Post by Sgt K USMC on Feb 28, 2008 7:07:23 GMT -5
The Sig P-225 is a full framed 9mm pistol which is billed as a compact of the Sig P-220. Although the weapon is considered a compact, due to the fact that it is smaller than it's parent weapon, it is still a larger framed weapon for a 9mm, and in fact is larger than most other pistols in the 'compact' family of weapons of higher calibers. (It is even larger than my compact 45)
There are no appreciable mechanical or performance differences between the P-220 and the P-225, and they in fact could pass as identical twins, save the slight size difference, when held next to each other.
Sig arms is primarily a German manufactured and utilized weapon family, but due to the reliability and durability of the model, a good number of police and military agencies world wide carry at least some variant of the Sig Sauer in their inventory.
DA's Sig P-225:
Although this is my wife's weapon I have fired it a number of times and will be giving my review of it.
Range: Compact or not, this weapon has AMAZING range for a 9mm pistol. I have frequently been able to hit targets as far away as 50 meters, using target ammo, and still been able to maintain a decent grouping. This is not only uncommon for a pistol in general but down right unheard of.
Accuracy: One of the single most accurate pistols I have ever had the privilege to shoot. This weapon will easily hold a 3 to 4 inch grouping at 25 meters in the right hands, using cheap target ammo, and firing without a bench rest. In this regard the weapon is VERY forgiving to the shooter, which is owed to a combination of excellent weight and balance plus outstanding stock standard sights and trigger construction.
Recoil: The recoil is about on par for 9mm's in general, but I feel it is important to note that due to the weapons weight distribution that the muzzle climb is almost completely negated during recoil. This is present throughout the entire magazine run and rapid fire with the weapon is not only easy but surprisingly accurate, even past the 3rd round.
Trigger: Hammer down trigger pull is a bit heavy at around 6 to 7 lbs, but the travel time is considerably shorter than a good many 9mm's on the market. Hammer back trigger pull is absolutely perfect at around 2 lbs with a decent amount of travel time until the shot. The trigger is also VERY well designed and as such there is NO wiggle during or prior to fire.
I feel I should point out that while I bashed the PPK/S for having bad hammer back trigger pull at 2 lbs and just now stated it was perfect for this weapon, the variables between the two weapons and the difference between the two weights are the critical factor that makes the difference.
Sights: I really like the sights on this weapon. The standard issue sights that come with the weapon are non-illuminating white dot fork and post style sights that can be adjusted with a tool for both the front and the rear sight. The sight is also large enough that, in conjunction with the travel time on the trigger, you can actually see your pull to the left or right and have time to correct it prior to completing the firing sequence.
Accessories: Like most LE pistols a number of accessories have been made or adapted for it's use. I am not entirely certain as to price, but availability will likely never be a problem. These add on's include everything from custom hand grips to aim point spring guide lasers and are pretty much everywhere that weapons are sold.
Reliability: I do not recall a single time I have ever had a reliability issue with this weapon, never had a malfunction, never had a jam and never had an issue with performance or variances in performance capabilities.
Ammo: This is one of the only two things I dislike about this weapon. Ammo capacity is VERY limited, and EXTREMELY limited for a 9mm of it's size. There is no option of buying staggered magazines and the only factory mags available are in 8 rounds. I have heard that there are mags that hold more, but none that will still seat flush with the butt of the hand grip.
Opinion: Overall this is genuinely one of the finest pistols on the market in every respect save two.
The ammo capacity is completely unacceptable for it's size and it's size is far too large to be considered a compact. As 9mm's go, if you are going to produce a weapon this large the ammo capacity should nominally be around 15 shots, not 8, and as a compact of the 9mm family the overall size and bulk should be considerably less than it is.
These two factors are rather large in my book, and as good as the weapon itself is, outweigh the pro's in it's favor as a potential carry piece or defense weapon. If the weapon were a third it's current size, I could almost get over the ammo limitation, if the weapon carried a full 15 rounds, I could easily get over the size issue.
