P210 "counter-culture view"
The German 210s have received some decent reviews, but really, they are not a P210 in the way many of those of us with a few years behind us think of the 210. 210s were made by SIG in Switzerland, not Sauer in Germany, no matter how good the German guns are.
The Germans have attempted to improve on the 210 in some important ways - most notable to the shooter are the magazine release and the shape of the frame (to prevent hammer-biting). The original 210 is an awkward fighting pistol, by U.S./1911 standards. I know that will pain my Swiss friends (I'm sorry!
) but it is, unfortunately, what it is. In spite of that, I just don't see the sense in "re-creating" a P210 other than exactly as the original was made. Something else is... something else.
The Germans have also made some rather bizarre versions (long slides and grips) to appeal to target shooters and collectors. The prices are accordingly bizarre.
Though I am deliriously happy to finally, after all these years, have my own great P210 (a -2 version) I can't say I really know what the fuss is all about with the 210. Is it a good pistol in terms of workmanship and a pleasure to use? Unquestionably. However, if you spend a similar amount of money on a top-end 1911 will it shoot just as well? In my experience, yes, and it will be a much handier pistol for the American hand to use.
All that said, the Swiss-version of the pistol does seem to have a certain unexplainable "charm" about it, and I would not want to be without mine.
