By R.K. Campbell. 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. (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.) Price $29.99. Sig borrowed the inferior mainspring position which resulted in the mainspring being positioned outside the back strap and covered only by the flimsy plasticky grips. 220, same platform unless you just have to try something new. The 1911 has a shoulder in the frame where the slide impacts. 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. The P220 set the standard for decockers and positions it for easy thumb reach. 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. ~Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou~. Your email address will not be published. If you only use 1911s for all your pistol needs, I can see this being acceptable, maybe even preferable. The magazine release button is large and textured which makes it easy to find and reach with the thumb. Thanks for this and the other comments pointing out the error. Save Compare. The Glock carries thirteen rounds in its double-stack magazine, while the P220 loads eight cartridges stacked up like spoons. The SIG Sauer P220 is an alloy-framed, semi-automatic pistol that operates on the classic Browning style tilting-barrel short recoil action. My 220 has been flawless from the first round. 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. My Sig P220 SAO 10mm pistol does have a steel frame. The only thing the P220 and 1911 share in common is caliber. For generations, officers carried little 2-inch .38 caliber revolvers as off-duty guns, simply for their light weight and convenience. . Im not saying that you need to be a rocket scientist to run a 1911, but it takes more far attention to the pistol, safety, and handling. The P220 is no exception. The grip design overall is one of my favorites. I logged in searching for info on my own P220 an European model chambered in 9mmPara (yes, they dont make them anymore) bought in 1980. 2. The SIG 220s, 226s and 1911s are all awesome. 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. Please select the desired spring weight from the drop-down menu. Compared to the P210, the P220 is a far superior firearm in terms of performance and aesthetics. Factory replacement recoil spring guide rod for SIG GSR 1911 models. SIG is known for its quality handguns, and this one is no different. Mfg: Viridian Weapon Technologies. My finger simply needs to leave the trigger and rotate slightly to hit the magazine release and drop the mag. I grew to like it more and was carrying it lots until that fateful Sig Sauer fell in my lap courtesy of a friend. 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. I considered buying another 1911 but then a buddy of mine got a P226 extreme and I liked it so much I bought my own. He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and teaches concealed carry classes. Total Windage Travel . Come join the discussion about Sig Sauer pistols and rifles, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The pistol was widely copied, and this operating system rose to become the preeminent type of the 20th century and of nearly all modern centerfire pistols. Right off, I'm referring specifically to the Legion. Naturally it is not made anymore because it was quality. In stock. SigTalk is a forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer enthusiasts. Youtube has de-funded most gun content. In a fall or sudden impact the grips can shatter or crack and then the mainspring strut can become bent or even snapped in two putting the gun out of action. Unsubscribe at any time. Of the three the CZ 97 is my favorite by a good bit. Who sells it? Funny how that works when only one manufacturer makes a gun. FYI, with heavy loads the SigP220 is the more comfortable pistol to shoot, much more comfortable grips and ergomatics! Only our P320-F (Full-Size) guide rod and P320 X-Five (Full Size) include a 15-pound 1911 recoil spring. The big deal breaker will be the Sig reliability out of the box ready to rock n roll with less pampering and tampering. The breech block of the P220, being a separate piece, isolates the frame from the shock of direct impacts. If there is an advantage of a SAO version of the P220 over a 1911, I don't know what it is. The SIG Sauer P220 is one heck of a gun. Its very well balanced & sits very well in the hand (much more instinctively than my Glock 26), and its very, very accurate the author is spot on with his comments. For a while, it came to the United States as a Browning BDA model. In the end, both platforms are really good choices. SIG P220 Review. Suffice it to say, the comments from bhp0 is just not true. The only thing the P220 and 1911 share in common is caliber. -. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. Trigger reach for me is perfect, but again I wear 2XL gloves. What else would you need to fix?, Nothing! They are different animals outside of the caliber. I have a P220 carry stainless and a 1911 Carry stainless. The P220 is a bit dated by todays standards but people still love the gun, and it has a worthy place in the history of modern combat handguns. For me, its comfortable, but I imagine those with smaller hands will feel a bit overwhelmed. Controls shot, right side. 