Sig Sauer P227 Nitron – New Gun Review

Duane A. Daiker Pistols
The new Sig Sauer P227

The new Sig Sauer P227

By Duane A. Daiker
https://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p227-nitron.aspx

Sig Sauer is well known for making excellent pistols in a wide variety of sizes and calibers. Until recently, however, there was a noticeable hole in Sig Sauer’s traditional double-action pistol line-up—a double-stack, high capacity .45 ACP. The new P227 solves that problem and offers ten-round capacity with a grip size that still fits most hands. Sig’s ergonomic grip design puts a high-capacity big-bore pistol within reach for those with average size hands.

The new P227 is a step up in size from the P220.

The new P227 is a step up in size from the P220.

Sig Sauer developed the P220 in 1976 as a standard issue sidearm for the Swiss Army. Originally, the P220 model designation included variety of calibers. In recent years, however, Sig has limited the P220 designation to pistols chambered in .45 ACP. In that caliber, however, the P220 was only offered in a single-stack configuration, with a capacity of 8+1 rounds. The P220 was very close in size to a Commander-size 1911, with the same capacity.

The new P227 is a step up in size from the P220, utilizing a double-stack magazine for increased ammo capacity. With the standard flush-fit magazine, the P227 has a capacity of 10+1 rounds. However, Sig also offers an optional 14-round extended magazine.

Ergonomic design makes the grip feel smaller than other double-stack .45 ACP pistols.

Ergonomic design makes the grip feel smaller than other double-stack .45 ACP pistols.

Using a double-stack magazine makes the P227’s grip thicker than that of the single-stack P220, but not much thicker than double-stack Sig pistols in other calibers. If you compare the P227 to the well-known P226 double-stack 9mm pistol, the difference is not particularly noticeable. The P227 has a marginally larger grip circumference, but doesn’t really feel any larger in practical use.

The slight increase in perceived grip thickness is attributable to the “E2 Enhanced Ergonomics” improvements that Sig introduced in 2010. The E2 improvements incorporate a deeper curve to the back strap that reduces the surface area of the grip and reduces the grip circumference. The frame also has a deeply undercut trigger guard to keep the hand high on the grip and reduce the trigger reach. As a result, even shooters with smaller hands should be able to shoot the P227. Certainly if you are comfortable shooting a P226, the slight grip size increase of the P227 should not be a problem.

The P227 has a stainless steel slide over a lightweight aluminum alloy frame. The entire pistol is finished with a wear-resistant black Nitron coating for protection from the elements.

The P227 has a stainless steel slide over a lightweight aluminum alloy frame. The entire pistol is finished with a wear-resistant black Nitron coating for protection from the elements.

The P227 is a traditional double-action/single-action semi-automatic pistol with a de-cocking lever. The de-cocking lever safely lowers the hammer to return the pistol to double-action mode when desired. The long and heavy initial double-action trigger pull negates the need for a manual safety lever, while still providing a high level of safety against an unintended discharge. Once in single-action mode, however, the trigger has an excellent four-pound pull weight. With a short, light and crisp single action trigger, the P227 is fast and accurate.

External controls include a frame mounted de-cocking lever, a slide catch lever, a magazine release button and a take-down lever. There is no external safety lever, and none is required in this classic design. As you would expect, Sig has declined to incorporate any type of integrated pistol lock into this classic pistol design.

The 3-dot tritium SIGLITE night sights work well, day or night.

The 3-dot tritium SIGLITE night sights work well, day or night.

The P227 is available with SIGLITE night sights. I love the sharp sight picture of Sig’s 3-dot night sights, and the tritium glows very brightly. The rear sight has a flat front edge to assist with one-handed slide manipulation, which is a feature I appreciate on a fighting pistol. I wouldn’t personally feel the need to upgrade the sights on this gun. You can get the P227 without night sights and save about $90, but I believe the SIGLITE sights are worth the additional expense if you care about such things.

Field stripping is exceptionally easy and requires no tools.

Field stripping is exceptionally easy and requires no tools.

The factory grips are subtle and understated, with just a small logo at the bottom. The texture is like fine sandpaper—rough, but not overly aggressive. The grips are crafted from a single piece of polymer and snap on the gun without the need for grip screws. Sig includes a plastic tool (with an integrated cleaning rod) to assist in removing the grips.

