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

[pasote]

Thanks Everybody for your responses. I appreciate them. I am having a problem with my computer responding to everyone but I do appreciate your help.
Ray

 

[Miami_JBT]

I like the Rugers and Smiths so much I just pulled the trigger on a P90DC.

 

[Miami_JBT]

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.

To me, the Ruger P345 does everything the Sig P220 does without the massive hit in the wallet. The P345 weighs less than the P220. Both are 8+1 capacity. Both have accessory rails. Both still have factory support.

A good conditioned used P345 is a hell of a steal right now. The damn thing is the size of a Commander 1911 and weighs less than the S&W Scandium framed guns.

 

[sodacan]

P220 for sure. One of the best guns on the planet.

 

[oysterer]

I love 1911s but this one is the very best 45 I own, no other can touch it. It is a now obsolete SSE. DA/SA trigger is spectacular, never a FTF and just stunning accuracy. The target was set up at 20 yards, 3 long mags full, 30 rounds in one giant hole. I drifted the rear sight a little after that. I forgot: The economics are fantastic too.

 

[sigp220.45]

You can probably guess from my screen name which way I'll vote.

I carried a Sig P220 for 25 years as a FBI agent. It was unfailingly reliable and accurate.

I like the 4506, but the two guns really aren't in the same class.

 

[DanRod_LA]

Lots of great arguments for both the Sig and the Smith.

Here's my two cents, based on what I've learned carrying a 4506 as a duty gun.

It's an amazing gun. Reliable, accurate, and with practice easy to use. As others have mentioned, parts are hard to find but not at all impossible. If you commit to it you'll find what you need. LAPD does not authorize the P220, so the 4506 is the only one out of the two I can carry. I say that to assure you that you can make it work with either choice. Sig's are great guns as wel, a friend of mine has a West German P220 and It's an outstanding shooter. It's a close call between the two.

I would say it would come down to shooting them both. Whichever feels better and works best for you should be your choice. I shoot a 4506 better than a Glock because the grip and angle works for me, I pick up the front sight faster. Once I over came the double action trigger it was a no brainer.

Best wishes to you and your search.

 

[CH4]

To me, the Ruger P345 does everything the Sig P220 does without the massive hit in the wallet. The P345 weighs less than the P220. Both are 8+1 capacity. Both have accessory rails. Both still have factory support.

A good conditioned used P345 is a hell of a steal right now. The damn thing is the size of a Commander 1911 and weighs less than the S&W Scandium framed guns.

Personal preference is just that, personal preference. If owning a Ruger P345 makes you happy that's all that matters, no further explanation is needed.

 

[505Gibbs]

Another vote for the Sig P220. I have several : 45ACP, 10mm and 38 Super.

 

[N4KVE]

I have both a 645, & a 220. But my 220 says "Made in W. Germany". Big difference between that one, & what they sell now. Their guns have cheapened over the years. So to choose between a 645/4506, & a newer Exeter Sig, the S&W wins hands down. But if the Sig says Made in W. Germany, or Made in Germany, its a toss up. My Sig was imported in Herndon Va, before Exeter was ever in the picture. I've owned it since 1988. GARY

 

[Silver GT]

GLOCK 30
SF (Short Frame)
Subcompact
.45 Auto
Mag. Capacity
10 Rounds in the Clip.

 

[jemsj4]

I've never shot the Smith, but do like the Sig 220. In general, every Smith vs Sig I've done the edge goes to Sig. Either will work, I just like Sigs a little better. There's also the part about the Sig still being in production. I also have a few P series Rugers. Rugers are rugged guns, they just aren't in the same class as the Smith & Sig. The P345 is also no longer in production.

 

[FUBAR-M1A]

I've owned & shot both & I prefer the 4506. I HATED the P220s loooong DA trigger & the reset in SA was just as bad. I think Sigs are nice guns, & have owned a couple a couple different models, But I've hated every DA/SA Sig I've tried. I could never get over how long the trigger pull & resets were. The 4506 DA is nice & there's hardly no trigger reset in SA.

 

[pasote]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it very much. My computer will not allow me to answer everyone, so I am posting this reply. I tried to find a S&W 4506 but I could not find one, so I started looking for a Sig P220. The only P220s I could find were overpriced legions, carry models (I wanted a full size), some with contrast sights (I wanted night sights) and NOS all north of $1100. I did find a like new P227 in .45 acp at a reasonable price and I did purchase it. The P227 is just a P220 with a slightly wider body to accomodate the 10 round clip. So I am happily awaiting its arrival. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

 

[Frank Black]

Just remember, ... Sonny Crockett preferred big-bore S&Ws over Euro guns.

I'm sure that'll make the decision easier.

 

[Imshootin]

I've had a couple P220s. An all stainless and a W. German folded slide model. Both were incredibly reliable and accurate. I sold the all stainless model a few years ago. The folded slide model and my German frame P226 will probably stay with me to the end.

 

[Imshootin]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it very much. My computer will not allow me to answer everyone, so I am posting this reply. I tried to find a S&W 4506 but I could not find one, so I started looking for a Sig P220. The only P220s I could find were overpriced legions, carry models (I wanted a full size), some with contrast sights (I wanted night sights) and NOS all north of $1100. I did find a like new P227 in .45 acp at a reasonable price and I did purchase it. The P227 is just a P220 with a slightly wider body to accomodate the 10 round clip. So I am happily awaiting its arrival. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

Sent you a PM.

 

[RufusG]

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

But...but...but......GERMAN ENGINEERING!

 

[Frank Black]

I have both a 645, & a 220. But my 220 says "Made in W. Germany". Big difference between that one, & what they sell now. Their guns have cheapened over the years. So to choose between a 645/4506, & a newer Exeter Sig, the S&W wins hands down. But if the Sig says Made in W. Germany, or Made in Germany, its a toss up. My Sig was imported in Herndon Va, before Exeter was ever in the picture. I've owned it since 1988.

Yeah, I too had one of the last "Made in W.Germany' P220s in the collection for years and just never shot it much. Picked it up back in 1990 or so.

Got waaay more than I paid for it when I put it on consignment sale last year at the LGS. Gone one day after hitting the 'pre-owned' shelf.

So clearly there are folks who keep an eye out for the older Sig P220s.

 

[sodacan]

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.

I am a huge fan of the P220, but the trigger on even a cheap 1911 is preferable. SA guns are often better in the trigger department. Personally, I prefer DA/SA semi-auto pistols, and I've learned to be fairly proficient with the Sig through using it. The SRT on my newer one is an improvement. My old West German P220 has the stamped slide and pinned breech block. The gun has been totally reliable, and solid as a rock. As far as aesthetics go, I'm not sure why that would even be an issue. Shoot what you like and like what you shoot.