SIG 220 vs M&P 45

codybear · July 15, 2011, 09:10 AM

New to site. I am looking for input on a Sig P220 I two M&P 45and love them tack drives. I am looking for something different. I want to see how the Sig compares to the M&P. Thanks

warpig602 · July 15, 2011, 09:15 AM

No comparison...the 220 is proabably the most accurate and reliable DA/SA in production.

TunnelRat · July 15, 2011, 09:16 AM

Methinks you need to edit your post so I can understand it. My guess is you own 2 M&P 45s but want something new like the Sig? My friend has a Sig P220 and I've used it a number of times. Always felt that it was OKAY, but was never really impressed. Seemed to have a lot of felt recoil, but I could be wrong. I'm a 1911 person myself. To me the extra weight helps soak up some of the recoil. Again, just IMO.

18DAI · July 15, 2011, 09:16 AM

Deleted

Smaug · July 15, 2011, 10:58 AM

Sig - Classical hammer-fired design. Easier to shoot accurately in single action mode. Lower capacity.

M&P - Modern striker-fired design, has the same trigger pull each time. Lower bore axis makes for about the same perceived recoil, despite the lower gun weight. Better-looking. (IMO) There have been some complaints about the stock trigger in M&Ps. Whether it is the weight, the consistency of the pull or what, I do not know.

If I were to choose between these two guns, I would think first of my intended use. If it is to be mostly for target shooting at the range I'd probably go with the P220. For carry or action shooting, I think the M&P would be better due to higher capacity and lighter weight. P220s are 7-round single stack guns, I believe, and the M&Ps are at least 10 rounders.

You should see if you can hook up with someone here locally who's got a P220 and give it a go. Some folks simply prefer the feel of a metal gun. Feels more substantial and less toy-like. But when it comes to carrying, a lighter gun is sure nice. That's part of why Glocks are so popular.

dgludwig · July 15, 2011, 11:12 AM

I like and respect both of the pistols in question but I carry the 220 (Carry model) concealed in an iwb holster because I prefer the slimness the single-stack magazine affords (the significant trade-off being less ammunition capacity). As Smaug points out well, there are substantial differences between the two pistols (not necessarily making one "better" than the other but certainly different enough from each other to be potentially important in subjective ways for an individual user); differences that might well make one shooter prefer the Smith over the SIG and vice-versa for purely personal reasons.

Single Six · July 15, 2011, 11:22 AM

With the choices presented, I'd say S&W. Given the serious issues I've had with the P220, I would only recommend the Sig {any Sig} to someone I didn't like.

BarryLee · July 15, 2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

I carry the 220 (Carry model) concealed in an iwb holster

Yes, same here. I have really enjoyed the P220 I have and have found it reliable and accurate. My primary focus is carry and self defense and I believe it fills that function nicely.

rauchman · July 15, 2011, 11:35 AM

Outside of my HK P7, the P220, that my buddy owns, is THE most accurate pistol I've ever fired. Having said that, aside from range use, it's not the 1st choice in a .45 that I would want in a fighting pistol. I find myself moving away from DA/SA triggers and think its capacity isn't great. I think the M&P/G21(SF),HK USP/45 would be a better fighting gun choice. If you're just looking for something different to have fun w/ at the range and what not, the P220 is an excellent choice. There is a variant called the P220 Super Match w/ a 5" barrel/slide and SA only trigger w/ thumb safety that ..... taunts me!!!

MK11 · July 15, 2011, 01:55 PM

Big fan of the M&P, big fan of the Sig. Find yourself a P220ST with EXTERNAL extractor (Top Gun Supply?) and you're good to go. The weight of the ST makes it very pleasant to shoot.

Smaug · July 15, 2011, 02:21 PM

You might also consider a Glock 36 for carry. It is a compact single stack 45. Thinner and smaller than the M&P and probably the P220 too.

Carrying a P220 takes commitment.

temmi · July 15, 2011, 03:30 PM

I have one of each... and a HK to boot.

You may want to throw a H&K USP in 45 ACP into the mix.

I love my sig... but I have small hands and need the single stack the Sig offers.

Try the USP....

Snake

BGutzman · July 15, 2011, 04:54 PM

I use a P220 Carry for CCW everyday.... Yes, its a somewhat expensive gun but you get what you pay for.