Disassembly is simple, requiring no tools and no tedious lining up of holes or twisting of barrel bushings. Like all double-action Sigs, you simply lock back the slide on an empty pistol, rotate the take-down lever one-quarter turn, and the slide assembly comes off the frame. After a quick removal of the recoil guide and spring, the barrel lifts out. You simply reverse the process for quick and easy reassembly.

Range performance was flawless, and the gun is easy to shoot well.

Range performance was flawless, and the gun is easy to shoot well.

Shooting performance for the P227 was very impressive. I am a fan of Sig’s double-stack pistols, and the slightly thicker grip of the P227 was absolutely no problem for my large hands. The relatively high grip position keeps the gun from twisting in the hand, even under the strong recoil of the .45 ACP cartridge. The ergonomic design of the P227 makes it one of the softest shooting .45 caliber pistols I have ever tested.

The P227 has a marginally larger grip circumference, but doesn’t really feel any larger in practical use.

The P227 has a marginally larger grip circumference, but doesn’t really feel any larger in practical use.

The P227 functioned perfectly over the course of several hundred rounds of various types of ammunition, including Federal’s 230 grain round nose target load and Winchester’s PDX-1 bonded hollow-point load. The PDX-1 performed very well, and would be my choice for personal defense ammo in this pistol. I wouldn’t expect any less than exceptional functioning from a double-action Sig pistol. This basic design is time-tested and just works. The P220 is known for extreme reliability, and the P227 should be no different.

Accuracy was very good, and rivals any pistol in its class. Firing the P227 with support at 25 yards produced groups averaging around two inches with premium ammunition. This type of accuracy goes beyond “combat accurate” to just plain “accurate.” Sig has perfected the balance between good mechanical accuracy and reliability—finding the sweet spot for both. If you are a fan of the traditional DA/SA action, and need the extra capacity of a double-stack pistol, you will be hard pressed to find a pistol that performs any better.

The P227 comes with two 10-round magazines, a grip removal tool/cleaning rod, a pistol lock, and a hard case.

The P227 comes with two 10-round magazines, a grip removal tool/cleaning rod, a pistol lock, and a hard case.

The P227 has very similar external dimensions to Sig’s well-established P226, so the P227 will fit in most any holster made for the P226. Given the popularity of the P226, that opens up hundreds of holster options that already exist today. This is a huge advantage over other new pistols on the market.

The P227 has a full-size frame with integrated equipment rail for a light or laser.

The P227 has a full-size frame with integrated equipment rail for a light or laser.

The Sig P227 comes with all the features described above and two 10-round magazines, all packed in a hard-sided plastic lockable case.  The pistol retails for $1,085 with night sights. Of course, there are polymer-framed double-stack .45 ACP pistols on the market for hundreds of dollars less. The P227 is a bit more expensive, but the Sig Sauer commitment to quality is clearly evident in this gun. The initial pain of a high retail price is easily forgotten over decades of reliable service. All P227s are manufactured in the United States, and carry a lifetime warranty.

The P220 has a long history of excellence, and I expect no less from the P227. The P227 takes the P220 to new levels with extra magazine capacity and only a marginal increase in grip size. If you are in the market for a high capacity .45 caliber pistol, it would be hard to do any better than the P227.

The author would like to thank Winchester (www.winchester.com) and Federal (www.federal premium.com) for providing ammunition for testing. All shooting was done at the Southern Exposure training facility in Lakeland, Florida. (www.southernexposuretraining.com).

This pistol sports the same classic lines as all Sig's traditional double-action pistols.

This pistol sports the same classic lines as all Sig’s traditional double-action pistols.

 

Federal's FMJ is a great target round that produced groups averaging approximately two inches at 25 yards.

Federal’s FMJ is a great target round that produced groups averaging approximately two inches at 25 yards.

 

 

 

 

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  • Hojo April 20, 2014, 8:39 am

    I still prefer the P220, when you have small hands you don’t want a bigger grip and the reduced reach trigger is a must. Nothing against the P227 though, just have to go with what God gave me and the P220 is a better fit.

  • Gettysburg Bill March 17, 2014, 1:06 pm

    out of all the above ——“only 10 States have mag laws” !?!
    We should not except one State.

  • NvrpcGs March 17, 2014, 11:01 am

    Have you guys seen this https://www.facebook.com/icannorg US to turn internet over to UN in 2015. Can you say gun control to the max

  • Bob Esposito March 16, 2014, 10:08 am

    It would be great if this grip frame was offered as an upgrade for 220 Owner’s.

