P220 vs P229 in 22lr (or CZ, Beretta, Kimber)

TennJed · December 8, 2012, 11:56 PM

What is the general opinion on the Sig p220 and p229 in 22lr? Is one better than the other? Are they reliable and accurate? How do they stack up against other "higher end" 22lrs like the CZ kadet, Beretta 87, or Kimber 1911?

I would a good quality 22lr for plinking, but I am willing to spend $500-$800 to get one that will last my lifetime. My main consideration would be feeding all types of ammo and to be pretty accurate.

TennJed · December 9, 2012, 12:38 AM

I should mention I already have a Ruger MKIII. I know that will get brought up. I love it just want to add something different to the stable (also have S&W 617 so revolver is covered)

XtremeRevolution · December 10, 2012, 12:52 PM

The RIA 1911 .22 matches your description. You can get it from budsgunshop.com for just under $500. It is full steel gun and uses a true 1911 frame. I got mine in on Saturday, but the reports are that it takes any brand ammo without a hickup.

It does take Kimber 1911 .22 conversion magazines, which you can get in 10 or 14 round capacities. During disassembly last night, it looked like a well machined and well put together handgun. Polished feed ramp, tight fitting slide, very solid feel, etc.

I will be taking detailed pictures soon. Is there anything in particular you want to see?

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Steve Collins · December 10, 2012, 01:17 PM

I have the CZ Kadet .22 and I can highly recommend it. I just went through 550 rounds of Remington bulk ammo without a single failure. This pistol is pricey at over $600 but fulfills exactly what youare looking for.

Robk · December 10, 2012, 01:36 PM

Currently own a P220 .22 classic. Nice fit and finish. Shoots well, but seems to need high power .22lr ammo. CCI mini mag .22lr work just fine. Pluses are:
accurate and well made. Able to accept a caliber "xchange kit", making it a true P220 .45acp. Minues: only one magazine, does not lock back on last round, has to use premium ammo to function properly. Magazines are costly, but can be modified with a new spring and follower so it locks back (SIGPOWER.COM), I believe. But considering that between the .22 pistol (450-499) and the new .45 acp slide assembly(299-399) costs about $800(low side pricing very doable btw), you basically get a .22lr for the price of a P220 .45acp pistol. P226 .22 classic has same ability to accept a "xchange kit" to make it a 9mm or .40S&W. not bad for the price.

colbad · December 10, 2012, 01:42 PM

I guess if you are looking to practice on the cheep for the 229 or 220 you already have in a "real" caliber get the one that matches. I have carried the 229/228 in .40 and 9mm daily for duty over 20 years and absolutely love it. I have not seen the 220 in .22 cal.

My biggest concern would be how finicky they are with ammo. I have a Mosquito which is a nice little .22 but have heard others had ammo issues. I have never changed the buffer spring (to the included lighter version) and it works great. It is not as accurate as my High Standard but good for teaching the "boy" CQB and presentation from a holster until he is ready for a bigger caliber. You can't go wrong with any Sig product, but you pay$$$ dearly for the name.

chris in va · December 11, 2012, 10:16 PM

I honestly can't remember the last time my Kadet slide jammed. Thousands of rounds.

IXLR8 · December 12, 2012, 06:26 PM

I have a P229 .40, and a caliber exchange kit for a .22
As a .40 it is unmatched for accuracy, and feeds any ammo.
Sometimes I replace the barrel with the .357 Sig, and it works very well. It has the same point of aim which is nice.

I have only run a few boxes of ammo through the .22 exchange, but did not have any problems with different ammo types.

The best enhancement by far was sending it to Sig for an "Action Enhancement". It was a good pistol before the mod, but now it really a great pistol in all calibers.

I cannot comment on the P220 since I don't have one, but I like it better than the P226 TACOPS that I have.

Last year Sig ran a special on the caliber exchange kits for $219.00 and that is a bargain. I keep looking for it again this year but have not seen it.

Microgunner · December 13, 2012, 06:07 PM

I own a P226 22 Classic as well as the others you mentioned, the CZ Kadet, Beretta 87 Gold Standard and Kimber Rimfire Target.
The SIG is the least accurate of the four and the slide and frame finishes are mismatched, but, it's still a decent 22 at any rate.
The SIG is also convertable to centerfire and I have X-Change kits making it 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W as well. All in the same case.

Hammerhead · December 14, 2012, 02:48 AM

I owned the Sig .22lr conversion for a P220. Reliability was very good after a break in period. It shot just about any 40 grain ammo. Some of the lighter bulk stuff didn't have enough recoil to cycle it. It shot Stingers very well. It was more accurate than my Kadet, but the Kadet cycles virtually any ammo.
By comparison my Mark II is as accurate or more than the Sig, and is as reliable as the Kadet.

I would recommend the Sig .22 as conversion for those who own a P220/226, but it might not be the best choice as a stand alone .22.

One of the more accurate .22's I shot this year was a friend's Kimber conversion on top of an inexpensive Springer Mil Spec frame.

How about a Volquartsen upper, red dot sight and a trigger job for your Mark III.

TexAg · December 14, 2012, 10:20 PM

I have the Kadet kit for my CZ-85, not a single hiccup! Ever!

