Just got a p220 in .45 acp. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and the 1911 just wasn't working as well for me- the sig felt wonderful the first time I held one, so here I am. Would love to hear other's experiences with them- things to watch out for, best holsters, your favorite sights, whatever you might share. This will become my EDC after some range time. Also going to be looking for some more magazines- I see there are 7 and 8 rounders, which are better from a reliability standpoint?
Thanks- I'll try to get some pics up this afternoon.

Congratulations on the new family member

I got my first P220 back in 1977(bottom right) and have been shooting them ever since. I even still own that first P220
I find them to be VERY accurate with a decent combat trigger.

I have been using the 8 round mags since the 1980s and have no trouble with them

For your RA, you might choose the Hogue rubber grips to give you a bit of cushion.

I also have RA but shooing does not bother my shooting.

I prefer wood grips like these on my P227
Over the past 4 decades I would say that my P22x family of auto loaders have mostly been carried in an Askin's Avenger holster or one of the many copies of that design.

While the steel frame P220s weigh more, they also greatly reduce the forces that impact your hand. This P220 Sport Stcok also has the factory Nills grips with ti
The 5" P220s are spectacular, but not the best choices for concealed carry these days
The only sight changes I have ever amde was to put Tritium night sights on my carry pieces.

I'm a big fan of the p220's. Here are a few pictures of mine (cell phone pics sorry, they are not the best). My particular example is a p220st, with a nitron stainless steel frame and slide (w/ internal extractor). (Pretty rare combination from my understanding.) For sights I have installed a Warren tactical plain black rear sight and a dawson precision fiber optic front sight. The grips are hogue rubber grips. I can echo what the poster above said as well, the all steel versions are some soft shooters even more so with the hogue rubber grips.

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They are great pistols. It's the *only* SIG pistol that I'd be willing to purchase today, new. Just my own take on it.

From what I've read, the P220 was originally a 9mm, built up to a .45 auto. There are some LEO armorer's on various forums that will say the P220 isn't a super high round count pistol, but it should go 5-10k rounds.

I think it's one of the finest .45 autos you can buy today.

I've had a few.. I prefer the earlier guns. The triggers have gotten increasingly worse as the years moved on.

My favorite are the Browning / Sig guns from the 70's.

A couple pictures. Took it to the range- WOW is this thing easy shooting and accurate! I'm amazed at how it makes me look like I know how to shoot....

Ate everything I fed it, 250 rounds of mixed fmj and jhp, but the slide did not always lock open on empty. Other than that, seems like the best .45 I've ever shot, which makes me feel a lot better about selling off the 1911.

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As you might guess from my forum name, I am a fan.

I bought mine off my Dad's FFL when I was still in the FBI academy. I picked it up (with my wife and baby) and headed to New Orleans, my first duty station.

I took it out of the box, loaded it, and fired a qualification course (50 rounds). I then put it in the Sig 226 holster they issued me and gave the 9mm back to the Division firearms instructor. It was issued to a guy on the white collar squad who still had a revolver. My .45 and I then did 25 years together with the FBI.



It kept getting grandfathered in, while all other guns got dropped. We retired together in 2016, and I gave it to my oldest son.



You have a fine pistol. Don't mess with it. The only time mine gave me trouble was when I tried to convert the 7 round mags to 8. I finally just switched the springs back and bought 8 rounders (and some 10 rounders). They worked fine.

I put at least 1,000 rounds a year through mine for 25 years.

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Rule of law, not a man.

The P220 was the first really nice semi-auto I purchased and the reason was due to the tremendous reputation it had already earned. Mine is a West German production model dating to 1995 I think. The only change I made over the years was adding the Sig Rosewood Stocks. It still looks like it could be sitting in a new gun case at a LGS. Needless to say I have no plans to part with it. It is accurate and has been 100% reliable with any ammo I've ever tried.

I have stocked up on the Mecgar 8 round mags, great mags for a little less than OEM and never a problem with them. BTW, Mecgar makes the Sig OEM mags so save yourself a little $ and look at the Mecgar mags over the Sig branded ones.

What a great gun, and a great story! Thank you for your service sir!