Coltman 77 · July 15, 2011, 05:15 PM

IMO, codybear was either drunk when he posted this or has 3rd grade spelling skills.

Until he revisits this thread and clarify's his question, I'll refrain from responding.

chris in va · July 15, 2011, 08:11 PM

Didn't care for my Sig 220, even after 6+ years. Just couldn't get used to the DA/SA transition and high bore axis coupled with the thin grip profile.

It was dead nuts reliable though, only stopping when the trigger return spring snapped.

I replaced it with a Glock 21SF which is better in some respects, but grip angle is still not stellar.

presspics · July 16, 2011, 02:53 PM

I wouldn't mind an old German stamped steel slide version of the SIG P220. Unfortunately, given all of the problems that SIG has been having with their many tweaks and changes on the P220 I wouldn't touch one that is newer than say 8 years old.

The M&P 45 is a great gun all around. No issues with the newer ones and much less expensive than the SIG.

The choice would be clear for me.

bigredfish · July 16, 2011, 09:07 PM

Really? I'm not aware of any mass problems with P220's in the past few years? In fact, the newer guns with the external extractor seem to be VERY reliable. My P220 SSE has been flawless with a wide variety of ammo for over 1500 rounds so far, it's about a year and a half old.

insolentshrew · July 16, 2011, 09:47 PM

The p220 is probably the gun I have shot the best out of any gun I have ever picked up for the first time. My brother bought his p220 and first time out shooting with it we were at a plinking range, we had a bunch of expended 12 gauge shells sitting upright at about 20 feet. I think I missed one out of 7 the first time I shot it. I still shoot his p220 better than my own p229 and I have a fraction of the trigger time with it. It is just an outright tack driver. Seeing as you already have the m&p covered, what would you do, buy a 3rd? Get the 220, you won't regret it.

banditgriot · July 17, 2011, 01:08 AM

Without a doubt the P220 is one of the most accurate out-of-the-box firearms you can purchase. However, that high bore axis make it a bit slower to shoot for me. That said, I ran a box of Federal 185 Match Semi-wadcutters through mine once and the combination made a few of the other range members sit up and take notice. At 30 feet I drilled out the X-ring with a five shot group that was really picture perfect. Probably couldn't do it again if my life depended on it though...

jmstr · July 18, 2011, 03:40 AM

I like the Sig. I bought both. I sold the Sig.

No matter what I did [short of shooting 2000 rounds from one pistol alone] I was never as accurate with my P220 Combat as I was with my M&P .45, with my Kimber Compact II .45, or even my $350 Ruger P97 .45.

I love the feel in my hand. I had to pay bills. I do not miss it.

I am VERY happy with the M&P. It holds 10.

I do not CCW. I use it for home defense.

Sig makes great guns [I kept my P225]. I love the feel. They are respected for their accuracy. I am not as accurate with them as I am with almost anything else.

Double Impact · July 18, 2011, 05:12 AM

The Idea that current productions of the sig p220 are having tons of problems is nothing but internet BS.
I have two the latest is a p220R carry elite SS birth date left factory jan 2011 I got it Feb of 2011 just passed 6600 rds 100% performance and accurate as hell.

My other carry gun is a 1911 which people also say are undependable and a old outdated gun.
Well i have over 10000 rds thru mine with nothing other then some bad ammo a couple of times.

loose_holster_dan · July 18, 2011, 11:49 AM

m&p has always been too small for my hands. sig p220 is fine if you have smaller hands (single stack) and don't mind a low capacity (again, single stack). loving sigs, i looked at the p220 but couldn't get past the low capacity. settled on the xdm 45. love it. crazy accurate. loves my hand. 15rnds. can't beat it.

dgludwig · July 18, 2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

The Idea that current productions of the sig p220 are having tons of problems is nothing but internet BS.

I agree-and I'm a little surprised that more of the nay-sayers haven't shown up yet. A few of them haunt the threads, with no other apparent purpose than to pounce on posters who dare to report having a good experience with a SIG Model 220-especially the later production ones with milled slides and internal extractors.

