Sig P220 in 22LR

[TMan]

This is interesting, especially for those of us that have bought the Mosquito in the past:

I can't find it on the Sigarms web-site, but as I write this, Sports South has 42 and RSR has 7 of a P220 that is chambered in 22LR. It comes with a certificate that allows you to purchase the 45ACP slide for "an unbelieveable price".

220R22BSA0 , which is the manufacturer's item number, is the one that sounds most interesting to me. There is also a 220R22B version that is DA/SA, which I think someone would more than like want if they were interested in purchasing the 45ACP conversion unit.

So basically you are buying the pistol with the 22LR slide already on it vs buying the conversion unit.

The advantage I see with this approach (assuming you weren't going to buy the 45ACP slide), is that you get a true weight and feel of a P220 according to the information at Sports South. How reliable will it be? How accurate will it be? I have no idea.

Will I get over being peeved enough at Sigarms to order one of these? I have no idea.

[MLB]

Does it come in a Blackwater version with a rainbow finish? ;D

[TMan]

Do they still make that rainbow finish? I thought the only place it would sell would be San Francisco, and then it would have to be an illegal sale.

Well, greed trumps prejudice - it's on order. Besides nobody seems to be coming out with anything new that I want. There will be a S&W MP-15 in 22LR coming out this summer, and I'll see if I can find room for it.

Although there seems to be a lot of new stuff in 380, it isn't one of my calibers. I shot one once, and it hurt my hand. I was expecting very light recoil like in a 32ACP, but got a surprise. So you just take a 9mm and load it lightly and you basically have a 380.

Getting back to the P220 - I have to run back to Shanghai to pack up our apartment. I should have the P220 by the time I get back.

[TA]

I do believe the rainbow finish is buried (R.I.P.). The pink Mosquito still lives on though.

The "2 Step" Sig pistols do seem to be popular. It is a little more pricey than the Mosquito at about $500, but I think you are better off in the long run. The standard caliber slides are not yet available, probably due to being needed in production.

Like most .22 kits, you need to find ammunition that it likes. CCI is being reported as one of them. Another complaint is that due to the aluminum slide construction, there is no slide lock after the last shot, so you end up dry firing your rim fire unless you can find a .22 snap cap. They are in your grocery store next to the hens teeth.

So far, they are available in the P220, P226 and P229. The P229 has two versions of kits, P228, P229 non-rail (not out yet) and the P229 railed. The non railed frame has a shorter dust cover.

Sig was distinguishing between 2 step guns that could upgrade to 9mm and those that could upgrade to .40/.357 on P226 and P229 models. But recently, they changed them to a generic code with the last three letters of the model number being -BAS, meaning they can upgrade to 9mm, .40S&W or .357SIG. They are confusing the hell out of me on this. I don't know if they are changing locking inserts or barrels or if there really was no difference in them prior to this.

Also due out is the SIG 522, a .22LR version of the 556 rifle. It should also be reasonably priced ~ $500-600. It will be a while as will the new P238 (Colt Mustang look alike).

[TMan]

Hmmm, the Sig 522 might interest me instead of the S&W M&P - 22LR, which is supposed to be shipping this summer. I had kind of figured that something else (like the Remington 597) was going to have to be ditched in order to make room. I don't have a Sig 556, and I don't think I want one, but the P220 in 22LR was a little too much for me to resist.

I have the P220 Sport and some other P220 that was named after someone, so this will make a nice addition.

[TMan]

TA, I had to read your post a couple of times to digest what is going on. I wasn't aware that the slide wouldn't lock open after the last round, but I have that problem with several of my expensive 22LR pistols (Benelli, Pardini...). I've learned to count. What really peeves me is when I let someone else shoot one and they can't count. I now count for them and tap them on the shoulder after the last round.

There are several types of "snap caps" for 22LR's: the little red ones and the ones that really look like 22LR rounds, and are known as "action proving rounds" - you aren't supposed to pull the trigger on them. I've used both. I've had problems with the S&W 22A, which would fail with the "action proving rounds". However, I find the little red ones the most useful, however, they won't feed as the last round in the magazine. I keep one in the barrel of the 22 pistols before putting them away. That way I don't put anything away with a cocked trigger. (I don't bother with the Ruger's though).

They have received my P220, but I'm not sure when I'm going to be able to go pick it up - got to run back to Shanghai next week.