Unfortunately however, this is a case of an extremely good pistol that has a very noticeable Achilles heel due to one small, but crippling, design flaw.
There are no appreciable mechanical or performance differences between the P-220 and the P-225, and they in fact could pass as identical twins, save the slight size difference, when held next to each other.
Sig arms is primarily a German manufactured and utilized weapon family, but due to the reliability and durability of the model, a good number of police and military agencies world wide carry at least some variant of the Sig Sauer in their inventory.
DA's Sig P-225:
Although this is my wife's weapon I have fired it a number of times and will be giving my review of it.
Range: Compact or not, this weapon has AMAZING range for a 9mm pistol. I have frequently been able to hit targets as far away as 50 meters, using target ammo, and still been able to maintain a decent grouping. This is not only uncommon for a pistol in general but down right unheard of.
Accuracy: One of the single most accurate pistols I have ever had the privilege to shoot. This weapon will easily hold a 3 to 4 inch grouping at 25 meters in the right hands, using cheap target ammo, and firing without a bench rest. In this regard the weapon is VERY forgiving to the shooter, which is owed to a combination of excellent weight and balance plus outstanding stock standard sights and trigger construction.
Recoil: The recoil is about on par for 9mm's in general, but I feel it is important to note that due to the weapons weight distribution that the muzzle climb is almost completely negated during recoil. This is present throughout the entire magazine run and rapid fire with the weapon is not only easy but surprisingly accurate, even past the 3rd round.
Trigger: Hammer down trigger pull is a bit heavy at around 6 to 7 lbs, but the travel time is considerably shorter than a good many 9mm's on the market. Hammer back trigger pull is absolutely perfect at around 2 lbs with a decent amount of travel time until the shot. The trigger is also VERY well designed and as such there is NO wiggle during or prior to fire.
I feel I should point out that while I bashed the PPK/S for having bad hammer back trigger pull at 2 lbs and just now stated it was perfect for this weapon, the variables between the two weapons and the difference between the two weights are the critical factor that makes the difference.
Sights: I really like the sights on this weapon. The standard issue sights that come with the weapon are non-illuminating white dot fork and post style sights that can be adjusted with a tool for both the front and the rear sight. The sight is also large enough that, in conjunction with the travel time on the trigger, you can actually see your pull to the left or right and have time to correct it prior to completing the firing sequence.
Accessories: Like most LE pistols a number of accessories have been made or adapted for it's use. I am not entirely certain as to price, but availability will likely never be a problem. These add on's include everything from custom hand grips to aim point spring guide lasers and are pretty much everywhere that weapons are sold.
Reliability: I do not recall a single time I have ever had a reliability issue with this weapon, never had a malfunction, never had a jam and never had an issue with performance or variances in performance capabilities.
Ammo: This is one of the only two things I dislike about this weapon. Ammo capacity is VERY limited, and EXTREMELY limited for a 9mm of it's size. There is no option of buying staggered magazines and the only factory mags available are in 8 rounds. I have heard that there are mags that hold more, but none that will still seat flush with the butt of the hand grip.
Opinion: Overall this is genuinely one of the finest pistols on the market in every respect save two.
The ammo capacity is completely unacceptable for it's size and it's size is far too large to be considered a compact. As 9mm's go, if you are going to produce a weapon this large the ammo capacity should nominally be around 15 shots, not 8, and as a compact of the 9mm family the overall size and bulk should be considerably less than it is.
These two factors are rather large in my book, and as good as the weapon itself is, outweigh the pro's in it's favor as a potential carry piece or defense weapon. If the weapon were a third it's current size, I could almost get over the ammo limitation, if the weapon carried a full 15 rounds, I could easily get over the size issue.
Unfortunately however, this is a case of an extremely good pistol that has a very noticeable Achilles heel due to one small, but crippling, design flaw.