Sig Sauer P220R or M1911A1 w/ Rail?

[AJM0617]

Hey guys, I'm planning to get myself another 45 ACP for my birthday and I've been wanting to have another 45 pistol with rail. I wanna attach a weapon light. I've narrow my search between a Sig Sauer P220R Elite Dark and a 1911A1 with rail probably Springfield Operator or Kimber Custom TLE II / RL. now, I own both platforms. I have a Sig Sauer P226R Enhanced Elite in 9mm and a Springfield Loaded M1911A1 45 ACP but without rail. so I'm really familiar with both design, I just could decide which one of the pistol platforms to get. some people says that Sigs are not the same as they use to, but in my own experience I've never had any problems with my first P226 Navy a I had and my current Enhanced Elite. both are made here in U.S. so I don't want that to be a -1 for Sig.. I just want some opinions between the two pistols and let me know your suggestion..

Thank you in advance

Aron

[scoob]

SA Operator. The 220 is great but nothing is like an operator.

[lloydkristmas]

About 6 years ago I would have said Sig, all the way, for reliability's sake. Now, I dont know.

HK45

[KhanRad]

Let me just say that from an engineering standpoint, making a 9mm pistol is easy. The recoil forces are not the bad, the center of the cartridge sits high in the magazine allow for easy feeding, and the tapered casing makes reliability a snap. So, if the design, materials, and quality control are not up to par then the manufacturer can usually get away with it.

The .45acp on the other hand is not as forgiving. The wide diameter of the cartridge, and straight walled casing means that feeding isn't as easy to pull off unless the design is good. Recoil forces are stronger, meaning that if the pistol has flaws in its design, materials, and/or quality controls those flaws will turn into function problems.

The P220 is like a 1911 in that its weak point is in cartridge feeding. A new P220 will usually function fine, but as the recoil spring, magazine spring, and extractor get weak with time you start to run into feeding problems. Also, if there are any problems with the quality of manufacturing, you will run into function problems much as you run into crappy 1911s. A well done ramp job will help the P220 as it gives the cartridge a more optimal feeding angle, and it allows the cartridge to go further into the chamber before the rim rides up the breech face and locks the action closed. I've used older P220s for years, and I've never had any problems with them........but I've always done ramp jobs on them and serviced them on schedule. I can't give you much advice on Ron Cohen(post-2005) P220s, other than you will be getting a "questionable" product.

Based on other buyer's experiences, and Todd Green's endurance testing, I wouldn't buy any modern .45acp pistol other than a HK 45.

[Magic_Salad0892]

HK45.

[AJM0617]

I sold my HK USP 45 to get the new HK45 and after putting around 100 rounds through it, I regreted getting it. I shoot my USP 45 way better, the HK45 hurts my trigger finger when shooting it because of that dip on the trigger guard. overall, HK45 is a nice gun but I really don't see anything special about it. so I sold it and went got a USP 45 and never looked back again.. I just much prefer the USP 45 in any way over HK45

[KhanRad]

You can always give the FNP 45, or the M&P 45 a try. Good reviews on them. The M&P trigger can me modified to turn it into a competition level trigger pretty easily.

[lloydkristmas]

You can always give the FNP 45, or the M&P 45 a try. Good reviews on them. The M&P trigger can me modified to turn it into a competition level trigger pretty easily.

Isnt the FNP 45 the one that doesnt feed well with Winchester ammo? I watched a guy with one of the new FN autoloaders struggling with a lot of malfunctions at the range. I did some research, and it sounded like some of them had ammo issues. They also feel very cheap, in my opinion.

[Cobra66]

As others have mentioned the P220 has some issues and is generally considered not to be quite the gun the 9mm Sigs are. Since you want a rail you are probably stuck with a post Cohen gun so that may or may not be an issue. The P220 is a very accurate pistol and will have the same manual of arms as your other Sigs so that is worth something right there.

The merits and foibles of 1911 has been beaten to death by people light-years beyond me. It is nice to have one in the collection though and if you are only wanting a gun to punch paper with, then definitely worth a look.

I also would recommend you look at the M&P45. I have grown to love mine after replacing the sear and it has certainly become my most shot 45 pistol. Accurate, reliable, and easy to shoot. Oddly, despite its different grips, it doesn't feel as good in the hand as my P220 or 1911 do, but on the range I shoot it every bit as well.

[SkiDevil]

If the pistol is for collectible purposes then buy the one which you like more.

I have always liked the 1911 but never owned one. It can be made into an excellent defensive arm and even attractive to the eye compared to some current designs. So, from an asthetics design I can see why some like the gun (I really like the Wilson's).

I myself don't really get too excited about rails or attaching a light onto my pistol, but I do have two pistols with the rails anyway because they came that way.

The SIG 220 is well proven design and though it does require its share of maintenace would still be my own personal choice. The rails have been around awhile. I would scour Gunbroker and try to locate a used model at or before the current changes at SIG SAUER occurred.

The last railed SIG pistol I bought was one of the Commercial run Navy 226s and I bought the gun around '04-'05. There are likely 220s with a rail from this time as well.

Otherwise, just buy a new one (inspect it first/ before DROS) for any obvious flaws and then send over to Bruce Grey for a thorough going-over.

SkiDevil

P.S. I have seen several TRPs it is a very nice gun. I am just very partial to the 220 and have owned several.

link: http://grayguns.com/