Jwong,
I transitioned from my sidearm of over a decade, a Security Six, to the Sig P220. Back when I bought my Sig, it was one of the two DA .45 ACP authorized for duty use. The other was the S&W 645. S&W had a higher magazine capacity (8 over the Sig's 7). While I liked that and the S&W's steel frame over the aluminum of the Sig, what won Sig over for me was the decocker lever.
S&W guns weren't ambidextreous in those days and I found that I could operate the decocker with my left trigger finger. Even the magazine release was easily manipulated with the left hand. With Sig being the easier of the two guns to use, I opted for it and never regretted it.
Sigs subjected to very severe use have been known to develop cracks, but so do other makes. Sig Academy's Geo. Harris reported that while small cracks can develop near the locking block like Kodiac mentioned, after a while it'll stop growing and the gun will still function. He added that when in doubt, send the gun back to Sig.
Turning to replacing parts, the only external thing I've replaced on my Sig are the sights. The original bar-dot was replaced with trijicon nite sights. Love them.
Another item worthy of consideration are the eight round magazines made by Sig. The eight & seven round magazines have the same tube, spring, & floorplate. The only difference is the follower. If you have to buy magazines, buy the eight rounders with padded floorplates. It's cheaper that way.
I once failed to tighten the grip screw enough and lost one. While awaiting for parts from VA, I secured my grip with a large rubber band which I blackened with a permanent marker. Years later grip makers make this overgrown rubber band to slide over the grips. (If I had brains like my father, I would have marketed it myself - & that's why I'm not rich. I don't take credit for their fancier rubber band).
Be careful with aftermarket grips, especially if you buy a used P220. The grips serve to help keep the trigger bar spring and to a limited extent, the decocker spring in place. If the grips dosen't fit right, these springs may work themselves out of place and opps...
You should also know that the grip frame was widened in the later models so as to meet a Fed Agency's Axe Test (axe dropped on on the trigger guard in an attempt to crush it and see whether the trigger could still be manipulated). So, some aftermarket grips (old stock) may not fit your Sig and problems can arise.
Also, if you plan on shooting +p loads, be sure you have the heavier +p spring which is green colored. If you get a used BDA (European model Sig P220 imported by Interarms in the mid '70s), these must be sent to SigArms USA for modification to take the green spring.
Turning to the issue of reliability, I did have jams with my 220. These may be attributable to the lead semi-wadcutters I was given as practice ammo. The Sig simply did not like it (had to feed it to my Colts). No problem with other ammunition though.
I've no regrets in selecting the Sig P220.
Rob, does KY Imports sell used P226 with high cap mags & if so, how much? I like the idea of a 9mm which fits in the same holster as the 220.
[This message has been edited by 4V50 Gary (edited 11-03-98).]