[TA]

Another thing; you can easily make your P220 .22lr magazine hold more than 10RD's if you would like. If you disassemble the magazine, you will see the very long spring guide. There is a guy on Sigforum selling shorter guides or you could easily shorten your own I believe. But it will make it harder to count the rounds. Also, be sure to lube up that slide, especially on the rails. I noticed the few I looked at were pretty dry. As you may know, it is imperative to protect the frame rails on the alloy framed Sigs. I prefer a light coating of grease, especially for the range.

EDIT: I was thinking of the .22lr kits when talking about dry rails. The full 2 step guns should be ready to go, but it never hurts to look.

[TMan]

Well, I picked it up this morning, and I think there is enough lubrication. It comes with a tie stuck in to keep the slide from locking up, and the hammer was cocked, which didn't make me too happy. (TA, I don't use grease on the slides of my 22's; too much resistance).

Unlike my Mosquito, this came with a crisp trigger.

I guess when they said "Unbelieveable price", I was expecting a low price. I don't consider $400 for the slide, barrel, and magazine to be a low price.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it shoots, but will have to wait for awhile until I get the time.

[Callahan]

I went to Sports South and looked at that. It does seem like a good deal. Do you know how much the .45 slide will be when you include the coupon?

Do you order from Sports South directly and have the gun shipped to the range you use?

I get a kick out of Sig's "backdoor strategy" to sell pistols. I would think this method would appeal to many.

[TMan]

Callahan, the coupon was for $400 i.e. it isn't a discount coupon, you send them the coupon and a check for $400.

I order through Sportingarms.com in Lewisville, which is just north of DFW airport. Therefore, I just get there, fill out the new form (which is quite stupid by the way), show my CHL, write a check and head for home.

By the way, while I was there, I picked up a XD(M) in 9mm. The distributors haven't shown any inventory, but she got a bunch of them somehow. She said that they have been selling like hotcakes.

Well, got to go pick up Jenny and then head to the airport to pick up my wife. I'll look at the XD(M) when I get a chance. I expect to shoot it on Tuesday along with the P220.

[Callahan]

Oh, now I see after re-reading that and the previous posts. The 220 is a great handgun. I shoot a friend's really well. Makes me look like I'm a good shot! ;D

Have thought about buying it, but for the price of ammo lately. The conversion kit deal is a good move.

My son almost bought an XD(M), but the shop made him a deal on a Sig P229 for "a few dollars more."

[TMan]

Callahan, the slide looks well made, but the magazine is rather cheezy. Also, when it is in place, there is quite a bit of vertical movement. It is plastic and doesn't have the little knob on the side to aid in loading. Although Ruger has a little knob, I like the one on the Neos and the Colt 22 much better because it is bigger and easier to use.

There is a difference between putting a 22LR slide on an old P220 and buying the new pistol with the 22LR slide. My old P220 is a DA/SA trigger and this is a SAO trigger, and I'm quite pleased with it.

[Callahan]

Does Sig offer the SAO trigger in pistols other than their 1911 and the P220?

[TMan]

Of course: the P238 ;D

Sorry, just couldn't resist that.

Yes, the P226 X-Five that I have is a SAO pistol, and comes from the factory with an excellent trigger.

However, the X-Five Allround is a DA/SA trigger. Ya got ta watch it when ya order a Sig.

[TA]

The 556 is also SAO. ;D

[TMan]

The 556 pistol - ahh yes, the concealed handgun of the jolly green giant. No wonder he is jolly, the women really notice him.

[Callahan]

HA! Good one!

[TMan]

OK, I finally got to shoot this sucker today. We only shot 50 rounds, and it did jam once, but it could have been because of a limp wrist.

Like my Kimber 22 (1911 alloy ), the gun feels too light. It also feels funny when you shoot it because the slide operates slowly. It may get better as it loosens up.

Accuracy was dismal at best. They recommended HV ammo, and I was shooting CCI Mini-Mags, and they were all over the target. I'll try it later with some other HV ammo and see if it improves with it.

[TMan]

I did better with this gun today. Perhaps it needed a little breaking-in. The slow action of the slide has disappeared, and it now goes off quite crisply.

It is definitely an improvement over the Mosquito. It isn't a S&W 41 by any means, but on the other hand it isn't a S&W 22A either.

No failures today of anykind, and I think I'll be shooting this pistol a lot - especially considering the price of ammo.

[MLB]

I had a (mostly) .22 caliber couple of hours with my son yesterday. Cold, but a nice day. I was puttering in the basement and he wanted to go out and shoot. How can you turn down an offer like that?

The rifle is too big for him. I'm going to have to get on the stick with that jr. rifle.