P220 Sig question re: accuracy of the .45ACP round

[socalbeachbum]

So it sure sounds like a P220 is a good choice. The 'carry' version with 3.9" barrel probably gives up a little accuracy. My other eye is on the HK USP 45 which I'm guessing it also a nice piece but maybe not quite as accurate as the P220 full size?

 

[JTQ]

My other eye is on the HK USP 45 which I'm guessing it also a nice piece but maybe not quite as accurate as the P220 full size?

Perhaps, but build quality and quality control should probably be considered.

The HK USP 45 has been boringly consistent throughout its' lifespan.

The SIG P220 has been made in Germany, now in the USA. It has had a stamped slide and a pinned in breach face and currently, a milled slide. It has had an internal extractor, and an external extractor (maybe a short one and a long one, though I don't really know). They've had aluminum and they've had steel frames.

I don't have any first hand experience with the P220, but while I believe the old German stamped slide, pinned in breach face, internal extractor guns had much better quality control and were put together better, I think the current design, with the milled slide and the external extractor is a better, more durable design.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

So it sure sounds like a P220 is a good choice. The 'carry' version with 3.9" barrel probably gives up a little accuracy. My other eye is on the HK USP 45 which I'm guessing it also a nice piece but maybe not quite as accurate as the P220 full size?

Both of those guns are capable of better accuracy than you or I can manage.

The grip on the HK is wider as it is a double stack 45 (IIRC) vs the single stack of the 220.
They feel like different animals. I prefer the single stack 220 myself but the additional capacity on the HK is nice.

The 3.9" will give up no noticeable accuracy. The sight radius will be a little shorter, but at 25yrds you should be able to achieve acceptable accuracy.

Try to shoot both.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I had several P-220's and sold both of them. I like 45 acp and shoot a lot of it. My problem was I never could shoot a P-220 no matter how hard I tried. All of my 45's are 1911's.

I do think the 45 acp has a slight accuracy advantage over 9mm mostly because loads can be more precisely tailored to the pistol. 45 acp can use a wide range of powders and loads where the 9mm is more limited because of case capacity. You may have got your hands on a very good 45 acp target load and you like the geometry of the P-220. Pretty nice when you find something that works really well.

My neighbor shoots a P-220 better than any of his 9mm Sigs or 1911's. He liked mine so much I sold it him.

 

[rodinal220]

Both of my now vintage mid 1990s SIG P220s are very accurate. One is a standard blue finish and the other has the old SIG K-Cote finish. I also like my mid nineties SIG P226 as well, accurate as well.

 

[Godsgunman]

All this sounds very good as I just picked up a p220 Carry. Haven't had the chance to shoot it yet but can't wait to see how I do with it. Usually I'm a 9 or 40 guy just due to ammo prices if I like it I may just become a believer. I like how it feels in my hands.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Perhaps, but build quality and quality control should probably be considered.

The HK USP 45 has been boringly consistent throughout its' lifespan.

The SIG P220 has been made in Germany, now in the USA. It has had a stamped slide and a pinned in breach face and currently, a milled slide. It has had an internal extractor, and an external extractor (maybe a short one and a long one, though I don't really know). They've had aluminum and they've had steel frames.

I don't have any first hand experience with the P220, but while I believe the old German stamped slide, pinned in breach face, internal extractor guns had much better quality control and were put together better, I think the current design, with the milled slide and the external extractor is a better, more durable design.

Both production methods are very durable. SIG purists will turn up their noses a bit at the billet, US- made guns, but either will digest many thousands of rounds without problems.
Factory support for the stamped-slide guns may start to dry up soon....bad for me as all my SIGs are stamped.
The newer guns are starting to use MIM for many small parts- something to consider if you don't care for this technique.