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. Not a bad article, but anytime flat statements are made, reasonable people must speak up, Id put a P220 up against any new .45 on the market with complete confidence. Spin the takedown lever downward, and the slide is then unlocked and removable from the frame. April 22, 2023 03:35 AM. The SIG is a hammer fired, SA/DA pistol. With its massive caliber and period-correct design, this Cold War stunner is more than just a large gun. Since the heading question was about .45 ACP, I limited it to that. And, of course, there was the reliability factor. There is always this never-ending 1911 vs Glock argument. The two guns are as different as night and day. This particular model is interesting model due to the fact it was made when Germany was split into West and East Germany. I have both a Colt Delta Elite and a Sig P220 DAO in 10 mm. I would suggest if you haven't shot a 1911, rent one and try it. Just letting you know.Yes, overall rating the Sig P220 wins the minds of most shooters. The author has seen duty belts weighing in the 15- to 20-pound range once festooned with multiple handcuffs, a full-sized baton, heavy flashlight, portable radio, and ammunition. NO JAMS. Trigger reset is more than a 1911, but less than a Glock. 1. The SIG P220 was eventually adopted as the Swiss Pistol 75 in 9mm Parabellum. Something to think about before you pick up that 1911. The long, heavy double-action pull required to initially unleash the firepower of the P220 was much like that of the revolvers that were so much a part of their institutional history. In 1976 the pistol was made available in .45 Auto and designed to best the 1911 in every way. The . But it doesnt need one as it has a DA/SA trigger The first trigger pull is double-action, which means the trigger pull is long and heavy. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. It was so much fun shooting that after one shooting session I went out and bought a Sig P229, but I had wanted another P226 in .40 but the store didn't have one, but now I am glad because I like having the two different sizes. My model is very plain, and very much a 1970 combat pistol. "Nothing is easier than the expenditure of public money. Recoil Spring Set - P220 Carry . The SIG P220 Carry is an obvious commitment to handgun manufacture as there are many different versions of this handgun. Designed in 1975 by the SIG Arms AG division of Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (now SIG Holding AG), and produced by J. P. Sauer & Sohn, in Eckernfrde; it is currently manufactured by both SIG Sauer companies: SIG Sauer GMBH, of Eckernfrde, Germany; and SIG Sauer, Inc . 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. March 13, 2015. However, the Sig Sauer P220 benefited from another 65 years of pistol evolution and got almost everything right from the start. I prefer the P220 for reasons stated above for ease of disassembly for cleaning etc. The P220 uses an enlargement of the chamber locks onto the ejection port of the slide. This part will help keep your Sig Sauer Firearm in top shooting condition. The P220 has an overall length of 7.8 inches, is 1.5 inches wide, and is 5.5 inches high. The Sig P220 and the 1911 are both . Unsubscribe at any time. I think that the Sig P 220 is an evolutionary development from the 1911. From the world leader in firearms . The P220 went on to be sold as the Browning BDA in . However, unlike a traditional 1911 (or even a SIG Sauer X-Five SAO), the Legion SAO's thumb safety does not lock the slide. And, of course, it is much faster to reload, and its flat magazines are much more discreet and comfortable to carry than speedloaders for a revolver when concealment is the order of the day. yes, one-piece, recoil spring not captive. Who makes the first ten guns that pop up? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As a retired officer of the Swiss Air Force it annoys me. As you can see this Mickey Mouse system is much inferior to the Colt/Browning system. All SIG pistols and products are fine weapons, but this one is particularly impressive. I apologize for the misinformation, guys. Easy to DisassembleThis is just another thing that these two crowds will bicker over. Also worth noting: my experiences with Sigs customer service team have been nothing short of exceptional. 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. Additionally, its easier to get an excellent high grip with a beavertail. I will say this though ever since first shooting my sig I haven't shot any other handgun. I have twice put five rounds from a P220 into one inch at 25 yards. The stresses are distributed to both sides of the frame at the large diameter take down lever pin. It lacks lots of modern features like power steering and power brakes, but it is still insanely fun to drive. 180 grain jacketed hollow points have also been quite reliable, and the gun has yet to jam, stutter, or even cause me to use foul language. 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. Even the Delta Elite made some frame modifications after the earlier models cracked. This is the standard Nitron finish P220 Carryas good as it gets for personal defense. Where to Buy Ammo Online [Complete 2021 Guide], Best Gun Cleaning Kits [AR-15, Pistol & Universal], Best Shooting Gloves [Hands-On Tested, 2021 Update], Best Universal Red Dot Sights [Hands-on Review], Best AR-10 Magazines: Ultimate Buyers Guide. Recoil Spring Set - 1911 Carry .45ACP . I will champion the following statement till the day I die: Anything the 1911 can do, the Sig Sauer P220 can do better. Please dont give me that look, as if Ive lost my head. Get gun deals, hand's on reviews, educational content and updates on law changes daily! John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. In fact, any 1911 that would be generally be considered to have the correct accepted upgrades to be a modern fighting pistol is so vastly removed from the original 1911A1 