There is a reason why classic firearms hold a special place in our psyche. This is because firearms labeled as classics have heralded a transition in form and/or function. For example, in the mid-1980s, striker-fired polymer-framed handguns became synonymous with what we expect from a semi-automatic service handgun. This brings us to the evolution of the Sig Sauer P210 Carry.
History of the Sig Sauer P210 Carry
There was another just-as-heralded handgun that preceded the 80s striker-fired polymer-framed handguns by 40 years. The pistol represented just as much a step forward in handgun design in its time. This firearm was the Sig P210, which entered Swiss service in 1949.
The recently introduced Sig Sauer P210 Carry chambered in 9mm is the latest descendent of the P210. The P210 Carry is considered a Sig Sauer production handgun, even though its performance is more like a custom offering. This is a common theme during the entire lifespan of the P210.
The P210 Heritage
The mystique of a well-put-together metal frame single-action handgun is hard to deny in our current polymer striker-fired age. The original P210 announced Sig’s entry as a major player into the modern handgun market—a place it still occupies today.
It expanded quickly to West German Border Police and Danish Defense Forces. In 1975, the P220 replaced the P210 in Switzerland. It continues to serve Denmark.
The P210’s accuracy and reliability showed the final refinement of the steel frame single-action handgun concept. Many do not realize the P210 was designed as a service weapon, such is its reputation for accuracy.
Swiss specifications called for the P210 to place 10 rounds of 9mm into a 5-centimeter (2-inch) diameter circle at 50 meters. This is hard to obtain from custom-match handguns, let alone a service-grade weapon.
Test targets accompanying issued P210s demonstrate without doubt the inherent accuracy of the handgun. It is not hard to fathom why shooting sports competitors greatly value even second-hand P210s.
The P210 stemmed from the French Army’s Model 1935. This is understandable, considering Sig had a license to produce the French handgun starting in 1937. By 1947, Sig’s final refinement in the form of the P210 emerged.
Distinguishing features of the P210 are the slide riding inside the frame versus the more prevalent 1911 or Hi-Power method of slide over the frame. The P210 slide moves along internal rails machined inside the frame.
Proponents point to benefits derived from this as smoother cycling and finer tolerances translating into better accuracy potential.
Keeping Pace
Production of the earlier P210 variants took place in Switzerland and Germany. The P210 Carry is manufactured here in the U.S. at Sig’s New Hampshire facility. Likewise, the P210A Target—also listed in the Sig product line—is as well.
The P210 Carry follows the original P210’s lines with some differences tailored to the U.S. customer. For example, the magazine release is on the frame versus the European-style heel release on the butt of the grip.
The U.S. Sig P210s feature a 1911-like safety lever, and the beavertail is extended/accentuated. Additionally, the new P210 features a squared-off triggerguard. Likewise, Sig added cocking serrations to the front and rear of the slide as well.
Some of these features were foreshadowed by the German P210 Legend introduced in 2010 and manufactured in Sig’s Mastershop facility in Eckernförde, Germany.
The P210 Short-Recoil Principle
The P210 has a full-length guide rod that fits into the slide’s integral barrel bushing. In addition, the P210 operates on the short-recoil principle. Sig modifies the original P210’s design in the P210 Carry by moving the locking lugs from the barrel to the chamber.
The slide’s large overhead ejection port serves as the interaction point between barrel and slide. Per the Browning short-recoil method, the barrel and slide recoil together for a short distance until the barrel is drawn downward and stopped via bar/slot arrangement under the chamber while the slide continues rearward. The spent case is extracted/ejected. The cam slot and bar move the chamber upward, and the locking lug reengages when the slide comes forward again.
Lastly, the front contour of the barrel lug cam slot under the barrel chamber has been cut square. This directs counter-recoiling forces up and forward into the barrel itself to reduce stress on the lug.
All of this assists in lowering manufacturing costs with the new P210 Carry in our age of CNC machining. This is a good thing, as P210 Carry MSRP is $1,549 versus the $2,000-$4,000 that legacy P210 models fetch.
Gun Details
Conversations with Sig Sauer representatives during various visits to the Sig Academy detailed the painstaking commitment to duplicate the original P210 single-action trigger’s reset and break characteristics.
The P210 Carry emerges out of the box with a 3.5-4.0 pound pull weight. It is also equipped with fixed SIGLITE night sights and comes with two 8-round magazines. The pistol has slim profile G10 grips to interact with the user.
