SIG P-227R Carry - first look

[Old Dog]

I have found my new carry pistol. Look at that front-strap checking, nice dished-out, undercut at the back of the trigger guard, top of the front-strap ...

I managed to score a new SIG-Sauer P-227R Carry (the 227 in Nitron finish, with rail, 3.9-inch barrel and SIGLite night-sights) at our local gunshow for quite a bit less than our local retailers about the Puget Sound region have been asking … 10 (plus one) rounds of .45 ACP in an exceptionally concealable package.

As soon as I took it out of the box (which, by the way, is actually normal-sized and can be used to transport the pistol without needing a dolly) I found that it perfectly fits in a Kramer Belt Scabbard (horsehide pancake holster) crafted for the P-220R Carry.

The second thing I noted was that the new E2 grips are AWESOME! I love my SIGs, but they all sport the traditional grips, which fit me pretty much perfectly. But the E2 grips – wow. This pistol fits my hand like it was custom-made for it; it smoothly comes up exactly to my natural point of aim, it’s almost eerie.

I’m glad that I opted for the “Carry” instead of the full-sized Equinox I almost bought last week.

So how does it shoot? Well, I finally got it to the range – for the same session in which I wrung out my new FNX-45 for the first time.

Recoil is easily managed. In fact, I re-acquired my sight picture with every follow-up shot without even consciously trying. The pistol plain points wonderfully and the balance is superb.

One thing – I’ve gotten spoiled by SIG’s SRT (short reset trigger), so I’ve gotta install one in this pistol. The DA pull is just okay, but the SA pull is good (not great, but really good for just out of the box).

I put 200 rounds through the SIG. 70 rounds of Remington (green box) 230-grain JHPs, 130 rounds of mixed Federal and Tula “Brass Maxx” 230-grain FMJs. Perfection. The slide failed to lock back on one empty magazine, but that was out of 20 magazines shot. Not gonna stress about that.

Accuracy. The pistol seems to shoot just a hair to the left. I need to hit the outdoor range (indoors sucks for lighting, frankly) and also have my shooting buddy, a noted SIGophile, try it out. It’s possible I may need to drift the sights a tad. No biggie. Nevertheless, groups were excellent out to 20 yards (the max distance at this range).

I really, really love this pistol. Gonna pick up the Equinox next, and then maybe the 227 SAS Carry (no rail with SRT).

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Honestly, how does it compare in your hands versus a P220? I have small hands and the P220 is a perfect fit. I had a Ruger P90(took it on trade) and it was horrible. It was built like a tank, but too big for my use. I bought a P229, and it is a good fit too. I had two beretta's (personal and work) neither fit good, but weren't as bad as the Ruger.

 

[Old Dog]

I love the 220, and the 220 is a good fit in my hand -- my hands aren't huge, probably medium-sized (the 220 doesn't feel quite as good as the 226 or the 228 to me, which is almost perfection) but the 227 feels much, much better. The grip feels fatter, to be sure, but somehow, balances and points better (purely subjective, I know).

 

[Fremmer]

Nice pistol!

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Thank you Old Dog, gonna have to look into this... My wife will curse you, but I am in your debt. The P229 has been the best balance for me so far, but this is tipping the scales..I am a .45 man at heart.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had several SIG P-220s over the years, more recently a P220 Match, and now a P220 Super Match. This gun seems potentially MORE like what I'd want in a SIG .45 than any of the others.

For me, the disadvantages of the 220 Super Match are capacity and the placement the Safety and Slide Release. I think a GRAY GUNS 227 would be outstanding. I have a GG P228 with short reset trigger. Very nice.

 

[bannockburn]

I really like the overall size and feel of my P229R E2 as the frame size is just about perfect for my small hands. Also like the P220 but would like a few more rounds in terms of mag capacity as well. Will have to give the P227 a try when I find one.

 

[piece of meat]

The new grip design Sig has is AWESOME. They feel perfect. The old grips had me never paying attention to Sigs as they felt awkward...the new ones literally revolutionized Sig for me. Its almost like picking up a High Power, thats how good the new grip design is. I handled a new p227 at a show recently and it felt awesome...not too thick at all but just right..and the gun is much lighter than a 1911

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks for the thread, Ive been seeing them in the NRA mag I get every month and Im very interested. My hands are small(ish). Is it a real fat grip? For reference I'm comfy with the large backstrap on my sr9 and a grip sleeve.

 

[chris in va]

Looks like they finally rounded the grips. It's one thing I hated about the flat 220 grips after being spoiled by my 75bd.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Thanks for the report!
Seems like Sig still knows how to make good pistols, if you stick with the "P" series!

