Precision problem ?

[newbie1234]

I bought a surplus Sig P220 .45ACP, the pistol looks very beat-up, after clean and oil the pistol functioning OK, it shoots but no precision, grouping is BAD...

I try it at bench rest to limit the human error (it's me ) at 7 yards the group is about 4", at 10 yards the group is 5-6" , in both cases the POI (Point of Impact- aka the holes) is everywhere. Heck, my RIA 1911 .45ACP can do much better than that.

I wonder is that the problem of the wear-out barrel ? will I get better precision/grouping with new barrel ? OR SOMETHING ELSE ?

Will open to ALL opinions/ideas/recommendations/whatever you can think of.

Thanks You All.

[mtenenhaus]

Wow,
if the pistol is in otherwise good repair that would be very unusual in my experience with the p220.

as always, probably best to eliminate variables.

has anyone else, ideally an experienced and capable shooter confirmed the problem. that's probably where most would start.

certainly if the barrel had a defect particularly one at the crown or is completely shot out.... or if the barrel is ill fitting that might well account for the problem.

definitely give it a good cleaning and oiling and during the takedown look very carefully at each part to make certain they're in good repair, no cracks, no abnormal wear etc.

hope it works out well for you. they really are great pistols. sorry i sold mine.

oh, and check to see that the sights aren't loose....sometimes its something as simple as that.

[edgerly779]

Maybe worn bushings check barrel. Something is sloppy worn out I'll bet.

[ar15barrels]

I bought a surplus Sig P220 .45ACP, the pistol looks very beat-up, after clean and oil the pistol functioning OK, it shoots but no precision, grouping is BAD..

How many rounds through the barrel?
Is it a high round count range rental gun?

A 45acp barrel ought to hold it's accuracy for over 50,000 rounds.

Look through the barrel and see if the throat is worn WAY forward in the barrel.
If so, it's definitely time for a new barrel.

[newbie1234]

has anyone else, ideally an experienced and capable shooter confirmed the problem.....

Did it, my shooting buddy shoot at the bench rest got the same result and said "Sig should last you a life time but this one ...... I never buy Sig again".

certainly if the barrel had a defect particularly one at the crown or is completely shot out.... or if the barrel is ill fitting that might well account for the problem.
definitely give it a good cleaning and oiling and during the takedown look very carefully at each part to make certain they're in good repair, no cracks, no abnormal wear etc....

Already inspected barrel, it looked OK to me, I disassemble the whole pistol clean and oil every single parts . Could be something that I did not see it. WILL inspect all parts again with magnify glass.

... check to see that the sights aren't loose

Both front and rear signs are TIGHT.

...sometimes its something as simple as that.

That what I am hope for. :fingers crossed:

[ar15barrels]

Already inspected barrel, it looked OK to me

Do you know specifically what to look for?

[newbie1234]

How many rounds through the barrel?
Is it a high round count range rental gun?

It is a surplus gun so I expect 50K-100K rds. I do not think it is a rental gun because the gun internal is GREASE and the grease is THICK as asphalt.

Look through the barrel and see if the throat is worn WAY forward in the barrel.

Will do

[newbie1234]

Do you know specifically what to look for?

Tell you the true, I don't, I just looked for something abnormal. :flushed:

[ar15barrels]

Tell you the true, I don't, I just looked for something abnormal. :flushed:

Look for the throat to be moved forward.
Compare one of your NEW or lightly used (less than say 5000 rounds) handgun barrels.
The throat should be well defined.
It's where the rifling begins.

If the throat is NOT well defined and the rifling is worn an inch or two down the barrel with no obvious start, the barrel is shot out.

If all else fails, order a new barrel and see how it shoots:

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/BBL-220-45-CP

https://www.ebay.com/c/1604659824

[newbie1234]

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/BBL-220-45-CP

Thanks for the link.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the link.

Looks like you missed this that I linked to earlier:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SIG-SAUER-P220-P227-45ACP-FACTORY-ORIGINAL-BARREL/133493856962?epid=3015913178&hash=item1f14da9ac2:g:59sAAOSwPZNfNxCz

For some reason, ebay changed the link to land on some Sig 250 barrel after the auction ended.