design that it could be considered a new design. Second Media Corp., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Here in good old SAfrica I rely on my old SIG P220 over anything else yes, the magazine does not hold too many bullets, but who cares, you a) wont miss you first (most important) shots (OK, first may go bit off due to the double action but second shot is dead on) &b) it wont jam. I see your one trigger pull, and I raise you the the two separate external safeties (grip and thumb) that must be correctly actuated for a 1911 to go off, plus the need to carry cocked and locked (hammer back on a loaded chamber, thumb safety engaged) for the pistol to be truly combat-ready (argue all you want on condition one/two/three, but this is a generally accepted statement.). I prefer the 220. Get it while you can. Design perfection attained. Right off the bat most gun advocates in the shooting crowd that are not die-hard 1911 users have recognize the Sig P220 taking the lead on this. As a modern combat handgun its lacking. Sold the Glocks. Citadel 1911 Review: Best Budget-Friendly Pistol? The P49 (Pistole 49 = SIG P210) was introduced as standard side-arm in the Swiss Army in 1949, the P75 (Pistole 75 = P220) as standard side-arm in 1975. The nice thing is since you have a 226 things will be the same. In this Article: Kimbers OriginsNowThe Micro 9The Micro 9 Up Close & PersonalI Like TheShooting The Micro 9How To Select Ammo For The Micro 9 A Quick PrimerCleaning/Reassembling The Micro 9And, In The End Kimber is a company that has had a rather rocky past. For those unfamiliar with the P220, it is the handgun the company's current stable of pistols owe their heritage to. Posted: 7/29/2012 8:05:48 AM EDT. Only when a custom gunsmith (or, beginning in the 1990s, the manufacturers) put a beavertail grip safety on the lightweight 1911 did it become as comfortable to shoot as a P220, and allow the shooter to take advantage of the reduced muzzle jump potential afforded by its lower bore axis. I also have the sig 1911 fastback nightmare. It comes down to whats more important for you, reliability/accuracy/ergonomics, or capacity/size? 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. Remove the slide, and you can then remove the barrel and recoil spring. Its beyond a stretch to call that an evolutionthey are different animals. Capacity and a large size mean squat, reliability and accuracy are king once youve found a pistol that fits your hand. The triggers are almost always quite-good-to-excellent for a DA/SA gun. I think a CZ 97B might be a closer comparison in manual of arms at least to a 1911 since it has a manual safety and not a decocker like a DA/SA P220. Recoil Pads & Cheek Risers; Other Parts; Accessories Accessories. The top of the slide, just forward of the rear sight, has been etched with the Legion logoa Greek Lambdaand the word "LEGION.". I now own and carry a 220 Elite Dark. SHORT RESET TRIGGER KIT SIG SAUER P220. I also like the way it shoots better. SIG's P220 SAO pistol features a confluence of features that are attractive to SIG fans and 1911 shooters as well. Especially with self-defense ammo? The SIG Sauer P series has always been known for its ergonomics, and the P220 is no different. As far as capacity, nine rounds of .45acp are all that is needed out of a defensive pistol. 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. Ill get more into this aspect a little . The P220 always fit most hands well. A 400-dollar SIG is hard to beat. This is the correct-weight factory replacement recoil spring for SIG P220 pistols in .45 ACP and P226 pistols in .40 S&W / .357 SIG. Add to Cart. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The magazine release only requires a very slight movement of your hand to accentuate. As a matter of fact there is one roll pin in the top of the frame that has its rear end hanging out in thin air and is pressed down on by a very strong spring. Sig Sauer even provides a thumb-operated de-cocking lever to let the operator accomplish this safety. (Though, oddly enough, 9mm, 10mm, .38 Super and .22LR are other available calibers for both pistols). While the world has moved to 9mm pistols and polymer-frame guns, the SIG P220 is a defiant old man telling kids to get off his lawn. In your opinion, which frame handles the 10mm better? Ive had both, for me, the sig is hands down the best platform foe ten mil. Designed in 1975 by the SIG Arms AG division of Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (now SIG Holding AG), and produced by J. P. Sauer & Sohn, in Eckernfrde; it is currently manufactured by both SIG Sauer companies: SIG Sauer GMBH, of Eckernfrde, Germany; and SIG Sauer, Inc., of New Hampshire, United States. Save my name and email to use for future comments. My local dealer has a P220 Legion SAO that I will probably be bringing home. While known more for their revolvers and M&P pistols, S&W should not be overlooked when it comes to 1911s. Find out more here. Interestingly enough in the United States, the P220 is mostly known for being a .45 ACP handgun. In my own testing although accuracy was good (at least with the German Made guns) the P226 9mm was always inferior to old fashioned classic guns like the Original High Power or Neuhausen P210 or CZ 75 or THE FABULOUS STAR MODEL 30 which was the BEST HANDGUN OF THE 20TH/21st.CENTURY which actually endured 180,000 round wear tests, try that with any other modern plasticky or stamped sheet metal pistol. 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. The more modern base models sport a rail for a light or laser, as well as night sights.