P220 or Pro Carry II?

[Van Blamm]

I have been happily carrying a Walther PPS IWB just about everywhere for over a year. I'm interested in getting something a bit more substantial to carry OWB in the winter, when coats and untucked button-down shirts give me more concealment options.
I've narrowed it down to these two single-stack aluminum .45s, which are roughly the same price and both have night sights. The Kimber holds one less round, but is a quarter-inch shorter in height and weighs two ounces less. Also, I am equally comfortable carrying condition 1 (the Kimber) as I am with DA & hammer down (the Sig).

Which would you choose and why?

 

[bgrav321]

I have shot both a Kimber and a Sig, and I would say that Sigs feels better in the hand. They're both fantastic guns, but I think Kimbers are overpriced. I realize there is substantial diff of opinion on that, but thats why this is a forum.

YOU are the one that should make the choice, however. You hold both in your hands, you shoot both, and see what YOU think, because YOU are forking out the dough and will have to potentially protect yourself or others.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I would say the SIG but thats just because of how much I like them.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i would get the Sig as the build quality is generally better and it is more tolerant of less care. if you like the slimmer feel of the 1911, Hogue makes very nice grips in aluminum and G10 which really point very well.


i carry my 220 more than my Commander, but i'm more comfortable with it as it used to serve as my duty gun

 

[230therapy]

SIG versus Kimber!

I've had 6 or 7 very reliable P220's over the years and had two dud Kimbers. I think you can do better than Kimber considering their history of shoddy quality control. Even now, I check new Kimbers in the store and see QC issues similar to those on the Kimbers I had.

Also note that there have been some QC issues at SIG lately. I have not experienced them on my most recent two SIGs. As always, check the appropriate forums: www.sigforum.com and www.1911forum.com/forums.

Frankly, for any 1911, I would choose a semi-custom gun from Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, etc over a production 1911 (including a SIG 1911). The main idea being that the internals will be worked over, have the proper geometries for reliability, and the trigger will be excellent.

Therefore, of the two choices, I'd choose SIG:

1) Double action -- too many people mess up deactivating the safeties under the mild stress of force on force
2) SIG's don't require a relationship like the 1911's do. http://www.10-8performance.com/Articles.html

Both guns are large. You may wish to compare from top of slide to bottom of grip (I think SIG includes the sights in their measurement).

 

[Jed Carter]

I have no problem trusting my SIG, Kimber I have no experience with. SIG my choice, Kimber is off my list of want to own pistols, too many other good choices in 1911s.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Kimber is off my list of want to own pistols, too many other good choices in 1911s.

that would be my opinion too

the Sig is at the upper end for quality Vs. price for a DA/SA handgun

the Kimber at that same price range us in the middle range...and many even think the Kimber is overpriced where it sits

 

[SwampWolf]

When the climate, social circumstance and/or degree of criminality potential make carrying a larger pistol practical and/or adviseable, I carry my SIG 220 Carry model, sometimes in an iwb holster and sometimes in an owb holster (which mode of carry generally depends on the weather and my corresponding manner of dress). The 220 fits my (albeit larger than normal) hand properly and the single stack magazine well makes concealing the pistol easy and comfortable. I also much prefer a "traditional" double-action pistol for self-defense.

I have no experience with Kimber pistols but I am a fan of the 1911 format in terms of its general ergonomics.

 

[rygould]

I currently own both pistols and have been extremely happy with both of them. Zero reliability problems and have found both to be very accurate and fun to shoot.

Between the two offerings, I'm going to go against the grain of what has been recommended above and select the Kimber Pro Carry II. Having carried both for a time, I found the Kimber's size to be easier for me than the Sig. Both are pretty tolerant of rust and wear, but the Kimber takes less abuse in the holster with it's stainless finish. Not a big deal for some, but something to consider.

In my experience you they are both fine options and I don't think you could go wrong with either. While I have heard more horror stories from Kimber than Sig as of late, I personally have had no issues with mine. (It's a newer build that has had well over 1,000 rounds through it.)

 

[WRGADog]

I recommend Sig

I have a P220 Elite Dark and absolutely love the gun. Incredibly accurate, reasonable weight, and totally reliable.