Jul 24 2005

Sig Sauer P220

Published by Mugwug at 06:19:38 under Firearms

In 2001 I purchased my first handgun. I had planned on saving some money to buy a Norinco 1911 as my first purchase, but when I had finally put aside enough cash and actually driven down to Lever Arms the salesman showed me a stack of Sig Sauer P220s they had in. I was told at the time that these were special ordered from Sig-Sauer by a European police force who later backed out of the order, and as such they were available at reduced prices. Unlike standard Sig P220s in 9mm these handguns featured a North American style mag release instead of the European style heel release.

I was sceptical, that is until I held one. Moments later I’d plunked down my cash without reservation.

Sig Sauer P220 9mm

The Sig P220 was developed as a replacement for the Swiss Armys Sig P210. A cooperative effort by the Swiss SIG arms and the German JP Sauer (hence Sig Sauer) the P220 was accepted as the standard sidearm for Swiss forces in 1975. It is a double action, recoil operated semi-automatic pistol in 9mmP. It features a decocker and no manual safety (relying on the firing pin safety block instead), and is built around an aluminum frame, utilizing a single stack magazine.

I was perhaps a little spoiled by the Sig P220, as it’s a comfortable, accurate and elegant pistol. The addition of Hogue moulded grips make it the single most comfortable handgun I have ever had the pleasure to shoot. The one downside to this pistol is the relative scarcity of magazines for this specific configuration, after all this time I have only 3 mags for the pistol and still root around every gun shop I encounter on the off chance they have some hidden somewhere.

Sig Sauer P220 9mm

Overall I was fortunate in my first handgun acquisition, this is a pistol I do not envision myself parting with anytime soon.

(Note: If you have a line on 9mm or .38super mags for a North American style mag release P220 drop me a line, I’d LOVE to hear from you)

8 Responses to “Sig Sauer P220”

  1. # AnalogKidon 24 Jul 2005 at 17:55:44

    Here’s one, but it’s pricey

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=258742

    Here are some more, almost as pricey (not very sure that they’re the NA style)

    http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=180367

    But if you want to know a secret, you can order the mag box, spring, follower and floorplate as seperate parts and assemblethem for close to $10 less that you can buy the mag in the box.

    Here

    http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1970z220

    I keep my eyes open for more, this was just a quick search.

  2. # Mugwugon 24 Jul 2005 at 19:31:02

    Hey thanks AK, maybe theres a light at the end of the tunnel.

    I guess I should have noted in my little post that I did find mags for this pistol through the authorized Canadian Sigarms dealer, they quoted me $80/ea for them. Now while I’d like two or three extras, theres no way I’m plunking $240 on three mags (9 round pistol mags at that!).

    Gonna have to look into ordering the parts, thats a damn good suggestion!

  3. # AnalogKidon 24 Jul 2005 at 22:03:51

    Nt a problem. I haven’t found any more links yet, but I know they’re out there. I figured that since you can put your FrankenGarand together, you should be able to assemble a SIG mag yourself.

    Trust me when I saw that there are a number of people in which putting a mag together is beyond rocketscince. Parts reassembly is one of the more common forehead against countertop exercises I came across when I worked in a gun shop.

  4. # Mugwugon 24 Jul 2005 at 22:10:17

    Hehe, I can see that…. I have a philosophy when it comes to putting things together. Have the manual to hand before you begin, and take a few notes during disassembly….saves alot of headache later.

    -GRIN-

    I’m thinking I may have to do a little improvising, Numrich is out of the 9mm mag bodies, going to have to take a close look at the European style heel release and see if they can’t be cludged together to do the job.

    Who knows?

    (Frankly, whats the rush, eh? It’s already been close to 5 years)

  5. # Greg, Greg, All Hail Greg, Greg's our hero, Greg's our friend, Greg, Greg, he's our man if Greg can't do it no one can! Greg, Greg, magicial Greg, so wise and intelligent, it's Greg! Accept no substitutes, Greg, Greg, my name is Greg, fountain of all thon 24 Jul 2005 at 22:13:53

    I still remember really liking that Sig Sauer. When I have more money, I think I may pick one up.

  6. # Patrickon 25 Jul 2005 at 00:00:32

    Hey Mon, You still got the Beretta 92F?

  7. # Cowboy Blobon 25 Jul 2005 at 12:16:32

    I didn’t even know they made the 220 in anything other than .45 ACP, but now that I think about it…duh! Europellet!

  8. # Mugwugon 25 Jul 2005 at 13:11:07

    Patrick: Sure do, in fact I had a post up about it today, but took it down for a re-write, and substituted the AZR update.

    CB: Tell me about it…I’ve had more arguments about this pistol on various forums (If I get told one more time it doesn’t exist….).

    Great pistol though…

    -GRIN-

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