  • BillyBones March 15, 2014, 8:45 am

    I’d like one in all stainless with a 5″ slide!
    Oh, and 10mm too!

  • JR February 28, 2014, 4:54 pm

    Thanks for the VERY informative review. I agree on all points. The 227 is indeed a great weapon. The only thing I recommend (and I admit that it’s a personal preference) is to have the short-reset-trigger option installed by Sig. It’s about $100 plus shipping costs. This makes a huge difference for rapid-fire speed and accuracy. If you are used to a 1911, you may find the current trigger off-putting because the travel is longer. Thankfully sig offers a neat fix. You can also buy the parts and do it yourself but you void the warranty. By the way, my 227, with Federal 230 grain American? ammo (the kind in the red and black box) groups exactly 1 3/4″ from a sandbag rest at 25 yards. I also tried some hand-loaded match ammo at around 800 FPS. The groups shrunk to 1 1/4″. This is WAY better than I can do offhand. This is not a match pistol, but a service weapon. Not bad…..BUY ONE!!!

  • mark wolfson February 26, 2014, 4:50 pm

    I tried the gun at a guns shop, dry fired a few times. The trigger kept stinging my finger. No go for me.

  • Arthur Schroeck February 26, 2014, 1:41 pm

    I shot it at our gun range, it is a great gun. It’s a great 45 for women too.

  • commonwealth109 February 24, 2014, 10:20 pm

    And now to conclude, yes P227 14 round mags are out there. You gotta scour the internet, get on a waiting list or two, and be ready to pay “Sig magazine” prices. Or you can wait till next year and buy them reasonably from MecGar, who manufactures them for Sig anyway.

  • commonwealth109 February 24, 2014, 10:14 pm

    To continue, you can’t say that a Glock is the same, apples for apples. This SIG is all metal, DA/SA, has a decocker, has tons of other differences like metal SigLite nite sites. The Glocks are cheaper yes, but they are also polymer framed, striker fired, have lots of plastic misc pieces.
    The Glock may be for you, but don’t act like the SIG P227 is a carbon copy of a dozen the guns, because that is simply not true.
    Just because a gun doesn’t fit your needs doesn’t mean it isn’t awesome to see it introduced out there to us, the public. Just be glad the companies are out there doing R&D and offering more models than ever!

  • commonwealth109 February 24, 2014, 10:06 pm

    Staggered mags are commonly referred to as double-stacks, get over yourself. Most people say you either have a single-stack or a double-stack, these are just commonly used terms – he’s not writing a gun-smith’s bible!
    Also, to most people a capacity of 10+1 and 14+1 is a significant upgrade over 8+1 and 10+1.
    If you have shot the P227, then you would know that you can’t really even tell gripping it that its any bigger than a P226. They have done a great job in designing this pistol.
    I’m not in the market for one, but if I were in the market for a full-size. 45 this would be at the top of my list.
    I love seeing truley new models come out that actually fill a gap in the market. It isn’t like this is the 43rd Kimber version of a 5″ 1911.

    • Tim S. December 21, 2014, 1:16 pm

      Although I agree SIG did a good job with minimizing the grip dimensions, it certainly is larger than the P226.

      Tim

  • PhilG February 24, 2014, 2:16 pm

    typical boring dribble review…

    i got news for you writers and this may come as a shock so i hope youre sitting down, but all guns from premium manufactures are “ACCURATE” now days…Sig, H&K, Glock, FNH, Beretta, ETC. also the gun will only be as “ACCURATE” as the person is able to shoot “ACCURATELY” geesh, SMH.

    also get your facts right; its not a double stack mag its a staggered stack mag, double is where the bullets sit side by side and staggered is where they sit offset on top of one another.

    im not impressed with a fullsize monster tha only holds ten rounds, my glock 30sf holds ten rounds and is more compact. My FNX 45 holds 15 rounds, my Glock 21 G4 holds 13 & 15rds with the +2 boots and they’re the same size as this Sig and they both have better corrosion resistence and are priced better.

    • Duane A. Daiker February 24, 2014, 10:43 pm

      The term double-stack or double-column magazine is routinely used to refer to magazines where the bullets are staggered into two overlapping columns to increase capacity. You may prefer a different term, but I certainly don’t agree that my “facts” are wrong.

