Nightstand gun: SIG P220R or SW/Para 1911?

[Dope]

Gents,

I've been searching like a mofo but I can't decide what I want.

I want a .45 semi-auto. Living in MA, I am limited to 10 round mags so I figured I might as well get a .45 since there really isn't much of a capacity benefit to going with a smaller round.

I've researched and held both but never fired either (no gun friends here in MA ). The reason I have chosen SW or Para for the 1911 is because I feel like they are the best brands that are allowed here in MA (sigh). I liked the feel of either/or. They were a bit skinny (I have large hands) but otherwise fine. I can't really say I liked one more than the other.

This handgun needs to be reliable seeing as it will pull double-duty as a range/plinking gun and as my nightstand gun for protection. I feel the P220 may have the advantage here. Thoughts?

Both have the same capacity, 8+1. No advantage there.

The Sig can come with a rail (I have a Streamlight TLR2, currently mounted on my Mossberg 590) which will be useful if I decide to use them together. The 1911s generally do not, though I see SW does offer a railed version now (not sure if it's MA-legal, I know the 220 is). Not sure I'd buy it though...just from a purely aesthetic standpoint. The 1911 is just too classic to add that on.

The Sig is DA/SA which could be useful seeing as I may need it very quickly. The 1911 is SA BUT has a manual safety. I'm not sure which one I like better from a safety/readiness standpoint.

The Sig can come with night sites which is nice, the 1911s do not. Seems handy as it will be a nightstand gun and may be needed at....night.

Keep in mind that I will be using some sort of JHP ammunition for self-defense. Does this change the answer? I have heard that 1911s were only meant to use ball ammo and may potentially have trouble feeding other ammo.

I guess the question is, to those who have used/owned both. Which would you pick as a nightstand gun and why?

I guess I'll make this a poll too.

Dope

 

[jpwilly]

Um, both are really nice...you handle them yet? My nightstand sports a 1911 and there's a PT145 hanging out too!

 

[Autolycus]

Sig as I don't really like a manual safety on my guns.

 

[tbtrout]

A 220 is my nightstand gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Reliability

While I'm a big fan of the 1911 .45 caliber pistols; my nightstand weapon
is an old West German SIG-SAUER .45 caliber P220A.

 

[phantomak47]

If you buy preban Mass mags you are NOT limited to 10 round mags, when I lived there I bought several 40 round ak mags.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Try to find a range that rents both or at least a 1911 style gun and the P220.
Shoot them both and you decide which one. They are very different guns.

I voted for the P220 because of ease of use - no safetys to worry about while you are half asleep and they fit me better.
Good luck

 

[Black Majik]

I prefer the 1911 over the P220, but given the information you've provided... I feel the P220R is a more suitable HD gun. The light rail helps if you plan to use a weapon light. If not, then go for a 1911 with a surefire next to it. Nightsights are easy to buy and install so that really shouldn't be a factor. In my opinion, the main question is, rail or no rail?

Rail = SIG P220R
No rail = S&W 1911

 

[Dope]

Thanks for the responses. Bumping this for some more votes. Seems pretty obvious at this point. Can anyone elaborate why so many are picking the 220? Are 1911s just not as dead-nuts reliable? Are Sigs really that good?

Dope

 

[Black Majik]

Well, the 1911 usually doesn't come with a rail. If you went with a railed 1911 and added nightsights, I would vote that over a P220R. My main reason for voting for the P220R was the rail. All things being equal meaning it came with nightsights and rail, I'd go for the 1911.

 

[Dope]

I suppose you could get a SW 1911 with a rail, and add night sites. Hmph.

Dope

 

[hrgrisso]

Sig

I love and respect 1911's but for me the sig points faster and more naturally. That to me makes all the difference in the world. Had to shoot a (thought to be rabid) coyote once at close range while it and I were both in motion. The ability to point naturally with a (hand)gun makes all the difference in the world when it really counts.

 

[eldon519]

I use the 1911. The only advantage a 220 has in my opinion is weight which doesn't come into play with a nightstand gun.

As for manual safeties, doesn't matter to me. I keep the gun with a magazine in the gun and the slide locked back. Rack the slide and you're ready to rock.

 

[sdj]

As much as I love 1911s.... If I were constrained to just one: Sig220. Notoriously reliable.
If I were going to carry a lot: SW1911PD or a PARA.
Good luck.