July 15, 2011, 09:10 AM	#1
codybear Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2010 Location: Carver Posts: 1	SIG 220 vs M&P 45 New to site. I am looking for input on a Sig P220 I two M&P 45and love them tack drives. I am looking for something different. I want to see how the Sig compares to the M&P. Thanks

July 15, 2011, 09:16 AM	#3
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	Methinks you need to edit your post so I can understand it. My guess is you own 2 M&P 45s but want something new like the Sig? My friend has a Sig P220 and I've used it a number of times. Always felt that it was OKAY, but was never really impressed. Seemed to have a lot of felt recoil, but I could be wrong. I'm a 1911 person myself. To me the extra weight helps soak up some of the recoil. Again, just IMO. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

July 15, 2011, 09:16 AM	#4
18DAI Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2005 Location: NC Posts: 2,156	Deleted __________________ S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum. Everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't. Last edited by 18DAI; July 15, 2011 at 11:38 AM.

July 15, 2011, 10:58 AM	#5
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Sig - Classical hammer-fired design. Easier to shoot accurately in single action mode. Lower capacity. M&P - Modern striker-fired design, has the same trigger pull each time. Lower bore axis makes for about the same perceived recoil, despite the lower gun weight. Better-looking. (IMO) There have been some complaints about the stock trigger in M&Ps. Whether it is the weight, the consistency of the pull or what, I do not know. If I were to choose between these two guns, I would think first of my intended use. If it is to be mostly for target shooting at the range I'd probably go with the P220. For carry or action shooting, I think the M&P would be better due to higher capacity and lighter weight. P220s are 7-round single stack guns, I believe, and the M&Ps are at least 10 rounders. You should see if you can hook up with someone here locally who's got a P220 and give it a go. Some folks simply prefer the feel of a metal gun. Feels more substantial and less toy-like. But when it comes to carrying, a lighter gun is sure nice. That's part of why Glocks are so popular. __________________ -Jeremy "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer

July 15, 2011, 11:12 AM	#6
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I like and respect both of the pistols in question but I carry the 220 (Carry model) concealed in an iwb holster because I prefer the slimness the single-stack magazine affords (the significant trade-off being less ammunition capacity). As Smaug points out well, there are substantial differences between the two pistols (not necessarily making one "better" than the other but certainly different enough from each other to be potentially important in subjective ways for an individual user); differences that might well make one shooter prefer the Smith over the SIG and vice-versa for purely personal reasons. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

July 15, 2011, 09:15 AM	#2
warpig602 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Phoenix, Az......now Iowa Posts: 191	No comparison...the 220 is proabably the most accurate and reliable DA/SA in production.

July 15, 2011, 11:22 AM	#7
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	With the choices presented, I'd say S&W. Given the serious issues I've had with the P220, I would only recommend the Sig {any Sig} to someone I didn't like. __________________ Seen on a bumper sticker: "Exercise. Eat right. Take vitamins. Die anyway."

July 15, 2011, 11:35 AM	#9
rauchman Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2001 Location: nj Posts: 186	Outside of my HK P7, the P220, that my buddy owns, is THE most accurate pistol I've ever fired. Having said that, aside from range use, it's not the 1st choice in a .45 that I would want in a fighting pistol. I find myself moving away from DA/SA triggers and think its capacity isn't great. I think the M&P/G21(SF),HK USP/45 would be a better fighting gun choice. If you're just looking for something different to have fun w/ at the range and what not, the P220 is an excellent choice. There is a variant called the P220 Super Match w/ a 5" barrel/slide and SA only trigger w/ thumb safety that ..... taunts me!!!

July 15, 2011, 01:55 PM	#10
MK11 Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2001 Posts: 577	Big fan of the M&P, big fan of the Sig. Find yourself a P220ST with EXTERNAL extractor (Top Gun Supply?) and you're good to go. The weight of the ST makes it very pleasant to shoot.