      In fact, Sig Sauer uses the term “double stack” to describe the P227 magazines: https://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p227-carry-nitron.aspx
      Are they wrong about their own product?

      Furthermore, I can’t think of a single detachable box pistol magazine where the rounds are stored side by side with no stagger or overlap — can you give me an example?

      • chronman February 26, 2014, 4:38 pm

        of course he won’t give you an example because he’s clueless internet armchair commando. thanks for the article, I do appreciate the informative review! now, if only we could get some Gunsamerica reviews for some sig sauer rifles!

        • Administrator February 26, 2014, 6:04 pm

          Their rifle dept is handled by someone else but thanks for the reminder to chase that down.

      • Mik greene March 17, 2014, 4:17 pm

        You used the term correctly and no…He can’t give you any examples. Lol good read btw. I love my 227 and all the rest of my Sigs.

      • Michael Castro February 14, 2015, 1:11 pm

        Question for you. I purchased a new P226 last July. Only problem I have encountered is failure of the slide to lock open after the final round. Discussed this with someone at Sig. They recommended maintaining the gun with the slide locked open for several days to relax the spring. Essentially, a “breaking-in” issue. I recently purchased a P227 and shot it for the first time this morning. I encountered the same problem. In addition, the slide seems to occasionally lock-up when attempting to pull it back both with and without an empty magazine in the gun. You’re “functioned perfectly over the course of several hundred rounds…” comment has me a bit concerned regarding my purchases. Any wisdom?

    • chronman February 26, 2014, 4:36 pm

      actually this was one of the better, more useful reviews of this pistol I’ve found. as for your “double stack” comment, you may wanna fact check yourself instead of being an armchair commando know-it-all. The author used the term properly…

      I’m sure Sig Sauer is sooo heartbroken that Internet Armchair Commando “PhilG” is “not impressed” with their product. Must be cool to have FN and GLOCK consulting you personally to find out your preferences so they can make a gun that satisfies PhilG on an internet message board! please let me know where I can send my GLOCK so I can have you autograph it for me!

      get over yourself, clown.

    • Wolf August 1, 2014, 4:15 pm

      Don’t listen to this douche-bag. PhilG doesn’t even own a gun – they don’t give licences to mental cases.

      Get a life, asswipe.

    • Tim S. December 21, 2014, 1:20 pm

      Although it is true that the current breed of semi-autos are accurate, the SIG P227 is a cut above. The only .45s I have shot that compare to the P227’s accuracy are match grade 1911s and an HK. If the shooter does his part this P227 will reward you with far better than average accuracy than the rest.

      Tim

      • Scott Murphy April 10, 2020, 10:11 pm

        I have all 3 Sigs.P 220-P226 and P227.They all are great shooters.Very accurate and totally reliable.I would trust my life to any of them.Yeah Sigs are a little pricey,but quality ain’t cheep.

    • Chris Anderson February 12, 2016, 7:56 pm

      Ok asshat…I mean PhilG…give me one example of your definition of a “double stack mag”? Oh that’s right…they don’t exist. Nice try to sound intelligent….just spitballing here but I’m sensing your an airsoft commando and probably run around in your backyard with the rest of the neighborhood kids who like to think they are spec ops. Keep your plastic toys, I mean Glock’s (plastic parts/sights/frame/trigger/mag shell/ etc. etc.) and FN’s. And obviously plastic, oh excuse me…polymer is cheaper to manufacture than an all metal firearm. And if you need to have 13 to 15 rounds to make you feel better maybe your better off throwing rocks, because if you can’t get the job done or defend yourself with 10 rounds than I hate to break it to you buttercup but you suck…and if that many rounds comes into play an AR/AK platform may be the ticket, and if you don’t recognize that fact than again…you suck…basically either way you suck. But the good news is there are plenty of reviews of handguns with comment sections for you to troll and spout your idiotic bullshit trying to convince the intelligent ones that your plastic guns with “double stack/side by side” 15 round magazines for half the cost are superior. You obviously neglect the fact that you get what you pay for, I’ll gladly drop a $1000 for a Sig that will outlast and outgun your Glock no matter how many rounds are in the mag. Enjoy your airsoft war games and XBox call of duty games…it’s obviously where your time is spent, have a good one fuckstick.