The P210 Carry has a grip design that seems to fit everyone’s hand. This, combined with a single-action trigger pull, creates a handgun that is easy to shoot well. It has an exposed hammer and manual safety that is configured to allow for Condition One carry.
The placement of the frame safety on the P210 is quickly recognizable to anyone familiar with the 1911 platform. Do not underestimate the ability to configure it into Condition One carry and the resultant attraction this will have on many prospective U.S. customers. The 1911’s charisma with American shooter goes beyond what many can fathom.
The 4.1-inch barrel and alloy frame reduce P210 Carry’s weight to 29 ounces. While the overall width is listed at 1.4 inches, this is skewed due to the safety lever protruding from the frame. The important measurement is slide width, especially for anyone considering IWB carry. The slide width is under 1 inch.
A Mitch Rosen belt holster for the P210 Carry was accessed via the Sig store. I also found other holsters in my stash that worked with the P210. Specifically, leather holsters designated for 1911 frames. The utilitarian DeSantis Yaqui slide also came in handy.
Instinctive Handling of the P210 Carry
No one can argue against the P210 Carry being an instinctive handling weapon. The quality trigger and grip size/angle cause it to be the most accurate handgun in most arsenals.
An extended beavertail allows the shooter’s hand to rest high on the frame without having to worry about slide/hammer bite. Minimizing bore height is conducive to managing recoil as well.
The Sig P210 Carry at the Range
The Sig Sauer P210 Carry was tested at the range first by verifying sight zero and then firing several magazines rapidly at various steel man targets. This quickly shows if any reliability issues exist.
Further testing consisted of strings of fire against steel plate racks and silhouette targets at 7, 15, and 25 yards. The sights were zeroed out of the box for 25 yards using the classic 6 o’clock hold. SIGLITE night sights proved advantageous, not only for monotonously stacking bullet holes on top of each other but also for rapid shot placement when working across a plate rack or up/down on a dueling tree.
The benefits of the P210’s single-action trigger proved evident during range evaluation. Rapid-fire magazine dumps still found rounds clustered in the “A” zone of an IPSC target.
Bench testing could not be resisted after witnessing the unsupported accuracy results. Groups of 1-inch at 25 yards confirmed legendary Sig P210 accuracy present in the P210 Carry.
At 50 yards, 2 inches was beyond my capabilities and not attempted. The P210 Carry’s sights tracked smoothly during recoil when firing multiple rounds.
The natural pointability of the P210 Carry was confirmed with the speed of getting the sights aligned on target. Likewise, the safety was positive and easy to manipulate.
The beavertail frame settles the weapon naturally into your hand and provides a point of reference when drawing the pistol from a holster. G10 grips tapered up to the slide, sitting the P210 Carry naturally in your hand. This, combined with a thin slide profile, eliminates any front-heavy sensation that some handguns exhibit.
Testing a Variety of Ammunition
The Sig P210 Carry was evaluated using Ammo Inc, Sig Sauer, Remington, Hornady and Federal/American Eagle ammunition. The loads fired ranged from 115 to 147 grains with both hollow points and FMJ bullet types tested.
Magazines were loaded from an ammunition can full of an assortment of steel, aluminum, and brass case 9mm loads of different bullet profiles. They were consolidated from partially used boxes and were purposely used as a form of reliability testing.
The P210 Carry was surely designed to function with FMJ bullets back in the 1940s. And it had no issue with modern JHP or monolithic expanding bullet profiles.
Nostalgic or Worthy
Does nostalgia play a role in the decision to release a new P210 variant in the form of the P210 Carry? Is consumer sentiment of “always wanting one” a factor? Hell, yeah, it is. However, the Sig P210 Carry performed at a level justifying both its reputation and its validity for use.
No matter how many years and other models have transpired, classics are accepted as such because they set the standard that all others strive to achieve since their appearance. The Sig Sauer P210 is such a weapon.
For more information, please visit SigSauer.com.
Sig Sauer P210 Carry Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.1 inches
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 29 ounces (empty)
Grips: Black G10
Sights: SIGLITE Night Sights
Action: SA
Finish: Nitron
Capacity: 8+1
MSRP: $1,549
Performance
| LOAD | VELOCITY | ACCURACY |
| Ammo Incorporated 115 TMC | 1,140 | 2.00 |
| Federal 124 HST | 1,070 | 1.66 |
| Hornady 147 XTP | 915 | 1.33 |
| Remington 115 FMJ | 1,117 | 2.25 |
| Sig Sauer 147 Match V Crown | 864 | 1.00 |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph, and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards.
This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World August/September 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.
