent, broken or crumbled, and trigger pull remains at approx. 3 1/4#.

Pricing? I'd look at your favorite internet auction site to see what they are actually selling for.

 

[jct61765]

They were redesigned for ease of manufacturing. The German ones were hand fitted. The new ones are assembled on an assembly line. They shoot well. Look at gunbroker for pricing.

 

[bc1023]

They were redesigned for ease of manufacturing. The German ones were hand fitted. The new ones are assembled on an assembly line. They shoot well. Look at gunbroker for pricing.

Yes, different design, different materials, and different processes.

Quality is not comparable, but they still shoot very well.

 

[lincen]

Yes, different design, different materials, and different processes.

Quality is not comparable, but they still shoot very well.

Joe Biden sent me check around my 65th birthday and I bought a Sig P210 Standard. Everything said above, I agree with.

Yet, you will not find a comparable all steel new 9mm that can compare to it in that price range. Great fit and finish, accurate, and folks love shooting it. I would certainly like to have one of the German ones but at 2 to 3 times the price, I'm very content with this USA made Sig.

 

[P89DCSS]

I can't decide how to spend $1500 on a single action 9mm with 5" barrel. Sig Target 210 or an accurate 9mm 1911? It would be used for enjoyment, not self defense.

Here's a bunch of Sig 210 threads:
https://www.sigtalk.com/forums/p210.114/

 

[mgmorden]

The new ones have some things that are easier to make - ie, the lockup of barrel into slide is via a large block much like SIG's newer pistols or a Glock, rather than locking lugs ahead of a rounded chamber hood similar to a 1911 or a Hi Power.

This is less visually appealing, but functionally just fine. They also went to a button style mag release rather than the heel-style of the old type to make it more "modern". While on a new gun design I'd prefer the button style release, on a 210 I would have preferred they kept the heel release for traditional aesthetics (it's not the type of gun many people will be reloading "on the clock" anyways).

 

[bc1023]

The new ones have some things that are easier to make - ie, the lockup of barrel into slide is via a large block much like SIG's newer pistols or a Glock, rather than locking lugs ahead of a rounded chamber hood similar to a 1911 or a Hi Power.

This is less visually appealing, but functionally just fine. They also went to a button style mag release rather than the heel-style of the old type to make it more "modern". While on a new gun design I'd prefer the button style release, on a 210 I would have preferred they kept the heel release for traditional aesthetics (it's not the type of gun many people will be reloading "on the clock" anyways).

The heel release was gone long before they were built in the States

 

[SwampWolf]

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice and insights. My lgs had one standard model in stock for $1,149.99 and, though I would have preferred one having an adjustable rear sight, because Model 210s of any variant are so hard to come by in my neck of the woods, I put my happy card to work.

I plan on shooting the gun in the very near future and only hope that my poa coincides with the poi. I don't have a sight pusher and drifting rear sights in their dovetails is not something I enjoy doing. I assume I can get an adjustable rear sight from SIG if it comes to that.

 

[mgmorden]

The heel release was gone long before they were built in the States

So was the original barrel lockup style. I wasn't referring to US made 210's moreso just the whole group of the reintroduced 210's rather than the originals.

 

[bc1023]

So was the original barrel lockup style. I wasn't referring to US made 210's moreso just the whole group of the reintroduced 210's rather than the originals.

No it wasn’t

The locking block started on the US made P210. It’s a cheaper way of manufacturing the gun.

As for the heel release, it was gone before production left Switzerland

 

[gunnerh]

I liked my American P210 so much I got a Used Swiss GI M-49. The USA model shoots better and is a bit easier to use. The Swiss feels better and I like having mil issued guns. The M-49 is the Swiss Army style of P210. Covid money paid for mine.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I have the SIG P210A (non-target) and it is my favorite pistol out of the 75+ that I own. I do not have any experience with the Swiss and German P210s. However, my American P210 is super smooth, trigger is outstanding, and it easily drills single holes. There is not rattle or slip in the frame/receiver fit. Reliability has been 100% and it is just a joy to shoot. I paid $1000 for it used (2 mags through it when I got it). I consistent see them for $1300 although SIG discontinued the standard model is only producing the target version which goes for about $1400-1600.

To me, I doubt that a Swiss or German gun will perform better and, if so, I don’t think it can possibly be 2-3x better (2-3x being how much more expensive the original P210s are compared to the American versions).

Also, keep in mind that some people will claim that the originals were hand fitted and, therefore better. While hand fitting is done to ensure the removal of imperfections and make a gun smoother and ensure better parts interaction, having to hand fit indicates imperfections in the machining process. Hand fitting fitting is less common today partially because of the cost, but also because modern manufacturing processes enable companies to produce products to greater tolerances, thereby negating or reducing the need to hand fit. My point is that a lack of hand fitting does not necessarily mean a less precise product.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Yes, different design, different materials, and different processes.

Quality is not comparable, but they still shoot very well.

Can you elaborate on what makes the quality not comparable? I am not arguing or disagreeing; instead I’m curious as to what quality differences you observe between the Swiss/German and American P210s.

 

[bc1023]

I have the SIG P210A (non-target) and it is my favorite pistol out of the 75+ that I own. I do not have any experience with the Swiss and German P210s. However, my American P210 is super smooth, trigger is outstanding, and it easily drills single holes. There is not rattle or slip in the frame/receiver fit. Reliability has been 100% and it is just a joy to shoot. I paid $1000 for it used (2 mags through it when I got it). I consistent see them for $1300 although SIG discontinued the standard model is only producing the target version which goes for about $1400-1600.

To me, I doubt that a Swiss or German gun will perform better and, if so, I don’t think it can possibly be 2-3x better (2-3x being how much more expensive the original P210s are compared to the American versions).

Also, keep in mind that some people will claim that the originals were hand fitted and, therefore better. While hand fitting is done to ensure the removal of imperfections and make a gun smoother and ensure better parts interaction, having to hand fit indicates imperfections in the machining process. Hand fitting fitting is less common today partially because of the cost, but also because modern manufacturing processes enable companies to produce products to greater tolerances, thereby negating or reducing the need to hand fit. My point is that a lack of hand fitting does not necessarily mean a less precise product.

The P210A shoots very well for the money.

It’s not going to shoot 10 shots into a 1.5” group at 50 meters like the Swiss version.

They don’t even come with test targets

 

[bc1023]

Can you elaborate on what makes the quality not comparable? I am not arguing or disagreeing; instead I’m curious as to what quality differences you observe between the Swiss/German and American P210s.

They just aren’t fit as well. It’s obvious as soon as you pick it up. The design is cheaper to produce and parts quality isn’t the same.

Granted the German guns are going for $5000 and the Swiss Target models can be five figures, depending on the exact configuration.

I wouldn’t mind grabbing a P210A as a shooter. They perform well for not much money. They just don’t feel exactly like a P210 to me.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I liked my American P210 so much I got a Used Swiss GI M-49. The USA model shoots better and is a bit easier to use. The Swiss feels better and I like having mil issued guns. The M-49 is the Swiss Army style of P210. Covid money paid for mine.

Covid money flooded the Gun Market! wish I was able to get some of that sweet CV money