Wolvee

I need a single stack .45. I am trying to decide between a 1911 and a P220. (only sig and it has to be black)



Can some of you with experience with .45 give your insight? The 1911 I am looking at is the TacOps. It seems to have a lot of what I want right out of the box. The only thing is I've never cared for 1911's. (or 45's for that matter) I hate safeties and the sao seems like it would be a greater learning curve for me rather than a normal da/sa p220.



Give me your insight into both platforms, what you like and dislike.

Reliable

For all around use I would suggest the one of the P220 varients in DA/SA.



If your intended use is target or range only then the 1911 may be a better choice. I have recently become a shooter of the 1911 platform and have found it to be an excellent pistol in the way it holds and shoots, however, it is not a pistol that I would feel 100% comfortable with for concealed carry. I just prefer DA/SA over striker or "cocked and locked", mainly because that is what the vast majority of my experience is with. As far as the 45ACP, it is my favorite round to shoot if costs were not an issue. It is a round I can shoot all day and also a round that says you actually shot something (recoil). Because I can't afford to shoot the 45 all the time and I enjoy the 1911 platform for shooting, a 9mm in the 1911 platform has been ordered just to satisfy my need for pure shooting enjoyment.

GoingQuiet

Both are good, but if you know you don't like 1911's - why are you even considering a 1911?

sigp229r

Here is my opinion... If you plan to carry concealed, you probably would want the P220. It is slightly smaller than the full size 1911, but more importantly, if you are carrying the 1911 cocked and locked (condition 1), you'll have to remember to sweep off the thumb safety properly and make sure you have the grip safety depressed before you fire. With the P220, its just a matter of squeezing the trigger. Personally, I like carrying cocked and locked, so I have no issues with the functionality. If you are not carrying concealed, same reasoning.



From your comments, I think you've already answered your own question by commenting, "The only thing is I've never cared for 1911's. (or 45's for that matter) I hate safeties and the sao seems like it would be a greater learning curve for me rather than a normal da/sa p220."



Which ever you decide upon, I cannot overemphasize, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE...

rjinaz85308

Carry whatever you are comfortable with. I have 220s in both SAO and DA/SA. I like them both.

dondavis3

I carry a Sig P220 Compact in .45.











It came as a SAO , but I've had my Sig Armourer change it to DA/SA



Very accurate gun.

GreyCoupe

I recently went through the same process. Ended up with the p220 Elite. The controls are are all where I am accustomed to finding them, the weight is appropriate to the round, my hand likes the fit of the grip. I like the looks of the 1911, but I didn't want to learn a new platform of controls and safeties.

greasemonkey

I have both platforms and prefer the Sig 220 elite.The gun is just so much more comfortable and I prefer the DA/SA SRT of the Sig over the cocked and locked.I an left handed and the 1911 is ambi. Some say a 1911 is more accurate but that is just wishful dreaming.The SIG will lay em in there with the best of em and a damn site easier to clean.

luddy2009

Ok, I have a question about your P220 Compact: what model is the one that you have. I have looked at the two models listed on the Sig website and neither of them have the beaver tail. What would the differences be between this model and say the SAS Gen. 2; other than the melt treatment that is.



Thanks in advance,

Dustin

MT357Mag

That 220 looks like a black elite maybe....I'd go with a 220 myself you already know about how a Sig works & handles... I have both Sigs & a 1911/45 & I'd go with the 220 with the 1911 You have to carry cocked/locked & the hammer could always catch on something & the Sig is so much easier to field strip than the 1911 which sometimes can be a pain in the ass..

dondavis3

@ MT357Mag



"Ok, I have a question about your P220 Compact: what model is the one that you have. I have looked at the two models listed on the Sig website and neither of them have the beaver tail. What would the differences be between this model and say the SAS Gen. 2; other than the melt treatment that is."



I can't answer your question on difference with SAS Gen 2.



But, What I have is a Sig P220 Compact Elite .. you can find them pretty easily.



Just do a "google" search.



It came as a SAO , but I've had my Sig Armourer change it to DA/SA.



Here's what it looks like now (after the DA/SA change and bead blasting the slide.)







I do not care to carry cocked and locked anymore. JMHO

Caliber.666

P220 Carry Elite for the win!

txshurricane

Guys, guys! A few folks are ASSUMING that he is talking about concealed carry. The truth is - he didn't say. As far as I can tell the ONLY qualification is that it has to be single-stack and that he is leaning toward the P220 because that's the system that he is already comfortable with.



I mean...carry on if you want...this is an open discussion...but unless he says, "it's for carrying" then some of these responses are really no help to Wolvee at all.









Wolvee, what has steered me away from Sig 1911s in the past is the checkered grip area just under the trigger guard (I don't like the bite it has on my fingers), and the weight. I have no qualms about a sturdy, heavy gun, but between the P220 and the 1911 I like the lighter P220. Plus, the P220/226 platform just fits my hand better.



My personal taste aside, remember that a DA/SA has the lovely option of both. Whereas a 1911 is SA only.

The flip side is that a 1911 has two external safeties, when the P220 is all internal.



Without knowing WHY you need this gun, it's hard to pit one against the other and come out with a clear champion. Like some of the guys have already mentioned: there are better single-stack options for concealed carry, if that's your game. But if you're limited to the P220 and the 1911 - and without understanding the premise for buying one or the other - I'd say that you're going to get more versatility from the P220. Not to mention that it's more cost effective.

MT357Mag

And You won't break your thumbnail trying to turn the barrel bushing like you would on a 1911...hee hee.. I lost my wrench many years ago..

txshurricane

That's a very good point! 1911s are not very field strip friendly.

MT357Mag

aint that the truth...Sigs take only a minute....

1713

DonDavis,

When you switched your compact from SAO to DA/SA, I see you replaced the aluminum grips to polymer. Is one set thinner than the other? I have a DA/SA with factory polymer grips and was thinking of picking up a set of aluminums to thin out the grip some. The only thing I'm not sure about (besides the question of thickness) is what I will think of the safety cut out at the top since it'll be an empty space. Thanks

yogiboobooranger

I have both platforms and carry both as well. Although I like the 1911 platform. my preference is the Sig P220. But as stated by someone above, you gave no insight as to what your intended use for the weapon will be. For CCW, the Sig P220 may be your preference if you purchase one with SA/DA capabilities. That way, you only need to pull the trigger to fire the gun. The 1911 platform will require sweeping off the safety during the draw before you can fire, something you need to learn and practice alot. Only you can decide which platform you like and choose to use. Good Luck with your choice.

zulu

FWIW My initial pistol training (military) was with the 1911 and I currently own several including a W. German 220 & a 220 Elite. I reload 45acp so ammo availability for my 45s is not an issue. A 220 makes every trip to the range with me--the others don't. I still enjoy shooting them from time to time but not as much as my 220s.

mgentry4

I have both, and for safety and function, I like my P220 as a carry weapon. Once you master a Sig, then all of them work the same..