I was recently able to purchase a P210-2 Private series pistol (P prefix on the serial number). I believe they were made in the 1970’s. Mine has the Swiss cross on the slide, which I’m not sure if all of them did as I’ve read differing accounts on that. It came with the blue cardboard box with gold Sig emblem, owner’s manual, cleaning kit, loading tool and magazine. I was able to get one of the leather flap holsters and a spare magazine with it. I’ve already added a set of Nills and I hope to get out to the range with it this month. Now my questions:

1) The hammer group on mine is not serialized as on the military P210’s. Is that standard for the private series?

2) Mine is in really good shape, shot very little by appearance. What’s the life expectancy for the recoil spring assembly?

3) The safety is REALLY difficult to engage/disengage. Is this normal?

4) Is there any place that has magazines for this pistol that are not in the three digit range? (I’m guessing no on this one).

4) You can use P210 Legend magazines by slighty modifying the baseplate. Legend magazines are about half the price of used P210 Swiss magazines.

Legend_Mod_zps7922f599 by GaryBF, on Flickr

I would say to chage the recoilspring every 5'000 rounds to be sure, but in our range there was a P210 with ca. 100'000 rounds without having a single part changed. The gun is tight be aware to not lubricate the rails too much, especially with grease, this will give you stoppage.

you can find the recoilspring with the guideed to www.gunfactory.ch under SIG Ersatzteile or www.indoorswiss.ch

quote:

Originally posted by bonanacroin:

1) The hammer group on mine is not serialized as on the military P210’s. Is that standard for the private series?

2) Mine is in really good shape, shot very little by appearance. What’s the life expectancy for the recoil spring assembly?

3) The safety is REALLY difficult to engage/disengage. Is this normal?

4) Is there any place that has magazines for this pistol that are not in the three digit range? (I’m guessing no on this one).

1.) It´s not the standard but it´s not uncommon.

2.) There is no answer. I´m shooting my P210 in competion and the preselection series for the Siss champisonship for 25 years and had the spring replaced 2 years ago, when groups loosened up and it did not cycle reliably anymore.

3.) It´s normal. The safery lever can be bent slightly to reduce resistance.

Thank you to all who replied and for the information. MG34-I know I should post pics, but I don’t have a hosting site. That and my skills with a computer are about as adroit as a monkey engaging with a certain piece of sports equipment. GaryBF-Thank you for the tip on modifying the legacy mags. I’m really looking forward to shooting this pistol and will update this thread with a range report if I can shoot it this month.

I like these threads because they increase our knowledge. When you think about them for a while you also find workarounds. In the past when an auto pistol exhibited these faults I tried to remedy it by altering my load. Maybe .1 or .2 of a grain of powder more or less. If I encounter it now I'll just change over to the .30 barrel and spring. Or the 22 cal group until I can find a replacement. I've considered trying the .30 spring with the 9mm barrel, too.

My guess is by avoiding overpower loads the life of the spring will be extended significantly. Its been said that European practice is to fire sub gun loads (higher pressure). You young guys maybe need to worry. I fully expect to die before my spring does.

OTD: can you show us an expample of the "bend" you talk about?

quote:

Originally posted by OTD:

2.) There is no answer. I´m shooting my P210 in competion and the preselection series for the Siss champisonship for 25 years and had the spring replaced 2 years ago, when groups loosened up and it did not cycle reliably anymore.

3.) It´s normal. The safery lever can be bent slightly to reduce resistance.

there is no picture.

Slip a SAK blade between the safety lever and the frame and lift the blade until you get the tension you want.

You migh as well use a drilled beam as bearing. Stick the axel into the hole and press with your thumbs. Not much pressure is needed.

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

One of my P210-2s, purchased new in the '80s, had a very stiff, difficult to operate, safety. Since the safety on the Swiss guns is it's own spring, the tension can easily be adjusted as OTD indicates. Kind of like adjusting the extractor on a 1911 type pistol to achieve the tension you want. It's just that easy.

quote:

SAK blade

Wow, feeling dumb, I had to look that up. SAK =

Swiss
Army
Knife

For anyone wondering. Lord, you'd think as long as I'd lived I know such things. Thanks for the lesson!

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:

quote:

SAK blade

Wow, feeling dumb, I had to look that up. SAK =

Swiss
Army
Knife

For anyone wondering. Lord, you'd think as long as I'd lived I know such things. Thanks for the lesson!

I didn't get it either. Does only a Swiss Army Knife work? Why not just knife blade?

The SAK has to be used as a lever, not a wedge. An open SAK has the best proportions for the job.
If the knife type matters, then a gun smith should do the job.