This is another article slated for publication in The Blue Press. Comments welcome.

John



During the late 1960s, Switzerland’s Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (Swiss Industrial Company, better known as SIG) began development of a new 9mm pistol which would replace the aging SIG P210 pistols then in the Swiss service. This was a tall order, as the single-action P210 9mm semiauto pistols were generally acknowledged as perhaps the best in the world, and had been since World War II. Machined and assembled with Swiss precision, the P210 was accurate and reliable, but very expensive to manufacture. It was thought that the new replacement pistol should be a double-action design, fully as accurate as the P210, but simpler and more economical to produce with modern production materials and techniques. That SIG succeeded in this quest is a tribute to the engineering skills of the company, and the new P220 pistol became legendary for its reliability, ergonomic qualities, accuracy, and innovative production methods. Today, the P220 and its similar offspring are used not only in the Swiss Army, but in the hands of special military units and police organizations world-wide.

To go back to the beginning, SIG began as a wagon factory created in 1853 by Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher. They won a contract to manufacture 30,000 muzzle-loading rifles, and at that point changed their name to its current form. After many years of successful arms making in Neuhausen Rhinefalls, it was natural for the Swiss government to turn once again to SIG to design and produce a successor to the P210. Following World War II, SIG had bought a controlling interest in the German arms making firm of J.P. Sauer und Sohn, and collaborated with that company in the design of the new pistol, with an eye towards also using its considerable manufacturing capability. It didn’t hurt that utilizing a German plant would help in getting German police contracts, and possibly also getting some NATO business. Switzerland, as is generally known, remains a neutral nation, and its export regulations are stringent about exporting firearms. It therefore made a lot of sense to produce the new design in Germany. Sauer had a long history with the Germans, including making finely crafted Mauser K98k rifles during World War II.

The marriage of SIG and Sauer was a good one. Engineering personnel from both firms put their heads together and incorporated a number of innovative features into the new pistol. The locking system was a spinoff of the original locked breech short-recoil Browning principle. Previously, it was necessary for both the barrel and the slide to have locking lugs and cuts that would mate together for lockup as the barrel was cammed up and forward. The new SIG/Sauer design dispensed with the necessity for such machining, locking the barrel and the slide together with an enlarged breech section mating into the ejection port in the slide. This principle is now used widely, being utilized by Glock, Heckler & Koch, and many others. The construction of the slide itself was unique for its time. While it appears that the slide is constructed from a single piece of machined steel, such is not the case. In fact, the bulk of the slide is actually a thick sheet metal stamping which is machined only on the exterior for the finger grooves and contour. The breechblock, which is a solid piece, is roll-pinned into the rear of the slide. The nose section of the slide is welded in, complete with an internal barrel bushing. The welding and finishing is very well done, and the result is almost indistinguishable from milled steel. This innovative method of slide fabrication helped immensely in reducing production costs and increasing manufacturing volume. The hammer, trigger and mag catch button are investment castings. The recoil spring is made of wound multi-strand wire, helping to ensure reliability and longevity. A full-length recoil spring guide rod is standard. The barrel measures 4.4 inches in length.

The frame of the pistol is made of forged aluminum alloy, another use of modern materials. It has a hard-anodized coating that exactly matches the finish on the slide. Utilizing a feature of the pre-World War II Sauer 38H pistol, the new SIG P220 used a hammer-drop lever to the rear of the trigger on the left side. Following chambering a round initially, the cocked hammer is safely lowered with this device, and the pistol is ready for immediate firing via a long double-action pull on the trigger. A takedown lever, mounted in the left side of the frame forward of the trigger, allows quick and easy field stripping. The slide stop lever is mounted aft on the left side, and part of it serves as the ejector. A firing pin safety is utilized, requiring a complete pull of the trigger to allow forward movement of the firing pin. Early pistols had a magazine release on the heel of the pistol, similar to the system used on the German P.38 pistols. This type of release requires a conscious effort to drop the magazine, and was considered by the Germans as a benefit over the thumb button so as not to inadvertently lose a magazine during stress. Keeping things simple, there is no manual safety, nor is there a magazine safety. As with a revolver, the double-action pull is considered safe enough to prevent unintentional firing. The hammer can be thumb-cocked for a light single-action pull, or fired in that mode directly following loading. Using this pistol is closely analogous to operating a double-action revolver, a plus for police departments transitioning to automatic pistols, as many were in the mid-1970s.

