Sigs!

[9mmepiphany]

there seems to be some confusion here about the relationships between the various sig models. talking about the Sig Sauer Classic P-series, it goes something like this:

220 - service sized, single stack mag, available in 9mm (original chambering), .45 and .38 Super...there was a European version in .30 Luger too

225/P6 - compact, single stack. the P6 came first as a competititor in the German Police trials; available only in 9mm

226 - the double stack mag version of the 220 sized for the shorter 9mm round. this gun competed in the M9 trials before being introduced for LE sales. the chamberings in .40 and 357Sig did not happen until after the 229 introduced Sigs with milled slides.

228 - the compact version of the 226 available only in 9mm

229 - milled slide version of the 228. originally introduced in with the milled slide to handle the .40 cartridge and later the 357Sig. the 9mm version of the 229 has a different dimensioned slide and mag than the .40 version and is truely a 228 with a milled slide

230/232 - .380 blowback operated pistols

[clockwork]

Nice summary! TY.

there seems to be some confusion here about the relationships between the various sig models. talking about the Sig Sauer Classic P-series, it goes something like this:

220 - service sized, single stack mag, available in 9mm (original chambering), .45 and .38 Super...there was a European version in .30 Luger too

225/P6 - compact, single stack. the P6 came first as a competititor in the German Police trials; available only in 9mm

226 - the double stack mag version of the 220 sized for the shorter 9mm round. this gun competed in the M9 trials before being introduced for LE sales. the chamberings in .40 and 357Sig did not happen until after the 229 introduced Sigs with milled slides.

228 - the compact version of the 226 available only in 9mm

229 - milled slide version of the 228. originally introduced in with the milled slide to handle the .40 cartridge and later the 357Sig. the 9mm version of the 229 has a different dimensioned slide and mag than the .40 version and is truely a 228 with a milled slide

230/232 - .380 blowback operated pistols

[9mmepiphany]

I'm glad it was helpful

It makes it easier to keep straight when you are there when they are being introduced

I even remember the 221 which was the never introduced double stack .45 220

BTW the Sport models and later the ST and Elite models had Stainless steel frames in place of the standard aluminum alloy frames

[POLICESTATE]

If you're looking for 9mm I'd get a P228 (have one myself), I prefer the shorter barrel. If .45 ACP then get a 1911 of some sort, possibly the Sig version (although I don't like 1911 with external extractors) or SA, Kimber, Colt, etc... If I was to go .40 S&W then I'd go with the P229.

[freonr22]

really like the p220st have a 1911 style .45 also

[ilkhan]

I even remember the 221 which was the never introduced double stack .45 220

How much (if any) wider was/would that be? I keep wondering why there is no staggered (double-stack) version of the P220.

[9mmepiphany]

it was just bad timing, it was going to be introduced as the 10 round mag capacity limitations came into effect.

I only handle one and it was wide...wider than the CZ 97

[sigfan91]

Actually the 228 and 226 are mechanically related, just as the 220 is to the 225- There used to be a 9mm and 38 super 220.

This is exactly right.

P226 is not a double stack version of P220. P228 is not a double stack version of P225.

P225 is a chopped down version of P220.

P228 is a chopped down version of P226.

From my experience, P220/P225 has a frame rail design that doesn't wear as quickly as the P226/P228.

Then there's the P228R. This is a German stamped steel slide (P228) fitted over a P229R frame.

P220, P226, and P229 are officially in production for US sales. We will get occasional P225 and P228 imported from Germany for sale.

All Sigs in production for US sale now use milled stainless steel slide. These are slightly heavier and some can feel the difference and the change in balance.

Personally, I prefer old German Sigs with stamped slide and no rails.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

This is exactly right.

The P226 was actually specifically designed for the US military trials, but was just barely beat out by the Beretta M9, some argue based due to cost, some argue politics.

Also: P229 in 357sig is the issue gun of US Secret Service.

[9mmepiphany]

P226 is not a double stack version of P220.

P225 is a chopped down version of P220.

The 226 is more a double stack version of the 220 than the 225 is a chopped down version of it.

From the muzzle of the 226 to the trigger guard, it is identical to the 220...it is only their butt frame dimensions that differ. The 228 and 229 descend from this family line

While the 225 is a single stack, like the 220, all slide and frame dimensions are different...as well as the geometry of the action. the 220 and 226 share the same trigger geometry.

The 225 was developed as a stand alone design, as the P6, to compete with the P5 (Walther) and P7 (H&K) in the German Police Trials following the Munich Olympics to replace their current 7.65mm duty guns

[sigfan91]

The 226 is more a double stack version of the 220 than the 225 is a chopped down version of it.

From the muzzle of the 226 to the trigger guard, it is identical to the 220...it is only their butt frame dimensions that differ. The 228 and 229 descend from this family line

While the 225 is a single stack, like the 220, all slide and frame dimensions are different...as well as the geometry of the action. the 220 and 226 share the same trigger geometry.

The 225 was developed as a stand alone design, as the P6, to compete with the P5 (Walther) and P7 (H&K) in the German Police Trials following the Munich Olympics to replace their current 7.65mm duty guns

Hmmm...have you taken apart all 4 of them to take a look?

This first photo is a P220 (back) and a P6 (foreground). Notice the single rail on the right side of the frame and the slide catch that doubles as the ejector.

The second photo is a P226 (back) and a P228 (foreground). Notice the broken up rails on both sides of the frame and the stand alone ejector that's not part of the slide stop.

Also notice the different trigger bar design. P225/P6 and P220 share a similar design while P226 and P228 share a similar design.

I think these design differences are more important than dimensional differences in grouping these handguns.

[fullrearview]

The most important thing to know......THEY ARE ALL BAD ICE!!!!!

[9mmepiphany]

Hmmm...have you taken apart all 4 of them to take a look?

I have seen them all in detail. I used to believe the 225 was more related to the 220 than the 226 was also.

Besides having been around when each model was introduced, I used to hang out at Bruce Gray's shop when he was local. He was the one who explained to me how the 225, while sharing some parts and designs with the 220, was really a very different design...and why it's trigger can not be tuned as finely as the other models in the P-series. That is why the 225 and 239 have little than size in common

[Ranger20]

Not much to ad except if your looking for a good carry sig.. the 239 single stack is a nice option in 9, 40 or 357sig. Me giving the nod to the 357sig with a DAK trigger system.

Try to rent a few different Sigs and see if they fit your need !

[sigfan91]

I have seen them all in detail. I used to believe the 225 was more related to the 220 than the 226 was also.

Besides having been around when each model was introduced, I used to hang out at Bruce Gray's shop when he was local. He was the one who explained to me how the 225, while sharing some parts and designs with the 220, was really a very different design...and why it's trigger can not be tuned as finely as the other models in the P-series. That is why the 225 and 239 have little than size in common

I just think P220 has less in common with P226 than it has with P225. P228 is a chopped down version of P226. If P228 is a double stack version of P225 (design wise, not function wise) then why does it share more features with the P226 than the P225?

I actually prefer the design of P220 over the P226. I noticed a lot of wear on my Swiss P226 and P228, while very little wear on my Swiss P225 and German P6. Granted, the P226 and P228 were shot a lot more than the P225, and especially the P6, but the split rail of P226 and P228 seemed to be more vulnerable to scratches and gouges near the ends.