I have an early "heel release" magazine P220. Can I use parts from the current P220s, the magazine release not withstanding ? Things like springs, extractor, etc. ? Thanks

It’s been a long time since I’ve worked on an older P220, but the one thing I recall from when I did is that the hammer and mainspring mechanism for the one with the original hammer that had the sharp spur was that more recent parts weren’t interchangeable. I can’t remember which ones were involved, but trying to convert the pistol to double action only by changing just the hammer (as was normally true) didn’t work.

Perhaps someone else will be able to provide more details, but welcome to the forum.

quote:

Originally posted by opticschief:
I have an early "heel release" magazine P220. Can I use parts from the current P220s, the magazine release not withstanding ? Things like springs, extractor, etc. ? Thanks

Generally speaking, yes. While there were numerous and sometimes very subtle evolutionary changes throughout P220 production, most small parts are universal among the folded slide models. Notable exceptions (other than proprietary parts unique to the heel release models) include grip panels and recoil springs. Some of the very earliest P220's (BDA, Hawes & early Interarms imports) used a single strand recoil spring and will not accept the modern braided recoil spring. Updated grip panels are observed with the change to the P220-1 American model then again when the reinforced receiver was introduced at serial number G211299. At serial number G219166, the old style spur hammer was replaced with the familiar bobbed hammer which incorporates a rebound safety. These are the major changes which occurred during the first ~20 years of production. Top Gun Supply is an excellent source for SIG Sauer parts and should be able to keep your old model running for some time. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I'll walk you through. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

I appreciate the info. My serial number is a G138XXX. The slide is stamped with "MADE IN W. GERMANY". Also on the side, down next to the frame, is lightly etched, "SIGARMS INC." with "Tysons Corner-VA" below it.

Welcome to the forum!

Other than what hjs157 has mentioned, the mainspring assembly is the same except for the heel release plate itself. The trigger is 8mm wide and the newer version is 10mm wide. The bore axis for the grip screws is in a different location, etc...

The early magazines for the side release P220s will work with yours. If your P220 is chambered in 45 Auto, extras should be easy to come by.

The good news is that you can get some checkered aluminum grips, a solid guide rod, and a short reset trigger kit for your P220 and installation is fairly simple.