Click pictures for a larger version.
Textured grip for a positive hold.
Top to bottom: slide lock, hammer drop lever,
disassembly latch, magazine release.
Accessory rail.
SigLite Tritium night sights.
Firing pin safety.
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Sig Sauer of Exeter, New Hampshire makes some
of the best fighting pistols on the market today. Their 220
and 226 series pistols are legendary, and are carried by many
professionals worldwide. I also like
their 290RS that I reviewed a while back. Almost
one year ago, I had the opportunity to handle a prototype of
their new P227 double-stack 45 ACP semi-automatic pistol.
The 227 holds ten rounds of 45 ACP power in its magazine,
yet the pistol still has a very comfortable grip, just slightly
larger than the grip of the 226, and not a lot thicker than the
grip of the P220.
Critical
specifications for the Sig P227 are listed in the chart below,
along with the specs for the P220 for comparison.
Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are
listed in inches. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of
resistance, as measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull
scale, and double-checked with an RCBS mechanical trigger pull
scale. DA is the double-action trigger pull. SA is the
single-action trigger pull. Height includes sights and magazine
base pad. Maximum width is measured across the top of the frame,
and includes the slide lock.
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P220
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P227
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Chambering |
45 ACP |
45 ACP |
Weight with Empty Magazine |
31.5 oz. |
32 oz. |
Trigger Pull DA |
7.7 lbs. |
7.5 lbs. |
Trigger Pull SA |
4.1 lbs. |
4.1 lbs. |
Magazine Disconnect Safety |
No |
No |
Loaded Chamber Indicator |
No |
No |
Barrel Length |
4.4" |
4.4" |
Barrel Diameter |
0.586" |
0.586" |
Overall Height |
5.76" |
5.65" |
Overall Length |
7.75" |
7.8" |
Grip Thickness |
1.21" |
1.4" |
Frame Width |
0.9" |
1.05" |
Slide Width |
1.18" |
1.12" |
Maximum Width |
1.26" |
1.49" |
Trigger Reach |
2.87" |
2.85" |
Sights |
3-Dot (Tritium available) |
3-Dot Tritium |
Grips |
Black Polymer |
Black Polymer |
Magazine Capacity |
8 |
10 |
Magazines Supplied |
2 |
2 |
Accessory Rail |
Yes |
Yes |
MSRp (as of October 28, 2013) |
$993 US |
$1085 US |
Note that comparably equipped, the P220 and
P227 are close to the same price, but the P227 shown here has
the optional SigLite night sights. With standard three-dot
sights, both pistols carry the same suggested retail price of
$993 US, as of the date of this review.
The Sig 227 feels really good in my hand;
much like holding a Sig 226. The grip is slightly larger than
the grip of the 220 or 226, but the shape of the grip makes it
to feel smaller than it is. Also, the trigger is well within
reach without stretching. The double-action pull is
butter-smooth, and the single-action pull is crisp. This is a
very easy pistol to shoot well. It is superbly accurate, as I
expected it to be. Depending upon the ammunition tested, the
five-shot twenty-five yard group sizes measured between just
under one inch, to slightly over three inches, and closer to the
two inch mark with any of the good stuff.
The Sig 227 has a few features that make it
well-suited as a fighting handgun. The one shown here wears the
optional SigLite tritium night sights, which are a big help when
shooting in low-light conditions. The sights are adjustable for
windage correction, and are, thankfully, made of steel. The 227
wears the very durable Nitron black finish. The grip is
extremely well-textured, without being abrasive at all. The
front of the grip frame and front of the trigger guard are
checkered for a positive hold. There is an accessory rail out
front, for the attachment of a light or laser, if desired.
I carried the Sig 227 in an inside-the-pants
leather holster from Ralph Wilson. Mr. Wilson calls the holster
the Texas Holdem Holster. It provided very good coverage, held
the pistol securely, and has a reinforced mouth for easy
re-holstering of the weapon. This holster is molded to fit the
pistol, and has a steel spring belt clip. It is put together
with no stitching, but instead uses rivets to hold the holster
together. This holster is also very affordable. As of the date
of this review, it is only $40 US, including shipping in the
USA. It is available for a limited number of handgun models, and
Mr. Wilson has no website; however, contact info to order the
holster will be listed below.
I tested for velocity with my chronograph set
at ten feet from the muzzle, and an air temperature of
forty-four degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of sixty
percent. Velocity readings were taken at an elevation of
approximately 541 feet above sea level. Velocities are listed in the chart below, and are listed in
feet-per-second (fps). FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. JHP is
a jacketed hollowpoint. DPX is an homogenous copper hollowpoint
bullet. Glaser is a specialty pre-fragmented core inside a
copper alloy jacket. PB is Pow’RBall.
LFHP is a Barnes lead-free homogenous copper hollow point
bullet. LWSC is a cast lead semi-wadcutter bullet. UHD is
Remington Ultimate Home Defense hollowpoint ammunition.
Bullet weights are listed in grains.
Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
Buffalo Bore JHP |
230 |
950 |
Buffalo Bore FMJ |
230 |
941 |
Buffalo Bore LFHP |
185 |
1183 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
200 |
1067 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
165 |
1091 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
230 |
943 |
Cor-Bon DPX |
185 |
967 |
Cor-Bon PB |
165 |
1102 |
Cor-Bon Glaser |
145 |
1135 |
Stryker JHP |
185 |
799 |
Atomic HP |
230 |
920 |
Remington FMJ |
230 |
782 |
Remington UHD |
230 |
840 |
Handload LSWC |
200 |
919 |
WCC 1911 Ball FMJ |
230 |
718 |
Accuracy was tested with the Sig 227 secured
into my Ransom Master Series machine
rest, and accuracy was excellent, as noted above.
Reliability with every type of ammunition tested was perfect.
Every round fed, fired, and ejected flawlessly. The smooth
trigger pull contributed to the pistol being very easy to shoot
accurately from the offhand position.
The Sig P227 is not the cheapest 45 ACP
semi-automatic pistol on the market, but with a suggested retail
price, as of the date of this review, of only $1085 US,
including the excellent SigLite tritium sights, it represents a
good value for a top-tier fighting pistol.
Check out the extensive line of Sig Sauer
firearms and accessories online at www.sigsauer.com.
To order quality 45 caliber ammunition, go to
www.luckygunner.com,
www.buffalobore.com,
www.doubletapammo.com,
and www.midsouthshooters.com.
To
order the leather holster shown here, contact Ralph Wilson at profuel91@sbcglobal.net
or on YouTube he is "mrskipitxd40".
Jeff Quinn
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Click pictures for a larger version.
"Texas Holdem" holster by Ralph Wilson.
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