I am thinking of buying a S&W 4506 or a Sig P220

pasote · Jul 26, 2020

Hello Everyone. I have a colt Classic 1911 in .45acp and a Colt Gold cup in.45 acp and I love them. I am thinking of adding to my .45 acp collection with a DA/SA pistol, either a S&W 4506 or a Sig P220. I would like any input that you may have with either the sig or the S&W. Which one do you prefer? Thanks.
Ray

ralph7 · Jul 26, 2020

Here's a vote for the Sig, have had two of them.

mrchuck · Jul 26, 2020

I shoot a Sig P-6.
The old timers here know this pistol.
Maybe one of them will comment on it.

ContinentalOp · Jul 26, 2020

Here's one thing to consider: The 4506 is no longer in production, and hasn't been for several years, the P220 is still in production. I've seen posts here and other forums talking about the difficulty of finding parts and magazines for 3rd Gen, and older, S&W semi-autos. With the P220 still in production, one should still be able to get parts, magazines, and factory service if needed, not to mention aftermarket accessories.

So I would go with the P220. But there are other reasons, too. 3rd Gen S&W semi-autos don't fit my hand well. I don't like their slide-mounted safeties. If this could be a carry gun, the P220 will be noticeably lighter.

Just my opinion.

J. W. · Jul 26, 2020

If it's to be a age queen/ range toy, I'd go with the 4506 or 4566. The Sigs are still in production, but good examples of the 3rd Gen S&W are getting to be somewhat rare. Parts, mags, etc. are out there to be found, just not as readily as the same items for the Sig.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

colt_saa · Jul 26, 2020

The SIG P220 is one of the finest combat handguns that has ever been designed

It has been manufactured in seven different calibers, 5 different barrel lengths and is available as an alloy frame or a stainless frame.

It has been available as a Traditional Double Action or a Single Action Only pistol

The design originated in the mid 1970s and it has been in continuous production and service with Law Enforcement and Military personnel around the world for 44 years and counting.

While the standard versions are very accurate, target grade versions of the P220 have also been manufactured

There is even a currently manufactured 22LR top end for the pistol available with or without a threaded barrel for suppressor use

That basic P220 design has been spun off into the P226, P228 and P229 pistols, the compact P225/P6 9MM followed by the P227 wide body, 10 round 45ACP pistol

The 4506 is a very nice production Smith and Wesson pistol

ISCS Yoda · Jul 26, 2020

Funny thing is I dumped my 1911s years ago, not a fan, but I kept my CS-45, because I am a .45 ACP fan. And a TDA fan. So I just recently decided I needed a service sized .45 ACP pistol in the stable and I ran across the SAR K2 c. It's made in Turkey, it's heavy and built like a tank, and far less cost than a much sought after S&W 4506 or a SIG P-220. It's not cheap junk, it's inexpensive but solid, even my jaded FFL was impressed by it. It's definitely not a concealment weapon, not for me, anyway. But I think it will be a great gun and I'll have a range report someday soon.

iscs-yoda-albums-pistols-all-brands-picture22013-sar-k2-c.jpg

JohnHL · Jul 26, 2020

Our members make a very persuasive case for the Sig.

But this IS a Smith & Wesson Forum, after all.

John

WR Moore · Jul 26, 2020

While there have been some valid points made above, like still in production, the Sig series has some "issues" particularly if you're used to the 1911.

First, the Sig couples a (to me) short, heavy double action pull with a short, light single action pull. While you can learn to live with it, Jeff Cooper invented the "crunchenticker" moniker for TDAs when Sig was pretty much the only game in town. It fits. A fast, well placed, controlled pair is going to require a significant learning curve. I've never tried one, but I've heard a lot of very good things about Sigs DAO versions of various models. I don't know if this would interest you or it's available on the 220, but it does eliminate the point raised above.

Secondly, for a 1911 user, the slide release is where you're used to finding the safety. I struggled with the above 2 points during our service pistol trials in 1992.

Third, at the 25 yard barricade, the 220 literally beat me (my hands) bloody.

Strictly from an esthetics standpoint, the breech block pinned in a sheet metal slide by a roll pin really isn't a good fit with the price point. IMO

If you look around, you might find some other option that you might like better.

HOUSTON RICK · Jul 26, 2020

I agree with our members, buy the Sig; Model 4506's are hard enough for us to find as it is. You can impress all your European friends and show your global outlook!

SAFireman · Jul 26, 2020

I vote for the Sig. I had a p220 (original design) some years ago and sold it to a buddy. I now have a p220 Compact SAS and will not be selling it. I think that the P220 has pretty much any 3rd gen S&W out classed, but I may be prejudiced.

Good luck in your search.

Echo40 · Jul 26, 2020

Personally, if it were me, then I would get the S&W 4506.

Sure, the SIG P220 is still in production, but the 4506 is a nicer firearm, is built like a tank, parts still seem to be readily available in spite of the fact that the gun itself is out of production, and there are police trade-in 4506s which tend to sell for significantly less than the P220.

If you were intending to use this as a carry gun, then I would begrudgingly suggest the P220 over the 4506, but you aren't, so 4506 all the way.

18DAI · Jul 26, 2020

I shot a few hundred rounds through both a Sig 220 and a 4506-1 before deciding.

Accuracy and reliability were a wash, for me. Both were exceedingly accurate with no malfunctions using our duty ammo, RA45T.

But I did not like the recoil pulse I got in the palm of my hand shooting the Sig. The 4506-1 is more pleasant to shoot and being heavier than the Sig is a more stable shooting platform, for me.

I chose the 4506-1 and never looked back. I am still using one today. Never broke....anything. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI

CH4 · Jul 26, 2020

I’ve owned and carried both as duty guns - Sig P220 all the way. To my mind the Sig is a step above the 4506. It’s lighter, I liked the Sig’s sights and ergonomics, no silly magazine safety, etc. Overall I think the Sig P series in general is much more refined than the Smith autos.

leonardocarrillo · Jul 26, 2020

My vote is for the P220, I have a Sig Sauer made in Germany in 1993 and it never failed me.

hammy5150 · Jul 26, 2020

If I was collecting or just wanted a range toy? 4506, they're out of production and are only going to get more expensive and hard to find parts for. For serious use I'd probably go with a P220 since they still are in production and have a rail.

pasote · Jul 26, 2020

How do they shoot?

ralph7 said:
Here's a vote for the Sig, have had two of them.

How do they shoot? Pretty accurate? Thanks
Ray

Miami_JBT · Jul 26, 2020

I'm not a fan of the P220. I much prefer my Smiths and my Ruger

Model 645

Model 4506-1

Model 4566

Model 4566TSW

Model P345

TercGen · Jul 26, 2020

I've never handled a Sig P220, but have shot other Sigs in the past, and my preference is the 4506 (or any other TDA S&W 3rd Gen) over Sigs. They fit my hand better, have the same manual of arms as the Beretta 92, are reliable, accurate, and pretty fun to collect.

Mags and parts are out there for the 4506 still, and honestly in terms of parts the only ones you'll probably need are recoil springs and maybe a new guide rod (I'd recommend a BMCM custom 1-piece). As has been mentioned, these guns are built like tanks.

BigBoy99 · Jul 26, 2020

My experience with non-M1911 .45 cal. pistols began with a Glock 21. Bought it and took it to the range. After the second magazine I decided it had to go back and become a down-payment on some other .45 cal handgun. I came home with a Sig P220. I liked it so much, there are now a P220 in the bedroom, in my truck and in the workshop!

I am thinking of buying a S&W 4506 or a Sig P220

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