Older Sig P220 questions

[usp9]

I recently acquired this Sig P220. I've got a few questions about it.
* The box is marked P220-SB. What does SB stand for?
* The spring is that multistrand coil. Do the regular single coil springs from Wolff work as well? Is one weight better than another?
* The thumbs forward grip did not work well beause the recoil made the controls hit my fingers. Is this primarily a single hand grip gun, tea-cup grip or what? The ergonomics just felt awkward. Any tips?
* Will grip panels for newer P220s fit?
* I paid $575, seemed a normal, average price to me. It came with extra mags. That sound fair to you?

Here it is. I was so-so in accuracy, but I only shot a few mags worth of ammo.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Great price, IMO.
The new grips will fit the frame fine but you will need to change your hammer strut and mainspring seat to a newer one as the internal shape of the grip is different. A W. German P220 will have the old style long hammer strut and metal mainspring seat whereas all the newer models have a short hammer strut with plastic mainspring seat. Personally I'd leave it be and leave the rarer checkered grips on.

 

[Dunedain]

Very cool gun, I'd leave it as is.

 

[1KPerDay]

Looks perfect to me as is. And I have no trouble with the thumbs-forward grip on my SIG FWIW.

 

[rbernie]

If you decide to update the gun to the newer grips, be aware that some of us P220 guys will gladly buy the 'old' grips from you.

 

[9mmepiphany]

* The box is marked P220-SB. What does SB stand for?
I have no idea, but I can ask around on the SigForum for you...or you could join over there and ask yourself

* The spring is that multistrand coil. Do the regular single coil springs from Wolff work as well? Is one weight better than another?
That spring has different properties than the single strand available from Wolff. While I have had good experiences with Wolff springs on many occasions, Bruce Gray (the foremost Sig Pistolsmith in the country) advises serious users to stick with the factory recoil springs. Considering the number of Sigs he works on every year, I'm inclined to believe him

* The thumbs forward grip did not work well beause the recoil made the controls hit my fingers. Is this primarily a single hand grip gun, tea-cup grip or what? The ergonomics just felt awkward. Any tips?
I use the thumb forward grip on all my 220s and have not encounter this problem. Does your hand/finger placement resemble this:


* Will grip panels for newer P220s fit?
Not without some adjustment. You'll have to modify the interior structure of the newer grips to clear the older mainspring strut seat. A more popular route is to change over to the newer mainspring assembly as it gives a more uniform trigger pull and is easier to remove for maintenance

As noted earlier, many of us would be willing to buy or trade for your older style grips.

* I paid $575, seemed a normal, average price to me. It came with extra mags. That sound fair to you?
That sounds like a fair price to me

 

[usp9]

I use the thumb forward grip on all my 220s and have not encounter this problem. Does your hand/finger placement resemble this:

Yes, other than my hands not being that attractive, that's my grip...however my right thumb is touching the slide release lever and my left thumb wants to ride the takedown lever. Both of these control surfaces gave me fits during recoil. My left thumb I can lower and my right thumb I can shift overtop of my left thumb a bit, but this is different than how I have to handle my other service sized pistols, (Bereta, HK, etc.).

Thanks for the answers to my questions gentlemen. Now I just need some range and familiarity time and I think perhaps a new recoil spring.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The pivot pin for the takedown lever is in-line with the first joint of my left thumb, the tip of that thumb rides lightly on the frame. There is no other contact of my thumb with the frame until the base of that thumb against the grip panel..you might be pressing in too much with that thumb. Are your shots going slightly right?...maybe a little high?

Neither thumb should be applying pressure to the side of the frame. I shoot all my guns using the same grip

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I know where to get some older P220s for around $600 but I aint telling till I get my own West German

The thumbs forward grip for me doesn't work with the Hi Power, has made the slide lock back in the middle of shooting and failing to lock back after shooting.

 

[Ala Dan]

The SIG-SAUER classic P-220 is one fine handgun. Like other's have said, "I
would not change a thing on this weapon". Mine is an all West German SIG
P220 in .45 ACP; that I bought NIB in '95, and its given tremendous service
without even a hiccup~! Enjoy, as you will have loads of fun shooting this
highly accurate firearm. If I had to get down too only one handgun [non
1911 type]; this would be my choice. Easily maintained, easy disassembly,
and superior craftsmanship. Swiss ideas, combined with West German
manufacturing makes this one a WINNER~! I don't (and won't) hesitate to
recommend West German SIG-SAUER's to anyone~!