my first p220

[twbredw]

i m new to the forum and ive been reading here for awhile .
i just baught a used sigsauer p220 in 45 auto but it looks a little different from the p220 american i see on their website mine has a spur hammer with a half cock notch , i got with both mags and the original cardboard box with the manual and the test fire target ive only put like 20 rounds thru the gun but i do love it i was wondering other peoples opinions on this fine handgun ? does anyone know if i can put the current sig 220 style hammer on this gun? thanks for any info

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I have one P220 and it's an older one with the more sharply-profiled spur hammer. The pistol has been utterly reliable with all factory ball and JHP ammo.
The only thing my particular P220 doesn't "like" are handloaded 200-gr CSWC's.
With those, it won't feed with more than five in the magazine.

The fixed sights were very well regulated from the factory and the pistol has very, very good group ability.

It stays loaded at the house.

Best.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Tony and Welcome Aboard-

Congrat's on your purchase of a .45 caliber SIG-
SAUER P220. Sounds like you have the older
model P220 with the green colored recoil spring?
SIG's are excellent firearms, capeable of really
good "combat accuracy"; as attested to by the
factory test target.

I have carried a West German SIG P220A daily
since 1988; as I view it has the finest DA/SA
self-loader to ever come down the pike! If
one desires a combination of RELIABILITY, along
with ACCURACY and CRAFTSMANSHIP then a
SIG-SAUER P220 should be right for them.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[B27]

twbredw-
The rounded hammer differs not only in shape but in function from your old style hammer.
They are not interchangeable.
The current hammer rebounds automatically, yours does not.
This will cause you no problem as long as you use your decocking lever to decock the gun when loaded.
Try to lower your hammer by pulling the trigger and lowering the hammer with your thumb enough times and the gun will go bang.
I'd replace the recoil spring before shooting it extensively if it were mine.
A lot of us like these old style P220's because they often have excellent trigger pulls.
I have a factory nickeled one I'm very fond of.
Congrats on your great find!

http://www.fototime.com/5393343ACC62B83/standard.jpg

 

[Ala Dan]

Beautiful gun and pic there, B-27. Say,
what type of handsome grips are those?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[twbredw]

except for the grips in your pic thats my gun i love it its very smooth i am going to change my grips to some hogue rubber grips for it .
i looked at my recoil spring and i cant really tell if its green but it is wound up like two coil springs together , if i get a replacement recoil spring for it will it be the same configuration? thanks for any info and everything everyone has already told me . by the way i baught the gun second hand from a freind of mine and i paid $480.00 was this a fair price for a p220 this old? thanks again everyone

 

[10Ring]

twbredw

I think $480 is a very reasonable price for the gun. IMHO the older style guns are more solidly built than the guns coming out today. My P220 is 18 years old and in all that time I can count jams and FTE on 1 hand. Feed it good quality factory ammo, clean it regularly and it will treat you well.

FYI, check out Sig's factory service:


I'd recommend the Full Service Package. Not too costly and quick service (they had mine in and out of their shop in 48 Hours).

Here's mine:

 

[B27]

Ala Dan-
Thanks!
Those grips are the old style SIG factory wood.

 

[SAG0282]

Congratulations.......you have what is arguably the best big-bore combat/defensive semi-automatic in existence...it certainly has my vote for that honor.

Enjoy!

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: B-27

While I'm very much satisfied with my SIG P220's
"Tactical Look" if you will; I would love to have a
set of those grips! Reck'on they're still available?


Att: Siegfried_Geringer

I'm with you on the thoughts about SIG's! Absolutely
the finest DA/SA handgun made.

Mine is a '95 model, with the rebounding hammer
and "green colored" main spring. I had in out a few
minutes ago; checking it over, and "tweaking" it
for range day next Saturday the 6th of March.
But ya'll know me, I don't leave home without
the SIG!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

Congratulations on your new Sig, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My p220 is one of my very favorites.

 

[B27]

Ala Dan-
You could give Sigarms customer service a call but it has been so long since that style grip was standard issue I'd really be surprised if they still have any lying around.
Of course they won't even fit on the newer P220's.
Unless you are willing to take a Dremel to them.
Your best bet may be to place a WTB ad in the Classifieds at SIGforum.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't really care much for these old wood grips and are willing to sell them.
Recently we had people selling both P225 and P229 grips in that style in Classifieds at SF.

 

[Preacherman]

Or, you could simply order a set of Hogue wood grips for the P220 - see here for their offerings in various kinds of wood. Pictured below is the Goncalvo Alves wood, with checkering (also available in smooth finish):

 

[B27]

If you've got some nice contrasts in your wood, it will be shown off better with smooth grips rather than checkered.
My favorites from Hogue are smooth cocobolo wood-

http://www.fototime.com/8BC154BDD078461/standard.jpg

These are SIG factory wood that was actually made by Hogue in pau ferro wood-

http://www.fototime.com/3AB062687E32651/standard.jpg

 

[George Hill]

Dark slide, light frame, wood grips...
I'm in love.

 

[agony]

I carry the old style 220 as my primary CCW whenever possible.
Except I've fallen in love with these Crimson Trace wraparound grips. Even if there weren't a laser in it, I'd still use these grips. I want a set for all my 220s:

http://www.fototime.com/{96BA9830-FCAF-4F1C-97CD-0E49045F9BE6}/picture.JPG



http://www.fototime.com/{C866BA20-715E-4A41-B0C8-369846C1478D}/picture.JPG

 

[B27]

If you don't want the laser please dig it out of the grips and send it to me.
I want to attach it to my cat's head so she can entertain herself for hours while I am gone.

 

[agony]

Hey B,
I thought your cat already had those demon laser eyes?

 

[Fed168]

If you want to replace the hammer, you must also replace the sear at the same time.

 

[twbredw]

thanks for all the responses guys nice two tone pic too i love my sig its been very reliable so far i wouldnt mind another in 9mm or 40 s&w the factory grips have to go though thanks again