Here’s a question for the folks who have them or shot them both. How does a 45xx (i.e. 4563TSW) compare to a Sig P220?

Shoot, feel, balance all pretty subjective, but all-in-all what’s the difference?

I guess I am trying to justify the cost of a Sig.

__________________
Doug "N Frame Addict"
CO

Here’s a question for the folks who have them or shot them both. How does a 45xx (i.e. 4563TSW) compare to a Sig P220?

Shoot, feel, balance all pretty subjective, but all-in-all what’s the difference?

I guess I am trying to justify the cost of a Sig.

__________________
Doug "N Frame Addict"
CO

for me it is the angle of the grip to barrel.i like my 4566tsw the best...

The sig P220 is alot lighter compared to the all steel 4516,4566,4586 stainless models. The sig is like 26oz without mag. Unless you are talking about a 220ST which is heavier the regular Sig 220 will be much more enjoyable to carry. The P220 feels better in my hands but I know if I run out of ammo with my steel S&W 3g, I can use it as a club since it is so heavy!

The direct comparison I think would be a 4563TSW vs a SIG220. The SIG in my opinion has the edge on accuracy out of the box whereas the 4563 is a more compact package and easier to carry. For me, the SIG grip is too large and uncomfortable.

To make the 4566TSW TRULY just like the SIG configuration, you can have the S&E factory change the safety/decocker to a spring loaded decocker only. You can also have them remove the rail if you like.

Both are great guns. It's a matter of splitting hairs and personal preference. I would go to a gun shop and hold one of each and see what your hands tell you.....

__________________
Pete T.

You have the option of a single action trigger on the Sig. If buying a used gun be aware of the internal extractor issues, an issue that I have never had a problem with and I own three.

I own two 4500 series pistols and a few SIGs including the P220. They are all great, but if you're just trying to justfy paying more for a SIG try to find a way to fire both. IMO the only reason to pay more for the SIG, is if you shoot it better than the Smith.

Finally, a question I know a little something about!. I carried both a 220 in 45 and later, a 4563tsw as uniformed duty weapons for years. The Sig was a little lighter, it was more accurate, and the newer folks thought I was nuts for not wanting to carry a plastic gun. The 4563, however, NEVER, NEVER fail to digest anything that I put in her chamber. My handloads, plus P stuff, flying ashtrays, you name it. The Sig would balk from time to time, with either stove pipes of failures to feed. I fealt better armed with the Smith and went from the 4506, to the 220, then back to the 4563 and carried it to retirement. Joe

If I had a Sig P220, I would not buy a SW.

If I had a SW, I would not buy a Sig.

Reliability will be acceptable with either.
If either one was unreliable, I would try to get it repaired.
Both are very good handguns, just look for the
best handfit. I like the fit of the SW better.

jed

I have no exp with the Smith, but I do have a 220 and it is absolutely first rate. I have small hands, but have no problem with it. It has never failed on my lead swc handloads. From time to time, CDNN has some used ones very reasonably priced.

Steve here... I have had a few S&W's over the years, but I shoot this P220 Match Elite in bullseye league. Sigs are world class. You won't regret buying a Sig
Steve

This is a blondes vs brunettes question, in some ways. Only way to resolve it for you is to try both for yourself. My own not-impartial judgment is that the SIG usually is a touch more accurate. (Not that the S&W is junk, in this area.) The S&W is generally less expensive. Both guns sit too high in my hand, for my satisfaction. I guess my hand is more used to a 1911.

I agree with the previous poster who said basically that if he had one and not the other, it would be no great hardship. Both guns have features that I like that the other gun does not have - so it is hard for me to say I prefer one to the other.

I've owned and used both the Sig 220 and the 45XX series Smiths.

The S&W tends to be less expensive; especially now that they can only be found used.

The Sig is lighter and a little more intrinsically accurate; and with a short trigger installed is a little more comfortable in my hand overall.

Every S&W I've tried has a better trigger than any Sig will have out of the box, although a Sig trigger can smooth up tremendously with use; and the S&W seems to feed much more smoothly with a much larger variety of ammunition.

Between the two, I'd go with the S&W; probably the 4566 if you can find one; but I wouldn't feel poorly armed with a Sig.

Thanks for the replies!

__________________
Doug "N Frame Addict"
CO

Having owned both I actually prefer the 4566. I like the angle of the grip better and because of the placement of the Sig decocker, I am always dropping the slide on empty magazines which could be problematic in a shootout.

I’ve owned the SIG 220, two of them as a matter of fact. I own an S&W 4506. I’m not buying the SIG is intrinsically more accurate but if so to what degree? World Class is subjective as beauty is to the eye of the beholder. The S&W 4506 is the only pistol I’ve owned that out Glocks the Glock in regards to reliability. As for accuracy the following picture is sixty-four rounds standing at twenty-five yards utilizing a +P rated load with a cast 225Gr cast truncated bullet. The S&W is stock standard with fixed sights.

I own a 1993 Sig P220 and a trifecta of S&W .45 pistols (4506, 4566 & 4576). I hate the rail on the new P220 (of course, I hate rails on all pistols) and, on that point alone, I would go for one of my S&W .45s. However, the my P220 made in 1993 is a transitional piece. It came from the factory with the green recoil spring and strenthened frame, but not the rebound hammer It's also all German with the stamped slide. I love it.

Notwithstanding all this love I have for my P220, it is a little light. For just plain shooting, I prefer the weight of the S&W Big Boys. They're all nice pistols. I'm just glad I don't have to make the choice.

__________________
1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70