German sig p220 complete breakdown/refurbish

[Albatross]

Hello,
I thought that with the large quantity of U.S. and German made Sig Sauer P220's available nowadays that this info may be interesting to some of you buying these. Most are L.E. and Government Agency trade in's. And unless you are lucky enough to get one from a LE or GA that was a veteran or just fanatical about his or her weapon upkeep, most have never been completely disassembled. I have carried the Sig P220 in combat, in the private sector and is my everyday carry weapon still today. In my opinion and 99.9% of gunsmiths and veterans the Sig P220 is the finest, most dependable, durable and accurate .45 ACP sidearms ever made.
I bought this German Sig P220R from a member on the falfiles for just over $400 shipped. the weapon cycled perfect and accurate within a couple of inches at 25-30 yards. I will be adding photos from beginning to end, including new parts and cerakoteing. I will be glad to answer any questions about this refurbish project. The biggest difference in the German and U.S. made versions are in the slide, and again in MY opinion the quality of the metals and tolerances.
Travis

 

[Albatross]

German Sig P220R as received.

 

[Albatross]

Complete break down with sights removed.

 

[Leadfoot]

Get rid of those God-awful Hogues and put some decent grips when you're done!

 

[Albatross]

Dead give away this weapon wasn't completely broke down and cleaned very often in it's 13 year span.

 

[Albatross]

Ok, I soaked all metal parts in lacquer thinner over night, this morning I used a small brass wire brush to clean all parts and laid all out to dry. The slide and lower I soaked in hot water and dawn dish washing liquid, rinsed them off and placed both in a 6 qt. pot of boiling water for 20 minutes, then back into the dawn/water bowl,( this opens the porous metals up releasing years of oil) rinsed with cool water. used scotchbrite to scuff over both. I will hit the lower with a small piece of 400 grit wet/dry paper,to smooth out small dings around mag well, trigger guard and rail.
Now to wait out this crazy Louisiana weather to spray some Cerakote. I will be using the C-series, which is an air dry formula, but I still flash bake it for 10 minutes or so at 200 degrees. Cerakote C-246 FLAT DARK EARTH.
Travis

 

[Albatross]

New replacement parts and accessories.
New spring kits for both:

New German made barrels, I have 3 left, still deciding wheather or not to use them since both where accurate and look great. Not to mention they are hard to find.
New Trijicon SG-03 green/green tritium night sights for both.

New streamlight TLR-1 HL 800 lumen light

And new Hogue G-10 Tan Piranha(DAK model I will mill the contour for the decocker

 

[Albatross]

Cerakote cured and ready to reassemble.

Assembling , note the re-contoured DAK grip for the DA/SA Sig.

 

[Albatross]

Refurbish completed. $415 for the pistol, $425 in new parts including a new Streamlight TLR-1 HL in FDE (that didn't match as close as I hoped), grips,Trijicon sights, spring kit, and Cerakote. 30 hrs. of time invested.

I did learn a new trick on installing tight fitting sights, especially on a Cerakoted or Duracoated slide, without scratching your slide. I placed my sights in the freezer for a couple of hours to contract them, and warmed my slide in the oven for a few minutes. This makes a world of difference in a clean installation.

 

[Albatross]

I think I'll Cerakote the light to match, Streamlight offered to exchange the light, they make an FDE and an FDE brown model, looks like I received the brown.

 

[Albatross]

I did just that. I just can't do rubber grips.

 

[Albatross]

I disassembled my light last night and Cerakoted it to match. Got it assembled and installed today. That bronze color just wasn't working for me.

 

[krotsman]

That's really nice. Just a regular spray can Cerakote? Or you have a professional setup?

 

[Albatross]

That's really nice. Just a regular spray can Cerakote? Or you have a professional setup?

I have never seen Cerakote in a spray can, just Duracoat. I have a professional set-up, soda blaster, air brush, and curing oven. Cerakote also offers a C-series air cure, that I used on this gun, but I still flash baked it for 20 minutes. The C-Series withstands more heat and doesn't chip like the H and M series.