That makes me feel quite confident in my acquisition. Did you leave the stock sights? I've never seen any quite like these, but they are certainly accurate and easy to shoot- though not night sights. I'm not really sold on the night sight thing anyway- but I also don't have much experience with such things.

I've always been told the 1911 is the ultimate .45, but after today's range trip i'm thinking it's the p220.

I have shot a 220 and a 227 and I like both of them. I really like the DA trigger and the decocker that is not a safety and goes back by itself. Larry

The more you use it, the more you'll love it.

The earliest import was by Hawes in California. It was very well used before I purchased it and still works flawlessly.

Then Browning imported them as the BDA in .45 ACP mostly then limited quantities in 9mm (2,740 Mfg) and .38 Super (Only 752 Mfg).

Search for the BDAs, while they perform as excellent as all other, the finish on the Brownings BDA / Sigs Slides are much finer finished and "blued" (not appearing black like the standard prods). The Brownings have the European mag release as the Hawes does, too.

Then I have another 220 45 ACP from the early 1990s factory 2-tone, NIB, never fired, Made in Germany.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I own only one Sig and it's a 'more affordable' (cheaper) model, but I'm still very happy with its performance since they are pretty much out of reach for a poor guy like me.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Congratulations on your new weapon, it's a fine one indeed.

I've owned several P220s and this is the only one I still own. A W. Germany KC, (1992) P220 Original box and test target. Sweet shooting .45 and has been 100% reliable. Main reason I kept it was it was built the same year my son was born.

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Isaiah 41:10

Great thread and well-timed as I pick mine up tomorrow. It will be my first .45 in 15 years and I'll be at my LGS's door when they open. Probably won't get to the range 'till next Wednesday and then I'll give a range report and some pictures.

My BDA 9mm..

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Hello Jeff, i bought my first P220 around 1991 IIRC, and have owned several since. Mostly .45s, but a couple 9MMs too. I'd already been carrying a P226 for several years when I bought my first 220, so had no reservations about the quality of the 220. I sometimes used the standard factory sights, and sometimes added Trijicon night sights. I used several different holsters, but a favorite was the Gordon Davis 453 Liberty. I had him make holsters for the P220, 1911 and FN/Browning Hi power, must be 25+ years ago now. I still have them, and they are still good, serviceable holsters. As to magazines, I initially used the 7-round magazines for the .45. Seems to me there were some issues reported with the early 8-round P220 magazines. The 8-round magazines supplied with a later 220 I had performed flawlessly, as did the 8-round magazines used by some of my coworkers.

BTW, all my 220s had one thing in common.All reliable without any tuning, tweaking, adjusting, polishing,etc. Only wish I could say the same for some of the 1911s I've owned. Only have one P220 now, a 9MM. Haven't shot it much at all, but this far it has been just as reliable as the other P220s I've owned.

Enjoy your new P220. It is one of the very best IMHO.....

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Enjoy your P220, I have had a W.German P220 for many years. Very accurate and reliable..

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NRA Benefactor

I've put about 15,000 rounds through mine and I bought it used from what was most likely a LEO based on the holster wear pattern on the gun. That was long before the CCW laws were passed. But I carried it many times anyway. The local cops advised me to carry a gun in this area because "everyone else does" and there is a lot of crime here. I carried that gun for many years including on long trips into wild country on my ATV. I had a lot of faith in that pistol to work every time and to be more accurate than anything else around.

I did have to replace a recoil spring in the gun about 1,000 rounds ago. It should have the whole repair routine done to it where the roll pins are replaced and the springs are upgraded. But other than the time I had issues with the recoil spring that gun has been incredibly reliable. It wore out the spring is all that was about. I would still trust my life to it if I wanted to carry it but if I wanted to shoot it like I once did I'd send it to Sig to be maintained.

I had long wanted a P220 (I have a P226 & P229)... right up until they came out with the 10-round P227! Then things got very confused. Being a 10-round .45 kind of guy, that P227 really made me drool (and it wasn't just old age!).

