I recently picked up a nice P220 in a trade to add to my P226.  I won't keep both (I want a USP or P99), so one will go towards getting that USP or P99.  Anyway, neither would be used for CC; it will be used mostly for home defense and fun at the range.  I am looking for opinions/pros/cons that I have missed.

If I keep the P226, all my pistols are 9mm (less types of ammo to keep around).  Since the P226 WAS my home defense pistol, I have an IT M6 with the P226 adapter that I kept on it...  that would be another $40-50 I'd have to spend on the P220 (for the adapter).  The P226 holds 15 rounds of 9mm while the P220 holds 7-8 of .45.  Both are pretty much equals in size other than the P220 having a little slimmer grip since it's a single stack.  Both have night sights, and I have 3 mags for both SIG's.  If it matters, I also have a Glock 17C that my wife uses (at the range), as the P226's barrel-flip is a bit too much for her to handle comfortably.

Any opinions as to which of the two I *should* keep and why (please don't say "both")?

226 VS 220, not a bad postion to be in.

I have had both and kept the p220.

1.I had it before the 226
2.I had other pistols chambered for .45
3. I shoot IPSC and IDPA and the points for the .45 are higher.

Since you dont care about ANYONE of the listed reasons, if I were you I would keep the 9mm. If for nothing else but to keep the ammo on hand easier to handle if all pistols are all 9mm

As much as I love my P220 and as much as I prefer .45ACP over 9mm, Id keep the P226.  Its proven more durable with high round counts than the P220 has.  Not that the P220 is a bad gun by any stretch.

Well, you're going to have 9mm covered pretty well.  I'd keep the P220 to have a .45.

Ross

I have owned both, both are very good weapons, but my nod goes to the 226....easier/faster to shoot and with a higher capacity.

I also have had them both and kept the 220, but I am a .45 kinda guy. In your place I agree that I would probably keep the 226 since it simplifies your ammo issues and, should it be necessary, you wife could still do better with it than the 220. If the 226 bothers her a little, the 220 will probably bother her a lot.

I own a satin-nickel P226. Best damned handgun I own, period.

Have you shot the 220 yet? If not, that is your next step.

Nothing says I care more than .45acp !

I like my P 220 so much I just picked up a second one........damn that makes 6   7 .45 caliber handguns...............................of course getting it for $350 didn't hurt the decision at all

As you have stated, jbt, both guns are so similar it boils down to the old 9MM Vs. .45 argument.
I think your wife will find the 220 "flips" a little more than the 226, let her try it and that may help you decide.
Either way, it sounds like a "win win" situation to me.
I refrained from saying "both".

Quoted: Nothing says I care more than .45acp ! I like my P 220 so much I just picked up a second one........damn that makes 6 .45 caliber handguns...............................of course getting it for $350 didn't hurt the decision at all

Dammit man...you are getting low...only 6?

Thanks for all the replies and tips.  

First off, no, I haven't fired this P220 yet:  though I have fired a .45 before, I haven't fired a P220 in .45.  I picked up a couple boxes of CCI Blazer ammo to take it to the range this weekend.

My concern was that the .45 may have more barrel flip than the P226, but I was told by a few people (before I bought my P226) that the P226 is *infamous* for its barrel flip as the 9mm round throws the barrel *upwards* after each shot (moreso that most 9mm's), but that the .45 of the P220 actually throws the barrel *back* rather than *up*, so the P220's barrel-flip is nowhere near as pronounced as the P226's.  Maybe those who have both guns could clarify.

Take both to the range and compare.

The nine is easier to handle than the .45. The .45 isnt bad for me but I shoot it alot.

Asking about recoil is like asking what your favorite cookie is. Everybody is different.

I don't have a P220, but over the past year or so I find myseld leaving my P226 at home a lot more often when going to the range to shoot in .45(1911), as well as .40&.357Sig with my SP2340.
It would be really hard to part with my P226 though, it's a great gun.

Just keep both. You can all ways add the other guns a little later.

Keep both.  Same operation.  Different caliber.  

Joe

Get a 220 9mm.... like this one....

The USP is almost as good as the Sig, I don't really think the P99 is in the same class.  USP's are great guns, but I think Sigs are more accurate and safer.  Keep both!!  I have a P220 and a P228, and I am looking for a deal on a P226.  After that I need a P230, and then something in .357... Like Pokemon's you gotta catch 'em all!

I'd keep the P226 9mm.

Quoted: My concern was that the .45 may have more barrel flip than the P226, but I was told by a few people (before I bought my P226) that the P226 is *infamous* for its barrel flip as the 9mm round throws the barrel *upwards* after each shot (moreso that most 9mm's), but that the .45 of the P220 actually throws the barrel *back* rather than *up*, so the P220's barrel-flip is nowhere near as pronounced as the P226's.  Maybe those who have both guns could clarify.

That is incorrect. I can't believe someone could say that with a straight face, unless they were trying to talk you into buying something else...

I have both, the .45 recoils harder.  I would not classify either one as uncontrollable, but the .45 has more perceived recoil.

I once tried to decide between these two and ended up with both.  Then I decided the .40 / .357 Sig version could replace both of them.  Now I have three, but the P220 is for sale.

The P220 is a really crappy gun.  Do yourself a favor and keep the P226, and I'm willing to do you a big favor and take the P220 off your hands for $100.... her
I'd sell my Kimber before selling my P220.

Quoted: I'd sell my Kimber before selling my P220.

AMEN brother, I dont have a Kimber but my STI Edge would go before the P220

I would keep both.  I would rather have the 226 than the P99 or HK.  If you insist, I would keep the 226 over the 220.  That is what I did when I stupidly sold my 220.  Keep them both.  Watch-Six

Are you planning on getting a USP in .45??  (And like others, I would not consider selling a SIG for a P99, but that's just me....)

If so, keep in mind that the HK USP in .45 is BIG!  My shooting buddy has one and it's a great gun, it just doesn't fit my hand as well as the SIG P220.  It also is different in it's controls layout.

If you're looking to add a .45, I'd say keep both as you have years of muscle memory handling the SIG P226 and the P220 will be an easy transition.

Regarding recoil, whoever told you that about the P226 recoil was full of it.  The P226 is a very soft shooting handgun.  The high bbl is a non-issue IMHO.

The P220 is surprisingly easy to control.  I thought that the high bbl would cause more muzzle flip than the 1911 that I'm use to shooting.  But I was not really able to discern any additional recoil with the P220 over my 1911.  I personally like the P220 over any other DA .45 semiauto, but that probably comes from my years of experience with the P226.

If you have to let one go, I'd say ditch the P220 for the following reasons: you've had the P226 longer and presumably know that its a reliable firearm; you have experience shooting it; your wife will be better off with the P226 in a pinch over the P220; and ammo supply favors the 9mm.

I don't particularly care whether my handgun is in 9mm versus .45.  If I do my part (and have appropriate ammo in the 9mm), it will be effective.  I would only grab my 1911 over a 9mm as I shoot more (and better) with my 1911 than any of my 9mm's.

But I would seriously reconsider where you're going with a potential HK or P99 purchase.  The HK is a great gun, but there is a lot to be said for muscle memory between handguns (i.e., if you're going to get a new .45, keep the P220).

Just my $0.02.

Another vote for a P220 in .45.

Quoted: Another vote for a P220 in .45.

I think I have the best of both worlds...sig P226 .40 cal.