July 15, 2011, 02:21 PM	#11
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	You might also consider a Glock 36 for carry. It is a compact single stack 45. Thinner and smaller than the M&P and probably the P220 too. Carrying a P220 takes commitment. __________________ -Jeremy "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." - Eric Hoffer

July 15, 2011, 03:30 PM	#12
temmi Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 531	I have one of each... and a HK to boot. You may want to throw a H&K USP in 45 ACP into the mix. I love my sig... but I have small hands and need the single stack the Sig offers. Try the USP.... Snake

July 15, 2011, 04:54 PM	#13
BGutzman Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: Frozen Tundra Posts: 2,414	I use a P220 Carry for CCW everyday.... Yes, its a somewhat expensive gun but you get what you pay for. __________________ Molon Labe

July 15, 2011, 05:15 PM	#14
Coltman 77 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,244	IMO, codybear was either drunk when he posted this or has 3rd grade spelling skills. Until he revisits this thread and clarify's his question, I'll refrain from responding. __________________ "A man can be destroyed but not defeated". Ernest Hemingway Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights -- Join the NRA

July 15, 2011, 08:11 PM	#15
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Didn't care for my Sig 220, even after 6+ years. Just couldn't get used to the DA/SA transition and high bore axis coupled with the thin grip profile. It was dead nuts reliable though, only stopping when the trigger return spring snapped. I replaced it with a Glock 21SF which is better in some respects, but grip angle is still not stellar.

July 16, 2011, 02:53 PM	#16
presspics Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: NH Posts: 343	I wouldn't mind an old German stamped steel slide version of the SIG P220. Unfortunately, given all of the problems that SIG has been having with their many tweaks and changes on the P220 I wouldn't touch one that is newer than say 8 years old. The M&P 45 is a great gun all around. No issues with the newer ones and much less expensive than the SIG. The choice would be clear for me. __________________ "Quid Clarius Astris"

July 16, 2011, 09:07 PM	#17
bigredfish Member Join Date: May 31, 2010 Location: Apopka Fla Posts: 65	Really? I'm not aware of any mass problems with P220's in the past few years? In fact, the newer guns with the external extractor seem to be VERY reliable. My P220 SSE has been flawless with a wide variety of ammo for over 1500 rounds so far, it's about a year and a half old.

July 16, 2011, 09:47 PM	#18
insolentshrew Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2010 Posts: 270	The p220 is probably the gun I have shot the best out of any gun I have ever picked up for the first time. My brother bought his p220 and first time out shooting with it we were at a plinking range, we had a bunch of expended 12 gauge shells sitting upright at about 20 feet. I think I missed one out of 7 the first time I shot it. I still shoot his p220 better than my own p229 and I have a fraction of the trigger time with it. It is just an outright tack driver. Seeing as you already have the m&p covered, what would you do, buy a 3rd? Get the 220, you won't regret it.

July 17, 2011, 01:08 AM	#19
banditgriot Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 132	Without a doubt the P220 is one of the most accurate out-of-the-box firearms you can purchase. However, that high bore axis make it a bit slower to shoot for me. That said, I ran a box of Federal 185 Match Semi-wadcutters through mine once and the combination made a few of the other range members sit up and take notice. At 30 feet I drilled out the X-ring with a five shot group that was really picture perfect. Probably couldn't do it again if my life depended on it though...

July 18, 2011, 03:40 AM	#20
jmstr Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA Posts: 1,281	I like the Sig. I bought both. I sold the Sig. No matter what I did [short of shooting 2000 rounds from one pistol alone] I was never as accurate with my P220 Combat as I was with my M&P .45, with my Kimber Compact II .45, or even my $350 Ruger P97 .45. I love the feel in my hand. I had to pay bills. I do not miss it. I am VERY happy with the M&P. It holds 10. I do not CCW. I use it for home defense. Sig makes great guns [I kept my P225]. I love the feel. They are respected for their accuracy. I am not as accurate with them as I am with almost anything else.

July 18, 2011, 05:12 AM	#21
Double Impact Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2008 Posts: 399	The Idea that current productions of the sig p220 are having tons of problems is nothing but internet BS. I have two the latest is a p220R carry elite SS birth date left factory jan 2011 I got it Feb of 2011 just passed 6600 rds 100% performance and accurate as hell. My other carry gun is a 1911 which people also say are undependable and a old outdated gun. Well i have over 10000 rds thru mine with nothing other then some bad ammo a couple of times.

July 18, 2011, 11:49 AM	#22
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	m&p has always been too small for my hands. sig p220 is fine if you have smaller hands (single stack) and don't mind a low capacity (again, single stack). loving sigs, i looked at the p220 but couldn't get past the low capacity. settled on the xdm 45. love it. crazy accurate. loves my hand. 15rnds. can't beat it. __________________ Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7 "A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock."