The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: Jack_F on January 27, 2011, 04:17:45 PM
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http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/sig-sauer-p290-micro-9mm-ccw-pocket-pistol/
The 290 looks interesting. I have a lot of pistols but the Sig P220 is in the night stand beside my bed. ;)
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The SIG 220 is an outstanding and very accurate .45, especially the ones made in Germany. They have had a great run since 1976.
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Mine was made in West Germany.
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Very nice; I have a 228 that is simiiar to yours in that regard. There are three questions to answer in pistol/gun ownership, in my opinion:
1. Which do you keep by your bed at night?
2. Which do you take to your CCW/CHL course?
3. Which do you carry?
All the rest are for fun or are ancillary.
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I don't have a Sig, however, the Sig P290 does look good. I may would use it in a secondary or supportive role.
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I look forward to shooting the 290. When you see it in person, its a bit chunky on top and short in the grip.
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Duane - is it as chunky as a Glock? as in the model 26/27, or chunky compared to our beloved R9 ?
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I'm thinking, just chunky! ;D
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Campbells soup Chunky ? ;D ;D
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There are nine of the Sig 290's on GB without a bid. The std with night sights at $619. I know nothing about the gun except what I have read, but I find this surprising.
The Solo's are still bringing big money. ($800-$900+)
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The Sig is heavier than the Kimber @ 20.5oz empty weight and 1.1" wide (with slide catch lever)
Here are the specs.
P290
Nitron
Two-Tone
Caliber
9mm
Magazine Capacity
6/8
Trigger Pull
DAO: 9.0 lb average
Overall Length
5.5"
Overall Height
3.9"
Overall Width
0.9" (1.1" with slide catch lever)
Barrel Length
2.9"
Sight Radius
4.3"
Sights
Contrast / SIGLITE night sights
Weight w/ Magazine
20.5 oz
Frame Material
Polymer
Frame Finish
Black
Slide Material
Stainless
Slide Finish
Nitron
Natural Stainless
Grips1
Polymer
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I thought I really wanted one of these because I like small guns and I've never had a Sig before, but ended up going down this path instead. 2 oz heavier, but 8+1 .45acp instead of 9mm. Should be here next week. ;D
(http://www.stiguns.com/guns/Shadow/images/Shadow_Main.jpg)
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I guess I miss-spoke when I said that I knew nothing about the gun as I had looked at the specs.
It compares size wise to the Solo Carry but is more that a little heavier. Probably too heavy for most pocketrs. Sig has a pretty loyal following and I thought a few of them would jump in.
It appears that they are going the way Kahr did with a heavier slide to get better reliability and a more "shootable" package than going the way Rohrbaugh and Kimber did with the "very stiff" springs.
Styling is also an issue. The Sig looks bigger and clunkier. Once I saw the Solo in person, I was surprised at how small it actually was.
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ACP has a new Sig 290 ;D maybe he'll shoot it and answer all of our questions. Tom
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It appears that they are going the way Kahr did with a heavier slide to get better reliability and a more "shootable" package than going the way Rohrbaugh and Kimber did with the "very stiff" springs
quote]
I tried three Kahr and none were reliable. After several returns to the factory they sent me a check for the purchase price.
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I guess every manufacturer has troubles. I have three Kahrs, P380, PM9, and a P40 with zero failures of any kind. I have found them all easy to shoot and easy to carry.
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Very true. I was trying the PM40 and had one of the first. That was in April of 06. I'm glad if didn't work though, had it worked, I'd might not have found the Rohrbaugh... :)
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I now have a R9 which is 100% so far and I am happy with it. My first R9 ended up like your Kahr, Rohrbaugh bought it back.
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I now have a R9 which is 100% so far and I am happy with it. My first R9 ended up like your Kahr, Rohrbaugh bought it back.
Just goes to show ya, bad ones can happen to any gun company. Even one that basically fits each one by hand.
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Very true Reinz.... My first R9 performed flawlessly. My SOLO is near flawless, the Khars I had didn't work at all, with any ammo choices. I certainly hope the new stealth is as good as Ol' Trusty (my R9).....I carry with confidence. Today I carried the SOLO for the first time and it is actually quite comfortable, but I have to say.....I like the 100% reliability thoughts I feel when I carry Ol' Trusty....
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I have had a P290 for about a week. I am going to shoot it on Sunday. It will be featured on the front of Shooting Illustrated in the June issue.