I didn't know at the time that the P227 was never destined to make the MA approved handgun roster. Had I known that fact at the time (we were continuously misled otherwise), I would have just gone for a P220. But now, I have waited so long that only a P227 is going to satisfy me... ... or maybe not. I keep going back and forth.

The P220 would be easier, quicker and cheaper. The P227, more costly if I can find one at all. By the time I decide, I'll probably be too old to shoot either.

The only other handgun I've ever had that I enjoy this much is my Smith 36-2, which has been with me for a long time. This p220 is light enough to carry easily, yet a nice soft shooter. They really hit a home run with this- and it seems everyone else who has one feels the same.

There is something much more comforting about an all metal gun than plastic-fantastic (says the guy who has two Glocks and loves them...) and I do love the .45

I think this gun and I will be together a long, long time.

I'm sure happy with mine- thanks for the holster tip!

Sig P220 left.jpg
This is one of four that I've owned since 1978. I was issued two others. I was a dedicated M1911 guy until one of these was put in my hands. They are very accurate. My sons and I bounced golf balls out to 40+ yards routinely.

Sights: The one in the pic had "post-dot" and they suck. For me, anyway. You can get 3-dot from Sig for a reasonable price, or pick Novak Low-Mount sights, or Wilson. Novak and Wilson will set you back a bit more, and you may have to have the Novak sights fitted because of their proprietary dovetail cut.

The plastic grips that came with them worked well for me when I carried for a living. The wood ones you see are just decoration. I can shoot OK with them, but if I was shooting it a lot I'd look into Hogue. I really like Crimson Trace Laser Grips for my guns, but they do cost more.

For defensive ammo, I think you'll be happy with the lighter bullets. I like Hornady 185-gr Critical Defense for its easy recoil and excellent accuracy. I also really like Cor Bon 45 Auto 160gr DPX. I suggest avoiding +P, simply because you don't need it.

Oh, magazines. I had trouble with the 8-round mags so I load them to 7 rounds, and they work fine. Otherwise, stick to the 7-round mags. ACT-MAG work very well.

A great pistol and it's fine reputation is what inspired me to get one (one so far).
I feel confident when I shoot it and it is a soft shooting 45.

Enjoy!

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" I don't recall, senator."

I bought my first 220 used about 25 years ago. Somebody bobbed the hammer for pocket carry, and I left it like that. I bought my second about 6 months later and It is all original and I left it like that too! They brought out the 245 and then changed the name to 220 Compact about a year later. That is the last 220 I picked up. Had all 3 over 20 years and find them to be fantastic. I have around 15 holsters but enjoy the Galco "Small of the Back" holster to be my favorite when walking or sitting on a tractor seat with no back support. I had my last suit tailored to fit in a IWB at 4 O'clock (kind of a standard alteration at Men's Warehouse for around $25) The extra piece of cloth protects from snagging, wear and printing under even extreme conditions!

I have about 20 mags and can't get factory mags to fail in any way, with any ammo!

Ivan

I have one with the very early laser, the type that replace the guide rod for the recoil spring. It is very old but even when new was a bit "finicky" but for the most part, OK.

It is a great design.

Does anyone manufacture a revised, more efficient and more reliable internal laser ?

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Neuropathy/feeling loss in both hands, the shakes, just failed my 1st eye exam at the MV & have to drive with glasses. Having owned the regular alloy P220 45 acp & the heavier stainless version, I kept the stainless. Returning it to Sig for the stainless guide rod (? or maybe it came with that), short trigger, short re set, action enhancement package & night sites, I LIKE IT! Maybe not my best groups, but very close & my best double tap (VERY fast) to POA at 10 yards that holes almost touched. (200 gr cast with 6 gr unique). NO problems with the factory 8 round mags for me, other than the cost. I had the internal red laser on the alloy version & EH. It shows me AND any possible BG where to shoot with something else to potentially break/fail, not for me. IF wearing both wrist braces I have bumped the mag release a time or 2. Too big/heavy for CC, but MY most COMFORTING handgun. ENJOY.

I bought my P220 back in the 90's after a fellow let me shoot his P220. After that, I had to have one. It's been unfailingly reliable. Never a malfunction of any sort with either handloads or factory ammo. Not one hiccup. My P228 is of the same vintage and has also never hiccuped. I comfortably trust my life to the two of them.

