SIG P228 - the gun, the issues, or me?

Question

I've got an old Zurich Police trade-in P228 that I bought when the last shipment hit the shores in Fall of '09. As the supply was a bit short and I wasn't able to nab one of the "Very Good" or "Good" handguns (as I normally would), I picked up one in "Fair" condition. Mechanically, it functions great. It shows obvious signs of holster wear and there is quite a large amount of side-to-side play in the back side of the slide when it's forward (0.5 to 1mm). Slide locked back, there's no issue. 

So here's my question. Since this is one of the handguns I have a holster & spare mags for (and one of the better ones in my small collection), I was using it while practicing shotgun/handgun shooting scenarios. We were practicing while shooting at steel plates (six of them) at the range. 

I was able to nail six plates with 8 rounds in the mag with my friend's Springfield XDm. Most of what he's done to it is fairly minimal to the performance whilst shooting (magwell, larger mag release, more defined front sight, weighted guide rod in the front). 

I've done nothing to the SIG and have a lot more trigger time behind it than the XDm. But I wasn't able to hit jack. It took me 13 rounds to hit six steel plates at the same distance it took me 8 rounds to hit with the XDm. Granted, once I realized I was a little better at not pulling with the XDm, I improved a bit with the SIG, but I still was not as accurate with it. 

So what I want to know is what it's going to take to get me to shoot as good with the SIG as the XDm. How much does the slide play have to do with inaccuracy? The play in the barrel with the slide locked between the two isn't a world of difference or anything, but will the difference while the slide is traveling forward have that much to do with it?

And before you ask, my friend (who owns the XDm) was able to hit 6 with 6 with the XDm and 6 with maybe 9 with the SIG. But I don't want to drop a whole bunch of money on a new slide as this wouldn't be a "competition gun". What can I do to correct this slide issue, or what else can be done with fairly minimal work (springs/guide rod, etc.) to help it out?

(I do plan on buying the .22LR upper for this gun, so it's not like I'm just going to toss it aside, either).

thinkingblade · Accepted Answer

So - I'll throw in with the lot who are saying I would shoot it on paper to see where it groups. One of the problems I tend to have shooting plates is without knowing where the round is going I can get bunches off the plate before I start to groove in. Groups are tight, just not quite on the plate.

Now - alternately you can check your ammo. I don't think this is likely, but not everything likes a heavier grain ammo if that's what you were shooting. So if you were shooting subsonic 147 grain for example, it just may not like it much. Like I say, I doubt that's it, but it could be.

Finally - assuming that you have doped it out to the slide play - which it sounds like it could be - call SIG's Custom shop. I believe they can actually "tighten" the slide back onto the frame to clean it up, or at worst you can pick up a new 228 slide. There are spares out there.

I happen to like the P228 quite a bit - nice size, but still handles well. A decent gun and possibly worth a little TLC to get it shooting the way it should.

Thinkingblade

H · Answer

The two have completely different trigger systems, and each takes time to get used to.

The XDm is a DAO striker fired pistol with the same trigger pull for each shot.
The Sig is a DA/SA pistol and as you know, the DA is very long and takes considerable more pressure to pull.

However, even though the gun is fine internally, the crown on the Sig could be worn and could result in poor accuracy. 

Have you shot paper to see how it groups? The two pistols could also utilize different sighting systems as well. (Pistols are not always set use the "lollipop" sight picture)

Winobot Dukket · Answer

I agree completely with David. If you dont have lots of experience with DA/SA or SA pistols, you will have trouble shooting one. Every different type of action will take some getting used to, and some pistols will be a good bit different also.
What was the distance and how big were the targets? If you were shooting at about 8" plates close to 25yrds with a new gun, i wouldnt be worried much about a little trouble hitting targets. Just put up a full size silhouette and see where they hit. If you know someone with lots of experience with a DA/SA pistol, take them along and see what they put on paper.

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SIG P228 - the gun, the issues, or me?

3 Answers