P220 LEGION CARRY SAO

P220 LEGION CARRY SAO.

The Sig P220 is the handgun that started everything for modern-day Sig Sauer. Then you have the Legion platform, which has been designed to provide a pistol a notch better than the original. Put those two together, and you get one of the best 10mm pistols currently available.

This left us wondering why Sig went to the trouble. After all, 10mm pistols aren’t new, but they also aren’t all that popular. To answer the question, we decided to write this Sig P220 LEGION 10mm SAO review.

In it, we will explore the top features of the P220 Legion. We’ve included the pros and cons, and the main reasons why you might want one of these beauties. After all, Sig produces some of the best firearms on the market. So, if they went through the trouble of creating a new 10mm, the least we could do is give it a shot.

History

When 10mm pistols first hit the scene, many of them simply couldn’t handle the power. They tended to fail, often permanently. So did the wrists of many new shooters trying to handle the heavy recoil.

This is what led to the .40 S&W cartridge. This was brought about for rookie shooters unable to handle the 10mm recoil. However, things have changed over the years.

The Hunter Series…

Until now, many modern 10mm pistols have been marketed towards hunters. This is evident in the first 10mm P220 that Sig produced, which was known as the Hunter series. Roll forward to 2021, and Sig Sauer almost seems prophetic. This is, we would say, the year from hell after all.

The world seems to be melting down thanks to politics, environmental disasters, and the odd pandemic every now and then. Thankfully, Sig seems to have had access to a crystal ball.

The P220 Legion has been redesigned to bring 10mm stopping power to the common handgun buyer. Finally, the world is treated to a handgun that can handle the power of 10mm cartridges. This is, of course, exactly what you’d expect from one of the world’s finest firearms manufacturers.

But why now?

Surprisingly to some shooters who are not already huge Sig Sauer fans, Sig has long had their finger on the pulse of the industry. This is evident in the original P220, which has been around longer than most rookie law enforcement. That’s almost scary, isn’t it?

It all dates back to 1975. That’s when the first model P220 hit the shelves, though it didn’t stay there long. Over the years, Sig has released the P220 in various calibers. It has also become a favorite for militaries around the world, as well as for law enforcement agencies.

For Americans, the most well-known version is the .45 ACP P220. This originally came with a 7 round clip but was upgraded in recent years to an 8 round clip. Again, this was due to Sig somehow instinctively knowing what shooters want.

Details

The P220 Legion series employs the same single-column magazine, and it still holds eight rounds. However, to handle the 10mm ammunition it fires, some other details have changed slightly.

Below we’ll cover the top features. But first, let’s go over some numbers…

This pistol sports a 5-inch barrel, rather than the 4.4-inch barrel on the standard P220. It weighs more as well, coming in at 44 ounces. That’s nearly a solid pound heavier than the original.

This is good, as the heavier weight helps to offset the stronger recoil. All in all, the Legion series measures 8.8 inches long.

What style trigger do you prefer?

Sig offers this pistol in a number of variations. One of the best details, and differences, of the P220 Legion, is the trigger style.

You can choose a single-action only, standard curved trigger. Or, you can choose the double-action/single-action P-SAIT trigger. This latter option is what we focus on for this review.

We’ll discuss the trigger in more detail later on…

The P220 Legion series pistols all sport a nice Legion grey coating that gives the firearm a serious appearance. There is also a Legion medallion that is worked into the custom G-10 grips. Altogether, this produces one fine looking firearm.

We also like the aggressive checkering applied to both the front strap and under the trigger guard. This provides a superb grip for better control when you’re under pressure. Plus, there are front cocking serrations that every shooter will appreciate.

Sometimes, good old steel is the best option…

This may not be Sig’s first all-steel P220, but you’ll be glad they didn’t deviate in this respect. The pistol feels a touch muzzle heavy with an empty clip, but once loaded, it feels balanced in the hand. Even if a bit heavy.

However, that extra weight is essential to help counter the heavy 10mm recoil. And handle the recoil it does. This pistol provides a wonderful shooting experience, even during quick-fire scenarios.

Considering these details, it’s not hard to imagine this as the best firearm for self-defense. However, it’s all about the features of this beautifully powerful pistol.

Specs

• Caliber: 10mm Auto
• Overall Length: 8.8 inches
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Weight: 44 ounces
• Round Capacity: 8
• Sights: X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights
• Trigger: DA/SA

Top Features

The P220 Legion 10mm pistol has become a ‘must-have’ among shooters. It provides an extra-strength deterrent to the countless idiots out there that create a need for us to apply for concealed carry permits.

It has become so desirable it can be hard to find a retailer that has one in stock. This can be partly explained by the awesome 10mm stopping power. However, there are some features that elevate this pistol even further.

But, is this the best full-sized hammer-fired pistol?

It all depends on what you’re looking for, but in a word – YES! The P220 features a contoured Elite beavertail. This allows you to achieve a higher grip, which is great.

It also reduces the profile of the handgun, which in-turn minimizes printing. We think it’s ideal for OWB concealed carry, but it may be a bit large for those that prefer IWB holsters.

Some shooters would call it the best-concealed carry firearm, but we prefer to keep that claim for smaller pistols that can be more easily concealed.

What about the sights?

Sig has provided the P220 Legion with Electro-Optics X-Ray sights. These provide high visibility in both daylight and twilight. We found them to be quite effective, if not the best tactical sights around.

We also really like the X-Five undercut that has been worked into the trigger guard. This gives you the ability for that higher grip that, in turn, affords greater control. There is also a low-profile slide-catch lever that helps to reduce snagging.

We did promise more on that trigger…

This version of the P220 Legion features a Short-Reset Trigger (SRT) that has been fitted with a Grayguns Inc P-Series Adjustable Intermediate Trigger (P-SAIT) trigger. This provides a super smooth double-action trigger, but only if you have a strong squeeze.

If we are completely honest, this isn’t the best trigger available. However, it does provide an enhanced, polished action compared with the standard P220. It also provides over-travel adjustment, which we all appreciate.

The Sig P220 Legion 10mm SAO version of this firearm features a Master Shop Super Match Flat Trigger. This replaces the standard curved trigger. It’s yet another aspect that sets the Legion series above others.

But like we said, it’s a bit tough…

The trigger pull is weighted at 9.25 pounds in double-action. That can make it difficult to maintain accuracy at any reasonable distance.

In single-action, this drops to about five pounds, which is more reasonable for average shooters. However, the P220 Legion was not built for the average shooter. It was built for those that need something more heavy-duty than what the average pistol provides.