Sig P220 SA/DA Trigger vs SAO

[chiselchst]

I wanted to get input on the differences in triggers between the Sig P220 SAO, vs. the standard SA/DA (when the standard SA/DA is used in SA).

When looking at pictures of the two, the SAO trigger is positioned further back, like it has a shorter pull which is expected with a SA. The standard SA/DA trigger is positioned further forward, which I would expect with a DA.

My question is, when the standard SA/DA model is used in a SA mode, is the trigger still resting in that more forward position? Or are the triggers in the same position when the SA/DA is used in SA?

I hope I explained my question clearly

TIA...

 

[gafirefighter]

Let me see if I can answer this to that best of my ability. When using a DA/SA Sig, the trigger pull is significantly reduced in the SA mode. That is in both weight of pull and distance. In the standard DA/SA firearms there will still be some take-up and over travel.

The SAO system is better than the SA mode on the standard gun. To me it feels as if there is less creep and over travel. It is nicer, but do not expect it to be as crisp as a 1911. I am sure there are some gun smiths out there who can get it close to a 1911 feel, but it is not that way out of the box. That said, it is still very nice.

When you fire a round, or cock the hammer on the standard gun you will see the trigger move to the rearward SA setting. It will look very similar to how the trigger looks on the SAO models.

Hope that helps,

Adam

 

[Kind of Blued]

when the standard SA/DA model is used in a SA mode, is the trigger still resting in that more forward position?

No. If the gun is decocked and in DA mode, manually cocking the hammer will make the trigger move rearward to where it is on the SAO model.

Does that make sense?

 

[chiselchst]

Adam and Kind of Blue

Yes!

That is exactly what I wanted to know (I wondered if I had explained the question properly, I guess so).

Thanks much.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

On the standard gun the SA mode has a lot of takeup before engaging the sear. The SAO does not have this takeup.

 

[crebralfix]

So, here's the real problem with the SAO models: the physical size of the safety and the location. The safety has a small lever that makes it easy to flub. It is also requires a bit of force to disengage; combine this with a small safety and it's very easy to fail to disengage under speed.

The real problem, though, is the location. It is not in a similar location relative to the thumb as the 1911. The tang of the gun is part of the problem. The result is that the SAO's safety is located high and forward when compared to the 1911 thumb safety. What SIG needs to do is widen the bearing surface of the safety for comfort, lower it (even if the part that touches the frame stays the same) and extend it back. The high and forward location makes it extremely difficult for people with medium or small hands to shoot while riding the safety. In my case, it stressed the thumb joint under recoil because of the stretch. Additionally, for right handed shooters, it is placed where the tip of the thumb will also ride the slide release when the safety is disengaged.

The trick is to disengage the safety and continue the downward motion of the thumb. I don't like this; I prefer to keep my thumb on any manual safety. For me, it was placed too high in relation to my thumb joint.

Back to the trigger: it's pretty good. I was looking for the SAO for a decade. When they finally came out, it felt on par with the single action mode of a DA/SA with a good reset. Pull weight was fine, but not like the weight of a tuned 1911. If you can get past the safety issues, then the SAO trigger system is pretty good.