The four sample pistols display all of the new options except finish. Also, there are two variations of the Elite P220 series that have stainless steel frames. All of the other models are made with aluminum alloy frames. Further, all of the current P220 slides are machined stainless forgings—yesteryear’s stamped slides and pinned-in breechblocks are no longer used. The majority of models have the original double-action/single-action trigger system that permits safe, hammer-down carry and a first shot double-action trigger pull. It is sometimes called a “decocker, no-safety” system. But SIG now offers two options to this original trigger system—a pure single-action (or SAO, for single-action-only) and the DAK (for double-action, Kellerman). This latter option is a form of double-action-only, in which the trigger must be swept through a long arc for each shot. Going first to a standard size gun, we find the typical P220 with 4.4" barrel and slide made of matte-finished stainless steel. Most commonly, this variation will be encountered with the original DA/SA lockwork, but my sample came with the SAO system. This gives the shooter a single-action trigger, complete with frame-mounted, down-to-fire ambidextrous safety. There is no decocking lever since the gun is intended to be managed in the manner of the Hi-Power or M1911. I noticed that the slide can be racked with the thumb safety up. For some situations, this is a very worthwhile feature. The trigger pull was very good, breaking with a small amount of creep at just under 6 lbs. As a veteran SIG shooter, I found much about this gun to be familiar; the SAO trigger would take time to fully master.

The next gun was a beauty—the P220 Match. On this one, the trigger system was the old familiar DA/SA. Naturally the gun is also available with the new SAO trigger, which might be a better idea if the shooter was using the gun in competition. SIG Sauer equips the P220 Match with a new and beautifully crafted rear sight. It is a fully click-adjustable (windage and elevation) sight that is mounted very low in the slide by means of a sturdy dovetail. It’s obvious that serious design effort went into beveling the sides of the sight for use in speed-oriented action games. At the same time, the sight’s rear face presents a precise sight picture. The P220 Match is about 3 ozs. heavier than the standard P220, and all of the extra weight is out front at the muzzle. That’s because the company made the Match gun with a 5” barrel and slide. This gives the pistol a muzzle-heavy heft. It also tends to dampen the recoil thrust a little bit. The Match version is a good-looking gun that handles even better. If you are after a greater level of performance, there is also a Super Match variant. If SIG added a half-inch of slide and barrel to the standard P220 to produce the Match, removing a like amount might have a good effect for other reasons. It absolutely does, and the resulting gun is called the P220 Carry. The Carry is the marriage of a shortened 3.9" barrel and the standard receiver. Intended for use in concealed carry roles, the Carry gun is easier than the standard gun to manipulate from under a coat or loose shirt. For a defensive carry gun, the sample’s trigger system is just about perfect. It is a DAK. A form of DAO, the DAK trigger fires with a 7-lb., double-action sweep of the trigger for every shot. The hammer cannot be cocked in the conventional sense, and is therefore neither a safety nor a decocker. Shooters who use the DAK system often fall in love with it. My experience with the system is limited, but it seems obvious that learning where the trigger reset point is located, then also learning to allow the trigger to go to that point and not beyond, is the key to proper DAK shooting. People who study police shootings and really delve into tactical training are aware that a second gun has saved the life of more than one police officer. The same is true of civilian encounters. Second guns need to be small and so do concealed carry pistols in general. The P220 Compact is as small as they can make a P220 .45. Using the same 3.9" barrel and slide upper as the P220 Carry keeps the length concealable. On my sample Compact, the trigger system goes back to the P220’s roots. It’s the old familiar DA/SA that helped earn SIG’s current strong position in the marketplace. The butt shortening resulted in a pretty limited handle to grip, but SIG recognized the problem and put a finger extension on the forward end of the magazine floorplate.

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