In 1975, Switzerland officially adopted the P220 as the “Pistole 75”, or P75, chambered in 9mm Parabellum. Japan, Denmark and France soon joined Switzerland in adapting the P220. SIG lost no time in marketing the new pistol to other nations. The P220 first came to U.S. soil as the Browning Double Action (BDA). Browning-marketed pistols had the heel-mounted magazine release. These were sold in the U.S. from about 1977 to 1980. Browning dropped the line due to poor sales, which many attributed to the pistol’s “new age” appearance. The BDA slides are stamped on the left side “Browning Arms Company Morgan, Utah and Montreal PQ” and “SIG-Sauer System Made in W. Germany” on the right. They were offered for sale in 9mm, .38 Super, and .45 ACP. .38 Super pistols are quite rare. Interarms imported P220s for a short time thereafter. In 1985, SIGARMS became the American branch of SIG, headquartered in Tysons Corner Virginia. The P220s have since been imported here only in .45 ACP through SIGARMS. The pistol illustrated is one of these, manufactured in 1997. They have the thumb button mag release, and feature 7- or 8-round single-stack magazines. In 1987, SIGARMS moved to Herndon, Virginia, and in 1990 moved again to Exeter, New Hampshire where some manufacturing is now conducted.

Minor changes have been made over the years on the P220 for American consumption. In addition to the button mag release, machining on the slide has been slightly changed, and checkered grips have replaced the older “pebbled” style. It is currently offered in a number of different variations. The ground-breaking P220 has spawned other similar and very reliable 9mm pistols, notably the compact P225 and P226. In addition to law enforcement employment, the latter pistol is currently used in our armed forces and by government intelligence agencies.

To quote from a Sig Sauer advertisement: “This is a pistol that can fire off 10,000 rounds in a day, without a single failure.” So it can, and right out of the box, no gunsmithing required. It’s earned the trust of police and military units around the world, and can be relied on as a superb civilian defense arm. Although these modern classics are expensive ($1,000 plus) when bought new, used excellent condition military surplus P220s can be had as of this writing for between $500-600. When your life is on the line and you want top-notch quality, these reliable and powerful pistols are certainly worth every penny.

(c) 2013 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Finally. at last, I have gun John wrote about!

Comment,

The best non 1911, 45 Auto out of the box.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Very nice writing and I agree, it's an excellent gun. It's light weight and small enough to be carried with no issues yet potent enough to make an excellent SD or Duty gun. I've had 2 of them through the years and have yet to have my first failure to fire or eject in either gun.

The Sig P220 is the only gun I ever (stupidly) sold and bought again.

I have a P220 .45 ACP made in Germany in 1998.

I also have a .38 Super made in 1980


Notice the European Mag release.



Both are excellent shooters and I love the way they fit my hand.

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Corripe Cervisiam

You said that the P-210 dates from WW II. It was first seen about 1947, from what I've read and was initially known as the P-47/8, and adopted by Switzerland in 1949.
I think this is correct. If Swissman sees this, he may know more.

This is, as usual, a good article and the photo is exceptional.

The Germans may have had something there--not much, but something. I bought a P225 in 1986 and shot it extensively. Just one time when I depressed the hammer drop level, my thumb slipped and hit the magazine release and dropped the magazine. Embarrassing.

John, excellent article with your usual excellent, second-to-none photo for illustration.

According to this it was called the P49 and I have seen other sites that called it the M49.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_P210

Here is a beautiful one for sale.
SIG P210 M49 cal.9mm Swiss Army Rig : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

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Corripe Cervisiam

The 210 was developed by SIG using Charles Petter patents during the WWII period for the 1943-1947 Swiss Army trials for a new service pistol. The finalized version appeared in 1947, but did not actually see service until 1949. At least some prototypes were around during the war.

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/othe...guns/sig-p210/

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Well said. My first choice after a 1911 for a duty gun. How I wish I could carry one of those for duty

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

You sold me, John. Now if only I had some money...

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thanks for the history lesson. Fun to read, as well
as being a history lesson.
I appreciate your sharing another great article.
TACC1

John:

Excellent article and photo. I once owned a Sig P-220 in .45ACP with the European type magazine release. Mine was from Sig USA, so no import marks. I tried very hard to like this pistol, but it just didn't fit right in my hands, and it always shot high for me. Now a Sig P210, I'd love to try one of those out.

Regards,

Dave

You're preaching to the choir. if all goes as planned I'll be sending a new recipe of 200gr swc's over 6 grs of unique downrange in the am.

A nice gun, but too big for my hand, with too long of a trigger reach.

I like the SA only model.

