Description

The SIG pistol, in all of its models and iterations, is one of the highest quality and most respected handguns currently produced by experts in Law Enforcement and the worlds militaries. It is in use by, and favored by many of the most elite tactical units in the world.

Bob Dunlap is a renowned expert on most of today and yesterdays important and obscure firearms. He has been a warranty station for most manufacturers, both large and small. His understanding of the design, function, and repair of firearms in general is unsurpassed, and his appreciation of European and exotic arms is legendary among his students. This course is designed to help all of you SIG owners who love the gun, but are a little mystified about its workings. In typical AGI fashion, we use a factory cut-a way gun that allows you to actually see how the various parts work and interact.

If you want the quick course on how to get this German/Swiss classic semi-auto pistol apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the long course, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith Course.)

Among the items covered are:

History

• The P220 series is generally felt to be the Cadillac of auto pistols
• The P210 was considered the Rolls Royce
• High quality and priced to match
• Pistol began production in 1936
• The locking system was original with the P210, and continues in the P220 series
• P220 series is DA, so the pistol is different from the P210 from the chamber back
• The P210 was made by the Swiss company SIG, but the P220 series is made by SIG-Sauer and manufactured in Germany
• The first P220s had the European style mag catch at the bottom rear of the mag well. Later guns switched to the American style behind the trigger guard
• The Browning BDA is really a P220

Design & Function

• Barrel lock-up, the SIG system, aka barrel bind at the muzzle bushing
• The cam system; what causes unlocking of the barrel from the slide and then forces it to rise into engagement
• Safety features shown and demonstrated; the firing pin blocking safety, the disconnector blocking operation of the firing pin blocking safety if the gun is not locked up, and the inability of the hammer to go forward if the trigger is not pulled
• The operation of the disconnector is shown and explained
• There is no manual safety
• The double action system operation
• How to check the engagement angles in the system
• The decoking system operation shown and demonstrated
• The feeding cycle
• Which edges need to be broken to enhance feeding
• The firing cycle shown, including extraction and ejection
• Observing the extractor closely or feeling it will tell you whether or not there is a round in the chamber

Disassembly

• Extensive disassembly; both the P220 and P229 are disassembled
• Magazine disassembled
• Field stripping of gun
• Slide disassembly, be careful of the firing pin retaining pin, if it goes the wrong way, and the extractor
• Grip removal. Look and you will see why many LE organizations, including the Los Angeles P.D. and S.O., did not buy the gun
• Takedown lever and locking block removal shown in detail. Observe carefully the orientation of the trigger pin
• Trigger, slide stop, and drawbar removal shown
• Hammer drop assembly removed , explained and demonstrated
• Mainspring, hammer, ejector, and sear removal
• How the hammer rebound spring works
• Magazine catch removal shown
• Variances with older models
• P220 top end disassembly shown, and breech face retaining pin caution given
• One piece extractor removed
• The hammer stop does not have a spring, the firing pin spring rebounds the hammer
• Pulling the trigger, a short way in the DA mode will allow the sear to fall into the safe notch on the hammer, just like the TZ-75 and Witness B. This allows the next pull to be much shorter
• Butt mag catch removed
• You get a good look at how the various parts fit together and interact (particularly the springs) after they are removed from the gun and Bob explains things and their interoperation

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods shown, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Lubing the Bob way, and what kind he likes

Reassembly

• Magazine reassembled
• Slide reassembled, extractor problem shown, and its cure
• Extractor reassembled
• Firing pin and safety reassembled
• Magazine catch reassembled, how to reverse if desired
• Hammer rebound installed
• Hammer drop reassembled
• Hammer, sear, and ejector reassembled
• Trigger and trigger bar reassembled
• Locking block and takedown lever reassembly shown, be sure that the trigger pin has its relief slots on the bottom
• Trigger spring and mainspring reassembly
• Grips and final reassembly
• Function checks demonstrated

Troubleshooting

• DA trigger pull checks and fixes
• Feeding issues
• Magazine preventive maintenance
• Extractor fit
• Firing pin safety
• Hot load caution
• Summary

Accessories

• Nothing really necessary

If you noticed how often the terms explanation and demonstration are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is necessary for any SIG auto pistol owner, or someone who intends to be.