Sig P220 vs SA 1911 Loaded

[crazed_ss]

Dont you just hate love threads?

I've been wanting a .45 for awhile, specifically a SA 1911 Loaded model. Lowest price I could find around here is $820 (parkerized w/ night sights).

Local outdoors chain is selling used Sig P220's for 600 bucks. This seems like a pretty good deal considering they sell new ones for over $800. From what I've gathered, a used sig is just as good as a new one. I handled on at the store and it was in nearly mint condition. I could have swore it was brand new. Here is the ad..

I kinda wanted a 1911 because it's one of those guns that everyone needs at least one of. Im thinking of going for the Sig though because that's a big chunk of change that I can save and Im guessing it'd be more reliable and just as accurate as the 1911.

As I lived in CA, Pistol will only be used for recreational range use and maybe as a Home Defense gun. Dont plan on every carrying.

 

[MPanova]

If you like the SA 1911 Loaded model but dont want to pay that much then look into a Taurus PT1911, much better gun IMO for about the same price as that SIG

 

[evan price]

My advice is handle both, find a range to rent both if possible.
I carry Sigs. It's my personal preference.
1911 style is single action & uses the cocked & locked carry style, with an external safety and a grip safety. Hammer must be cocked to fire.

Sig is double/single action. You can carry it with hammer down, round in chamber very safely due to multiple interlocking internal safeties including a trigger sear stop that won't let the hammer strike the firing pin even if dropped on the hammer, and an external decocker. To shoot, all you do is draw and squeeze trigger, no need to remove safety, cock hammer, etc.

The Sig is for me at 20 feet a 1.5" group gun and Sigs are both accurate and reliable out of the box and run for tens of thousands of rounds.
Cheapo 1911's need work and better parts to be as reliable & accurate as a Sig. A good quality 1911 will have the potential to be more accurate and faster than the Sig but we're talking serious smith work and odds are either gun out of the box is more accurate than most shooters are.

However this is my opinion. If you prefer 1911s then that is what will satisfy you.
If you do get the Sig my advice is to ditch the factory grips and put on a set of Hogues rubber grips.

 

[Rob96]

Sigs don't work for me. The 1911 on the other hand is where its at. handle both. Realize you like the SA Loaded and buy it.

Or you could do what I am doing. I bought a LNIB Mil-Spec for $366. Sent it in to SA Custom Shop and had a beavertail and delta hammer installed for $175. Now it is back at SA Custom Shop to have an extended thumb safety, 10-8 Performance rear sight, 10-8 Perfromance long solid trigger and 4.5# trigger job done. This way you get to pick the parts, but get better fit and finish becasue it was done by the Custom Shop.

 

[JDGray]

I found my SA 1911 Loaded on Gunbroker for 629.00, NIB . The gun store bought them on a promotion deal, and passed it on. Only down side is no hands on before the sale.

 

[crazed_ss]

I've shot both and I think I like the Sig a little better. Honestly, I think Im just enanormed with the 1911 because of its heritage, looks, and the fact that I feel like Im the only person who doesnt have one.

 

[Wayne G.]

Good news...There's no wrong answer here. I think Rob96 had the best suggestion yet. Buy basic, have work done to it through the custom shop. For that, I'd recommend the SIG now at that price, then pick up a Mil Spec or GI down the road. Chances are, you'll easily be able to find one (from $400 to $600 new) better than that used, but would you be able to find the SIG in the $500's later? I've got both and like both. Except I've got the P220 Carry SAS with DAK trigger. SIG's are nice. I'd give the nod to the SIG for out of the box reliability. My 1911 required some breaking in. Hasn't FTF or FTE since the 200 round mark. Had a couple during the first 100 or so rounds. The SIG on the other hand, has NEVER encountered a jam of any sort (as yet anyway). They say "To hell and back reliability" for a reason.

 

[Cousin Mike]

I like both... I have both... I've carried both.

In the end, SIG's and 1911s are really the only 2 platforms I care for in centerfire auto's.

My advice would be to shoot both, see which one fits you better, and get it first. You'll pick the other one up eventually anyways. I'd stay away from GI 1911s though. It'd cost more to have it modified into something nice than it would to just buy a Loaded model SA.

If you do end up going with the 1911, I'd look into S&W as well.

 

[scubie02]

I'd never part with my Loaded--it was my first 1911, has run 100% reliable with any ammo, and will shoot one ragged hole groups if I'm doing my part. I have had sig's, but don't now, if that says anything. Just never shoot them as well, don't love the ergonomics, etc. Always went bang though, so I can't fault them in that regard.

