Replies to several posts:
Inusuit, for defense, I prefer the SA/DA. Nothing beats a SAO, but I seldom use those for anything other than target shooting and hunting. Don't care for striker fired handguns, especially those with the safety on the trigger, as that is not a good design for pocket carry. I grew up on revolvers, so the transition to SA/DA was natural to me.
Aircrewman, yes it seems to point quite well, better than its P220 big brother, which points very well for me. BTW, a Model 39 is on my bucket list too, but having a Model 52 it's been lower priority. Might hold out for a nickel 39, since I have no nickel pistols.
Frank46, the biggest differences between the P225 and P6 are:
- Generally the P225 has a finer finish. The P6 is more utilitarian but this does not mean it is an inferior finish. Again, this is a generality as there are exceptions.
- All P225s have a feed ramp optimized for hollow points. Generally most early P6 models have feed ramps optimized for FMJ. Later P6 models have the P225 feed ramps.
- P6 models have the "Deformationssporn" hammer, literally "deformation spur". The curled end has a narrow opening in it. For some reason the P225 if dropped has a propensity to land on the hammer. The P6 hammer is designed to close that gap if it lands on the hammer, giving a department armorer a visual tell-tale that the gun was dropped and to inspect and/or replace the hammer.
- The P6 has a heavier hammer spring. An easy upgrade is to replace it with a P225 hammer spring.
Absalom, actually 1994 AND Made in West Germany are correct. Upon reunification, the German government allowed manufacturers to continue to put Made in West Germany on their products for five years. Reunification was on October 3, 1990, so the cut off date was October 3, 1995. SIG/Sauer ran right up to the date. In fact, they still have Made in W. Germany marked slides in stock after that date, so they have to stamp out the W. portion. In depth info about this topic here:
Is my "Made in Germany" (or West Germany) SIG Really German? - Real Gun Reviews
BAM-BAM, I really liked the feel of the 39. But when they went to the 39xx series, I passed. The arched backstrap was gone, and the grip just seemed like I was holding a piece of lumber. That's one reason why I never cared for the Model 59 either. I think the 39 was more reliable than the 59, anyway.