I will let you know my general observations on Sunday night.
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Looking forward to the feedback Gator....
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Any chance of some pix next to the R9?
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Sure... that can be arranged.
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Here's my P290 field Report:
I wanted this gun badly for the options and features but this gun has a "Soviet" quality about it in which durability is primary at the cost of engineering and design purity.
Sights: Magnificent (Sig Nite Sites)
Accuracy: Very good
Ease of takedown: Not as easy as perceived. (It is a 1911 takedown in which the slide release removal is engaged)
Slide Release: Huge engineering error. It is almost twice the size of a 1911! In a two hand grip, cultivated over many years, my two thunbs are aligned on the left side of the pistol. What happens is that my thumbs engage the slide release on last shot fired and the slide runs home instead of remaining open; defeating one of the features for which I purchased the P290.
Weight: Gather around the campfire, my brothers, for this is your "I told you so" moment. IT IS TOO HEAVY.
Conclusion: Sig will fill a niche with this gun and it still has options and features that I wish the R9 had. However, after giving my Robar R9 an 11 day sabbatical, it is back on guard.
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ACP, good report but too bad it didn't turn out as hoped.
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Thanks for the report, ACP. Good to hear something on the P290.
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I went out with the idea that I would not like this Sig... It seemed too bulky with too short a grip and too heavy.
However, it won me over on the range. The additional size of the slide (giving the top heavy appearance) makes the gun quite easy to run and manipulate. The full size controls are easy to use. The full size sights are excellent. The additional weight makes the gun a real pussy cat to shoot.
The mechanical accuracy is very good. Shooting at 25 yards, I could easily keep all shots within the A-zone of a standard IPSC target.
The biggest drawback on this gun is the trigger, which is heavy, stacks a lot, and has a lot of over-travel. This gun is crying desperately for a good trigger job and an over-travel stop.
The weight is an issue, but not a total deal breaker for me. Its not any heavier than a steel j-frame, which I can pocket carry in casual pants. It would work well in a belt holster.
The gun will be much more versatile later this year when the 8-round magazine with X-grip extension is available.
In short, I like the gun. I wish the trigger was better. Will it replace my R-9...No. It's a little bit different gun to me.
Check out the cover story of next month's Shooting Illustrated for all of my thoughts!
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Thanks Gator...I'm looking forward to checking one out. Haven't seen one in person yet.
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Duane,
Thank you for your report. We are in partial disagreement; no more so in that I really looked forward to acquiring the P290, and was disappointed, whereas you didn't think you would like the P290 and did.
Two things I did not mention were the frame mounted mag release, (good), and the trigger (bad).
Did you actually purchase the P290 you tested or was it provided gratis for your article?
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As usual, I was provided with a loaner for T&E for 180 days. I often have the option of purchasing the gun if I wish to keep it. I don't have to decide for a while yet, but will likely fork over the $ to keep it.
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That sounds reasonable. My thinking was obvious in that I believe it is easier to like a gun when you don't have to pay for it. If you purchase the gun that is something entirely different.
As you know, you were one of the first that I turned to, in January, as I was unaware of the P290 until I happened across it on the Sig website.
The question for myself, which has no answer, is whether I would have bought the gun if I had one in my hand prior to purchase. The P290 is only the second gun that I have bought "on spec", by which is meant from a photograph (only). The first time I did that was the R9.
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Funny, cause my answer is "No" -- I wouldn't have bought it based on handling the non-firing sample at the SHOT. And I really like Sig guns. However, I was assigned to review it for SI. I was worried I wouldn't know what to say about it. Turns out after shooting it, I did like it a lot. It feels much bigger than it really is...
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This is a funny. We have juxtaposed our approach to the P290.
If I had had the gun in my hand prior to purchase I probably would not have purchased it or thought twice. By contrast, you would not have bought the P290 based upon first glance but decided you might after firing the test gun.
There is no right or wrong answer but our switched roles is at comical; meant in a good way at no offense to Duane's nor my own posture as to the P290
Bottom line: Wait for the P290 to be received at your FFL and if you like it, buy it; if not, do not buy it
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Interesting opinions.
I just coon fingered one today and could not put it down.
I was quite impressed! Was a little put off by the chunky slide, but of course it would not be a Sig otherwise. And at least it was not as bad as a Glock.
