SIG P220 slide question.

[jon_in_wv]

I was under the impression that all new P220s had slides that were made of machined stainless in the US instead of the stamped steel slide of the originals. I was in a shop today and the dealer had a new P220 with a stamped slide and it was stamped, "Made in Germany" on the side. I'm confused. Is SIG still importing new P220s from Germany and if they are what is their value compared to the US made P220s?

 

[9mmepiphany]

i would value a stamped slide 220 with an internal extractor more than a milled slide with one and about the same as a milled slide with an external extractor...i gather it wasn't a X-5 or X-6 or SL.

maybe it was just old stock

 

[jon_in_wv]

Its just a plain P220 with no light rail, a stamped slide, and an internal extractor. Personally I value the stamped slide more just because I like the balance and feel of the stamped slide models better.

 

[rellascout]

Old stock. IIRC Germany does not even have the equipment anymore to stamp the slides.

They recently found P228 slides, P245 slides etc....

Great find.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Thanks. It was $799 with night sights. I'm still trying to swallow paying that much for a handgun but I thought it was an opportunity I might regret passing up. It is one smoooooth shooting pistol.

 

[Runningman]

If the entire gun was made in Germany it will have German proof marks on it. Look at the date code also. Could be old stock.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I couldn't find any proof marks other than a P with a circle around it on the barrel lug. I didn't think I would ever get a stamped steel slide without getting a used one. I was really surprised to see this one had a stamped slide. At first I thought he was ripping me off because it was used but I'm sure it is new. After my first trip to the range I can definitely see wear on the barrel that wasn't there before. I just cleaned it a few minutes ago and I was surprised to see that with the slide off and the spring and guide rod removed the barrel fit is so exact there is NO play at all when it sits in the slide. Normally there is at least a little, not on this one. It might have cost more than my M&P or my P7 but its a winner big time.

 

[rellascout]

No proof marks means it was assembled in the US from German made parts.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Still fine by me. I'm not trying to establish the origin of manufacture as much as the fact that I didn't know you could still get them with a steel slide and I was soliciting more info. I don't mind at all if its assembled here or there. They did a great job either way.

 

[Runningman]

Sounds like you done good. I prefer the Sig P220 stamped slides myself. They always seem to work excellent.

 

[Sapper771]

I have always wondered about that. I found a rough looking Sig P220 in a local shop for $400. It had a stamped slide and no proof marks or date codes stamped on it. The slide said "made in germany" on one side and "Exeter,NH" on the other. It had the thin trigger as well. I was interested in getting it as a project gun, but was unsure do to the absence of the date code and proof marks.

 

[RedAlert]

How do you tell it is stamped rather than machined from a casting or forging? TIA

 

[9mmepiphany]

the easiest is the presence of roll pins retaining the breach block instead of a solid pin.

the next would be the flat machined on top of the slide in front of the ejection port

if you know what to look for, you can see where the front and rear caps were welded onto the sides of the slide body

 

[rellascout]

See the hole in the side of the slide with the 2nd recessed pin? That is a Milled stainless P220 with a internal extractor.

Vs

W. German with a stamped slide.

All current production P220s will have an external extractor.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I hadn't even handled a P220 since I shot one about 17 years ago. I thought it was too big for my hands but it shot magically. I still feel the same about mine. The balance is nice, the grip feels great, it shoots SOOO smoothly, and its accurate as you can get. I have a little trouble with the distance to the mag release but I'll get that worked out with a little practice. Its slimmer than I remembered.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have a little trouble with the distance to the mag release but I'll get that worked out with a little practice.

just flip it over to the other side and use your trigger finger...this has the side benefit of ensuring that your finger is off the trigger when you change mags

 

[jon_in_wv]

Are you sure its reversible? I haven't really looked at that but it would be a good solution. Thanks.

 

[runningfast]

The magazine catch is reversible, yes. If you decide to go ahead with it, feel free to ask. I can give you detailed instruction.