I have a 10 round mag for my W. Germany P-220. It doesn't feed reliably though. I have never had a problem with the 8 round mags.

My late Grandmother once told me "If you can't decide, take one of each"

Here is the other side of my P227 for you
BTW modifying the locking plate, or using a P226 locking plate, allows the original P227b factory mag to hold 11 rounds. It also increase the 14 round extended magazines to 15 rounds.

I really like the pistol, but not so much that I will part with any of my
P220s.

Oh, I understand 10-round extended magazines. I have some for my 4506 and 4566TSW pistols. I'm talking about 10-round flush magazines like for my M&P45, HK45, 1911A2, etc.

It's a Massachusetts thang.

I switched from Colt 1911s to a W. German Sig 220 in about 1988 or so....... it will shoot cloverleafs at 50 ft.... in the right hands .

It was my winter carry for a number of years..... till Sig introduced the 245 ...... a compact 220 6+1 w/ a 3.9" barrel/slide....... so a bit more concealed carry friendly....... with an X-grip adapter it can use the 8round 220 mags as backups.

Like the de-cocker ...... and for "carrying a lot and shooting a little" it's much lighter than the S&W 4566


Also have an all stainless 220......it was going to be an IDPA gun ; but kids and soccer got in the way....... so it's still a safe Queen.

I bought a new one close to twenty years ago. I only shoot cast bullets in it as I do my other .45s. The Sig is quite accurate; it shoots better than the one S&W 4506 I had and as well as any of my Colt 1911s, maybe even a little better. Good gun-

Your grandmother was a wise woman. Unfortunately, my wallet is not that fat. Sigs do not come cheap, even the ones that are officially state & AG approved here... so it will be one or the other.

The truth be known, after such a long and hopeless wait, I was all set to settle for a P220 when I found a used "as-new" P227 for relative cheap down in Little Rhody. Unfortunately, I was not able to import it, but it renewed my interest to the point where I decided I was willing to wait even longer for the right (10+1 round) gun. And, of course, I'm still waiting.

I actually went to buy a Colt 1911 the day I got my Sig. The guy who owned it asked a ridiculous price for it (he ended up selling for less than I offered him once his head came back to earth) so I went to a LGS and bought the Sig instead. I thank that guy for being ridiculous because I have a better pistol because of it.

Thanks to this thread I pulled mine out of the safe and fired it for the first time in four years yesterday. Thanks for that! 24 rounds of perfect shooting. I enjoy my ST and it's very accurate.

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

I don't believe you'll be disappointed. I own 3.

Give the Hogue rubber grips a try. They seem to tone down the recoil a bit. I'm told they aren't optimum for carry since they grip clothing as well as hands. Since I live in San Diego I wouldn't know.

I love the P220. Mine is highly reliable with the 7 round and 8 round magazines. I'd venture to say that, buy and large, they've more reliable than many 1911s out there. Accuracy is superb. Mine is an ex-police gun in top shape:



My guess?

You're going to love your new pistol.

Way back when I took the SIG armorer's course, and eventually when I had the coin I sprung for a P220 .45. For whatever reason I never COULD shoot the thing for beans. I know they could shoot well as a friend of mine got an "E" ticket with one at Gunsite and even the Colonel was impressed.

As for me, I gave my 220 to the same guy. He had bought me a lot of Chinese lunches when I was broke all the time.

What I find interesting, odd, and gratifying is that my .45 Shield, which is sort of a bobbed 220, shoots very well for me.

Live and learn.

colt_saa, very nice SIG. I have to admit I thought is was interesting that SIG went to the trouble and expense to produce a new frame to create a pistol that would hold only two more rounds in it's standard magazine than a P220. Possibly because with extended magazines, the capacity gap would widen between P220 capacity and that of the P227?

Great looking grips BTW, Hogues?

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

My P-6 is the best of the Sigs. Dated 1980, so it is a German police model. Possibly East German.
Shoots and operates perfectly.
The hammer has a slot cut into it.
Been told that is for a lanyard. Or to check if it has been dropped??