Sig P220 or S&W 4506?

[PA_Shooter]

Looking at picking up my first 45ACP and I'm eying up the S&W 4506 and the SIG P220. I am looking for a full-size service pistol in 45ACP, Stainless steel...Please let me know your thoughts, experience, and what you recommend the SIG or the 4506? Thanks in advance!

[Steve_NEPhila]

If you are considering the S&W 4506, take a loot at the 4566 as well. The 4566 is closer to what the Sig P220 is, here is a picture:



The picture above is of the 4566 TSW (tactical smith and wesson) and it is a fine weapon. The barrel is slightly shorter than the 4506, yet it shoots quite well.

I have a P220 from the 1990's and indeed enjoy it very much. I would prefer to buy a 4566 TSW if I was in your position or an older Sig P220 (made in W. Germany).

[Smith3466]

I would check out a 220ST if you can find one. There all stainless, and you cant go wrong with Sigs. Smith and wessons are obviously great guns as well I am just partial to Sig.

Also maybe the elite model if you wanted stainless. It will have the beavertail night sights ans the short reset trigger which I really enjoy.

With either the Sig or the Smith i really dont think theres a way you could go wrong though.

[PhillyGunslinger]

Both are nice in 45 ACP, the Smith is probably more durable but also heavier.
The 4506's are built like tanks !
Make sure you have a good gun belt with a gun that's 35 oz +.
In 45 I'd go with the Smith.
I have a Sig 1911 in solid stainless which is different from the 220 which is an alloy frame. I like my 45's slightly on the heavy side, but that's me.
Some like a lighter gun for more comfort when carrying.

[JoeyBones]

Are you looking for an all-stainless gun, or just a stainless look?

B/c the Sig is (for the most part, unless you go w/ a sport or ST, etc.) an alloy frame. I believe the 3rd gen Smiths are as well, but those do have a stainless slide (?)...

Plus, if you go P220, and look at older ones (my advice, FWIW), those will have a folded carbon steel slide and an alloy frame - no stainless. A newer P220 will have a milled stainless slide, regardless of the finish color on the exterior.

Hard to make a wrong choice here, IMO... 3rd gen Smiths are tanks, and I am personally a fan of older carbon slide Sigs.

Regards,

Bones

[1blindref]

Try them both and see which one you shoot better.

If you need a gun with a safety - go with the S&W.

If you want to shoot Sig perfection, get an older stamped slide P220.

If you want something heavy, look for a P220ST

[PA_Shooter]

I really like the feel and price of the S&W 4506-1, I've found a few decently priced so I'm seriously considering the 4506-1. The SIG's are really highly priced and hard to find used/decently priced.

[Guns N'at]

As mentioned, tank would be a nice comparison for the Smith. I greatly prefer not having a safety/decocker on the slide, and really, really like where the decocker is on my SIG P220 and how it works. I think the SA trigger especially is better in the SIG too, but mine is an old W. German made one, and how new SIG triggers are I have no idea.

Both shoot very well and reliably in my experience. IMO, handling both if you can to see which feels better and which controls you like better, will be the key.

[DucatiRon]

I have a 4506-1 that I paid 500 for. I love it but I am also partial to 3rd gen Smiths. I also have others chambered in 10mm and 40 S&W. I really dont think you can go wrong either way. I do like the hogue grips on the smith. Careful though some think that 3rd gen smith grips are pretty big. I have long fingers so I enjoy the larger grip vs 1911's or other slim frame guns.

[SauerGrapes]

For the money, you can't beat the 4506-1. They are one of the best deals out there for an all steel 45.
Trigger reset is super short and in SA it's really nice.