SIG Sauer P220: Fingers-On Evaluate [2022] – Sniper Nation Receive US

The SIG P220 is a captivating firearm from an intriguing period. With its large caliber and period-correct design, this Chilly Battle stunner is extra than simply a big gun. The P220 wasn’t SIG Sauer’s first handgun, but it surely sparked a extra vital growth.

For example, SIG’s flagship handguns, the P sequence, had been born from the P220. The Swiss Military wanted a brand new pistol to take the place of the SIG P210. Due to this fact, the P220 was created. In comparison with the P210, the P220 is a far superior firearm when it comes to efficiency and aesthetics.

The SIG P220 was ultimately adopted because the Swiss Pistol 75 in 9mm Parabellum. Apparently sufficient in the US, the P220 is usually recognized for being a .45 ACP handgun. The mannequin we’re reviewing as we speak is a .45 ACP mannequin. Nonetheless, the P220 has been chambered in 9mm (9mm vs 10mm), .45 ACP (10mm vs .45 ACP), .38 Tremendous, 10mm, 9mm Steyr, 7.65×21 Parabellum, and there may be even a .22 LR mannequin.

The pistol was additionally utilized in police enforcement and army duties in Denmark and Japan. For some time, it got here to the US as a Browning BDA mannequin. After a while, the weapon was imported underneath SIG’s trademark due to SIG’s success and development.

With the success of the P220, SIG Sauer has cemented its place as a number one pistol producer within the civilian market.

The SIG P220 is likely one of the flagship weapons of the SIG Sauer handgun traces. They produce totally different fashions of it. This explicit mannequin is attention-grabbing mannequin as a result of reality it was made when Germany was break up into West and East Germany. This mannequin is markedly made in W. Germany, putting it in a particular timeline that I discover fascinating.

SIG Sauer P220 Professionals & Cons

SIG Sauer P220 Specs

It is a base mannequin when in comparison with different SIG P220s. The P220 is a single stack gun most famously chambered in .45 ACP. It holds eight rounds of .45 ACP in a single stack journal. Using a single stack does make it a bit dated in comparison with fashionable handguns, however SIG has launched a double-stack .45 ACP known as the P227 if you’d like a number of extra rounds.

The P220 has a 4.4-inch barrel and is an all-metal gun. It’s a heavy beast greatest described as a ship anchor. The gun weighs 1.9 kilos unloaded. It’s a locked-breech, brief recoil-operated pistol that utilized SIG’s personal system.

The gun lacks handbook security. However it doesn’t want one because it has a DA/SA set off The primary set off pull is double-action, which implies the set off pull is lengthy and heavy.

Subsequent photographs are single motion, supplying you with a light-weight and brief set off pull till the gun is decocked. The P220 set the usual for decockers and positions it for simple thumb attain.

The P220 has an general size of seven.8 inches, is 1.5 inches huge, and is 5.5 inches excessive. It’s an enormous gun designed for obligation, not hid carry (Finest CCW Weapons).

The P220 is a bit dated by as we speak’s requirements however individuals nonetheless love the gun, and it has a worthy place within the historical past of contemporary fight handguns.

SIG Sauer P220 Standout Options

The SIG Sauer P220 launched the SIG Sauer system, which is extra simple than the P210 and does away with the grooves within the slide and barrel in addition to the locking lugs. The P220 makes use of an enlargement of the chamber locks onto the ejection port of the slide.

This method would develop into the premise for the SIG Sauer P226, one of the crucial well-known pistol designs on this planet. It might later encourage the P228, P229, P227, and P224, and I may simply preserve itemizing pistols should you’d like. I may discuss how dependable this method is — however I don’t have to.

Stated system and the P220’s descendants are broadly used all through the world’s militaries, together with Federal Regulation Enforcement and elite items just like the US Navy SEALs.

The P220 is a well-liked gun, and it’s exhausting to level out standout options for simply this mannequin when so many alternative fashions exist. My mannequin could be very plain, and really a lot a 1970 fight pistol.

The extra fashionable base fashions sport a rail for a light-weight or laser, in addition to evening sights. Different fashions have an SAO set off for a crisper, cleaner set off pull. No matter your needs SIG Sauer probably has a mannequin to suit your wants. My mannequin is a little bit of an vintage in some ways, however nonetheless a serviceable handgun.

SIG Sauer P220 Objective

Should you stay in a state that has journal restrictions the SIG P220’s low capability could also be an ideal selection for a house protection gun.

In free states, the eight rounds of .45 ACP severely lacks when in comparison with the 21 rounds I can get in a CZ P09, and even the 13 rounds I can get in a Glock 21. 10mm fashions of the SIG P220 are nice as searching pistols, particularly with an optic concerned. These weapons are large mushy taking pictures, correct, and dependable infants.

I take advantage of my West German mannequin as a funds residence protection gun. If in case you have a good funds however need a high-quality pistol, you may get these weapons for round 400 bucks. A 400-dollar SIG is difficult to beat.

