Author Topic: What are your experiences with a P220? (Read 6988 times)

Patriot_1776 · « **on:** September 27, 2004, 07:17:20 PM »

Hey guys, I've had one of these (P220ST) for a few months now, and I was wondering what good (and bad experiences if any) you have had with them. Thanks. Patriot

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2004, 03:29:11 PM »

I fired thousands of rounds without a problem with my 220. In a long session where I fire five or six hundred rounds I would put a lit break free on the slide and work it. It just keep on going bang.

Somerled · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2004, 03:58:37 PM »

I've had a couple of the standard-finish, blue P220s. The finish wears off quickly. The polymer, K-Kote finish (whatever they are calling it now) lasts much better. The pistols feed flawlessly. The trigger on one was pretty gritty for the first 1,000 rounds or so. It took me awhile to get the first DA and the second SA shots to stay together.

I like the sights. The Sig sights are about the best on an out-of-the-box pistol I've seen. The night sights are worth the extra money, too.

With the alloy frame and no fancy beavertail grip safety, the P220 isn't as recoil friendly during a long range session. But it packs better than an all-steel pistol.

Issyroz · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2004, 05:10:19 AM »

Patriot, I have a SIG P220ST and have shot approximately 200-250 rounds through it. I love the .45 ACP in 230 grains and the SIG fits me just perfectly. Accurate and no problems so far, although I read at SIG Forum a problem with some models having faulty extractors. Has anyone heard or experienced this?

Patriot_1776 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2004, 05:50:51 AM »

Issyroz,

Hello and welcome to GBO. I have put about 850 or so rounds thorought mine so far and I have not had one ejection problem. Not even a hint of a problem. I'd say though there is a at least a lemon or so every now and then that some poor unfortunate gets. But I don't think it is too much to worry about, as SIG watches their quality control pretty well I've heard. Yours sounds pretty new so, enjoy your SIG as you shoot it and don't focus on too much what you read about problems. Actually, I've heard the most common reason a semi jams, is due to a loose wrist when fired; so keep your wrists stiff. :shock: Gun control...You know.

:wink: If you went to every type of forum, you will always find people saying things like "that brand never was any good," or "stay away from those brands, they're full of nothing but design flaws." My advice, is don't bias your review reading, read about excellent results other people have with a gun, and also read about the bad experiences. If one is looking to purchase a gun, get some opinions on it; that is one of the benefits here at GBO. In my opinion, too much of one side can portray a wrong ideology, especially with the prospect of a new purchase. That is just my .02, so others may say differently. Take care.

Patriot

PeterF. · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2004, 12:20:11 PM »

I must confess I don't have a SIG ... never have; but it's one my "wish list", so I'm always reading everything I cann about them. One thing you'll notice is that there aren't too many entries on this forum ... and some have attributed that to "they just go bang, so there ain't much to say" (i.e., they work every time). As near as I can figure, that's the truth. Good luck with yours and keep us posted on your own experience.

dougk · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:18:05 PM »

I have one of the first P220's have not had any problems with it. I have this gun as the home defence handgun. With the Glazer Safety Slug it is a great combination.

The P220 is the only hand gun I have kept out of my hand guns, and Sig is one of the few automatics I would care for personal protection.

Doug

45LCshoooter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2005, 08:07:13 PM »

Just got here and i have to say that I love my 220. It carries easy and conceals well if you dress right. It doesn't like sweat, but I was able to avoid nightly cleaning and oiling by using a micro-crystaline wax on the grip screws. I bought mine used but was and is in great shape. I really enjoy not having grip safties, manual safties, and other stuff that hinders shooting. It points well (for me) and has good sights.

My faith is in God, so i don't "live by the sword," but when it is dark out i am pleased to have "Brother SIG" by my side.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2005, 04:51:38 AM »

I've never had a problem with my P220. Someone else did on a dark and raining evening but that's another story. :wink:

HotGuns · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2005, 01:53:53 PM »

The 220 is my duty gun when Im playing Deputy.
I like it... it shoots well enough that Ive qualified expert with it at every qual that Ive shot it at.

Funny thing about though...

the depti ssue is a .45 Glock. I used to get lots of comments about choosing a limited capacity Sig over a 13 shot Glock...but after several guys that were having a hard time qualifing with the Glock shot my SIG ...the comments dropped to zero and they actually shot better scores.

