SIG P250 DCc
Encyclopedia
The Sig Sauer P250 is a semi-automatic pistol made by J.P. Sauer & Sohn
, and Sig Sauer of Exeter, New Hampshire
. The P250 chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum was introduced in the North American market on November 7, 2007 followed by the .45 ACP compact model at SHOT Show
2008 in February. SIG P250s chambered in .357 SIG
, .40 S&W
, and .45 ACP
have been slowly made available, with the final caliber to be made available in late 2009.
. The main module of the P250 is an internal stainless steel
frame fire control unit which consist of the integrated fire control group (trigger, hammer and all necessary linkage and springs), ambidextrous slide release (one on each side of the pistol), ejector and 4 slide rails. This steel receiver unit is used in every P250 grip module, top end and chambering combination and is inserted into the grip frame module and held in place by the axis pin of the disassembly lever. The firearm's serial number is on the fire control unit instead of the grip module. The fire control unit allows the operator to interchange differently sized slide assembly or top end modules and polymer
grip frame modules and trigger shoes and (limited) chambering conversions to adapt the gun to the individual user and address different needs.
The P250 was designed to be ambidextrous in handling sporting an ambidextrous slide catch lever and user reversible magazine catch. All other operating controls are designed so they can be operated from either side.
The firearm can be field stripped with no tools.
The full-size and compact grip modules feature an integral Picatinny rail
mounting-bracket at the lower forward edge of the module to allow the mounting of laser sights, tactical light
s, and other accessories. Before the introduction of the Picatinny rail SIG used a differing Rail Integration System
on the P250 Compact.
The pistol top ends also come in full-sized, compact, and subcompact variants that will fit the correspondingly sized grip modules. Every chambering can be converted by the user with a caliber exchange kit. The 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG chamberings share their polymer grip frame modules and this offers the possibility to interchange these 3 chamberings by swapping the top end consisting of the slide, recoil spring assembly, barrel and the box magazine. Due to the significantly larger external dimensions of the .45 ACP cartridge compared to the other P250 chambering options, the .45 ACP chambering uses slightly wider .45 ACP specific polymer grip modules with an enlarged magazine well.
The manufacturer offers caliber exchange kits or Caliber X-Change kits consisting of a slide, recoil assembly, barrel, box magazine and grip module in the varying frame sizes, grip module sizes and chambering variants in which the P250 pistol is offered. These kits enable a user to switch between the various P250 configurations without the use of tools.
to promote instant readiness. Instead of manual safeties an automated firing pin
safety ensures safe carrying of the weapon whilst preventing accidental discharges if the gun is dropped or roughly handled.
(3.9 kgf
, 38 N) and will not reset until completely released.
The P250 trigger is available in standard or short configurations meaning two user interchangeable trigger shoe variants are offered. The short reduced reach trigger shoe configuration can be reached and operated better by users with relatively short fingers.
Self-luminous tritium
powered SIGLITE Night Sights in differing heights are optional. SIGLITE sights are now standard on the US versions of the P250.
Also the accessory rail was changed from a curved rail to a Picatinny rail. The factory holsters of the original grip modules do not fit newer grip modules featuring Picatinny rails.
Sauer & Sohn
J. P. Sauer und Sohn GmbH is a German manufacturer of firearms. Founded in 1751 in Suhl, Thuringia, Sauer & Sohn is the oldest firearms manufacturer still active in Germany. The company's production remained there for two centuries, before relocating to Eckernförde in 1951...
, and Sig Sauer of Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter, New Hampshire
Exeter is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The town's population was 14,306 at the 2010 census. Exeter was the county seat until 1997, when county offices were moved to neighboring Brentwood...
. The P250 chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum was introduced in the North American market on November 7, 2007 followed by the .45 ACP compact model at SHOT Show
SHOT Show
The ' is an annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It is the biggest event of this type in the world together with IWA & OutdoorClassics , also taking place annually. "SHOT", besides being a general reference to shooting, is an acronym for "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor...
2008 in February. SIG P250s chambered in .357 SIG
.357 SIG
The .357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss-German firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. While it is based on a .40 S&W case necked down to accept bullets, the .357 SIG brass is slightly longer...
, .40 S&W
.40 S&W
The .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
, and .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
have been slowly made available, with the final caliber to be made available in late 2009.
