Sig 220: used. CPO. Or New?

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candlejackstraw

New member
So I'm really onto the sig 220 and as I see it, there are three options for purchasing one. (Possibly 4)
1. Used west german off of gunbroker. They seem like they will land around 500-550 after shipping
2. Certified pre-owned. Has anyone had experience with these? Do they replace the night sights? Is it essentially like a new pistols?
3. New (which will obviously be the most expensive options)
4. Used newer model. ( I feel like I'd want to go with cpo instead of this.

What are your thoughts, experiences and opinions with this? Thank you!
 
1) Old German guns are nice, but newer Sigs are just fine. There were a few lemons during the transition between engineering revisions, but those kinks are--as far as I know--worked out. My Sig comes from the 'problem' area, and it runs like a Swiss Watch (puns!).

2) CPOs are largely indistinguishable from new guns. As far as replacing the night sights, the CPO program specifically states that worn parts are replaced with factory parts. A quick e-mail to Sig would probably answer your question.

3) New guns are great. Have the new gun smell.

4) My Sig is used, non-CPO, and it has been flawless over thousands of rounds. I replaced the recoil spring and hammer strut springs just to be certain that they weren't at/approaching/beyond their round count, but that was done as preventative rather than indicated maintenance.

If you are purchasing new, or can find something floating around out there (doubt CPO), check into the P227. It is almost indistinguishable from the P226, and carries more rounds than the P220. Just a thought. The P220 has a certain je ne sais quois, though, I will admit.
 
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I have owned older P220's and now a new one, a P220 Scorpion. I like them all, but this new one seems to be my favorite. In fact, I have it on my side in a Kirkpatrick Undercover holster as I type this.

Gene
 

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I bought a CPO 226 several years ago. I couldn't tell the difference between it and a new one side by side. Mine has been perfect and it was a lot cheaper than new. If you can find one I'd go that way.
 
I just ordered a P220R Nitron with Siglites new for $830.

I know I could have saved about $150 by going CPO, and my friend's CPO 229 was basically new, but I wanted to own a brand squeaky new P-series at least once in my life.

So I guess if it's worth the $100-200 premium to have a new one, go that route. Was for me. Otherwise go CPO.

I believe the West German Sigs are very nice and I own one (a P6), but the new ones are probably metallurgically superior. The Exeter issues are not nearly what they were and there is likely, to some extent, a rose-colored-glasses effect regarding the older guns.
 
My 220 (2012) come off facebook. After my first session of 100 it had 5x more wear than when I traded for it. I doubt it had seen more than one maybe two mags. It's since rattled off over a thousand flawless rounds.
 
Had a stainless 220. Being left handed couldn't get over the position of the slide lock. Too far back to access with my left index finger.

Nice guns otherwise just not left hander friendly.
 
If having a lifetime warranty matters, only new SIG pistols come with them. Whether said warranty is worth the extra cost is a question only the individual buyer can answer.
 
I don't think you can loose with any of the listed approaches as long as you shop wisely.

I have a P220ST I purchased used back in Feb. 2012. It was a former LEO pistol from Scottsboro, AL. It does not have a mar on it and shoots great. The only negative is it slings brass a country mile. It is heavy with resulting light recoil. I paid $556.00 to include sales tax.

Then there is my P220R Nitron I purchased new about a year later for $573.00. It is not quite as attractive, but it is significantly lighter and its ejection of brass less distant.

They are wonderful handguns.
 
I have developed a strong adversion to buying any new guns because I have been lucky enough to find great used ones. The reality is that most guns owners don't fire their guns much and sell them with maybe 200/300 rounds through it.

It that is going to cost me a couple of hundred dollars less, I will take it.
 
I see nice used P220's all the time. Personally I'd want one with the Short Reset Trigger and the Siglites so you would probably have to send a used one off to the Sig Custom Shop for that work, and you might as well get the Action Enhancement Package done while you're at it. And I'll bet you'll be glad you had your gun worked over by the Custom Shop

Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had serious problems with used Sigs that I've bought and I have 4 of them now
 
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Get an older German Sig. The carbon steel slide balances better, no rail, it's lighter and was manufactured in Germany.

The only advantage of the newer guns are the SRT and better rust resistance from the stainless slide. IMHO I think the older guns are superior.
 
I can't speak to the new(er) guns, but I bought a Browning BDA .45 (Sig P220) in 1980, and its still my main carry gun today.

For a long time I thought I should get another, one with the American style mag catch, but I finally realized that, for me, the only advantage was when I played games, and I no longer play those games, so why bother??

never kept a round count, can only estimate at "several thousand" over the last 35 years...

I think my $369 (for the gun NIB and two 50 rnd boxes of Federal JHPs) was money well spent.

I think any of them will be money well spent, and a handful of today's dollars won't matter 30+ years from now.:D

 
I think my $369 (for the gun NIB and two 50 rnd boxes of Federal JHPs) was money well spent.
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$369.00 in 1980 dollars equates to $1,067.00 in inflated 2015 dollars, which is approximately the cost of a new P220 anyway. I know it would be a lot easier for me to come up with a grand today than it would have been to come up with close to $400 back in 1980.
 
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