Sig P220 & +P version

**4V50 Gary** · April 24, 2024, 03:53 PM

What the differrence between the old Sig P220 and the +P version? Stiffer spring?

bamaranger · April 24, 2024, 07:41 PM

Not sure, but it could be the difference between the older, stamped slides and the newer milled slides.

The P229 in .40 S&W introduced us to SIGs with milled slides, allegedly to handle .40 pressures. The P226 in .40 appeared with a milled slide not to long after.

At some point I think the stamped slide guns were dropped and all the P series got milled slides......and maybe +P ratings......maybe

10-96 · April 24, 2024, 10:08 PM

Bama is correct. When I went through the Sig P Series armorers course, they said none of the stamped slide versions were rated for +P, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, or any other hotter rounds. I know, the .40 isn't a hotrod round, but it did tend to batter firearms it wasn't meant for at the time.

**4V50 Gary** · April 24, 2024, 11:27 PM

Thanks.

**44 AMP** · April 25, 2024, 02:26 AM

I use a Browning BDA .45. The gun is the old P220 with the "stamped slide", which is a very heavy, stout "stamping". The pinned in breechblock has given me no trouble at all, and I got the gun new in 1980.

That gun comfortably handles hotter .45acp than my Colt Govt model does.

I have no issues with it, and haven't over the past 44 years.

**4V50 Gary** · April 26, 2024, 11:09 AM

44AMP - did you swap out the recoil spring? It's the frame that takes the pounding.

BTW, my Sig is the older W. German one w/stamped slide. Mine is from 1987.

**44 AMP** · April 26, 2024, 03:26 PM

I did swap out the recoil spring, once, 10 or 15 years ago (I forget exactly), but I didn't need to.

Haven't noticed any issues with the frame, other than surface finish wear where the slide runs.

The gun did "eat" some of the barrel bluing, early on. Again, surface finish only.

I really like mine. Its not a Colt Govt model, but its the next best thing in some ways and better in some other ways.

I never did, or have had any work done to it. Somewhere around the 10year mark, the DA pull got noticeably lighter than it started out as. Hasn't changed in the 30+ years since, though.

Guess it finally got "broke in"

bamaranger · April 29, 2024, 09:33 PM

To borrow a Skeeter phrase, I walked beside a P220-.45 for about 20 years. Went through the SIG armorers class 3x. Routinely serviced about a dozen assorted SIG models and serviced about that many more as a matter of course.

For the P-series and duty use, as I best recall, SIG recommended an annual armorers detail strip and clean. At 5000 rds and or 3 yrs they recommended a factory spring kit. Stuff I occasionally saw go wonky were recoil springs, locking inserts and trigger bar springs. One of our guys who shot his duty pistol a lot in competition broke a takedown lever cross pin ( I think). The early P-229-.40's had a tendency to blow an extractor and this may well have been an ammo problem. Replacement pins and extractors were a tad different though I do not recall the exact change anymore. The agency acquired "K-coated" pistols in an attempt to help with corrosion and sustained outdoor and saltwater use, which helped to some degree, but the pistols required attention as all firearms do in adverse conditions.

I bought my own P220-.45 to supplement the issue pistol, had it agency approved, and carried it on court days and special events. While working, I shot that P220 in a local IDPA league (when I retired I switched to a G34).
The only issue I ever had was with the early 7 rd SIG mags becoming troublesome, but by that time, the 8 rd MecGar's had surfaced and we carried those exclusivlely once they became available.

The entirel P-series as issued (P226/220 and P228, P229, P225 were extremely reliable and accurate pistols. I rarely carry or shoot mine anymore, as the double/single trigger requires more time and practice than I am willing to invest. But it's not for sale either.

April 24, 2024, 03:53 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,855	Sig P220 & +P version What the differrence between the old Sig P220 and the +P version? Stiffer spring? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 24, 2024, 07:41 PM	#2
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,330	could be...... Not sure, but it could be the difference between the older, stamped slides and the newer milled slides. The P229 in .40 S&W introduced us to SIGs with milled slides, allegedly to handle .40 pressures. The P226 in .40 appeared with a milled slide not to long after. At some point I think the stamped slide guns were dropped and all the P series got milled slides......and maybe +P ratings......maybe

April 24, 2024, 10:08 PM	#3
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,160	Bama is correct. When I went through the Sig P Series armorers course, they said none of the stamped slide versions were rated for +P, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, or any other hotter rounds. I know, the .40 isn't a hotrod round, but it did tend to batter firearms it wasn't meant for at the time. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

April 24, 2024, 11:27 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,855	Thanks. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 25, 2024, 02:26 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,900	I use a Browning BDA .45. The gun is the old P220 with the "stamped slide", which is a very heavy, stout "stamping". The pinned in breechblock has given me no trouble at all, and I got the gun new in 1980. That gun comfortably handles hotter .45acp than my Colt Govt model does. I have no issues with it, and haven't over the past 44 years. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 26, 2024, 11:09 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,855	44AMP - did you swap out the recoil spring? It's the frame that takes the pounding. BTW, my Sig is the older W. German one w/stamped slide. Mine is from 1987. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 26, 2024, 03:26 PM	#7
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,900	I did swap out the recoil spring, once, 10 or 15 years ago (I forget exactly), but I didn't need to. Haven't noticed any issues with the frame, other than surface finish wear where the slide runs. The gun did "eat" some of the barrel bluing, early on. Again, surface finish only. I really like mine. Its not a Colt Govt model, but its the next best thing in some ways and better in some other ways. I never did, or have had any work done to it. Somewhere around the 10year mark, the DA pull got noticeably lighter than it started out as. Hasn't changed in the 30+ years since, though. Guess it finally got "broke in" __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 29, 2024, 09:33 PM	#8
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,330	P220 To borrow a Skeeter phrase, I walked beside a P220-.45 for about 20 years. Went through the SIG armorers class 3x. Routinely serviced about a dozen assorted SIG models and serviced about that many more as a matter of course. For the P-series and duty use, as I best recall, SIG recommended an annual armorers detail strip and clean. At 5000 rds and or 3 yrs they recommended a factory spring kit. Stuff I occasionally saw go wonky were recoil springs, locking inserts and trigger bar springs. One of our guys who shot his duty pistol a lot in competition broke a takedown lever cross pin ( I think). The early P-229-.40's had a tendency to blow an extractor and this may well have been an ammo problem. Replacement pins and extractors were a tad different though I do not recall the exact change anymore. The agency acquired "K-coated" pistols in an attempt to help with corrosion and sustained outdoor and saltwater use, which helped to some degree, but the pistols required attention as all firearms do in adverse conditions. I bought my own P220-.45 to supplement the issue pistol, had it agency approved, and carried it on court days and special events. While working, I shot that P220 in a local IDPA league (when I retired I switched to a G34). The only issue I ever had was with the early 7 rd SIG mags becoming troublesome, but by that time, the 8 rd MecGar's had surfaced and we carried those exclusivlely once they became available. The entirel P-series as issued (P226/220 and P228, P229, P225 were extremely reliable and accurate pistols. I rarely carry or shoot mine anymore, as the double/single trigger requires more time and practice than I am willing to invest. But it's not for sale either.