Having carried daily for over 50 years and been active with military, civilian and federal agencies and, since retirement, as the resident gunsmith for a local shop in a large metroplex area, I think I am fairly qualified to offer an opinion on the SIG P220-SAO. It IS, by far, the BEST .45ACP platform available. Granted, with my old thumbs, thumb safeties are now a little more of a challenge, so my EDC is a SIG DAK of some model (239/229 -9mm/.357 SIG/.40S&W) or (gasp) a mid-sized frame Glock). But, for my 2 cents worth -
1) One of the primary reasons I think the SIG P220/SAO gets MY nod over the standard 1911, is one feature I have NOT seen mentioned. The slide can be manipulated with the thumb safety ON!!! This gives the P220-SAO an edge in safety when clearing or charging the pistol. Most UD (unintentional discharges) occur while clearing or charging a firearm. Evidence the top of ANY clearing barrel/tube on a military base where weapons MUST be cleared before entering, there are all kinds of holes in the cover, and that's when FOLKS ARE SUPPOSEDLY BEING CAREFUL!!!
2) For some reason, everyone wants to comment on the trigger, pull weight, length, over travel, reset, etc, etc. Having had a "serious social discussion or three", here is a VERY important FACT, IF you are worried about those trigger related items, you are at the range and NOT IN A GUN FIGHT!!!
3) One commenter (among all the many I read so I don't remember which topic or where) mentioned the P220-SAO as having a de-cocker. It DOES NOT!!! Not at least as it comes from the factory. Some one asked if a DA/SA could be converted to SAO, but that is not possible since the frame cuts to accommodate the thumb safety lever(s) are not there. And it would be VERY expensive (even if possible) to have the frame modified.
4) Bottom line, the SIG P220 SAO is, in MY opinion, is THE premier SAO platform available. Unfortunately, it just isn't in as wide use as it could/should be! If "open carry" were an option available in my state, I would be "strapped" with mine on a daily basis, but at my age and physical condition, I am opting for the smaller, lighter options from SIG (and some other premier makers since I am an "equal opportunity type).
1) One of the primary reasons I think the SIG P220/SAO gets MY nod over the standard 1911, is one feature I have NOT seen mentioned. The slide can be manipulated with the thumb safety ON!!! This gives the P220-SAO an edge in safety when clearing or charging the pistol. Most UD (unintentional discharges) occur while clearing or charging a firearm. Evidence the top of ANY clearing barrel/tube on a military base where weapons MUST be cleared before entering, there are all kinds of holes in the cover, and that's when FOLKS ARE SUPPOSEDLY BEING CAREFUL!!!
2) For some reason, everyone wants to comment on the trigger, pull weight, length, over travel, reset, etc, etc. Having had a "serious social discussion or three", here is a VERY important FACT, IF you are worried about those trigger related items, you are at the range and NOT IN A GUN FIGHT!!!
3) One commenter (among all the many I read so I don't remember which topic or where) mentioned the P220-SAO as having a de-cocker. It DOES NOT!!! Not at least as it comes from the factory. Some one asked if a DA/SA could be converted to SAO, but that is not possible since the frame cuts to accommodate the thumb safety lever(s) are not there. And it would be VERY expensive (even if possible) to have the frame modified.
4) Bottom line, the SIG P220 SAO is, in MY opinion, is THE premier SAO platform available. Unfortunately, it just isn't in as wide use as it could/should be! If "open carry" were an option available in my state, I would be "strapped" with mine on a daily basis, but at my age and physical condition, I am opting for the smaller, lighter options from SIG (and some other premier makers since I am an "equal opportunity type).