 

[Lonestar49]

Gonna help ya with your choice..

...

I have both, P220 and 1911's, and the thumb-saftey of the locked and cocked 1911 is truly a thing of beauty but, they only go CCW for me.

My Sig P220 has office duty (at home) and my Sig P229 9mm has the nightstand duty because of 10 rounds and the CT, Crimson Trace, laser grips which really are nice for keeping both eyes open, yet, when needed, one can simply light up the target and point-shoot with accuracy, which they do make them (CT grips) for the P220 as well.

So, I voted for ya to go with the Sig P220, with Night Sights, as they shoot real nice, and one handed if necessary, without worry of any jams..

Mine has 750 rounds which includes some 60 rounds of 230gr JHP's and has never missed a shot, just 100%, along with, its got to be one of the easiest, fastest, guns, to disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble, out there, bar none, and are made to comfort big paws.. lol

My DA pull is so smooth, even, and gets better with use, and the SA pulls are like breaking glass, just think shoot, and she does..

I really trust this gun, and her ability, to put the biggest lead bullet on target.. each, and every, time, whether FMJ or JHP.

Thought I'd help ya with a little, ~ Look at the picture ~ buy one..

My best,


Ls

 

[10-Ring]

Of your selections, I'd go w/ the SIG, mount your light & call it done

 

[Dope]

Thanks for the help guys. My answer seems pretty straightforward. Obviously, it is "**** newbie!"

Dope

 

[Vito_Corleone]

My Sig is my nightstand gun. I actually shoot better with my 1911, but I'm not used to flicking the safety off, and it's possible that I would forget to if woken up/disoriented.

 

[stevereno1]

if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the sig. That being said, why not a glock-21 sf with the 13+1, the light rail, and the extreme reliability of the glock?

 

[stevereno1]

a 1911 has a thumb safety that has to be manipulated in order to shoot. While some may think that this is a "light issue" in your decision, Col. Jeff Cooper, stated that the practice of manuplating the thumb safety would not be an inherant part of 1911 handling unless you had practiced it at least 3000 times. The sig has no thumb safety.

 

[sholling]

I've had a 1911 as my trusted bedroom pistol for 20 some years. Over the next few months I anticipate transitioning my new S&W M&P45 w/thumb safety into that role. If I weren't making that radical change I'd be picking up an SW1911, and still may for target work. S&W makes a darned fine 1911, one of the best!

To me - coming out of a sound sleep to a noise and a dark room five things are a must. 1) A thumb safety. I can walk and chew gum at the same time and can snick off the safety (finger off the trigger) in a tenth of a heartbeat once I remember who and where I am. 2) Night sights. There isn't always time for light. I live alone and so target identification is not an issue, but old eyes and finding my sights in the dark might be without the night sights. 3) Crimson Trace laser grips. I live in the suburbs and missing in the dark is a bad thing. Especially since I like my neighbors. The beam also provides just enough light to identify the target. 4) A good flashlight or two. 5) A consistent SA or DAO trigger. In a not quite awake emergency a SA/DA trigger is likely to lead to an accidental second shot going into the ceiling. If newbies accidentally double tapping the ceiling is a problem at the range (and it is!) then it's going to be a huge problem in a half awake emergency! It's a whole lot easier to ingrain the S/A 'snick-off the safety' drill than the transition from S/A to D/A in an emergency drill. Besides I've been shooting 1911s for so long that I find myself sliding my thumb down where the safety is supposed to be no matter what I shoot.

 

[Dope]

if I had to choose between the two I'd go for the sig. That being said, why not a glock-21 sf with the 13+1, the light rail, and the extreme reliability of the glock?

Glock 21 SF is not on the "allowed" list here in MA. Plus new 13+1 mags would also be illegal completely. I assume there must be pre-ban mags but probably harder to find. Regardless, the firearm itself is still banned.

Dope

 

[sholling]

There is always the M&P45 which holds 10rds. Available with or without a thumb safety. See my earlier post.

 

[JLStorm]

Just curious, why isnt a USPf 45 with 10 round mags on your list?? You would be hard pressed to find a better full sized 45 within the same price range IMO.

 

[Dope]

No HKs allowed in MA.

I thought about the S&W MP45 but it's too new and untested. Plus S&W has a pretty bad reputation with their autoloaders.

Dope