Now lets take a look at the design defects of this handgun. This model is markedly made in W. Germany, placing it in a specific timeline that I find fascinating. I have both a Colt Delta Elite and a. I checked my gun safe and I have to stand both corrected and chastised regarding my original post. In terms of jamming and feeding different types of ammo do this little test get some empty (yes, empty) cases (i.e. I have no problem with the 1911 in 45 but would not do one again in 10mm. The use of a single stack does make it a bit dated compared to modern handguns, but SIG has introduced a double-stack .45 ACP called the P227 if you want a few more rounds. The 220 carry is just a .45. This is a constant problem for me. Posted: 7/29/2012 8:05:48 AM EDT. I bought the 1911 before I bought the Sigs. The pistol in its uniform holster rides near the edge of the hip, and on some individuals with some uniform designs, can directly contact the ileac crest of the hip. They paid the price of a gun that kicked hard despite that minimum acceptable power level, and a gun that was difficult to shoot fast and straight, particularly at small targets or at longer range. Come join the discussion about Sig Sauer pistols and rifles, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Get it while you can. The P220 is a massive gun, and that will make some users uncomfortable with it. Its a massive gun thats heavy and wide and sports a very wide grip for a single stack gun. The potential for fatigue and discomfort is obvious. Just what you need to defend your life with. Its subjective to a point, but there is an objective answer in there when one considers truly having to fight for their life. All pistols have drawbacks and shortcomings. The use of a single stack does make it a bit dated compared to modern handguns, but SIG has introduced a double-stack .45 ACP called the P227 if you want a few more rounds. The fact that a single pistol with which the officer is intensively trained could be used on or off duty, in uniform or in plainclothes, is another big factor in the P220s favor when police departments look at purchasing new sidearms. Instead, the SEALs picked the P226 handgun. I love this gun when it comes to range time. Everyone knows Sverige is so much better! JavaScript is disabled. Other than that, this model is an exciting step back into the late 70s and early 80s. The SIG P220 in its Combat variation is designed for service and protection. It always had good sights compared to most of its competition. No jams. The G21 has a polymer frame; the SIG's is alloy. The 1911 was never built for the round. Available in both carry and full-size, the legendary P220 lives on, allowing you to put all-metal power in your corner. 5127. SIG's P220 SAO pistol features a confluence of features that are attractive to SIG fans and 1911 shooters as well. Slim-ish width, great grip angle and comfortable Hogue rubber grips make it feel great in the hand. 1. With what's going on in the world these days I'd say get the 220. My Colt is an early model blued steel model and my Sig does have an aluminum frame. 3. There are extended mags for the P220 which makes the step up largely unnecessary. There is no comparison between the two in terms of format and function. Length & Weight. Ill get more into this aspect a little . There, I said it. For generations, officers carried little 2-inch .38 caliber revolvers as off-duty guns, simply for their light weight and convenience. I will champion the following statement till the day I die: Anything the 1911 can do, the Sig Sauer P220 can do better. Trigger reset is more than a 1911, but less than a Glock. I have to change recoil springs to go from modern weak 10mm to "real" 10mm in the Glock and the 1911. When you buy a P220, you know youre getting a quality gun. Yet, there are still debates among the hard core users. In stainless, the full-size P220 is a fairly massive handgun, and feels far bigger and chunkier that the 1911. Go. By contrast, the P220 was much rounder and more friendly to the hand. When it comes to 1911s, it's really about the individual manufacturer, and the quality of the build. It holds eight rounds of .45 ACP in a single stack magazine. The . A 400-dollar SIG is hard to beat. If you live in a state that has magazine restrictions the SIG P220s low capacity may be a perfect choice for a home defense gun. The P220 in DA/SA includes a reduced and contoured Elite beavertail, which allows for a higher grip and a reduced profile, thus eliminating printing. I know the 1911 is Gods Gun (though I bet when I get to the Pearly Gates, Saint Peter will