  • sd February 24, 2014, 11:20 am

    P220 has 10rd mags (extended). Single stack, 10 +1 for home, 8+1 for carry (with 10rd back up if desired). I wish the P227 upped the flush mag to more than 10. 2 extra rounds with a significantly larger grip (than the 220) doesn’t seem worth it to me. I’ve read a lot of reviews where everyone says the same thing ‘slightly bigger than a 226 grip but not much more’. As we know, a few mm makes a large difference, and to me the 226 grip is large enough as it is, I certainly don’t want larger than that, even slightly. I’m sure others will love it, but for 2 rounds I don’t think it’s worth it. Now if Sig said ‘here’s a P227 with a 13+1 flush mag and only a marginally larger grip’, then I’d be interested for sure since it’s a significant difference in capacity. Like everything though it’s personal preference.

    • Mik greene March 17, 2014, 4:13 pm

      They make 14 round mags. I have 10 for mine. So that makes it more than worth it.

    • JR April 22, 2014, 10:20 pm

      I’m with you. 2 more rounds doesn’t make me excited for this over my P220 or any of my 1911’s. I still want to check one out some day, but I’m in no hurry.

      14 round extended mags might be nice, but it’ll depend on how far they extend.

  • SPIN February 24, 2014, 9:15 am

    I have had a P227 for almost a year now … where is this fourteen round magazine you speak of? I believe it is a unicorn. Hello SIG?

  • Diego February 24, 2014, 7:26 am

    Good for them, Firearm company’s need to get this 10 round capacity in all their pistols being that the new laws demand no more then that , Correct? I am a 45 nut so for me this is a win win situation. Then with some states that don’t have capacity laws they offer the 14 round magazine. If the ten round is FED then the 14 round can be used at home. but is it a FED law? I am so confused about the laws that are being passed not passed I don’t know whether I should pull a Barney Fife and just keep one round in my pocket!

    • Jarhead6541 February 24, 2014, 4:10 pm

      Only ten states + DC have magazine capacity laws, which is subject to change at any time. Ca., Co., Ct.,DC.,Hi.,Md.,Ma. and NY., have 10 round maximum. Il. and NJ. have 15, and Oh. 30. NY tried & failed recently to lower mag capacity to seven. The 1994 federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, limiting capacity to 10 rds., expired 9/13/04, leaving the states in control of capacity laws.

      • GunFanLJ March 16, 2014, 12:05 am

        Slight correction: iL does not have a statewide 10 rd mag capacity limit; some cities (Chicago and Aurora, among a few others) do have the mag limit.

      • sd March 19, 2014, 11:53 am

        FYI… CO is 15rd limit, not 10

    • Kile March 20, 2014, 8:14 pm

      The law of the land is the Constitution and it says your right to bear arms shall not be infringed. Put a 100 round mag in it if you can find it. It’s your God given birthright.

      • correct law March 26, 2014, 10:51 am

        Actually, the law states… IN ITS FIRST FOR WORDS… “A well regulated militia”… R E G U L A T E D! God given? Really, between the creation of heaven and earth God created the Sig 227 and the Glock 21 Gen4 huh? Sorry, but folks like you really hurt the pro gun lobby.

        • Elaine March 31, 2014, 10:30 pm

          Mr. Correct Law you are incorrect. The 2nd Amendment states: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
          The Bill of Rights are not rights created by the Constitution, and therefore are not able to be taken away by the Constitution. The Bill of Rights are rights which exist as inalienable / God Given / or natural born rights which man inherits merely because he exists. The 2nd Amendment and the other 9 Amendments of the Bill of Rights are therefore God given, inalienable and natural born rights of man. This is why the States would not ratify the Constitution until it recognized their God-given, inalienable and natural born rights.

          • Daryl Parker June 18, 2016, 12:32 am

            Thank god there is still a American with the ability to understand the rights given by god and what the government says your allowed to do. I swore an oath to defend that very constitution, against all enemy’s., forigen and domestic. And bear true faith to the commander in chief. Sorta gettin confused on who is the enemy of state though, Seems the people at the the top, that are using slick lawyer tactitcs to interpret the constutition . And make that oath meaningless.! I’ll always be an proud American, here’s a crazy idea!! That constitution, and all those admendments, let’s make them the law of the land. Then maybe America’s patriots could get a better sight picture!. And remember a true American will leave this earth a littile better than he found it.

        • Sandy June 16, 2014, 10:21 pm

          …if you had bothered reading any of the Founder’s justifications for the 2nd amendment, George Mason in partiular, you would know that “the militia” is the “whole of the people”, not the National Guard….

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