The SIG P-Series Family

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JTQ

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Within the SIG family of pistols, primarily the full size/mid size models, such as P220/226/228/229 and even the SP2022, would you expect all models to display the same reliability and durability throughout the family?

Or is there a particular model they execute better than others, or is there a particular model that typically presents more problems than others?


EDIT to add: I'm interested in current production pistols and not a "back in the day, the German/West German SIGs were so much better..." discussion.
 
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I have the P226 and the P229 both in 9mm. I have never had a failure with either of them. My P226 has about 3000 rounds through it and my P229 has about 10,000 rounds through it.

Never had a hiccup with either of them. I use both factory new ammo and my own reloads. Just keep them maintained and they will last a life time.
 
250 and 2022 are value priced and built as such. That doesn't mean they are not reliable.
 
Of the models you listed, the SP2022 is the ONLY Sig model that local Metro Department LEO's are barred from carrying. Take it from there. YMMV

However, if only given the choice between the SP2022 and any of the 250 series, I'd pick the SP2022.
 
In defense (sort of) of the 2022, it is the best selling SIG Sauer in Europe. It is the pistol of choice for the entire French internal security force. In the US it's the sleeper SIG. My only guess is, the Americans, civilians and LE alike, have more money to spend on the P-series.

The trigger action on the 2022 is a little different. The DA pull is smooth and relatively light, but looong. The SA pull is crisp and short for fast repeat shots. Of course, no thumb safety, only a decocker. As for police chiefs, choosing weapons for them is not just about quality, they have many other concerns particular to their job.

All SIG Sauer semi-auto pistols, with the possible exception of the Mosquito, are consistently high quality "out of the box". My experience includes a variety of 220, 226, 1911, 2022, and X5. I have no reason to worship or despise SIG Sauer. It is not perfect, but it delivers your money's worth.
 
None of the current production P-series have known issues, however:

1. The 229 models with the longer external extractor are not as reliable in feeding (too much pressure) as the ones with the short one. The short one is current spec, but you'll still see ones with the longer
2. Models with the fiber optic front sights are not as well fitted (ride too high) and are not as rugged (sight problem, not gun)
3. The current American manufactured magazines are not as reliable as the Italian ones
 
I have a collection of 45 ACP P220 Sigs. All have been accurate and performed flawless. The P220 Compact is my EDC in Fall and Winter. XDS in Spring, Summer.
 
I have six P series pistols including a P220 I bought 21 years ago, two P225s made in the early '90s, a P220 Combat, P220 Carry and P239 SAS Gen 2 that were made in 2010. I would bet my life on any of them and the P239 has been my EDC for the past year. I haven't seen any loss of reliability with the new SIG pistols. I've shot a number of newer SIGs (P226/P229) at work too and never experienced an issue. I don't know much about the SP2022 or P250 so don't know if they're good pistols or not. I've handled a 2022 and was somewhat impressed but it's on the large side so not what I was looking for since I wanted a polymer framed pistol for CC. I bought an XD-S instead.
 
My 229 is a great little pistol flawless....it even drops my 40 brass a few feet away. Is that a bad thing???

I'm really having a tough time with deciding on my next sig...226 9 or 227.
 
All P-series are reliable, with the exception of the 229s with long extractors and the P220ST with an internal extractor. NOTE: internal extractor problems were only common with the early ST, which is the stainless steel frame and slide version. The old 220s (aluminum frame, steel slide) with internal extractors are rock solid.

As for durability, they're plenty durable. You will need to use grease on the frame rails. Do not listen to the glock armorer philosophy of lubrication. A few drops of oil is insufficient when you have full length slide rails. Grease grease grease.

I've had to replace recoil springs in both my P229 .40 and my P220. My 9mm P226s have not needed it. So I guess that the 9mm P226 gets a slight edge there. But recoil springs are inexpensive.
 
I currently have a P-229E2 which is fitted with a SIG STL-900L laser/light set-up. It is my home defense pistol. Other P series guns that I have owned or used extensively include a P-220, a P-226, and a P228. All have been incredibly reliable and accurate.
 
EBShooting said:
I have the P226 and the P229 both in 9mm. I have never had a failure with either of them. My P226 has about 3000 rounds through it and my P229 has about 10,000 rounds through it. .
Click to expand...

