Double Action 45 ACP thoughts?

[JR47]

The Sig has had dubious reliability record at best.

Odd, I haven't come across that issue with the P220, has anyone else?

I also own an FNP45. The gun hasn't failed to feed in several thousand rounds, of any profile I've tried.

HK has had QC issues of it's own, like my USP 45 that patterned, instead of grouping. HK replaced the barrel.

It funny to listen to posters who say that "the gun has been discontinued for X number of years" on one brand, but have no problem with even older discontinued models from other brands. S&W hasn't produced a metal-framed semi-auto in almost a decade, but they are listed here without comment.

 

[AK103K]

Odd, I haven't come across that issue with the P220, has anyone else?

Ive owned multiples of most of the P series SIG's. The only one I ever had troubles with, was the P238, which really wasnt a true "P" series gun, nor was it a SIG design, just another less than stellar 1911 copy. The others were all 100%, and right out of the box.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I love my West German Sig 220. I shoot it better with it than my STI Spartan. Granted I'm left-handed so I don't get the once in a while hangups where my hand engages the slide lock (that's the only reason for why I shoot better with the Sig 220).

It was getting a WG Sig 228 that got me into the 220. The SA trigger is fantastic and the DA is bearable for first shot engagements and I regularly practice double taps starting with DA and can hold a pie plate grouping at twelve yards.

The only gun I like more in Autoloaders in .45 ACP is my S&W E Series 1911 which I have modded a fair deal with rough grips and a longer trigger. That guns is my distance shooter but for social work, I'd pick the Sig 220.

The Sig 220 also beats out my old reliable Ruger P90. The P90 is a great gun and i love it but the Sig 200 has a better trigger and better accuracy.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Congrats on the Ruger. It's a .45, that's what really matters. Now you need a reloading kit. .45 auto is a lot of fun to load for.

 

[KYamateur]

Odd, I haven't come across that issue with the P220, has anyone else?

I also own an FNP45. The gun hasn't failed to feed in several thousand rounds, of any profile I've tried.

HK has had QC issues of it's own, like my USP 45 that patterned, instead of grouping. HK replaced the barrel.

It funny to listen to posters who say that "the gun has been discontinued for X number of years" on one brand, but have no problem with even older discontinued models from other brands. S&W hasn't produced a metal-framed semi-auto in almost a decade, but they are listed here without comment.

I like all of the old Ruger and Smith 45s. If you get one that hasn't been abused to death they should be good to go. As far as Sig P220s I've never known them to be unreliable. My favorite non 1911 .45 is the S&W 645 but I really like the looks of the new p220 elite stainless.

 

[Pilot]

A few months ago I bought a CZ-97B with the thin aluminum grips, and the fiber optic front sight. It is a great shooter. Very accurate, and reliable out of the box. I really like it, and find I shoot it more than my 1911's. It is totally stock, and I will probably keep it that way.

 

[burk]

Ive owned multiples of most of the P series SIG's. The only one I ever had troubles with, was the P238, which really wasnt a true "P" series gun, nor was it a SIG design, just another less than stellar 1911 copy. The others were all 100%, and right out of the box.

The Sig 220 had extractor issues when they changed slide materials, it was well documented and they changed the extractor design because of it. They lost more than a few LE contracts with these issues. I'm not saying there all bad, it was best explained here on THR. To me though I just don't see many advantages in the Sig design considering it has a 8 round capacity and is priced darn close to a premium 1911, while being as heavy and bit bulkier for carry.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-549121.html

On a P220, I would bet that any reliability problems would be attributable to one of two things: improper lubrication or weak magazine spring.

Wrong! The issue he was having was due to the fact Sig did not change the design of the internal extractor when they went to the milled stainless steel slide. They did not want to spend the money to re-design it.

The extractor tolerances are too tight. If they are out of spec you will get FTF especially the last round of the mag. It will also FTE.

These issues are well documented. They started with the P220ST and really got legs when Sig discontinued the carbon steel P220 slides and went to all milled stainless steel.

Many of these guns will need to be tweaked over their lifetime. Many people who have had this issue report that it comes back and the tension of the extractor changes. Sig changed the design to a external extractor recently and after some teething problems they seem to function well.

As for what P220 to get. Look around for a LNIB W German P220. Look for one with the German proof marks and date code under the front part of the slide. Be patient if you are you can find them for under $600. That is about what I paid OTD for this one.

 

[AK103K]

The Sig 220 had extractor issues when they changed slide materials, it was well documented and they changed the extractor design because of it.

I do remember that going on, and had two, a P220 and a P220 Carry, with that later extractor, but never had any issues with them.

Have a number of Glocks that went through the same thing, and with the same results.

I suppose they all can have their issues at some point. Ive been pretty lucky with the SIG's, HK's, Glocks, etc. Most of my troubles have been with the 1911 clones, which is the main reason, I got out of them.

 

[Taroman]

Here's one out of left field.
Sarsilmaz SAR K2 45.
14 rounds of 45 Auto goodness.
Has a good deal of CZ DNA.
Can carry cocked and locked or go DA.
Great trigger, and MUCH more accurate than my Glock, M&P or S&W 4566.
And, they're often available at really sharp prices. Mine was about $350 from Bud's.
For some reason, prices on these jump all over the map for no apparent reason.

 

[SwampWolf]

I'm a fan of the double-action (da) when it comes to using a pistol for self-defense (likely due to my training) and I really like the SIG Models 220/227 when it comes to a da pistol chambered in .45 ACP.
For years I carried a Model 220 Carry, which had the internal extractor, and found it to be reliable and a pleasure to shoot. Last year, however, I made the "mistake" of handling a Model 227 at the LGS and I fell in love with the E2 grip configuration, which pretty much replicates the E2 grip on my SIG Model 226. The extra two round capacity was a bonus as was the external extractor (at least for some-not necessarily for me).
Long story short, I sold the Model 220 Carry and bought the Model 227; mostly because of how it "feels" and handles in my fairly large mitt. This pistol has also proven to be completely reliable and has a very manageable da/sa trigger pull. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a da pistol chambered in .45 ACP.