Apart from that, this mannequin is an thrilling step again into the late 70s and early 80s. On the time this was a fight handgun that was exhausting to beat and taking pictures is taking a step again to the Chilly Battle.

SIG Sauer P220 Disassembly

Taking the gun aside could be very straightforward, and SIG makes it easy. The 1st step is to unload the weapon. Subsequent, eject the journal. Pull the slide rearward till the half moon lower out of the slide is above the takedown lever.

Spin the takedown lever downward, and the slide is then unlocked and detachable from the body.

Take away the slide, and you may then take away the barrel and recoil spring.

That’s all there may be to it. This gun is remarkably easy

SIG Sauer P220 Ergonomics

The SIG Sauer P sequence has at all times been recognized for its ergonomics, and the P220 isn’t any totally different. It’s an enormous gun with an enormous, huge grip a bit larger than it must be. For me, it’s snug, however I think about these with smaller arms will really feel a bit overwhelmed. The grip design general is one in all my favorites. It’s straight, groove-free, with a really snug palm swell on the backside of the grip.

As a hammer-fired gun, a pleasant beavertail means you don’t have to fret about hammer or slide chunk with these weapons. SIG did it proper right here. It has a rounded beavertail and is snug even with a excessive, agency grip. Moreover, it’s simpler to get a superb excessive grip with a beavertail. I choose this design to one thing like Glock, which digs into my hand like loopy.

The position of the controls, particularly the decocker is great. It’s straightforward to succeed in, and the thumb can rapidly drive it downwards. My largest grievance is said to my choice for a pleasant excessive grip. The slide lock place is in the direction of the rear of the gun, which creates a problem for a lot of who like a pleasant excessive thumbs-forward grip.

The thumbs will relaxation on the slide lock, which implies after you fireplace the final spherical, the slide won’t lock to the rear. It is a fixed downside for me. It takes an actual effort to keep away from putting my thumb on the slide lock, and infrequently as soon as the taking pictures begins and strain builds, my thumb goes tight to the grip and rests on the slide lock.

The journal launch solely requires a really slight motion of your hand to intensify. My finger merely wants to depart the set off and rotate barely to hit the journal launch and drop the magazine. The journal launch button is massive and textured which makes it straightforward to seek out and attain with the thumb.

Set off attain for me is ideal, however once more I put on 2XL gloves. My fingertip falls completely on the set off, however for a lot of others, I think about set off attain is a bit far. With handguns from Glock and even SIG’s personal P320, I’ve to again my finger out only a bit to relaxation the tip of my finger on the set off.

SIG Sauer P220: On the Vary

I really like this gun with regards to vary time. Have you ever ever dealt with a traditional automobile? That’s one of the best ways to check it to feeling the P220. It lacks a number of fashionable options like energy steering and energy brakes, however it’s nonetheless insanely enjoyable to drive.

This West German SIG P220 is a 1969 Mustang. It received’t win a drag race or actually any race versus a contemporary automobile, but it surely’s not a boring Honda Civic.

The P220 is likely one of the most snug .45 ACPs I’ve ever fired. The gun’s recoil is minimal and greatest described with an “Awe.” The burden helps lower recoil, and the fats backside grip helps displace it within the hand.

There are not any factors of ache when firing spherical after spherical. A base mannequin 1911 usually rubs me the fallacious manner, however the P220 is a mushy taking pictures, straightforward recoiling gun.

The set off is sensible in each double motion and single motion modes. The double motion set off is heavier and longer, however nonetheless very easy and really compliant to set off pull. The set off pull can also be straightforward to stage, which means I can apply strain to a degree and maintain it with ease. Then I can end the set off pull to make sure a really effectively positioned shot.

The only motion set off has a slight little bit of take up, however you meet the wall rapidly. With a hair extra strain you get the set off break. It’s a really satisfying set off that’s easy and top-of-the-line examples of a DA/SA set off.

Set off reset is greater than a 1911, however lower than a Glock. This implies it’s brief, and really effectively designed. It’s each tactile and audible and really good general.

SIG Sauer P220 Reliability

Normal 23 grain hardball in each brass case and metal case has given me 100% reliability. 180 grain jacketed hole factors have additionally been fairly dependable, and the gun has but to jam, stutter, and even trigger me to make use of foul language.

SIG Sauer P220 Drawbacks

The one con I’ve is simply how large it’s. It’s an enormous gun that’s heavy and huge and sports activities a really huge grip for a single stack gun. It’s definitely a weapon made for its time, and that point has lengthy handed. The P220 is an enormous gun, and that may make some customers uncomfortable with it. As a contemporary fight handgun — it’s missing. However as a enjoyable gun — it’s a blast.

Conclusion: Is the SIG Sauer P220 a Good Gun?

The SIG Sauer P220 is likely one of the few single-stack, all-steel weapons nonetheless holding on within the fashionable age. Whereas the world has moved to 9mm pistols and polymer-frame weapons, the SIG P220 is a defiant previous man telling children to get off his garden. It’s a unbelievable gun for the vary and to expertise a Swiss 1911 in some ways.

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