gun review Sig Sauer P290 RS feature
Sig quickly addressed the issue and solved the problems in this area and there certainly weren’t any misfi res with the test pistol. T e P290 RS came with one six-round magazine. T e eight-round variation can be purchased for about $40.00 plus shipping. Considering these pistols are often on sale for $300–350, that’s still quite a deal. T e large slide stop is especially appreciated, as at fi rst blush it seems disproportionate to the pis- tol’s diminutive size. I was concerned that my thumbs would inadvertently manipulate it during live fi re, causing the slide to go forward on an empty magazine or lock back prema- turely, as is often happens when I fi re polymer guns. Despite the usable size of the P290’s slide stop, it is set forward enough that my op- posable digit caused no drama. T e frame is black polymer that helps keep the unloaded weight down to 20.5 ounces. I weighed it at 23.2 ounces loaded with seven rounds (the six- round magazine plus one in the chamber) of Federal 124-grain HST +P and 25.6 ounces with nine rounds with the eight-round maga- zine plus one in the chamber.
Options T is P290 RS came with steel three-dot sights. T ey are actual gun sights like you would fi nd on a full-size pistol. Siglite® night sights are an option if desired. T e Sig came in black Nitron® fi nish, but can also be purchased in natural stainless. T e polymer grips are seriously stippled. Even the poly- mer grip extension that comes standard with the eight-round magazine screams, “Severe Tire Damage!” I actually prefer it that way for pocket carry, but it may be a bit aggres- sive for some folks if carried against bare skin, but I’m not complaining. Some carry guns with smooth grips are harder to hold onto than a hand-written report on a windy day. T is is one of the features that make this gun easy to shoot. For those who don’t like the stippling however, Sig off ers a smooth set of grip panels as well. In this confi gura- tion, the front and back straps still allow for a secure purchase on the pistol, but the side plates don’t irritate the skin. T e P290 RS has a removable plug at the bottom of the dust cover to mount an optional laser. Sig Sauer really seems to have thought of every- thing with this little gun.
18 The Police Marksman Summer 2015
This Sig P290 RS came with a polymer holster and an ejection- port block tool to aid in disassembly.
With the eight-round extended magazine, the P290 RS is a great primary off-duty gun.
Bang and Buck T e best feature of this pistol is its combina- tion of compactness and power. At about 5.5 inches long by 3.9 inches tall and approxi- mately an inch in width, this 9mm is approx- imate to many .380 autos on the market, but chambered in the more powerful 9mm. I car- ried it several times while running and in my front pocket as a backup for a few weeks. T e
little Sig is very well suited to both roles. Even as a large gun snob, I could see carrying the P290 RS as a primary concealed-carry pistol.
Disassembly/Assembly T e P290 has received a little bad press for the diffi cult nature of its takedown procedure. Its design necessitates remov- ing the slide stop while holding the slide
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