gun review: Sig Sauer P290 RS
fully rearward. T e process has been called, “a three-handed procedure.” T e P290 in- cluded a small plastic block that can be in- serted into the ejection port to hold the slide back. T is simple device makes removing the slide stop much easier. T en, it’s just a matter of removing the recoil spring, guide rod and barrel. Reassembly is a little more diffi cult, but not nearly as emotionally traumatic as I’d been led to believe. T is is coming from a guy with the manual dexterity of a seal that didn’t quite make the cut at Sea World.
Trigger If you’ve ever shot a Sig P250 or a revolver, you’ll have no diffi culty acclimating to the Double Action Only-type trigger of the P290. Don’t go into it expecting to break any records on split times. It’s not that kind of trigger or pistol. However, the long nine- pound pull is well suited for deep carry where a long trigger stroke is an asset. Argu- ably, the P290 is very much a single-stack miniaturized version of the P250 that is one of my favorite training/defensive pistols.
Range Time For a two-day range test, three of us shot 50 rounds of 124-grain +p Federal HST, 50 rounds of Remington 124-grain +P Golden Saber, 50 rounds of Winchester White Box 124-grain FMJ, and 50 rounds of PMC Bronze 124-grain FMJ. T e second day we threw 50 rounds of nearly 25-year-old Corbon 115-grain +p into a mix of potluck FMJs. It may not seem fair to the ammuni- tion or the pistol, but testing equipment of this importance shouldn’t be fair. Very few defensive guns will be pressed into service in a defensive encounter. A few, however, will be truly needed in less-than-ideal circum- stances where only perfect performance is acceptable. T at’s why I try to use a less-than- optimal grip during function testing of any autopistol. After about 300 rounds total, we had no stoppages, malfunctions, mishaps, or whatever the cool kids are calling jams these days. T e P290 RS just worked. It should be noted that many of the FMJs we shot were PMC Bronze. I read several accounts of the pre-RS P290s having light strikes with this ammunition. As stated above, they all went bang in this Sig Sauer. T e P290 shoots relatively soft with nor-
19 The Police Marksman Summer 2015
Shot # 1 Shot# 2 Shot # 3 Shot # 4 Shot # 5
Average
CORBON FEDERAL 115-GRAIN JHP +P 1246 1239 1252 1217 1232
1237.2 Feet Per Second
115-GRAIN HST 1085 1093 1100 1092 1102
1094.4 Feet Per Second
The double action-only trigger of the P290 RS is a viable choice for defense as evidenced by this five-shot rapid-fire group at 7 yards.
mal practice FMJs, but becomes a bit more of an attention grabber with the Federal HST +p. I would compare the recoil im- pulse to a lightweight 1911 Commander size pistol in .45ACP. It’s not intolerable, but certainly noticeable compared to a full- size, polymer 9mm duty pistol. Still, none of the offi cers who fi red it had any trouble placing several quick rounds on target after shooting a few magazines for familiariza- tion. T e Corbon, on the other hand, was quite the handful. I don’t think this quar- ter-century-old loading was ever intended to be fi red in a 20-ounce, 2.9-inch gun. T e recoil was abrupt. It may take some sort of specialist to get the smile off my face after launching 115-grain bullets at 1,240 feet per second out of a pocket pistol. It’s remi- niscent of fi ring full-power 10mm loads out of a grownup pistol, which also makes my heart happy.
The P290 RS is a bit more diffi cult to fi eld strip than some polymer defensive pistols. Take-down is easily accomplished by use of the included and simple-to-use tool.
Beware the Tiny Pistol T is wee weapon was perfectly reliable and, most importantly, easier to shoot than most guns its size. T is was especially true when using the extended eight-round maga- zine. I usually say, “Beware of small guns be- cause of their fl aws.” In the case of the P290 RS, I say, “Beware,” because it will try very hard to convince you to make it your pri- mary concealed-carry pistol. PM
Warren Wilson is a Lieutenant with the Enid Police Department in Oklahoma. He is a former SWAT team member/leader and has been in law enforcement for 19 years.
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