West German SIG?
 

I have a 228 with proof marks on the frame and underneath the dustcover with matching serial numbers on slide, frame and barrel. It does not say "made in W Germany" on the slide. Would it still be considered a W german gun?

Is there any difference between mine and one marked with "Made In W. Germany"?

Its a "German" gun regardless. No difference other then the "W". Same factory, same equipment and probably the same employees. It's a German gun manufactured after German reunification +/- 1991. What is the two letter date code on the underside of the muzzle end of the slide?

kf/'95

Your pistol was manufactured, assembled, test-fired, and proofed in Germany in 1995. Germany had unified by then, and Sig had used up their stockpiled inventory of slides stamped "Made in W. Germany."

So technically you don't have a West German gun, but it is still 100% German and is otherwise equivalent to a "true" W. German Sig.

Thank you DBS, that's what I wanted to know.

Sure thing. As Ronin2 said, the only difference between your pistol and a "Made in W. Germany" pistol is the W.

By the way, many consider German Sigs from the mid-90s to be the best Sig ever made. Congratulations.

My first P220, which I still have, was stamped "Made in W. Germany" on the slide. That pistol is VERY accurate and has the sweetest factory trigger I've ever had in a pistol. That's why I still have it when the new P220s have "short reset" triggers, and rails, etc. It is still my favorite. I have owned it for over 20 years.

I need to send mine in and have the slide re-blued. I have worn all the high points to shiny spots now. Might throw night sights on it as well.

Mike

I sent a old P220 European in three weeks ago for a tune up and rebluing by SIG....the gun came back LIKE NEW with one week turnaround!

I got the following:

Full Service Package – Detailed stripping and complete and thorough cleaning of the entire pistol. Professional safety inspection of critical components by factory certified personnel. Replacement of springs prone to wear ( trigger bar spring, slide catch lever spring, recoil spring) and any needed small parts. Then lubrication to factory standards, reassembly and function testing. (Not available for Mosquito models). $84.95

Nitron finish for stainless slides or bluing for carbon steel slides – Refinish your stainless steel slide with our Nitron finish or re-blue your carbon steel slide. (WE DO NOT REFINISH FRAMES.)$99.95

That sounds like exactly what I want to do, but with the addition of night sights.

I will say that I am "worried" that the sights will not be as "dead on" if I have them replaced. My P220 has fixed sights, but they are so perfectly "on," that it scares me to have them touched. They probably have to remove the existing sights to re-blue the slide anyway.

Since our "old" guns have steel slides, they must have blued the slide instead of using Nitron.

Mike

Interesting. I recently tried to send in my Browning BDA .45, which is exactly the same pistol as your European 220, and they said they no longer have the proper springs and parts to perform the Service Package on that weapon. Do you remember the name of the rep you dealt with?

Steve Gero
SIG Sauer Customer Service
603 610 3856. Direct line

This is great--thank you.

He is an EXCELLENT customer service representative IMHO

I just left a message on his voicemail. I'll let you know what he says. My BDA is 35 years old and definitely needs to be refreshed. Really appreciate your help.

Yes, please let me know what happens, I am curious as to servicing your DBA .45 as well. They did an awesome job on my P220 E. Ill will post a few photos later today for you. As far as the service, they:

- Inspected the pistol
- Performed the full service pkg (which includes replacing all springs)
- Cleaned the mag and replaced its spring
- Reblued the slide
- Replaced the mag release and firing pin
- Replaced the takedown lever (with the new improved version)
- Function tested (fired)

He just called me back. It's 6:10 EST and Sig Customer Service closed over an hour ago, but he wanted to get back to me before he went home for the night--your impression that he is a great rep seems to be on point.

He said he put a message in to the shop manager to confirm that they can accept my Browning BDA, and he expects to be able to get back to me tomorrow with an answer.

I'll keep you posted.

its a 228 and thats all that matters !! nice looking one at that !! congrats

I have a P220 KE (1994) with "Made in W.Germany"
Incredible pistol!

I think the P228 is the perfect CCW pistol available.