Sig 220 SAO safety

M

Mike_Fontenot

New member
What exactly does the Sig 220 SAO safety DO? Does it block the trigger? Does it block the sear? Does it keep the hammer from falling all the way to the firing pin? Does it block the firing pin? Does it do a combination of some or all of these things?
 
Thanks for that info. Sounds like a pretty good safety ... better than just a trigger block. My 1911 does even better ... its thumb safety blocks the sear and also prevents the hammer from rotating all the way down to the firing pin. And the grip lever blocks both the trigger and the firing pin. I'm spoiled by all that redundancy. However, to be fair, I think the Sig 220 SAO safety CAN be engaged any time you're not shooting, even when chambering or ejecting a round (unlike the thumb safety on my 1911, which has to be off in order to move the slide). That partially makes up for the lack of a grip safety on the 220SAO. I also feel safe carrying my S&W69 .44mag DA/SA revolver with no safety, other than the long, heavy pull required to cock the hammer.
 
Well... the P220 does also include a firing pin block.

I certainly wouldn't call it an unsafe design, and most people consider the grip safety of the 1911 to be a superfluous addition.

I generally prefer traditional DA/SA triggers myself, but if I wanted a SAO gun, it would probably be the Sig P226.
 
The safety on my Sig 220 SAO is "stiffer" than any of my 1911s which may make them less prone to accidental disengagement. I've never felt unsafe carrying it cocked and locked. As long as you keep the safety on and the finger off the trigger, it's a safe design.
 
"Well... the P220 does also include a firing pin block."

Is that controlled by the thumb safety as well?


"I generally prefer traditional DA/SA triggers myself,"

Why? (I'm not being argumentative ... I've just never had one, and I'm curious. I know that most buyers of the 220 opt for DA/SA instead if SAO, so you're clearly not alone.)


" but if I wanted a SAO gun, it would probably be the Sig P226."

What do you prefer about the P226 over the P220SAO? (Again, just curiosity on my part ... I'm trying to learn).

I have some interest in the 220SAO, because of the announcement that Sig was going to try to produce a 10mm version (and of the DA/SA as well). I tried dry firing a 220DA/SA at my local gun store, and it felt pretty good, although the trigger tended to pinch my finger a little, for some reason, both on SA and DA ... maybe it was "pilot error". Also a lot of take-up on the trigger, but I think the 10mm will be available with the "short reset" trigger, and that might feel better to me.
 
"Well... the P220 does also include a firing pin block."

Is that controlled by the thumb safety as well?
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No. It's a fairly industry standard part of many semiautomatic pistols.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(firearms)#Firing_pin_block

Also a lot of take-up on the trigger
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A DA/SA trigger will have more takeup than a SAO.

Also a lot of take-up on the trigger, but I think the 10mm will be available with the "short reset" trigger, and that might feel better to me.
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The short-reset trigger does not affect takeup.
 
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Looks like TunnelRat already answered most of the questions, but as for this one:

What do you prefer about the P226 over the P220SAO? (Again, just curiosity on my part ... I'm trying to learn).
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That's only that I prefer the 226 platform(9mm) to the 220 platform(45acp). I really like the way the 220 feels, but I've never been able to shoot them well. I don't know why. I shoot the 226 and 229 very well. I'm very interested in getting ahold of the newer P227 (double stack 45acp). Maybe the grip ergonomics being similar to the 226 would help me with shooting it better.

As for why I prefer the DA/SA to SAO - it's just what I've shot and am more comfortable with. I don't have a problem with the transition between trigger pulls. I guess it just 'makes sense' to me. I think if you're coming from a 1911 platform, then obviously the SAO model makes sense to you. I'm actually not a big fan of 1911's either. I love the way they look, but they feel awkward in my hand. I know that I am definitely a minority in that one.

I also think the Browning Hi Power is absolutely hideous where everyone else loves them. *shrug* :p
 
My most recent P226 was an X-Five; prior 226s were several years ago. I still have (and had) a P220 Super Match. Both of these guns were SAO.

I couldn't tell much difference between them in the hand, and suspected that the grips might interchange. (The grips on the 220 are beautiful wood -- but I didn't take them off to find out. They just look right on the 220 SM.)
'
Maybe the 226-XFive has a different grip than the standard P226?
 
Uncle Malice said:
Looks like TunnelRat already answered most of the questions, but as for this one:



That's only that I prefer the 226 platform(9mm) to the 220 platform(45acp). I really like the way the 220 feels, but I've never been able to shoot them well. I don't know why. I shoot the 226 and 229 very well. I'm very interested in getting ahold of the newer P227 (double stack 45acp). Maybe the grip ergonomics being similar to the 226 would help me with shooting it better.

As for why I prefer the DA/SA to SAO - it's just what I've shot and am more comfortable with. I don't have a problem with the transition between trigger pulls. I guess it just 'makes sense' to me. I think if you're coming from a 1911 platform, then obviously the SAO model makes sense to you. I'm actually not a big fan of 1911's either. I love the way they look, but they feel awkward in my hand. I know that I am definitely a minority in that one.

I also think the Browning Hi Power is absolutely hideous where everyone else loves them. *shrug* :p
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The first and last time I saw a P226 SAO was at SIG Academy when Dylan Kenneson was running one. I was surprised because I didn't have any interest in a SAO SIG but the layout was better than I expected.
 
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