Two of them dropped the Glock in favor of the Sig and now carry it on duty. That says alot since they had to purchase their own rather than carry a free Glock.... :eek:

High Brass · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2005, 08:38:03 AM »

If I had to carry a handgun for defense, it would be my SIG P220. I have shot it a good deal and love it. Fits me well and haven't had any problems. I don't carry a firearm(concealed or otherwise) so it's a "house gun" which it serves that purpose well.

Type99 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2005, 12:00:03 PM »

Hello...

My experiences, in short: excellent. I choose the P220 as my self-defense pistol 9 times out of 10. It has never, I repeat never, malfunctioned. It digests every type of ammo I feed it. It is extremely accurate, reliable, and feels good in the hand. What more can you ask of a pistol?

Cheers,
Gary

rockbilly · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2005, 04:12:25 PM »

:shock: I own several Sigs in different calibers, all are great, never had a problem with any of them. If ever again my butt is on the line, I hope I am packing a Sig.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2005, 05:55:20 PM »

Quote from: rockbilly

If ever again my butt is on the line, I hope I am packing a Sig.

that should be on Sigs Main site

tatonka · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2005, 02:12:11 PM »

I recently traded for a SIG 220. I have never owned a SIG 45 ACP until then. I have several other 45 acp's including Kimbers, Springfields, custom, & Glock. With the exception of my Kimber Gold match, the Sig is the most accurate and as reliable as my Glock model 30. The SIG has factory night sights and a factory trigger job. It has never failed to function even after lengthy range sessions. I highly recommend the SIG 220. I even carry it on occasion with complete confidence.

kyote · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2006, 09:28:02 AM »

I bought a sig 220 le turn in way back when,I paid an extra ten bucks for a hand picked one.when it arrived I cleaned her well and greased and oiled her.put new springs in and headed to the range.The pistol was very accurate.no functioning problems with it.and it seemed to fit me well.
Then a friend came over and wanted it.and after offering me way more money then I paid for it.he walked out the door with it.well I needed another one.But there in lays the problem of all the LE turns ins being sold and no one knowing when any more would come in.so I called a friend at lipse's in La. and he sold me a new one at there cost.when I recieved it.I took her out to the range and started a work outr with it.the groups looked like they were shot with a shot gun.boy was I upset.I did every thing to try and make itty bitty groups..just would not happen.so I talked with some folks that I new in thearea and was told that sigs need at least a 500 are better round break in.so I packed up 600 round and headed to the range.set a target at 15 yards and started shooting.never cleaning the pistol,just shootiong to see what this break in was a bout.I did take most the lube off the pistol before break was started.the gun just shot shot gun groups for the 1st three hundered rounds.then I saw the groups starting to close.at about 400 and change rounds she was shooting small groups.I shot all the ammo.and when i was done I could hit what I aimed at accuratly.I like the pistol.I have the 226,229 and .380 also.

rockbilly · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2006, 12:39:31 PM »

:roll: NUff said...........

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.galleryofguns.com/shootingtimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=1230

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2006, 10:55:48 PM »

YUP!!
Blessings

uncle joe · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:07:05 PM »

Back in my LEO days I carried a S&W 669 and decided on the advice of another cop to try a Sig. The first time I picked up my 220 I thought ther is only one thing that felt more natural in my hand. Took it out to qualify with it to be able to carry as an off duty gun and shot a better score than I did with my duty gun I had carried for 5 + years. My son on a recent trip home from college wanted to shoot it. He has only shot wheelguns before. 25 round all inside the 9 ring at 25 yds with 18 x's. Boy do I miss those 20 yr. old eyes.

Almtnman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2006, 01:47:22 PM »

I've carried many types of pistols over the years, from a model 1911 45 back when i served a time in Korea to several different .357's when I worked in LE. Then one day someone told me about the Sig P-220 and I checked one out at a gun shop. It felt like it was built just for my hand, felt very natural positioned in it. So I bought myself a brand new Sig P-220 and haven't regretted it for a minute. It's the most accuarte handgun that I have ever shot in my life. I can put several shots into a very small grouping with my Sig. I carry it everywhere I go, only at church I leave it out in the car, but everywhere else, it's right there with me. It has never mal-functioned in any kind of way. I would never part with it as it seems to have become a part of me. You'll never go wrong on buying a Sig P-220.