Operating mechanism
Like other SIG SAUER pistols, the P250 pistol is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses the typical SIG-Sauer cam-operated barrel, which locks into the ejection port on the slide.Features
A key feature of the pistol is its modular designModular design
Modular design, or "modularity in design" is an approach that subdivides a system into smaller parts that can be independently created and then used in different systems to drive multiple functionalities...
. The main module of the P250 is an internal stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
frame fire control unit which consist of the integrated fire control group (trigger, hammer and all necessary linkage and springs), ambidextrous slide release (one on each side of the pistol), ejector and 4 slide rails. This steel receiver unit is used in every P250 grip module, top end and chambering combination and is inserted into the grip frame module and held in place by the axis pin of the disassembly lever. The firearm's serial number is on the fire control unit instead of the grip module. The fire control unit allows the operator to interchange differently sized slide assembly or top end modules and polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
grip frame modules and trigger shoes and (limited) chambering conversions to adapt the gun to the individual user and address different needs.
The P250 was designed to be ambidextrous in handling sporting an ambidextrous slide catch lever and user reversible magazine catch. All other operating controls are designed so they can be operated from either side.
The firearm can be field stripped with no tools.
The full-size and compact grip modules feature an integral Picatinny rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
mounting-bracket at the lower forward edge of the module to allow the mounting of laser sights, tactical light
Tactical light
A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low light target identification, allowing the marksman to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore...
s, and other accessories. Before the introduction of the Picatinny rail SIG used a differing Rail Integration System
Rail Integration System
Rail Interface System are the primary method of attaching accessories to small firearms such as assault rifles and light machine guns...
on the P250 Compact.
Modular options
The P250 pistol is offered in 3 glass reinforced polymer grip module sizes, small, medium, and large, in each of the full-sized, compact, and subcompact P250 variants.The pistol top ends also come in full-sized, compact, and subcompact variants that will fit the correspondingly sized grip modules. Every chambering can be converted by the user with a caliber exchange kit. The 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG chamberings share their polymer grip frame modules and this offers the possibility to interchange these 3 chamberings by swapping the top end consisting of the slide, recoil spring assembly, barrel and the box magazine. Due to the significantly larger external dimensions of the .45 ACP cartridge compared to the other P250 chambering options, the .45 ACP chambering uses slightly wider .45 ACP specific polymer grip modules with an enlarged magazine well.
The manufacturer offers caliber exchange kits or Caliber X-Change kits consisting of a slide, recoil assembly, barrel, box magazine and grip module in the varying frame sizes, grip module sizes and chambering variants in which the P250 pistol is offered. These kits enable a user to switch between the various P250 configurations without the use of tools.
Safety
The P250 has no manual safetiesSafety (firearms)
In firearms, a safety or safety catch is a mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling....
to promote instant readiness. Instead of manual safeties an automated firing pin
Firing pin
A firing pin or striker is part of the firing mechanism used in a firearm or explosive device e.g. an M14 landmine or bomb fuze. Firing pins may take many forms, though the types used in landmines, bombs, grenade fuzes or other single-use devices generally have a sharpened point...
safety ensures safe carrying of the weapon whilst preventing accidental discharges if the gun is dropped or roughly handled.
Trigger system
The trigger is a self-decocking DAO trigger system with spurless and recessed hammer. The trigger system has a pull weight of about 5.5 lbfPound-force
The pound force is a unit of force in some systems of measurement including English engineering units and British gravitational units.- Definitions :...
(3.9 kgf
Kilogram-force
A kilogram-force , or kilopond , is a gravitational metric unit of force. It is equal to the magnitude of the force exerted by one kilogram of mass in a gravitational field...
, 38 N) and will not reset until completely released.
The P250 trigger is available in standard or short configurations meaning two user interchangeable trigger shoe variants are offered. The short reduced reach trigger shoe configuration can be reached and operated better by users with relatively short fingers.
Barrel
The P250 is available with a 3.6 in (91.4 mm), 3.86 in (98 mm), or 4.7 in (119.4 mm) barrel depending on the size (sub compact, compact, or full-sized, respectively).Ammunition feeding
The pistol feeds from metal detachable box magazines with a 6 round to 17 round magazine capacity, depending on chambering and pistol size. The butt plates at the bottom of the magazines are made of polymer. The magazines of the early P250 pistols do however not fit in later produced pistols due to technical changes.Sights
The P250 comes with 3-dot combat-type iron sights of which the front sight element can be drifted to the left or right in its dovetail to adjust for windage. There are three rear sight heights and six front sight heights available to adjust for elevation.Self-luminous tritium
Tritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium contains one proton and no neutrons...
powered SIGLITE Night Sights in differing heights are optional. SIGLITE sights are now standard on the US versions of the P250.
