Sig Sauer P210 Legend

Swiss production of the SIG P210 ended quite awhile ago, but J.P. Sauer & Sohn of Eckernförde have since picked up the rights to produce the pistol. In the transition, there have been some changes, not the least of which is the fact that Sig Sauer will be importing them into the United States.

While the new model isn’t cheap, it’s certainly more affordable than Swiss specimens on the secondary market. As far as I can tell, it’s just as well made, if not better in some respects.

The P210 isn’t a bullet hose manufactured under the assumption that rough edges and “combat accuracy” are acceptable. It’s a marvel of engineering and ergonomics, and it’s the most accurate military handgun ever produced. Mass production specimens routinely achieve groups of 2″ or less at 50 meters. Compare this with the Colt 1911, for which the United States Army deemed 2″ groups at 25 yards to be the benchmark.

The P210 has been in service in northern Europe since 1949, and is still in use (as the M/49 Neuhausen) in Denmark. The gun has a well-deserved cult following, and the prices on the secondary market reflect this.

So, now that the Germans are making it, what’s changed? The obvious differences are the upswept beavertail, the safety lever, and the magazine release. The beavertail should come as a relief to shooters with larger hands, as the old models could bite the webbing of the hand with a high grip.

The safety lever traditionally employed a ball in the lever itself, which locked into one of two detents on the left side of the frame. This resulted in the familiar crescent-shaped scratch. The new system uses a nut on the right side beneath the grips to lock the lever. While I’m not sure which approach is more robust, the newer system should be easier to service in the long run.

The magazine release is now situated in a position familiar to American shooters. While we’ve lost the traditional lanyard loop in the process, I never much liked the old heel release. I’ve no evidence to show failures, but it always felt cheap and stiff.

The new model does away with the magazine disconnect, and the trigger pivot pin appears to be a single, solid piece. The older P210’s had an issue in which the pin would march out, requiring peening to fix, and the new arrangement should obviate that. The finish of the pistol is advertised as Nitron, but it has more of a sheen than I’d expect from the process. In any case, it’s more durable than bluing, and it meshes well with the gun’s overall businesslike demeanor.

The trigger on the new model feels a bit heavier, with a hair more takeup than I remember. This may not be a bad thing, as the triggers on the Swiss guns were a bit twitchy for my taste. The barrel appears to have retained the traditional 1/10″ twist, which means the gun will get slightly better accuracy with warm 124gr loadings. Unjacketed lead bullets should be avoided, though more for reasons of accuracy than any fear of damage. Under normal use, it is not unrealistic to expect a lifespan of over 100,000 rounds.

My main concern is with the front sight, which is unexpectedly wide. If I find it unacceptable, I might file it down and install a brass bead.

Field stripping the pistol is simple, but at first, I found it anything but easy. The slide stop is a very tight fit, and it takes some doing to insert it during reassembly. Of course, this is the first new P210 I’ve ever handled. Every other one I’ve shot has been well worn. I expect this should break in with time.

(There are several similarities between the P210 and the CZ-75, the most notable of which is the slide/frame interface. Another is the stiffness of the slide stop during the beginning of the gun’s life cycle.)

The one thing I can’t do at the moment is provide an actual range report. Our range at work is currently under renovation.  Oh, how vexing this is! Upon completion, breaking this gun in will be my highest priority, and I will provide my observations then.

In the meantime, I have one of these, and you don’t. Don’t get testy. I’m not making any character judgments. It might make me a better person, but I promise not to rub anyone’s face in it.

At least, not much.