Ed. note: This SIG P224 review is from the Media Day at the Range at the 2012 SHOT Show. Two of our writers, Aaron and Randall, got to spend some time shooting and evaluating the new SIG SAUER pistol.
As Aaron and I wandered down the long dusty row of vendors at 2012 SHOT Show Media Day at the Range, we spied the blue and white Sig Sauer banner. We ducked into a line of writers and fairly giggled to each other, “P224!”
I have wanted to shoot one of these since they were announced. Richard has written some previous articles on the compact SIG P224, so I won’t retrace his steps…
We waited quite some time to reach the front of the line, but it was worth it. I have carried a .40 cal. Sig Sauer P226 or P226R for well over a decade, so I am somewhat familiar with Sig’s work.
The gun available for us to shoot was the P224 Extreme, which is the basic P224 platform with the slide coated in black Nitron and the frame wearing Hogue Piranha G-10 grips. The sights were three-dot SIGLITE night sights.
The P224 we handled was in .40 cal. and had the Double Action Kellerman (DAK) trigger. Obvious comparisons can be made between this gun and the Glock 27. I own and have gotten much use from my G27, so I was ready for the comparison.
Upon holding the P224, the first thing I noticed was the thick, stubby grip. Its width immediately reminded me of the G27. I have small hands, but the P224, which is .12” wider than the G27, felt very substantial and comfortable in my hand.
The P224 seemed lighter than its 25.4 ozs, perhaps because I am used to the 34.0 ozs of my P226R. Much like the shocking ad, it just seemed like a full-sized double stack Sig with the two ends cut off.
I stoked the action and fired off a magazine. Recoil was very manageable. This gun weighs 3.67 ozs more than my G27 (both with an unloaded magazine), so I thought muzzle rise was definitely lower for the Sig Sauer over the G27.
I really like the DAK trigger pull. It was smooth and broke cleanly and predictably. Sig reports the DAK trigger pull at 5.5-5.6 pounds. That seemed about right.
I fired off a couple more magazines. There was a large steel plate downrange about 15 yards. I had no trouble driving the bullets into its center.
I think a comparison between the Sig Sauer P224 and Glock 27 is like Apples to BlackBerrys. Those who prefer the heft and feel of an all-metal gun will like the Sig. Ones who want a bit more weight savings and don’t mind polymer with gravitate to the Glock. They’ll all get you there in the end.
I really enjoyed shooting the Sig Sauer P224. It functioned flawlessly, despite the fact it had been beaten up by several hundred gunwriters before us. And I guess that’s a great testimonial in itself.
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What I thought was amazing was that the ad showing the larger Sig with the two ends cut off was apparently accurate! According to the rep. we talked to, that’s how the P224 first came about – they cut a larger framed pistol down to see how the change in size would work out.
I’m sure they have all the machine work built up now to mass produce, but I thought the ad was a great eye catcher.
Yeah, when I wrote 5.5 to 5.6 OUNCES for a trigger pull, I meant POUNDS! I wouldn’t want to shoot anything with a 5 ounce trigger pull.
Randall
Darn, I was about make fun of the oz comment, than I saw you beat me to it!
John,
Actually Aaron had my back on that one, or you certainly would have had first strike capability!
Randall
The P250 Sub-compact is as small as the 224 in length, 0.2″ higher and 0.3″ narrower. It carries one more 9mm round and is 0.5 ounces lighter (with mag). Near as I can tell, the biggest difference is that the P224 will sell for about $500-$600 more.
It’ll be a steel frame unlike the Glock want-to-be P250.
John, according to the video of the Sig rep at SHOT 2012, it’s an “aircraft aluminum” frame. But I believe your point was metal frame vs polymer. You describe the P250 as a “Glock want-to-be”; not sure if aspiring to be a Glock is good or bad.
I’m 63 and recently decided that investing in home defense would be prudent; will eventually go for a CCW for personal defense. Having near zero experience with handguns, did a fair amount of research on line; no shortage of opinions out there but objective comparisons are hard to find. Spent 37 years in defense procurement where defining and meeting weapon system requirements is key and cost is treated as an “independent variable”. Went with the P250 Compact based on design simplicity, flexibility, maintainability and cost. So far I’ve put about 400 rounds of assorted ammo through it. Granted, that’s not a lot but no feed, fire or ejection issues to date. Can’t speak to accuracy as I’m not that experienced with handguns. Did realize that I really enjoy shooting and will likely continue even beyond the point of achieving sufficient proficiency/accuracy.
Which brings me back to my original point: what is the value of a Sig P224 vs P250SC? For my personal carry, a $285 conversion kit will let me configure my 250 to a size comparable to the 224. Would the alloy metal frame (or any other attribute) of the 224 provide benefit in accuracy, durability or reliability sufficient to justify the cost? Inquiring minds (especially the wife’s) want to know.
Hi Mike,
You are correct – the P224 is an aluminum frame.
One of the reasons there are so many different handguns on the market is because there are millions of different people, each with their own likes, hand sizes and budgets. Some folks like the P250 guns, and some do not. It sounds like the P250 is working perfect for you, so buy more ammo and have fun!
So people may prefer the P224 because of it’s styling, the way it feels in the hand or “just because.” The differences you pointed out previously are good points, but I guess it is a little like Ford v. Chevy: some people just like one over the other.
Keep training and have fun!
-Richard
Richard beat me too it.
My only real issue with the P250, is that it’s not in line with build quality of the avg. metal frame Sig. Nothing wrong per say with being like a Glock (I own two) and so do 60-70% of LE depts in the US. Like Richard said, it’s personal choice like trucks (I’d go with a Dodge
). Point is, I see why Sig made the P250.
Richard and John, thanks for your thoughts. Being an old car guy, I can appreciate the qualities of style and feel; hard things to quantify but certainly relevant to the driver. I purchased the P250 despite reading some negative comments on line, particularly on “build quality”. To my eye, the fit and finish is fine for the price, and as said earlier, the initial performance is without complaint. Realizing this is a fairly new design and significant departure from Sig’s P220/226/229 designs I’m wondering if there are any reliability or durability issues to be alert to. I suppose time will tell.