Which would you prefer? P220 or 1911??

P220 or 1911???

  • Get the SIG P220. It rocks.

    Votes: 55 31.3%
  • Get the GI style 1911. It rocks.

    Votes: 65 36.9%
  • Get both dummy. You wife won't mind! (yeah right)

    Votes: 56 31.8%

  • Total voters
    176
  • Poll closed .
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jon_in_wv

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Most of my autoloaders are 9mms but I am currently experiencing symptoms of the .45 bug. I really miss my 1911 I had years ago but I have also always wanted a p220. I think I've narrowed down my two choices to a Springer mil-spec 1911 (or similar 1911 without all of the bells and whistles, don't need 'em, don't want 'em) or a P220. I will use the gun primarily for a CCW piece and possible for some IDPA. Please don't suggest the Kimber, Glock, or whatever other trendy gun you can think of, I'm really trying to decide between these two. They both fit my hand well, both shoot well, can anyone think of any pros or cons to these two guns in comparison to each other. I respect your opinions and I would love your help deciding.
 
They both can be fine pistols. I own both. For me, the Sig is much fussier about ammo and harder to reload for.The biggest issue is da/sa vs sa. The trigger will always be better feeling to me on the 1911.
You can buy a good new 1911 cheaper than the Sig, but thee is no question that the Sig is a quality firearm. Much of the difference is subjective, the answer is a personal one, you have to test both to know.
 
I've got a P220, and I'm still thinking about picking up a Springfield Mil-spec. If my experience is any guide, you should just accept that eventually you're going to buy both, it's just a question of when.
That said, I'd probably get the 1911 first for the purposes you mention, since around here there's a much better selection of off the rack holsters for the 1911 to try out (ideally before you buy) and reliable magazines are easier to find without mail ordering.
 
Either one of them will be fun and a great gun.

I voted for the Sig P220, just cause I don't really care for the mil-spec gun. Yes I need more bells and whistles on my guns.:neener:

If you've got the cash the by all means buy both of them.

Steve
 
I bought a GI 1911 a while ago. Thought I didn't want bells and whistles either - until the thing wore a scar in my hand from lack of a beavertail, and hurt to shoot after 100 rounds because of the arched MSH. Then one day, someone handed me a nice 1911 with a lot of nice features. Now my GI model sits quietly collecting dust. Soon after I bought a Sig P220. Then a SIG Pro. And as soon as I can make up my mind, I'll be buying a P229, or a P239. I also have plans for a P220ST this year.

Guess what I voted for. ;)
 
I prefer the 1911. I just like good crisp SA triggers, and the 1911 is unequaled in this regard. You could always split the difference and get a SIG GSR :evil:
 
Maybe I should have said which one FIRST! :evil: I'm sure I'll get both eventually. The reason I want a mil-spec is that if it was good enough for the Marines, its good enough for me! I really like military guns and while the beavertails and checkering all add utility they detract something from the flavor of the gun. For me anyways.

Also, I forgot to mention I would be getting a used P220. I can get it a lot cheaper and I prefer the balance of the older one to the newer one with the stainless slide.
 
The p220 is a high quality piece, and super reliable, but I personally prefer the 1911A1's manual of arms. A good 1911A1, with a few modern modifications, makes a better defensive carry gun, in my opinion. Not only does it carry better, but it point and shoots better too. Why did you limit the 1911 to the basic GI config in your poll?
 
Sig

Hands down the finest pistols I've fondled.

Every SIG I pick up shoots like all the other Sig ive played with. Rock solid reliable, consistent and simple to take down.

I can probably have 5 Sigs down to major components before I could get my 1911 down as far.


Lastly I've had my 1911 "tuned" (a friend offered and I didnt want to be rude) my sigs are bone stock and shoot better.They digest everything I put in the mags even brass for failure drills
 
Got to agree. I've owned three Sigs, and not a one of them ever jammed, period. Sold them all, though, when I discovered the 1911. Too bad they don't make the 220 in a single action with a 1911 style safety. I'd buy one tomorrow. Doesn't seem like it would be hard for them to make one like that.
 
