I've always been quite fond of the P220 in 9mm having five or six of them over the years. Inevitably, I would get distracted by something "new and shiny" and sell it off to fund something else.

Recently, I had an opportunity to purchase another: thumb release, KH date code, with eight magazines (seven were pretty cleanly modified heel release mags), in excellent condition.

I had a chance to pick it up yesterday. It was dripping in oil, so, I spent more time trying to sop it all up as opposed to taking pictures. Here's a couple of quick pics after close to 30 minutes or so of wiping it down:





One thing that caught my eye is that the barrel has a Swiss proof mark on it. Is this odd to see or just something I just never paid attention to before?

SCORE!

Damn, Mike, that is mint and beautiful! Congrats.

Looks like yours was a Swiss mil/police gun, with that Bern Pressure proof.

This one P228 (KK) was a Swiss police trade-in. It's no longer in my collection.

Sweet!!!

Cool!

Looks like you hit the sweet spot with your 9mm.

While I have seen a few with the Swiss proof marks, most of them are the earlier versions.

One of mine wound up with Heinie straight eights and a P-shim.

Nice score!

congratulations on a nice addition.

Very nice!!

Never be without one again - they're just plain pleasant to shoot.

Yep, very nice score. That looks to be in excellent shape. I've still got a couple, American and European, and they're some of my favorites to shoot. Congrats!

She’s a beauty, no doubt about it. Congratulations on the find.

Very nice! 220 has the well deserved reputation of being "Mr. Reliable." Pull the trigger and bang.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhookbklyn:
She’s a beauty, no doubt about it. Congratulations on the find.

++++++

Thanks all for the comments.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Damn, Mike, that is mint and beautiful! Congrats.

Looks like yours was a Swiss mil/police gun, with that Bern Pressure proof.

Thanks Q! Yeah, I was thinking that it could've been initially earmarked to go to Switzerland and somehow ended up with Sigarms or that Sig ran a bunch of barrels and had them proof tested on the off chance there was a Swiss need for them. Need OTD to chime in on this.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Cool!

Looks like you hit the sweet spot with your 9mm.

While I have seen a few with the Swiss proof marks, most of them are the earlier versions.

One of mine wound up with Heinie straight eights and a P-shim.

Yeah, I'd have to say I lucked out with this one. I've yet own one in less than high very good/excellent condition, but, this one has to be the best of them all.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Never be without one again - they're just plain pleasant to shoot.

I've been thinning the herd lately, moving those that are "nice to have" but never see the light of day. This one will definitely not be going anywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Tooky13:
I've still got a couple, American and European, and they're some of my favorites to shoot. Congrats!

Totally agree with you and Il Cattivo, they're definitely pleasant to shoot. I remember shooting my first, a non-imported, German heel release, and thinking how mild it was.

Looking forward to getting to the range with it once I've gotten the last quart of oil out of it...it just keep oozing out of everywhere.

A .30 Luger barrel I had fitted for a P226 drops in without any issue, so, it should be interesting to see how well that shoots.

No kidding, a .30 Luger barrel as well. Have you fired that round through your P226 ? It would be the first I've read about that. I actually like that little round as its specs read like a pretty serious cartridge.

Sweet! I tried to buy an American P220 9MM years ago but was too late.

quote:

Originally posted by mcs1564:
A .30 Luger barrel I had fitted for a P226 drops in without any issue, so, it should be interesting to see how well that shoots.

Now the problem you are about to have is running out of 7.65mm ammo. Then remembering what you did with the 9mm barrel. Got one of mine range ready and now it seems that I only shoot the 9 when I don't have any 7.65mm remaining. I haven't been able to track down a P220 in 9x21 though. The early ones were rechambered from 9mm Parabellum and overstamped. Now they are made as 9x21. Thinking the .22lr would run too dirty and haven't tried it yet. 38 Super also makes for a sweet running P220.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
No kidding, a .30 Luger barrel as well. Have you fired that round through your P226? It would be the first I've read about that. I actually like that little round as its specs read like a pretty serious cartridge.

FWIW, Had a chance to buy a triple serial P226 chambered in 7.65mm about three years ago. Seller didn't want to work it through Customs. Someday...

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
No kidding, a .30 Luger barrel as well. Have you fired that round through your P226 ? It would be the first I've read about that. I actually like that little round as its specs read like a pretty serious cartridge.

First impressions that it was pretty mild and fun to shoot. Admittedly, I didn't get to spend too much time when I had it out. Most of that session was spent trying to figure out what was wrong with my P210A.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:

Now the problem you are about to have is running out of 7.65mm ammo. Then remembering what you did with the 9mm barrel. Got one of mine range ready and now it seems that I only shoot the 9 when I don't have any 7.65mm remaining. I haven't been able to track down a P220 in 9x21 though. The early ones were rechambered from 9mm Parabellum and overstamped. Now they are made as 9x21. Thinking the .22lr would run too dirty and haven't tried it yet. 38 Super also makes for a sweet running P220.

Well, that might be a while. I ordered a .30 Luger HP barrel at the same time as the 226 and stocked up on Fiocchi 765A after my Hi-Power came back from Don Williams.

I remember 220parts mentioning that he ordered a 220 in 9x21 direct from Germany. Nowadays, you'd probably have to look into importing one from Italy.

Would love to grab this P220 SAO:

http://www.lavetrinadellearmi....er-p220-i-83510.html

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mcs1564,

Wow. Looks almost new. Nice score!

quote:

Originally posted by mcs1564:
Thanks all for the comments.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Damn, Mike, that is mint and beautiful! Congrats.

Looks like yours was a Swiss mil/police gun, with that Bern Pressure proof.

Thanks Q! Yeah, I was thinking that it could've been initially earmarked to go to Switzerland and somehow ended up with Sigarms or that Sig ran a bunch of barrels and had them proof tested on the off chance there was a Swiss need for them. Need OTD to chime in on this.

No Swiss police forces used this P220 type. This P220 is a commerical pistol that was intended for the Swiss market. Made in Eckernförde, shipped to SIGArms Lenzburg and form there exported to the US.

Only SIG/SIGSauer firearms fitting the rules of volontary shooting programs or sanctioned Swiss Army matches got this Swiss proof mark.

Police guns are makred as such and either have a community or cantonal owernship marking while guns of the federal government are marked with a Swiss shield.