December 8, 2012, 11:56 PM	#1
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	P220 vs P229 in 22lr (or CZ, Beretta, Kimber) What is the general opinion on the Sig p220 and p229 in 22lr? Is one better than the other? Are they reliable and accurate? How do they stack up against other "higher end" 22lrs like the CZ kadet, Beretta 87, or Kimber 1911? I would a good quality 22lr for plinking, but I am willing to spend $500-$800 to get one that will last my lifetime. My main consideration would be feeding all types of ammo and to be pretty accurate. __________________ Find out just how tall I am By jumping in the middle of a river

December 10, 2012, 01:17 PM	#4
Steve Collins Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 31	.22LR I have the CZ Kadet .22 and I can highly recommend it. I just went through 550 rounds of Remington bulk ammo without a single failure. This pistol is pricey at over $600 but fulfills exactly what youare looking for.

December 13, 2012, 06:07 PM	#9
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I own a P226 22 Classic as well as the others you mentioned, the CZ Kadet, Beretta 87 Gold Standard and Kimber Rimfire Target. The SIG is the least accurate of the four and the slide and frame finishes are mismatched, but, it's still a decent 22 at any rate. The SIG is also convertable to centerfire and I have X-Change kits making it 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W as well. All in the same case. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

December 9, 2012, 12:38 AM	#2
TennJed Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 1,536	I should mention I already have a Ruger MKIII. I know that will get brought up. I love it just want to add something different to the stable (also have S&W 617 so revolver is covered)

December 10, 2012, 12:52 PM	#3
XtremeRevolution Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2012 Posts: 147	The RIA 1911 .22 matches your description. You can get it from budsgunshop.com for just under $500. It is full steel gun and uses a true 1911 frame. I got mine in on Saturday, but the reports are that it takes any brand ammo without a hickup. It does take Kimber 1911 .22 conversion magazines, which you can get in 10 or 14 round capacities. During disassembly last night, it looked like a well machined and well put together handgun. Polished feed ramp, tight fitting slide, very solid feel, etc. I will be taking detailed pictures soon. Is there anything in particular you want to see? Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

December 10, 2012, 01:36 PM	#5
Robk Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 324	Currently own a P220 .22 classic. Nice fit and finish. Shoots well, but seems to need high power .22lr ammo. CCI mini mag .22lr work just fine. Pluses are: accurate and well made. Able to accept a caliber "xchange kit", making it a true P220 .45acp. Minues: only one magazine, does not lock back on last round, has to use premium ammo to function properly. Magazines are costly, but can be modified with a new spring and follower so it locks back (SIGPOWER.COM), I believe. But considering that between the .22 pistol (450-499) and the new .45 acp slide assembly(299-399) costs about $800(low side pricing very doable btw), you basically get a .22lr for the price of a P220 .45acp pistol. P226 .22 classic has same ability to accept a "xchange kit" to make it a 9mm or .40S&W. not bad for the price.

December 10, 2012, 01:42 PM	#6
colbad Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2012 Posts: 506	I guess if you are looking to practice on the cheep for the 229 or 220 you already have in a "real" caliber get the one that matches. I have carried the 229/228 in .40 and 9mm daily for duty over 20 years and absolutely love it. I have not seen the 220 in .22 cal. My biggest concern would be how finicky they are with ammo. I have a Mosquito which is a nice little .22 but have heard others had ammo issues. I have never changed the buffer spring (to the included lighter version) and it works great. It is not as accurate as my High Standard but good for teaching the "boy" CQB and presentation from a holster until he is ready for a bigger caliber. You can't go wrong with any Sig product, but you pay$$$ dearly for the name.

December 11, 2012, 10:16 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I honestly can't remember the last time my Kadet slide jammed. Thousands of rounds.

December 12, 2012, 06:26 PM	#8
IXLR8 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2009 Posts: 107	I have a P229 .40, and a caliber exchange kit for a .22 As a .40 it is unmatched for accuracy, and feeds any ammo. Sometimes I replace the barrel with the .357 Sig, and it works very well. It has the same point of aim which is nice. I have only run a few boxes of ammo through the .22 exchange, but did not have any problems with different ammo types. The best enhancement by far was sending it to Sig for an "Action Enhancement". It was a good pistol before the mod, but now it really a great pistol in all calibers. I cannot comment on the P220 since I don't have one, but I like it better than the P226 TACOPS that I have. Last year Sig ran a special on the caliber exchange kits for $219.00 and that is a bargain. I keep looking for it again this year but have not seen it.

December 14, 2012, 02:48 AM	#10
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	I owned the Sig .22lr conversion for a P220. Reliability was very good after a break in period. It shot just about any 40 grain ammo. Some of the lighter bulk stuff didn't have enough recoil to cycle it. It shot Stingers very well. It was more accurate than my Kadet, but the Kadet cycles virtually any ammo. By comparison my Mark II is as accurate or more than the Sig, and is as reliable as the Kadet. I would recommend the Sig .22 as conversion for those who own a P220/226, but it might not be the best choice as a stand alone .22. One of the more accurate .22's I shot this year was a friend's Kimber conversion on top of an inexpensive Springer Mil Spec frame. How about a Volquartsen upper, red dot sight and a trigger job for your Mark III.

December 14, 2012, 10:20 PM	#11
TexAg Member Join Date: July 9, 2010 Posts: 79	I have the Kadet kit for my CZ-85, not a single hiccup! Ever!