Accessories
The factory accessories consist of spare magazines, caliber exchange kits, a short reduced reach trigger shoe, handgun holsters, a polymer double magazine carrier, and the STL-900L Tactical Light/Laser unit.Variants
The handguns are available with a dark colored Nitron slide surface finish or two tone finish, where the stainless steel slide has an untreated surface.Product evolution changes
The grip modules on the P250 Compact have been changed in 2009. This change makes that the original and new style grip modules use different magazines. These old magazines are not compatible with new grip modules.Also the accessory rail was changed from a curved rail to a Picatinny rail. The factory holsters of the original grip modules do not fit newer grip modules featuring Picatinny rails.
Users
- The Hong Kong Police ForceHong Kong Police ForceThe Hong Kong Police Force is the largest disciplined service under the Security Bureau of Hong Kong. It is the world's second, and Asia's first, police agency to operate with a modern policing system. It was formed on 1 May 1844, with a strength of 32 officers...
ordered 3,700 P250 pistols in 2007 to replace the Colt Detective Special.: The Federal Air Marshal ServiceFederal Air Marshal ServiceThe Federal Air Marshal Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States Department of Homeland Security...
signed a multi-million dollar contract for procurement of the SIG Sauer P250 Compact chambered for the .357 SIG cartridge in 2009.
Canceled order
- For Dutch police service the Dutch government intended to order about 45,000 PPNL pistols (a P250 DCc variant) in 2011 to replace the Walther P5Walther P5The Walther P5 is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol developed in the mid-1970s by the German small arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen. It was designed with the German police forces in mind, who sought to replace existing 7.65mm pistols with a modern service sidearm incorporating enhanced...
used by the police and Glock 17 in use as a stopgap measure by the Arrestatieteam (the SWAT-team of the Dutch police). In March 2011 the Dutch government informed the Dutch parliament that Heckler & KochHeckler & KochHeckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
and Walther had sought a preliminary injunctionPreliminary injunctionA preliminary injunction, in equity, is an injunction entered by a court prior to a final determination of the merits of a legal case, in order to restrain a party from going forward with a course of conduct or compelling a party to continue with a course of conduct until the case has been decided...
against the intended order for PPNL pistols. The Volkskrant newspaper wrote: "the choice of the SIG Sauer earlier this year provoked surprise with representatives of both the arms industry and police unions. During police tests there was a strong preference for a pistol made by Heckler & Koch." According to the court verdict of 28 March 2011 there were no manipulations involved during the public tender process and the order was finalized.
- On 8 November 2011 the Dutch Minister of Security and Justice formally declared SIG-Sauer in default and immediately dissolved the order following the fourth negative production sample test of PPNL pistols firing Dutch police issue RUAG ACTION 4 NP ammunition by a reputable independent German testing institute (Beschussamt Ulm). Minister Ivo OpsteltenIvo OpsteltenIvo Willem Opstelten is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy . He is the Minister of Security and Justice in the Cabinet Rutte since October 14, 2010....
found that SIG-Sauer could not deliver the requisite quality in a mass production setting and had some harsh comments on SIG-Sauer: "On the basis of the results of these tests I no longer find it responsible to continue with this pistol. There is no longer enough confidence in the quality of the pistol, nor in the capacity of the manufacturer to improve the quality or safeguard it. All this brings a risk to the safety of police officers on the street." The Minister delegated a (legal) review to examine the possibility of coming to an agreement with one of the other suppliers that has had their pistol operationally tested in the procurement procedure.
External links
- Official page
- SIG-Sauer P250 owner manual
- SIG-Sauer P250 DCc Handling and Safety Instructions
- Sig P250 Owner's Forum
- Modern Firearms SIG-Sauer P250 DCc Pistol
- SIG P250 awarded Tactical Handgun of the Year
- Sig Sauer Germany
- SIG P250 9mm 2SUM Semi-Auto Pistol Package
- YouTube - SIG SAUER P250 Introduction
- YouTube - SIG P250 Reset