Sig Sauer P227 45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

October 28th, 2013

 

Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

 

 

Textured grip for a positive hold.

 

 

 

 

Top to bottom: slide lock, hammer drop lever, disassembly latch, magazine release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accessory rail.

 

 

SigLite Tritium night sights.

 

 

Firing pin safety.

 

 

 

 

Sig Sauer of Exeter, New Hampshire makes some of the best fighting pistols on the market today. Their 220 and 226 series pistols are legendary, and are carried by many professionals worldwide. I also like their 290RS that I reviewed a while back. Almost one year ago, I had the opportunity to handle a prototype of their new P227 double-stack 45 ACP semi-automatic pistol.  The 227 holds ten rounds of 45 ACP power in its magazine, yet the pistol still has a very comfortable grip, just slightly larger than the grip of the 226, and not a lot thicker than the grip of the P220.

Critical specifications for the Sig P227 are listed in the chart below, along with the specs for the P220 for comparison.  Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in inches. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of resistance, as measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull scale, and double-checked with an RCBS mechanical trigger pull scale. DA is the double-action trigger pull. SA is the single-action trigger pull. Height includes sights and magazine base pad. Maximum width is measured across the top of the frame, and includes the slide lock.

 

P220

P227

Chambering 45 ACP 45 ACP
Weight with Empty Magazine 31.5 oz. 32 oz.
Trigger Pull DA 7.7 lbs. 7.5 lbs.
Trigger Pull SA 4.1 lbs. 4.1 lbs.
Magazine Disconnect Safety No No
Loaded Chamber Indicator No No
Barrel Length 4.4" 4.4"
Barrel Diameter 0.586" 0.586"
Overall Height 5.76" 5.65"
Overall Length 7.75" 7.8"
Grip Thickness 1.21" 1.4"
Frame Width 0.9" 1.05"
Slide Width 1.18" 1.12"
Maximum Width 1.26" 1.49"
Trigger Reach 2.87" 2.85"
Sights 3-Dot (Tritium available) 3-Dot Tritium
Grips Black Polymer Black Polymer
Magazine Capacity 8 10
Magazines Supplied 2 2
Accessory Rail Yes Yes
MSRp (as of October 28, 2013) $993 US $1085 US

Note that comparably equipped, the P220 and P227 are close to the same price, but the P227 shown here has the optional SigLite night sights. With standard three-dot sights, both pistols carry the same suggested retail price of $993 US, as of the date of this review.

The Sig 227 feels really good in my hand; much like holding a Sig 226. The grip is slightly larger than the grip of the 220 or 226, but the shape of the grip makes it to feel smaller than it is. Also, the trigger is well within reach without stretching. The double-action pull is butter-smooth, and the single-action pull is crisp. This is a very easy pistol to shoot well. It is superbly accurate, as I expected it to be. Depending upon the ammunition tested, the five-shot twenty-five yard group sizes measured between just under one inch, to slightly over three inches, and closer to the two inch mark with any of the good stuff.

The Sig 227 has a few features that make it well-suited as a fighting handgun. The one shown here wears the optional SigLite tritium night sights, which are a big help when shooting in low-light conditions. The sights are adjustable for windage correction, and are, thankfully, made of steel. The 227 wears the very durable Nitron black finish. The grip is extremely well-textured, without being abrasive at all. The front of the grip frame and front of the trigger guard are checkered for a positive hold. There is an accessory rail out front, for the attachment of a light or laser, if desired.

I carried the Sig 227 in an inside-the-pants leather holster from Ralph Wilson. Mr. Wilson calls the holster the Texas Holdem Holster. It provided very good coverage, held the pistol securely, and has a reinforced mouth for easy re-holstering of the weapon. This holster is molded to fit the pistol, and has a steel spring belt clip. It is put together with no stitching, but instead uses rivets to hold the holster together. This holster is also very affordable. As of the date of this review, it is only $40 US, including shipping in the USA. It is available for a limited number of handgun models, and Mr. Wilson has no website; however, contact info to order the holster will be listed below.

I tested for velocity with my chronograph set at ten feet from the muzzle, and an air temperature of forty-four degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of sixty percent. Velocity readings were taken at an elevation of approximately 541 feet above sea level.  Velocities are listed in the chart below, and are listed in feet-per-second (fps). FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint. DPX is an homogenous copper hollowpoint bullet. Glaser is a specialty pre-fragmented core inside a copper alloy jacket. PB is Pow’RBall. LFHP is a Barnes lead-free homogenous copper hollow point bullet. LWSC is a cast lead semi-wadcutter bullet. UHD is Remington Ultimate Home Defense hollowpoint ammunition.  Bullet weights are listed in grains.

Ammunition Bullet Weight Velocity
Buffalo Bore JHP 230 950
Buffalo Bore FMJ 230 941
Buffalo Bore LFHP 185 1183
Cor-Bon JHP 200 1067
Cor-Bon JHP 165 1091
Cor-Bon JHP 230 943
Cor-Bon DPX 185 967
Cor-Bon PB 165 1102
Cor-Bon Glaser 145 1135
Stryker JHP 185 799
Atomic HP 230 920
Remington FMJ 230 782
Remington UHD 230 840
Handload LSWC 200 919
WCC 1911 Ball FMJ 230 718

Accuracy was tested with the Sig 227 secured into my Ransom Master Series machine rest, and accuracy was excellent, as noted above. Reliability with every type of ammunition tested was perfect. Every round fed, fired, and ejected flawlessly. The smooth trigger pull contributed to the pistol being very easy to shoot accurately from the offhand position.

The Sig P227 is not the cheapest 45 ACP semi-automatic pistol on the market, but with a suggested retail price, as of the date of this review, of only $1085 US, including the excellent SigLite tritium sights, it represents a good value for a top-tier fighting pistol.

Check out the extensive line of Sig Sauer firearms and accessories online at www.sigsauer.com.

To order quality 45 caliber ammunition, go to www.luckygunner.com, www.buffalobore.com, www.doubletapammo.com, and www.midsouthshooters.com.

To order the leather holster shown here, contact Ralph Wilson at profuel91@sbcglobal.net or on YouTube he is "mrskipitxd40".

Jeff Quinn

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"Texas Holdem" holster by Ralph Wilson.