Bestboss · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2006, 10:52:49 AM »

I had a 220 for about 2 years. It was in a moment of weakness that I sold it. It was a suppliment to my collection and in company with some 1911's. I think the quality of the Sig was without compromise. Truth is, I missed it enough, so that a couple years ago, I replaced it with a Sig 239, 40 S&W Compact. Little thing's small enough for pocket carry, but shoots almost like a big gun.
Regards
Bestboss

R. Tillery · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2006, 04:04:24 AM »

I'd KILL to have my European P220 back. It fit my hand MUCH better than the American version. It would also feed ANYTHING and would outshoot my dad's Colt Gold Cup. The ONLY thing I disliked about it was the fact that it was a RUST MAGNET. I DID live in FL at the time, tho......

Almtnman · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2006, 03:53:15 PM »

Quote from: R. Tillery on October 31, 2006, 04:04:24 AM

The ONLY thing I disliked about it was the fact that it was a RUST MAGNET. I DID live in FL at the time, tho......

I live in the southeast where the humidity is high and the rust is rampant from it. Something I found out about keeping the rust off for a good long while is a good oiling with a wet rag of ATF (automatic transmission fluid) which has a rust inhibitor in it.

LEO · « **Reply #23 on:** November 06, 2006, 04:19:56 AM »

I carried a P220 as a duty sidearm for almost 10 years. It had over 10,000 rounds through it and an untold amount of dryfiring. The only problems I ever had with it is if I tried to use the early 8 round magazines and I would occasionally get a stoppage with them once every couple hundred rounds. With the seven round magazines there was never a problem at all. I did replace all the springs in the handgun every other year. The finish on the slide on mine was about gone when I turned it in but that is of no real concern and is easily fixed if it bothers someone but that handgun had been in and out of a holster thousands of times. The accuracy of the handgun was better than a lot of match grade guns and it was easy to hit with, good trigger great sights. If given the option, I would go back to one today, the only reason I switched was because of my agency standardizing handguns.

jason280 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 07, 2006, 11:50:41 AM »

Like some of the others have mentioned, the only negative thing I can cay about a Sig of any flavor is the weak finishes on the slides. I have seen very few of them that wouldn't rust with the slightest provocation. Other than that, they are one of the best semi-auto pistols available. I've owned a couple of the 228's and one 220, and never had a moments trouble with any of them. The 220 is a relatively big pistol, though, and simply did not conceal as well as I had hoped. However, this really isn't Sig's problem as I do not bleieve this gun was ever meant to be a concealed carry weapon.

I wouldn't hesitate to trust my life on one!

JHT · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:25:56 PM »

Let me add just one more comment, if I may. One day while visiting my local favorite gunshop I noticed a European P220 in the showcase. It was as NIB, no marks on the slide, no marks anywear. Yes, I purchased it for a steal. Need I say more?

Thanks,

chuckles · « **Reply #26 on:** December 26, 2006, 12:02:02 PM »

M SiGs (5) HAVE all been perfect right out of the box. My experience has shown that they like to run a bit "wet". ( well lubed that is). I clean carefully and apply synthetic grease (TW25B or Tetra) to the rails, locking block and other obvious wear points. Never had a hiccup in 1000s of rounds. My 220ST is a gem. Accurate and extremely dependable. HTH.

Lee Robinson · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2006, 06:05:43 AM »

Question. If experience has told you that they like to run a little wet, then I have to assume...did you have problems with them when ran drier?

chuckles · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2006, 11:05:09 AM »

lee Robinson wrote:

Quote

If experience has told you that they like to run a little wet, then I have to assume...did you have problems with them when ran drier?

I've always kept ALL my Autos well lubed. Right from the start on my SiGs, I've kept my rails and wear points well lubricated. I would say my "run wet" experience is relative based on my experiences with other brands and models. Comparing SiGs to Revolvers and H&Ks for example. My SiGs have never had a single failure to feed, fire or extract in the 6+ years since I bought my first. I see no reason to even try to "run them dry" when mine have been so reliable up to now. I'll keep them well lubed. I never had a 'break-in " period with any of them either. All of mine were fine out of the box. (After cleaning and re-lubing of course!)

KYBOY · « **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2007, 04:52:00 PM »

I love mine. More rounds than I can count and no malfunctions of any kind. Mine especially loves hydra shoks and rangers/sxt's.