be rocking a Sig) and the physical manifestation of America! in forged steel. Four shots went into roughly 1-1/4 inches. (1) A fan of SIGs compact single-stack 9mm, Mullin added, Although the P220 is not as good as a P225, I would rate it the top weapon that I tested in .45 ACP. (Mullins emphasis.). We mounted SIG's new ROMEO 2 micro-red dot on the XTen. I'll take a P220 SAO over almost anything else. Like the EAA pistol, Sig Sauer's P220 Legion uses a DA/SA trigger and has a stainless steel frame and slide. Enhanced version of the original P220! SIG P220 Review. My local dealer has a P220 Legion SAO that I will probably be bringing home. A major reason for the perception of the Commanders vicious recoil was that, until the 1990s, its manufacturer furnished it with a short, stubby-tanged grip safety that bit painfully into the web of the hand whenever the gun was fired. Reliable, accurate, and affordable, the 336 in caliber .30-30 is a staple in the deer woods each fall. I own an older P220 and it is a fine and very accurate handgun. The model we are reviewing today is a .45 ACP model. Posts: 2,550. It is in fact a corrosion-resistant PVD coating in "Legion Gray.". When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The tank of 10mm semi auto pistols was the 3rd generation S&W 1006/1076 varieties & then the SIg P220 R 5 10mm came to be 4-5 years ago by Lipsey's in LA. The P220 was built to meet and exceed rigorous military standards. Maybe you handled a norinco rip-off, but the P220 is a dream and 100% opposite of your tedious description. Did you hear that? Easy to DisassembleThis is just another thing that these two crowds will bicker over. The original P220 was a 9mm and featured a heel clip magazine release. However, unlike a traditional 1911 (or even a SIG Sauer X-Five SAO), the Legion SAO's thumb safety does not lock the slide. I have a three of Sig P220s to include a Dark Elite. The full-length slide rails are on the inside of the frame, which lets the slide sit deeper, lowering the bore axis to reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. The SIG Sauer P220 introduced the SIG Sauer system, which is more straightforward than the P210 and does away with the grooves in the slide and barrel as well as the locking lugs. . I have twice put five rounds from a P220 into one inch at 25 yards. Nearly all the advantages of a 1911 with the ability to rack and chamber check with the manual safety engaged. 220, same platform unless you just have to try something new. The weight of the duty belt is one reason why back problems in general and lower back problems in particular seem to be an occupational hazard of the street cop. Unsubscribe at any time. Factory replacement recoil spring guide rod for SIG GSR 1911 models. DPMS LR-308 [Review]: The AR, Back to Basics. P220 All steel hands down. I wouldn't write that in stone but I do recall reading that. These handy units are the only part of a Sig P365 you need to go to a gun shop to receive. Ergonomics * * * * *. $19.95. of spring force to ensure reliable . (If you want a more direct comparison between the Legion and non-Legion Sigs, take a look at our review of the Sig P226 and P226 Legion.) Sig P220 Combat - Much lighter (follow ups are slightly slower, recoil is more jumpy), tougher and more durable, fits with my active rugged lifestyle, double action and stupid simple, easy to carry. Something to think about before you pick up that 1911. The P220 has a 4.4-inch barrel and is an all-metal gun. Recoil Spring Set - P220 .45ACP, P226 . Please consider creating a new thread. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Taught me a lot about SIG at 45 caliber, and did nothing to take away from the appreciation I learned, FOR SIG, from a 9mm P239. Spin the takedown lever downward, and the slide is then unlocked and removable from the frame. If you can find the P220 get while you can. It also has a fully adjustable rear sight, and the magazine holds 14 rounds of ammo. Can't go wrong with either one. . Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. If there is an advantage of a SAO version of the P220 over a 1911, I don't know what it is. The stresses are distributed to both sides of the frame at the large diameter take down lever pin. This is, of course, exactly what you'd expect from one of the world's finest firearms manufacturers. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Grayguns Fat Guide Rod - Sig P228/P229 - Super Black. Some 1911s will handle it very well if they are built well, others maybe not so much over the long haul. Taken into service as the "Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911," it would go on to become the most respected combat handgun of all . Is Colts customer service widely lauded as exceptional? ), HK (Nice!)) 50rd boxes of 230gr is still $25 here on base, so I'm "getting hammered" this upcoming holiday weekend. The P220 would replace the single action only P210 with a double-action / single-action design that featured a decocker. Join 212,000 avid gun enthusiasts and claim your print-at-home shooting drills. With a 3.9-inch barrel and weight of 30 ounces, the P220 carry is the ideal . The SIG P220 is one of the flagship guns of the SIG Sauer handgun lines. Its a big gun designed for duty, not concealed carry (Best CCW Guns). I like them both very much but I also have a P226 stainless and if I were transitioning to .45 caliber I'd first go with the P220 then later chose the 1911 as your next platform. For a while, it came to the United States as a Browning BDA model. "Never argue with idiots. You think all those guns, with sell prices ranging from $499 to over $2,000, all have the same level of quality standards? Even the Delta Elite made some frame modifications after the earlier models cracked. Grayguns fat Stainless Steel Guide Rods are available for the P320, P228, P229, P220 and P226. Bugs me too! The 1911 has a shoulder in the frame where the slide impacts. I hear it happens. The distance the trigger had to move forward to re-set the sear was just enough to give a buffer against unintentional discharges under stress, but not so great that it appreciably slowed down the shooters rate of fire. They are very similar and also very different. This classic has been reborn, with the same quality, accuracy and reliability that the Swiss Army has relied on for decades. Grips, sights, trigger kits etc. My model is very plain, and very much a 1970 combat pistol. "If I'd known I'd live this long I'd have taken better care of myself.". While the Glock 20 is arguably the most popular 10mm pistol, the Sig Sauer P220 might just be the best money can buy, assuming you're not stubborn 1911 superfan. as others will tell you, no collection is complete without a 1911. If you've kept your P220 or P226 box stock without tweaks or upgrades, this is the correct replacement recoil spring because it provides the factory-spec 20 lbs. With an overall length of 8.3 inches and a weight of thirty-two ounces, the XD (M) is a surprisingly light and comfortable pistol. The P220, which is also available with an E2 grip, is significantly more slender and maneuverable. I am going to sell my M&P40 to help fund. Although even with people who should know better, the gun has always been rated high in Snob Appeal (only because it was made in Germany originally) reality is another story. With an inside-the-waistband holster and proper clothing, the P220 virtually disappears into concealment. Reducing the weight of the duty .45 from 39.5 ounces to 25.7 (the same round-count of the same ammunition adds the same weight to either) results in a 13.8-ounce weight saving almost a pound at a critical point. I placed five shots into a little more than 2 inches, and I pulled one of those shots. There's nothing wrong with the original P220; it's a perfectly solid gunbut the Legion is better. Firing from a single- or double-action trigger pull, this pistol is built with a 4.4 inch barrel set in a stainless steel slide topped with windage-adjustable iron sights. I immediately relegated the Colt to the safe (archives), and havent looked back. 8. With handguns from Glock or even SIGs own P320, I have to back my finger out just a bit to rest the tip of my finger on the trigger. Please select the desired spring weight from the drop-down menu. It was perfect, straight out of the box. Sig Sauer P220 Full Size. I believe there is now a relief in the frame in the form of a notch. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The magazine release button is large and textured which makes it easy to find and reach with the thumb. Finally, the world is treated to a handgun that can handle the power of 10mm cartridges. And I might add myself, This they accomplished at the expense of durability, along with an inferior design wrote with problems, most of which never have or in some cases impossible to, correct with its ill conceived design. Type 1911 into the search bar, Go ahead. Citadel 1911 Review: Best Budget-Friendly Pistol? The only thing the P220 and 1911 share in common is caliber. Sig P220-P229-SP 2022-Sig 1911-M400. Along with those I have four other 45acp 1911s. 5 Best .45 ACP Pistols, Sig Sauer P220: The Sig Sauer P220 Combat is a pistol with a super-light aluminum frame, which is quite different from other .45 ACPs and is very customizable. Check and mate. Thats cool; this article is my personal opinion. I can tell you from extensive experience with both platforms that the Sig P220, no matter its vintage, will run pretty much whatever ammo you can put through it like greased corn runs through a goose. The Sig P220 field stripping obviously is a breeze compared to the 1911.The main objective is just quick disassembly, inspection and cleaning.