Skywarp, when did this happen? That's like a dream come true. I guess I have to go out and buy it now. I did say I would if they made one, and I'm a man of my word. :D
 
I said get both, but I'd get the Mil Spec first, that way you wont be disappointed when you get the SIG. ;)
 
The SIG P220 is a great gun and you already know both guns are nice.
I just like the feel of the 1911 better and shoot it better on target.
I do like them both !!!!!!!
 
A lot of it is ergonomics. Some years back I took the armorer's course on the 226 which of course is essentially the same gun as the 220. Shot other people's 220s from time to time and eventually bought one of my own. Never did shoot it very well, in spite of action work by SIG and a short trigger.

Finally admitted the obvious and gave it to a friend who does shoot the 220 very well.

Started shooting the 1911 in 1959 so was pretty used to them and got along with them well. Picked up a new Mil-Spec (with high fixed sights) and it has been a pleasure to shoot. In my case I can shoot a good 1911 better on a bad day than I could a 220 on a good day. Some people may do just the opposite...

Something that you never hear about with SA/DA guns is that they were not designed to be a superior weapon as such, but to be a comfort to administrators who wanted their minions to use "safer" guns--an engineering solution to a training problem.
 
Something that you never hear about with SA/DA guns is that they were not designed to be a superior weapon as such, but to be a comfort to administrators who wanted their minions to use "safer" guns--an engineering solution to a training problem.
Absolutely correct. I tell people this all the time. The only concession made, in designing the 1911, to paper pushers was the inclusion of a grip safety, but that is entirely passive, and does not in any way alter the effectiveness of the weapon. Otherwise, the 1911 was built with combat effectiveness in mind, and nothing else.
 
I have both and am currently trying to sell the 220. The 1911 fits my hands better and I shoot it much more accurately than I shoot the Sig. Both of them are 100% reliable in my experiences. YMMV.:)
 
I went through the process last year about this time. Ended up getting the 220ST Stock. That was a limited run with fiber optic sights and oversized controls. Very nice gun. My problem was that once I had the .45 and got set up for reloading, I really NEEDED a 1911. i went with the SA Loaded. In retrospect the Mil Spec would have been a better choice, because I traded out the internals for Ed Brown sear, hammer, disconnector. Also replaced the entire main spring housing and mag well. Did some trigger work. It would have been almost free with the savings on the different guns. Oh well.

Since then i've bought the S&W1911PD Commander with Crimson Trace grips, and the CZ97B. My reasoning is that I'm saving so much on ammo from reloading that these guns were essentially "free". I'm sure your wife will understand that logic. The S&W was better out of the box than the SA.
 
The S&W was better out of the box than the SA.
This is the big difference between the P220, and the many flavors of 1911's out there these days, especially since Colt is basically out of the picture.

I have yet to have a SIG not work 100% out of the box, and with any ammo I've fed it. The last 4 out of 5 1911's, a Kimber and three Springfields, all had issues that required some sort of work, and some were still finicky, even when supposedly fixed. I never had this trouble with any of my Colts, which, except for one Springfield I have that works, are the only 1911's I kept when I went over to SIG for my carry pistols.

With the SIG's, you may sometimes pay a little more,(depending on what your comparing it to) but you get a features loaded pistol that requires no work out of the box, and as it should be. Nothing is more frustrating than buying a new pistol, especially one thats more expensive and supposed to have all the bells and whistles, and its got problems out of the box and you cant trust it.

The age old argument about the DA vs. SA vs. anything for that matter, at least in my opinion, is crap. If you've taken a little time to learn to shoot what you have in your hand, there is really no difference. I shoot SA, DA, and DAO, and see very little, if any difference in my hits on target. There is a learning curve, as there is for anything, but if you take a little time to learn each type of action, you will have no trouble with any of them. If your a revolver shooter, and learned to shoot them DA, your already ahead of the curve, and you will have no troubles with any DA/DAO auto. If all you shoot is a 1911 and thumb cock your revolvers, you will have some troubles at first.

We all have our favorites, and you should always choose what works best for you, you'd be foolish if you didnt, but just because you cant work something, doesnt mean its the weapons fault, and I can pretty much guarantee that its not, if the weapon fits you and is functioning properly.

I still say get both. If you have one, get the other, you may fool yourself and find a new love, or you may confirm what you already know. You'll never know if you dont try. You never know, you may be missing out on the best thing since sliced light bread. :)
 
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