Couple of three things ya'll didn't mention was the speed bump inside the trigger gauard. I thought that was quite an innovative way to line your finger up correctly.
And the hammer at half cock was unusual after actuating the slide. You would think the trigger would be better per your reports.
Then underneath the dust cover was a rubber plug. Is this for a proprieatary light or laser up coming? I mean to fit in the hole.
Anyway, If I did not owe the Taxman so much, I would have walked out with one.
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You have to love Uncle Sam. He needs his too!
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Yes, I noted the hammer position in my article. It looks like a decocked Sig hammer most of the time, unless the trigger has been pulled and the action not cycled.
The hole in the dust cover is for their proprietary laser -- which is actually pretty reasonable -- about $70, I think?
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I have carried issued Sigs and own them as well, they are the most reliable guns I have had the privilage of being exposed to. I have a West German Sig 228 that is my wifes favorite gun to shoot because it always works, does not kick too bad, and hits what she is aiming at. I never worry about it. Love those Sigs.
Chief
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Like others on the forum, I own several Sigs and I like them all. I recently purchased a 239 .40 through the LEO program and like it fine, although the factory installed SRT didn't work like it should and the Nitron had some pin holes in places. I called, they sent a prepaid label and I sent it back. 8 days later here it came on the Fedex truck, perfect. I couldn't do the Nitron but as a certified armorer I could probably have fixed the SRT but thought, "that's why there's a lifetime guarrantee." Before I bought my R9S stealth I considered a 290. Because I could get LEO pricing on it, I considered it hard. But I ended up ordering another R9S stealth for my son as a gift instead and Tom Watson handled it for me.
There were a couple of reasons. First I didn't need another weapon that only fit in between the R9S and my other primary carry weapons i.e. a Colt Defender .45 and a Sig 239 .40. The R9S fills all roles not covered by the other two. The 290 is several ounces larger than the R9S so I gain nothing except more size. Finally, for all the good feelings that I have for SIG, their foray into the world of polymer frames have met with mixed results. Unlike HK who has been totally sucessful with Polymers, SIG has not. So the jury is still out on how they are dealing with it. I have a few HK's and like them a lot. But I dislike the fact that any problem with the polymer frame and the rails molded in and it's off to HK you go. There is no other fix. With a SIG, alloy frame, barring a crack, I can fix it, most likely. If it's a Colt I can fix it even if it does crack. So the 290 just wasn't for me. But I think it could be a real answer for some. Especially those who feel the need for slide stops, hold open devices and magazine releases that aren't on the butt, and most especially for those who feel they need lots of practice with any weapon. Most of us realize that the Rohrbaugh was not intended to be beat to death on the range. You familiarize, get comfortable, check reliability, and take it out once in a blue moon to recheck. But you don't sit there and run hundreds through at every possible range session. It simply wasn't designed for that. To paraphrase Patrick Henry, " I know not what course others may take, but as for me," I'll stick with the Rohrbaugh.
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flintsghost. Congrats on your son's R9S stealth as well as your own and a wise decision. Do enjoy.
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My review of the Sig 290 is the cover story for the June 2011 issue of Concealed Carry Magazine, which is hitting newsstands now.
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Thanks for the heads up Duane.
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Duane,
Thanks for the heads up. I will look for the magazine. As I told you via email, I have given the P290 a second chance. First, I switched out the "First Edition" grip inserts, (metal), and inserted the factory black grip inserts. That reduced the overall weight by several ounces and I carry "mexican" as there is not a holster yet for the P290.
I still don't like the (mis)placement of the oversized slide release but I have devised a two hand grip to get around the problem.
The P290 does not measure up to the R9's form, fit and functionality and the trigger of the Rohrbaugh is light years ahead of the Sig. However, at half the cost of an R9, I think the P290 will find a market.
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I think I will wait until they get the bugs out. Sig is coming up with a new pistol every other day, and half of them are jam-a-matics.
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No bugs in my P290, so far. It shoots well and is reliable and accurate. I do note, however, that there are those with a "love/hate" attitude toward Sig.
The love is toward their mainstream guns, i.e., P220, P239, P229, et. al. and the hate is toward the more experimental guns such as P250.
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This is for Chief-USN…only a few Navy folk I know of every carried an “issued” SIG….have we chewed some of the same dirt? Hit me off line…just wondering if our paths have crossed…it’s a small world and I know that better than most…..