P250

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The SIG Sauer P250 was introduced to the North American market on November 7, 2007, chambered in 9mm. A .45 ACP compact model followed in February 2008 at the SHOT Show, and the last of the models was introduced in late 2009. In early 2014, the SIG P320 was introduced as the P250's striker-fired descendant, continuing the modular format and sharing several components, including magazines and grip frames. By the 2017 Sig Sauer catalog, the P250 appeared under the rimfire category, showing the .22 LR caliber as available and noting that caliber exchange kits could convert the handgun to 9×19mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. As of January 2018, the P250 was no longer found on the Sig Sauer website.

In Their Own Story

The P250's design is defined by its modularity and safety features. It is hammer-fired with a self-decocking DAO trigger system, featuring a spurless and recessed hammer. The trigger pull weight is about 45 N (4.6 kgf, 10.1 lbf). The handgun has no manual external safeties; instead, a firing pin block helps prevent accidental discharge. Available finishes include a dark colored Nitron slide surface, a two-tone finish with an untreated stainless steel slide, and a diamond-plated finish. The grip module on the P250 Compact was changed in 2009, making original and new style grip modules use different magazines—old magazines are not compatible with new grip modules. The accessory rail was also changed from a curved rail to a Picatinny rail, and factory holsters for original grip modules do not fit newer modules with Picatinny rails, though the modular nature allows inexpensive swapping. Commercial variants include Full Size, Carry, Compact, and Subcompact models. In 2012, SIG Sauer introduced a medium width version of the subcompact grip module with the Picatinny rail, while small width versions lack it; exchange kits for .380 ACP and .45 ACP subcompact versions were also introduced.

Reader's Guide

The P250 saw notable use and a cancelled order with law enforcement. The SIG Sauer PPNL (Politie Pistool Nederland) was a custom P250 variant intended for Dutch law enforcement. In March 2011, the Dutch government informed parliament that Heckler & Koch and Walther had sought a preliminary injunction against the intended order. The Volkskrant newspaper wrote: 'the choice of the SIG-Sauer earlier this year evoked 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.' A court verdict on March 28, 2011, found no manipulations in the public tender process, and the order was finalized. However, on November 8, 2011, the Dutch Minister of Security and Justice formally declared SIG Sauer in default and dissolved the order after the fourth negative production sample test of PPNL pistols firing Dutch police issue RUAG Action 4 NP ammunition by an independent German testing institute (Beschussamt Ulm). Minister Ivo Opstelten stated: '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 reaching an agreement with another supplier. Users include the Hong Kong Police Force (being phased out by CS/LS5 since July 2024) and the United Kingdom's Cleveland Police. In the United States, the Federal Air Marshal Service signed a multimillion-dollar contract for the P250 Compact chambered in .357 SIG in 2009, but the order was cancelled and the FAMS continue to carry the P229.

Did You Know?

• The P250 was introduced to the North American market on November 7, 2007, in 9mm.
• The trigger pull weight is about 45 N (4.6 kgf, 10.1 lbf).
• The P250 has no manual external safeties; it uses a firing pin block to prevent accidental discharge.
• The grip module on the P250 Compact was changed in 2009, making old and new grip modules use different magazines.
• The Dutch order for 45,000 PPNL pistols was cancelled in November 2011 after four negative production sample tests.