Sig Sauer P228

[sigfan91]

Both Sig's I own are German.

1994 P226 ( made in Germany) and 1990 P225 (made in West Germany)

I have nothing against current Sig pistols (Never owned one) , but I will always try to pick up a German or West German Sig before I buy a current production one.

That's just me.

Interesting....both my 1994s were stamped W. Germany. In fact I have a 1995 P220 also stamped W. Germany. My 1996s were stamped Germany so I always thought the cutoff point was sometime in 1995.

[Ronin2]

Yes, but those with triple serials, proof marks, and test targets were for sure German guns. Those without, maybe...maybe not.

ANY SiG Sauer stamped carbon steel slide with roll pins and a breechblock was made in Germany. Period. Any non railed frame not marked "Exeter NH" was made in Germany. Period.

There is frequent mixing of German slides mated to American frames but those are still considered German guns albeit not to purists. People report SiG selling limited runs of "new" P228's in recent years with the German stamped slide on an American frame.

The triple serial numbers have nothing to do with the gun being of German origin nor do the proof marks. I have a German made P220 with the "W" overstamped with the SiG stamp and NO PROOF MARKS at all. Neither it or a German P226 in my safe have serial numbers on the slide, only the frame and barrel.

[CWM4A1]

As far as I can recall, P228 was imported up to 2005 before it officially stops. There were a batch here and there that pops up, mostly P228R with railed frame. Sometime in early 2000 SIG change P228 from triple stamped serial number to laser etched serial number on the frame, and that's when they stop to serialize the barrel and slide and no longer include test targets.

My primary carry piece when I work at range is a P228 with KK date code, but I have update the grip to the new E2 grip as it fits me better. That gun is pretty beat-up but still function flawlessly. Just put a NIB P228 in jail with KG date code, has original gray color box, manual and test target. Even has a 97 date code Trijicon night sight installed by factory that barely even glows. This will be my 6th P228...

[Raptor3000]

So is it safe to assume that all P228s before 2000 are all german made? they are not Frame made in USA and Slide in Germany?

thanks

[sigfan91]

ANY SiG Sauer stamped carbon steel slide with roll pins and a breechblock was made in Germany. Period. Any non railed frame not marked "Exeter NH" was made in Germany. Period.

Not always true. I have one that's marked "Montage Suisse."

But yes, you are right. US never made rolled carbon steel slides. All slides made in Exeter are milled stainless steel. Does Germany make any milled stainless steel slides?

There is frequent mixing of German slides mated to American frames but those are still considered German guns albeit not to purists. People report SiG selling limited runs of "new" P228's in recent years with the German stamped slide on an American frame.

I remember those. P228R using rolled carbon steel slide on top of a P229R frame?

The triple serial numbers have nothing to do with the gun being of German origin nor do the proof marks. I have a German made P220 with the "W" overstamped with the SiG stamp and NO PROOF MARKS at all. Neither it or a German P226 in my safe have serial numbers on the slide, only the frame and barrel.

Agreed. My point was that a gun with triple serials and proof marks are always German. Not all German guns have proof marks and/or triple serials.

Do you know why yours did not have serial on the slide?

I see you are close to where I am. Let me know if you ever want to sell any of your P series. I'm especially interested in your KB P220 and P225.

[sigfan91]

So is it safe to assume that all P228s before 2000 are all german made? they are not Frame made in USA and Slide in Germany?

thanks

I would say so. But then again how do you know all major parts of the gun were made before 2000?

[Raptor3000]

I would say so. But then again how do you know all major parts of the gun were made before 2000?

Date code KG for 1996.

[Ronin2]

You are good to go. Congrats!

[sigfan91]

Date code KG for 1996.

Date code only appears on the slide. How do you know the frame and the barrel are also 1996? Match their serial numbers.

You're good to go. But I would still check for matching serials, just because I'm anal.

[Ronin2]

Not always true. I have one that's marked "Montage Suisse."

Lucky dawg!!

But yes, you are right. US never made rolled carbon steel slides. All slides made in Exeter are milled stainless steel. Does Germany make any milled stainless steel slides?

I think they do with their limited production specialty models.

I remember those. P228R using rolled carbon steel slide on top of a P229R frame?

Yup. I have seen photos of a couple, never handled or fired one

Do you know why yours did not have serial on the slide?

Its an unusual slide...the "W" in WGERMANY is over stamped with that sig proof mark that they put on all SiG made magazines.

I see you are close to where I am. Let me know if you ever want to sell any of your P series. I'm especially interested in your KB P220 and P225.

The P225 is out of the question. You may be able to pry the P220 KB from me for the right price.

[sigfan91]

Lucky dawg!!

It's not that exciting. It's the retired Swiss police P225 with euro mag release. The finish is pretty worn but the internals are in excellent condition.

The P225 is out of the question. You may be able to pry the P220 KB from me for the right price.

We will definitely have to talk later (critical lack of funds right now).

[Raptor3000]

Did ppt for brand new 1996 P228 today. Stamped Made in Germany on the slide, has proof marks, came with 2X 10 round made in Germany magazines, all three serial#s match, Plastic Sig case and manual.

thanks

[CWM4A1]

Congrats on a good purchase, you will love it.

[bsg]

Did ppt for brand new 1996 P228 today. Stamped Made in Germany on the slide, has proof marks, came with 2X 10 round made in Germany magazines, all three serial#s match, Plastic Sig case and manual.

thanks

congrats on your P228. it should serve you well.

[sigfan91]

Did ppt for brand new 1996 P228 today. Stamped Made in Germany on the slide, has proof marks, came with 2X 10 round made in Germany magazines, all three serial#s match, Plastic Sig case and manual.

thanks

Congrats on a fine purchase.

If you don't know it already, Sigs prefer grease over oil. There's a good lubrication guide over at Sigforum.

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/908103701

Another thing you want to pay close attention to is the trigger bar spring under the right side grip panel. Your P228 most likely has a simple bar spring. This spring in my P6 broke when I was doing some dry fire drills. I'd imagine it would be an inconvenience if it were during a critical moment when reliability is required. Sig updated the design to a coil spring with much better reliability. Midway sells these. You may want to think about getting at least one just in case.

Or course replace the recoil spring every 5000 rounds.

Enjoy.