First Look: SIG Sauer's P220 Hunter

by
posted on January 22, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
sig_hog_hunter_f.jpg

I began my journey into handgun hunting last year, and while I tried various handguns—at the range and in the field—my favorite was clear right from the start: semi-automatics chambered in 10mm Auto. So when I got to the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, I was looking for 10mm’s to try out. And I found a great one in the SIG Sauer P220 Hunter.

I got the use the P220 Hunter at SIG Sauer’s Range Day, held at the Clark County Shooting Complex and I most definitely will be carrying one afield this spring and fall in search of hogs and whitetails—and any or suitable game. In my (admittedly brief) time with the P220 Hunter, I discovered that:

1. I’ve shot a decent selection of 10mm’s over the last year, and the P220 Hunter has the least recoil of any of them. I am not sure how SIG did that—but they did! Interestingly, when the FBI tried out 10mm’s as their new duty pistol and round in the mid-1980’s, it was the hefty 10mm recoil that led to the Feds drop down to the lighter-recoiling .40 S&W.  Had they had the SIG Hunter to use?  They might still be toting 10mm’s. 

2. The P220 Hunter is very accurate. I hit a steel target at 50 yards with the pistol and open sights while shooting offhand. I also missed the same target, but that was me getting used to a new handgun, not the P220. 

3. The pistol looks cool, thanks to the overall design and the Kryptek Camo pattern on the frame and slide. By the way, both frame and slide are stainless steel for superior resistance to the kinds of elements we hunters face afield.  

4. The P220 Hunter has a five-inch barrel, a smooth single-action trigger, adjustable sights and a suggested retail of $1,500. It’s not inexpensive, but it handles and preforms as well as custom 10mm’s I’ve shot that cost twice as much.

5. For hunting, I will be using the P220 along with another SIG product—the new V-Crown 10mm. The V-Crown launches a 180-grian JHP bullet out of the barrel at an impressive 1,250 fps. The round is accurate and hard hitting, as I know from using it this past fall. And the V-Crown bullet, which SIG terms a “stacked hollow point design,” is specifically made to drive deep, expand fully and retain nearly all of its original weight.  Result? Dead hogs and deer!

Latest

Success
Success

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.