What is the difference between 226 and 229? Considering going from Glock to Sig because of the decocker
 
What is the difference between 226 and 229? Considering going from Glock to Sig because of the decocker
Click to expand...

Its similar to the difference between the Glock 17 and 19. The 226 is the full size pistol and the 229 is the compact version of the same gun. Basically the 228/229 will have about a half inch shorter barrel than the full size 226, and a slightly shorter grip (by maybe a quarter of an inch).
 
The 229 is just a bit thicker as well. You can even up some of the difference by putting slimmer grips on.
 
I have had a P 228 and two P220s They were all good quality and accurate, now I have a SP 2022 in 40 S&W also a good handgun. At this time Glocks and Walther P 99s are my preference over Sigs and H&K.

When we moved to Las Vegas in February of this year, I kept one gun of each caliber that I had reloading supplies for, and the Sig SP2022 was it for 40 S&W, What is best is more of a question of what you like best that which gun is best. Handguns are as personal chose your chose for a spouse. :)
 
that local Metro Department LEO's are barred from carrying
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Uh, who is this "local metro department" and why should any of their policies carry any weight with me? I've never had any problems with my P220, 226 or the issue M11s (P228) we train agents with, nor have I had any problems with my sigpro2340 (the fore-runner to the 2022) either. The 2340/2022 pistols are looked down upon by many of the "classic P-series" owners and in a sense, they are right in that it will never really be accepted as one of the classic P-series pistols. However, the sigpro line is still a good pistol that is both accurate and reliable as the classic models. Not a bad gun, just not one of their "classic" pistols.
 
I've had as many problems with my 250 as my P220 and P225 (before I sold it), that is to say... zero. All have been great.

Yeah the 250 is polymer and feels a little cheaper, but it points really good in my hands and has been very accurate and reliable for me.
 
OP,

take a look at the P-210, which was missing from you original post. It is one of the best 9mm ever made.
 
I'm aware of the P210. Leaving the P210 off the list was a conscious omission. It is not a pistol I'm considering.

I'm primarily a 1911 shooter. My other primary auto experience is with S&W style Traditional Double Action (TDA) pistols with the safety/decocker design. That experience was formed before SIGs became popular in the US, and when they did become more common, the SIG controls always seemed odd to me.

Over the years though, the decocker only design (without the safety) of the SIG pistols has made more and more sense to me. I've always thought the SIG's locking chamber block verses the locking lugs of the 1911 was a more efficient and simpler design.

I currently only shoot .45ACP in autos, so the P220 was my primary interest, but if SIG were doing a better job producing the P226/P229/SP2022 I would also be interested in those models. From the poster's responding, it seems as if all SIG pistols are executed equally well.
 
JTQ said:
I'm primarily a 1911 shooter. My other primary auto experience is with S&W style Traditional Double Action (TDA) pistols with the safety/decocker design.

...I've always thought the SIG's locking chamber block verses the locking lugs of the 1911 was a more efficient and simpler design.

I currently only shoot .45ACP in autos, so the P220 was my primary interest, but if SIG were doing a better job producing the P226/P229/SP2022 I would also be interested in those models. From the poster's responding, it seems as if all SIG pistols are executed equally well.
Click to expand...
Please allow me to address this additional information. My path in handguns closely followed yours, first the 1911 and then the S&W 39/59.

While they do look alike, the 220 is quite a bit different in design than the 226/228/229 and 2022. The model most closely related to the 220, is the 225.

What drew me to the SIG 220, from the 1911 and S&W, was the ease with which it could be field stripped (turn a lever). Using the chamber to lock the barrel to the slide really is superior with less handwork/fitting and drilling the hole in the front of the slide at an angle to do away with the need of a bushing to control the front of the barrel was very clever. The dedicated de-cocker is perfectly placed for easy activation and removes any excuse not to decock between strings of fire.

The 226/228/229 have a few more parts, but are just as well engineered. Behind the 220, I like the balance of the 228 the best. The major objection to the SIG line has always been two things 1)high bore line and 2) slide lock placement. The first is really a non-issue until your splits are well under .20 sec, however the second does require an awareness of thumb placement
 
9mmepiphany

What additional parts are present in P226 compared to P220?
 
Just off the top of my head, the slide stop and ejector are two separate pieces in the 226 as compared to the combo piece in the 220
 
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