I think Hawes also imported these guns under their name about when Browning did.

I recently sold my 220, and was sorry to do so. It is a fine pistol, and far more practical and operational than any other full-size .45 ACP I have owned or shot.

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I'm with the banned ...

I too have had many P220s, but I prefer it's younger brother the P226! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Great article!

I bought mine from the first batch of 'American magazine release' versions to hit our shores in 1987. I waited for it since I couldn't wrap my mind around the heel release Europe used.

The Browning versions were nice, but they also had the heel release, so hearing the scuttlebutt about the new release, I waited and was rewarded.

I've fed mine every bullet type, shape, weight and velocity from ho-hum to HOLY MOSES with NO failures - none!

Add to this, the reason I bought it instead of a 1911 is the grip. It fits my hand so well. Upon further investigation, it becomes plain to see that it is a bobtail.

When I bought my first good 1911, it was a bobtail.

John,
You did write that the early slides where stamped and rolled around.
All the new models are all machined now.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Where's our member SIG-P-220? His gun looks pretty good, with smooth wooden grips. Maybe he'll post photos of it again?

He seems rather glad that the Bureau let him "grandfather" it in when the FBI went to Glocks.

I have seen one P220 chambered for 7.65mm Parabellum aka Luger. It had the heel clip magazine retention. While not certain, I imagine that any 9mm 220 could be adapted to fire the 7.65mm simply by swapping barrels. I would guess that SIG offered this caliber option primarily with Italian civilian sales in mind.

I believe I now have 3 Sigs, all in 9mm. I have a 229, P6 and a 225. The latter 2 are very similar, the P6 being a former military issue. They have all been flawless in many thousands of rounds. I had a 220 in .45 and sold it as I just never loved it. In .45, I prefer my 1911's.

As always, nice read John.

I've shot my neighbor's 220. Great handgun, but I'd never own one. I just don't feel comfortable with the size especially with some of their wood stocks. It's huge.

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paws for friendship

I wouldn't say my hands are real big, thick maybe. ALL of the patients I've had to give suppositories, enema's and dissempactions would disagree. you can get a short trigger and short trigger re-set done at the sig factory, reasonably priced and fast. got it on all my 3 and it helps quite a bit. no more reaching for the trigger and the standard grips are filling. a slimmer grip might help also. I would also recommend the accuracy enhancement package done while it's there.

The P220 is the most accurate .45 acp I own...fun shooter.

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C & L

Now you're talking!

I was issued a Sig 226 in the FBI Academy when I went through in 91, but I knew I wanted a .45 so I somehow bled $533 out of my meager budget and had my Dad order this 220 on his FFL. I qualified with it straight out of the box, put it in the holster they gave me for the 226, and sallied forth to fight crime on the mean streets of New Orleans.

No more Sigs are authorized by the Bu, and all the Bu-issued ones have been recalled and replaced with Glocks. Personally owned Sigs are grandfathered in, so mine keeps soldiering on after 22 years. There aren't many others.

The grips are Hogues - a father's day present from my kids many years ago. I'm not sure they're approved so I put the factory grips back on when it goes back to Quantico every five years or so for inspection and night sight replacement.

Over the years I've accumulated eight 7-round mags so I don't slow down the Glock shooters too much at qualification time reloading mags. I'm old and amiable, so they don't really mind anyway.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

My W. German 220 replaced my Colt as my carry .45 sometime in the mid-80s (?) it will shoot cloverleaf's at 50ft. I think they were less than $500 out the door back then! Short triggers are the way to go. My local "police supply house" had a few pair of checkered wood grips, and I got a set.....one nice looking shooting gun!!

It's been retired as a carry gun in favor of a 245. Only one less round and a much (perception) shorter grip....... carry an 8rd spare!

Haven't seen a 220 for sale in years around here... new or used.

[Off topic; Seems such a shame that the Agency that give us such classic and cool guns like the S&W 3 1/2" 27, 3" Model 13, Novack's Browning HP and...... sigp220's.... 220 (LOL)........ are now carrying soulless Glocks}

Nice post! I had one of the early Browning BDA's, should have kept it, excellent pistol.

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Stay safe people!

The P220 is about as good as a gun gets. I've got 2 P220s and a P245.

Wouldn't mind having another.

Available in all steel as well. P-220 SS & P-220 SSE

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

I want one

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

I love mine. Here's the W. German, with tysons Corner markings.

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Certified AR-15 / SIG Armorer.

I own two; one is blued and the other is two-tone. Awesome weaponry!!