 

[D-Man]

One thing about the CPO P220 is that I think the price is about $50 - $75 too high. There are many online dealers on SigForum that can do better pricing than that, but of course you'd have to add in FFL transfer fees, so it may come close to being a wash pricewise.

Also check out summitgunbroker.com, as they have good deals on a P220R (same model but with a rail).

Anyway, the point is that don't feel the need to rush into buying a P220 because you can easily get the same price deal at some other time. Try and see if you can rent a 1911 and a P220 so you can compare the differences between them.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I'd go with the Sig - but you have to go with what you shoot better.
1911's are great guns but they can be problematic. Sigs shoot great right out of the box - no break in or finding the right ammo. CPO Sigs are a great deal. They have been completely gone over by the Sig-smiths. They get all new springs and any other parts that are worn.
You can do better then $600.00 for a CPO P220 if you check around. I've seen them in the $500. to $550. range.
With the difference you save between the Sig and the 1911, you can buy a case of ammo

 

[mavracer]

take a look at a STI spartan they run ~$600 and are some of the best fitted 1911s on the market

 

[bluto]

Fellow San Diegan here. The quick answer is that you can't go wrong with either. I'm a Sig and Springfield 1911 fan as well and own several of each. Like Cousin Mike, I pretty much stick to SIG and 1911 platforms. I particularly like Springfield 1911's. I think they make an outstanding product for a great value.

You may be able to find a slightly better deal on a CPO SIG on line, but you wouldn't be able to inspect the pistol, there'd be shipping and transfer fees and a lot more hassle. Turner's (right?) is a good dealership and has quality products. I've heard nothing but great things about CPO Sigs and I love the 220.

As for the Loaded? It's a great pistol but, for me, I think you get more for your money by moving either up or down in the Springfield line. Up to a TRP or down to a Mil Spec. BTW, I was talking to a store manager the other day and he said that they'll be getting in s lot bigger selection of Springfield's in a month or so. Something to consider.

 

[mumbleypeg]

STI isn't on the CA DOJ approved list.

If you just want a platform for launching .45acp the Sig is a good one. If you want a 1911 , I notice that the same store has a Kimber for $699.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

That's great deal on the Sig 220 plus 2 mags and warranty. I'd buy the Sig now.

You can always find an SA Loaded later and after shooting 45acp in the P220 you may find that your need of the 1911 is not as strong anymore.

Either way you win, but that Sig is priced well, IMO.

 

[full metal]

Go with the 1911.
I got a sig p220 it's a real nice gun, but I miss the single action cocked and locked 1911.

 

[Ala Dan]

I like both, and have carried a West German .45 caliber SIG P220A for a long
time as a duty weapon. Upon retirement in '97, I retired this weapon also;
but I still shoot it occassionally at the range. Nowdays, I prefer to carry a
1911 of some sort; since my old department outlawed them in Dec. of '95.

 

[gudel]

$600 for a used gun, not even the ST, I'd pass on that. I bought a new P220ST and new SA Loaded PX9151. I'm not impressed with both.

 

[Eightball]

For the money, I figure the SIG would be the way to go; however, there's no substitution for buying exactly what you've wanted all along...

 

[AK103K]

I've owned both, I still own a couple of P220's.

If you really want the Springfield, I'd insist on shooting it first. I had a great deal of trouble with mine, and as a matter of fact, with 4 of the last 5 Springfields I bought. If you really want a 1911, look for a Colt, they will be closer to the SIG in quality and reliability.

If you do buy the SIG, better start looking for a part time job, you'll need the extra money for the other SIG's your going to buy next.

 

[robctwo]

I bought both last year. The Sig is very accurate and reliable. The grip is much bigger than the 1911. It has the double action vs single action. My Springfield loaded had the extractor break within the first few hundred rounds. Good customer service, but irritating. The trigger was every bit the 5-6 pound advertised. I replaced a bunch of parts and got the trigger to be very nice, but did not like the stock trigger at all.

Right now I'm shooting 1911s more than the Sig, but it's not for sale.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Between those two... 1911 hands down.

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a fan of the P220 so I say go w/ the 1911. Instead of the loaded, I'd say a few more $$ & go w/ the TRP

 

[Kestrel]

Sent it in to SA Custom Shop and had a beavertail and delta hammer installed for $175.

Rob,

What is a "delta hammer"?

 

[crazed_ss]

w00.. thanks for the help guys. I ended up going with the Sig because the shop had a no interest/no payments credit plan for 90 days. I was gonna use my CC anyway.. So I figure for next 3 months (6 pay periods) Ill pay off the Sig and then go back and get the 1911 on my credit card


Right now is the worst part of the gun buying process. I paid for it, but have to wait 10 days to actually take possession