-However, detailing the P220 guts is a bitch to do, which requires specialize tools and require more frequent care. I will say this though ever since first shooting my sig I haven't shot any other handgun. Both times, the ammunition was Federal 185-grain JHP, which the manufacturer used to mark on the box as Match Hollow Point.. Never as common in the police or military communities as either the P220 or P226 and pretty well replaced by the P228 and P229 today, the P225 remains a popular conventional DA/SA 9mm semiautomatic pistol. SigTalk is a forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer enthusiasts. Have not had an issue with shooting either one and I enjoy both, fell in love with the P220 when they first came out. I am told more recent guns have an interrupter installed on them but how well this is going to work I cannot say at the present time. I had already read it and that is where my question originated since the Sig p220 is a John Browning design same as the M1911a1.The following paragraph illustrates this fact. I'm in the same boat and recently decided a 220 -- or 227 if I can find one -- will be my next purchase. I own and like them both. I will be in the market for a 45 in the next couple months and am looking for my first 45. Add to Cart. I just wish Id thought to get a matched pair when they were in production. Designed by John Browning, the M1911 is the best-known of his designs to use the short recoil principle in its basic design. A forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer Pistols and SIG Sauer Rifles owners and enthusiasts. My Sig P220 SAO 10mm pistol does have a steel frame. I cant argue the symbolism, patriotism, and outright hell YEAH! that holding a kickass 1911 brings forth. Both the above problems stemmed from the fact that the empty case being ejected was actually pushing down on the top loaded round in the magazine and the rim of the ejected round would often catch on the mouth of the round waiting to be loaded or in the case of the lead bullet actually plow a groove through the shoulder and then peel back the case mouth like a banana resulting in a catastrophic jam with the loaded round on its way into the chamber. Polymer Derangement Syndrome is a Crazy Mental Disorder. Design. Sorry, but John Moses Browning in all his wisdom still made you lower your hammer manually, which is less safe by definition. What else would you need to fix?, Nothing! However, none of this changes the other SIG attributes that made the P220 a favorite. Police agencies across the U.S. and around the world have used, and still use, Sig pistols extensively. Yeh, it was lust at first sight. Grayguns Fat Guide Rod - Sig P320 Full Size - Stainless. We dont call Canada California, just because they both start with Ca. Area Code: 928. But first-rate quality, very solid feel. As a retired officer of the Swiss Air Force it annoys me. Best 9mm Ammo in 2021 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win Cartridge Comparison, Viridian Laser Sight AR and Pistol: Review, Marlin 1895 .45/70 Hands-On Review The Guide Gun, [Review] Ruger LCP II: The .22 Pocket Rocket, Features a low profile and higher grip for better control, Some reviews say that the frame and slides may get sloppy after lots of heavy use, but it can be remedied by adding lube, Most models only have an eight-round capacity. That is all there is to it. In the 90s the gun community widely reported both the Colt Delta Elite and S&W FBI 1076 pistols couldn't hold up to full power 10mm- there were numerous frame failures and the FBI sent back many if not most of their new 1076 models for this reason. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Now, lets look at plainclothes wear, whether in a detective assignment or off duty. The SIG-Sauer pistols are famous for accuracy across the board, but the P220 may be the most accurate of them all. I prefer the P220 for reasons stated above for ease of disassembly for cleaning etc. I've got a P220, Glock 20 and RIA 1911 in 10. Said system and the P220s descendants are widely used throughout the worlds militaries, including Federal Law Enforcement and elite units like the US Navy SEALs. Sig Sauer P226 Legion Full-Size 9Mm 4.4" 15Rd. Please dont give me that look, as if Ive lost my head. Its human engineering is excellent because, like its baby 9mm brothers, the P225 and P226, its controls are placed where they can be readily operated, something exceptional for a DA auto. With origins dating back to the late 1970s, the P220 is considered by many to be the one that started it all for SIG SAUER. Regardless of your desires SIG Sauer likely has a model to fit your needs. I also have a P220 SAO Elite 10mm and a P220 SAO Legion in 10mm. Although the original flimsy stamped sheet metal slide has long since been obsolete the present guns not only suffer from past design problems but now have new ones as well. The only change/improvements I made on any of my P series Sigs were flat triggers on curved trigger models and #10 Trijicon rear sights on the Legion .45 and 10mm as I don't like a combat hold. Recoil Spring Set - 1911 Ultra .45ACP . The ergonomic carry pistol is loaded with top-grade features which make it a gun any firearms enthusiast would be proud to own. You will not be regretting it. I know most of you 1911 guys and gals are sputtering, yeah, but! and stating counterpoint after counterpoint based on different models and options and personal opinions. Police chiefs had been leery about carrying cocked and locked guns. Travis is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. SIG SAUER's recoil springs fit any SIG SAUER pistol, rifle or other firearm. The SIG Sauer P220 is one heck of a gun. If you have a tight budget but want a high-quality pistol, you can get these guns for around 400 bucks. The SIG P220 is first-class .45 ACP pistol with a great deal of history behind it. $1,699.00. The lightweight Commander was dubbed by one of its greatest advocates, Col. Jeff Cooper, as a gun designed to be carried much and shot seldom. Most who had fired it considered it much more unpleasant to shoot than its big brother, the full-sized, all-steel Government Model. Interestingly enough in the United States, the P220 is mostly known for being a .45 ACP handgun. The P220 Carry is a shortened version of the full-size P220. While I haven't read about the barrel link, I would think it is also a weak spot for 1911 in 10mm. Contributing Editor. I have to change recoil springs to go from modern weak 10mm to "real" 10mm in the Glock and the 1911. I prefer this design to something like Glock, which digs into my hand like crazy. Best Selling Rifles; . No spam. The 1911 is a legendary handgun, and it has been offered in many variations since its introduction 108 years ago. The dress type belt, even a dress gunbelt, does not support the weight of the holstered gun as efficiently as the big, 2-1/4-inch-wide Sam Browne style uniform belt. JavaScript is disabled. My 220 has been flawless from the first round. Since the heading question was about .45 ACP, I limited it to that. Sig Sauer P220 Legion . Sport Type: Hunting. . The gun lacks manual safety. The big deal breaker will be the Sig reliability out of the box ready to rock n roll with less pampering and tampering. Colt 1911 The Marlin 1985 is an upscale, heavy-duty version of their excellent 336 lever rifle. I've really been giving it some hard thought lately as to the what good a handgun is doing me . In stock. My finger simply needs to leave the trigger and rotate slightly to hit the magazine release and drop the mag. The horror of even SAYING that!). Add to Cart. Developed by the German-Swiss arms manufacturer Sig Sauer for the competition to replace the M1911A1, the P226 had come in second place to the M9. The P220 has a separate breech block. Would you say the same about a pile of 50 unknown stock 1911s? Its a massive gun with a big, wide grip a bit bigger than it needs to be. horrific bullet pattern, no? But it is a lot to lug around for a day or two of hiking. This allows the shooter to clear the chamber without needing to disengage the safety. Recoil Pads & Cheek Risers; Other Parts; Accessories Accessories. The P220 is 100% reliable with any 10mm ammo. The P series guns have also been put together with econo-grad stamped sheet metal roll pins which are not as strong or as durable as the old fashioned high quality solid pins. . Yes, I am fully aware that carrying a P220 in this aforementioned fashion means (God forbid) TWO trigger pulls to master: one heavy double-action first, single action thereafter. Welcome to the forum. A base model 1911 often rubs me the wrong way, but the P220 is a soft shooting, easy recoiling gun.