SIG P220

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SIG P220
Swiss Army SIG P220 Pistol.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Germany Switzerland
Service history
In service	1975-
Used by	Swiss army, Japanese Self-Defense Forces
Production history
Manufacturer	Swiss Arms AG (formerly SIG Arms AG
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	800 g (22.21 oz) (1130 g in stainless steel)
Length	198 mm (7.79 in)
Barrel length	112 mm (4.4 in)

Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum .38 Super(no longer produced) .45 ACP 7.65x22mm Parabellum (.30 Luger)
Action	Recoil
Feed system	7, 8, or 10-round (extended) detachable box magazine (in .45 ACP); 9-round magazine in other calibers

The SIG P220 is a semi-automatic pistol designed in Switzerland by Swiss Arms AG (formerly SIG Arms AG (distributed in United States by SIGARMS). It is manufactured in Eckernforde, Germany, by J.P. Sauer und Sohn GmbH. It also comes in P220R and P220ST versions. The base and R models have an aluminium alloy frame with a stainless steel slide (if made by SIGARMS in the US; German made versions still use stamped blued steel slide); the ST model has a stainless steel frame and slide. The R and ST models also have an accessory rail, beneath the slide and barrel, allowing for fitting of accessories such as tactical lights or laser aiming aids. The P220 was initially imported to the United States as the Browning Double Action (BDA) and then as the P220. It was offered for sale in 9 mm, .38 Super (a rare model), and .45 ACP.

1 History
2 Variants
3 Images
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

History

The SIG P220 was developed for the Swiss Army as a replacement for the SIG P210, which had been developed during World War II; in service it is known as "Pistole Modell 75" (M75). For development of the P220, SIG collaborated with J.P. Sauer & Sohn of Germany, thus, the P220 and all subsequent pistols from SIG are properly known as SIG-Sauer pistols. The P220 operates by the locked breech short-recoil method pioneered by John Browning. In 1975, Switzerland became the first nation to officially adopt the P220 as the Model 75 (M75) chambered in 9 mm Parabellum. Other nations to adopt it for military use include Japan and Denmark. It was succeeded by the SIG-Sauer P226. Upon completion of their military service, members of the Swiss armed forces can obtain ownership of their P220 service pistols by paying an administrative fee of thirty Swiss francs. ^[1]

Variants

The original SIG P220 had a magazine release located behind the magazine well, as opposed to the newer SIG P220 which has a magazine release located behind the trigger. Until recently, all SIG P220s were DA/SA and featured a de-cocking lever just forward of the slide catch. This has changed with the introduction of DA only, DAK, and SA only models. SIG has also introduced the SAS (SIG Anti-Snag) model - which is dehorned, has no accessory rail, and is designed for concealed carry - and the Elite model, which includes the new short-reset trigger, a beavertail grip, front strap grip checkering, and front slide cocking serrations.

P220 Carry

A new P220 with a shortened barrel (3.9") and slide, but a full-sized frame. It is available in double action/single action (DA/SA), single action only (SAO), and DAK double action variant. All models with the exception of the SAS concealed-carry version come with an accessory rail.

P220 Compact

A new P220 variant recently released. It features a beavertail on the grip, a shortened slide, and a compact frame. It is essentially a replacement for the discontinued P-245, and is meant to address complaints about the 220 Carry's full-size frame in a concealed carry pistol.

P220 Combat

The two "Combat" models, the P220 Combat and P220 Combat TB (Threaded Barrel) are available in DA/SA or DAK. Their frames are colored "Flat Dark Earth" in compliance with the Combat Pistol program. The Combat model comes with night sights, a Nitron-finished slide and barrel, phosphated internals, and a Picatinny rail. The TB model features an extra 0.6" on the barrel, and external threads to accept a suppressor. Chambered for .45 ACP.

P220 ST

A version of the SIG P220 handgun made by SIGARMS with a reversible magazine release, stainless steel slide, and stainless steel frame. Changing to a stainless steel frame from the lighter alloy frame normally used is meant to reduce felt recoil. The ST models are typically bare stainless (all "silver"), though SIGARMS has produced Nitron finished (all "black") ST versions for police department trial and evaluation (T&E) guns.

P225

The SIG P225 is a more compact version of the SIG P220 utilizing a single column magazine holding eight 9 mm rounds and having a 3.9 in. barrel. The pistol was developed to comply with the new German police standard in the mid-1970s, and was adopted by many German state police forces as the P6. Many Swiss police forces also use it, as well as the Swedish Police. Also, it is the main sidearm boarding parties in the Canadian Navy. German police pistols can be identified by the hammer, which is designed to bend on impact with the ground. Some Swiss police pistols have a different magazine release, similar to that from the P220. A new police standard was adopted in Germany in 1995, and the P225 is in the process of being replaced. Many of these surplus German police pistols have been imported into the U.S. recently and while most exhibit much in the way of exterior holster wear, they usually tend to be in excellent mechanical condition.

P245

The SIG P245 variant is chambered only in .45 ACP (hence the name) and was developed primarily for the US market as a civilian's concealed sidearm, or as a police backup weapon. The SIG P245 has a reversible magazine release giving the user the choice of operating it with their left or right thumb. It normally takes 6 round magazines, but can also accept the 7, 8, or 10 round magazines designed for the 220. A grip extender is available for use with these longer magazines. The P245 is no longer manufactured by SIG, having been replaced by the 220 Carry and, more recently, the 220 Compact.