 

[Old Dog]

Is it a real fat grip?

It narrows toward the top, and as I pointed out, is dished-out nicely under the rear of the trigger guard, allowing a pretty high hold.

 

[Potatohead]

I can deal with that I bet. Looks like a purdy gun.

 

[Old Dog]

220 more rounds through it. 20 rounds of Federal 165-grain "Low Recoil" Hydra-Shok JHPs (pretty accurate round), 100 rounds 230 gr WWB, 50 rounds Federal 230-gr FMJ, 50 rounds of Gold Dot 230-grain JHPs ... This thing is good to go for carry. As I mentioned, it's a perfect fit in a Kramer Belt Scabbard made for the 220R Carry.

Ordering the SRT kit now ... having trouble finding a black single-magazine pouch that fits the slightly odd-sized 10-round mags (it's a tight fit in a Bianchi clip pouch for Glock 23 mags). And NO ONE has any 227 magazines in stock right now, bummer.

 

[osteodoc08]

The 227 is definitely on my to buy list. They're supposed to have a 14rd magazine as well per Sig, but I've yet to see one in person or on the interweb

 

[goon]

Is the magazine on these also tapered like it is in the new 229E2's?
I'm interested in picking up a SIG and honestly, other than the couple 226 magazines I have in my possession for a future purchase, why not a .45?

 

[Old Dog]

Is the magazine on these also tapered like it is in the new 229E2's?

Yes.

 

[herrwalther]

Will have to see if I can find one of these. Looks like something I could fall in gunpowder with.

 

[mnhntr]

I really wanted one of these and drove to the LGS when they got one in. I got it in my hand and immediately started looking at other pistols. For some reason the grip was a horrible feel in my hand. I really like the looks and the sig pistols design but I wound up with another 1911 (Sig) when I left. I like the 220 better than the 227 after comparison.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Old Dog,

I know you shoot 1911's and have an FNX-45 as well. I also shoot a 1911 and own an FNP-45.

Between FN and your 227, which gun do you shoot more accurately, which do you enjoy shooting more, and which gun do you shoot accurately at the faster rate?

I'd really like to pick up a 227 in a different variant if they offer a SS Elite or Sporter next year, but I don't know that it will do anything better than my FNP-45.

Your thoughts?

I've open carried my FNP while hiking in a Safariland holster before. It has been a little finiky on what ammo it will feed though, and it lessens my trust of the gun. I've been thinking about replacing it with an XDm of some size, but am very intrigued by the 227.

 

[Old Dog]

460Kodiak:
While I am truly enjoying the FNX-45 and have found it to be a veritable tack-driver (I was not expecting this), for sure, the 227 is a far easier pistol to shoot since the E2 grip fits my hand so well. I had to push the rear sight a smidge since it was just a hair off (shooting slightly to the left, kind of a surprise because every SIG I've ever bought has been accurate right out of the box) and now it is displaying the typical SIG accuracy.

Recoil is so easily manageable (I guess the slight extra frame weight as it's got the rail) that I am about ready to declare this the best SIG I've ever bought. I still need to install the SRT, too ... even so, the 227 definitely already shoots at a faster rate than the FNX still.

I'm glad I got the Carry version over the 4.4 inch barrel full-size, 'cause it's a good size for concealed carry.

Supposedly SIG is gonna come out real soon with some more versions of the 227 -- I have already seen the 227 in a pretty Equinox version -- and I believe an Elite is due out shortly.

Regarding your comment about the FNP ammo feeding issue -- my understanding is that the FNX was developed to fix that problem, with several internal changes/tweaks. So far, my FNX has fed everything.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Thanks for the info. I know it is a large reduction in capacity from the FN, but I think the 227 has made my short list. I carry an XDs, so I think I'll go for a SS Elite if and when they come out with one. I've always wanted one of the elite line, and the sig just does it for me.

 

[Sour Kraut]

220 more rounds through it. 20 rounds of Federal 165-grain "Low Recoil" Hydra-Shok JHPs (pretty accurate round), 100 rounds 230 gr WWB, 50 rounds Federal 230-gr FMJ, 50 rounds of Gold Dot 230-grain JHPs ... This thing is good to go for carry. As I mentioned, it's a perfect fit in a Kramer Belt Scabbard made for the 220R Carry.

Ordering the SRT kit now ... having trouble finding a black single-magazine pouch that fits the slightly odd-sized 10-round mags (it's a tight fit in a Bianchi clip pouch for Glock 23 mags). And NO ONE has any 227 magazines in stock right now, bummer.

Mags: Gunbroker $44.95......