Sig P250 Compact Review | A Robust Little Handgun With Compact and Subcompact Variants

I should open by pointing out that the Sig P250 compact is quite the departure from the much-loved ASig classic series of pistols. Now, that's certainly not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, there's a lot that I like about the changes made by Sig Sauer.

As you'll discover in this Sig P250 review, Sig Sauer delivers a robust little shooter with a lot going for it. There are both compact and subcompact variants to choose from to ensure that you get the perfect handgun for your needs. Also, read our top 9mm handguns review for more options.

Fire Control Unit

The primary selling point of the SIG P250 compact gun is that it is designed with a serial-numbered trigger assembly, also known as the fire control unit. Rather than being on the frame or the slide assembly like other pistols, this feature gives the consumer the ability to quickly and easily install the fire control group into various frames.

In doing so, you are able to make the pistol in different sizes. And as such, you can go from a compact to a subcompact, or even to a full-size pistol. You will, however, have to buy a new slide assembly. When you do, you get a different barrel, magazine, and recoil spring.

Having the ability to customize your SIG P250 gun means that consumers can pick out the perfect frame size, thereby giving you the absolute best reach to the double-action trigger, the best grip, improved ergonomics, and better handling for your particular hand size.

Furthermore, another advantage of buying different frames is that it doesn't require filling out a federal 4473 form. This distinction is important because a frame is not equivalent to a gun. Additionally, Sig Sauer offers the unique feature of easily transferring the fire control unit from one SIG P250 gun to assemble a pistol of different size or caliber.

This capability is particularly beneficial for law enforcement personnel, as it ensures that each member can obtain a firearm tailored to their specific hand size. With the ability to interchange parts, these officers' weapons are customized to suit their needs.

These advantages contribute to the reliability, safety, and comfort of the Sig Sauer firearms, allowing law enforcement officers to perform optimally. Moreover, the DAO (Double Action Only) mechanism deserves more recognition, as it provides a preferable alternative to a safety feature.

The natural placement of the thumb on the hammer during re-holstering becomes instinctive and adds to the overall comfort. Personal experiences with the SIG P250 further highlight its appeal. For instance, owning two 18-round magazines, accompanied by the extended mag, effectively balances the weight of the firearm.

However, considering the heaviness when fully loaded, it is recommended to use only 10 rounds in the magazines for better handling during shooting.

Potential Downsides

All is not perfect with this setup, however. There have been many consumers who ordered one pistol and got sent the incorrect variant. Any time that you have options to choose from, especially when it comes to different sizes, there is a margin for error.

If you do get the wrong one, you're likely to find that your shooting experience is going to be way off from the norm. Imagine the difference in recoil when shooting a pistol that is too small or large for your hands.

While these types of issues are easy to fix, it's still something you need to be aware of. But given the level of personalization offered by Sig, the potential snags along the way are well worth having the options in the first place.

One of my favorite aspects of the Sig P250 gun is its size. Both the Compact and Sub Compact feel absolutely incredible in hand, which of course bleeds over into the shooting experience. But more on that in a moment.

With a comfortable design also comes a comfortable grip. The cleverly placed indention above the grip makes for some smooth magazine swapping. The ergonomics of the P250 gun, however, is one area where I feel some people might balk. I appreciate the handling, to be sure, but it has that typical Sig Sauer design that comes off a bit blocky in its presentation.

There's also the issue of it being a bit too rounded around the grip. Don't get me wrong; it's comfortable and all. But the thickness could cause some trouble for shooters with smaller hands. Of course, you can always change this to your liking. But out of the box, it may make you want to go running to your nearest online retailer for a different style.

And then there's the well-balanced and stellar handling of the smaller sizes. Each option is simply bliss when wielding on the range. Lining up targets is a breeze, allowing you to effortlessly reset shots on the fly without issue.

You can pretty much flip a coin on choosing which either the compact or sub-compact model for concealed carry. Both guns are lightweight, versatile, and easy to shoot. As mentioned above, the handling is off the charts, ensuring that you're getting a tight shooting experience with either one you choose. See how they compare to other top concealed carry guns reviewed in this article.

When I went out to test-fire the Sig P250 Subcompact, I discovered that its trigger pull was something of a surprise. It requires a rather long pull that is not typically seen on a handgun of this design. As such, it took me quite some time to get myself acclimated to its demands.

What's more, the double-action triggers face are very large for a gun of this size. If you're planning on using the P250 as a concealed, you absolutely must get yourself properly trained in using the trigger. It is unlike other weapon options of this design.

It boasts a heavy break and has an incredibly long travel. You can get some pretty sharp shots from it, but it's going to take plenty of practice before you feel right at home with it.

But with that said, the gun is still ideal for personal defense. Given its squat size and lightweight body, you'll find that it's a cinch to carry on your person for extended periods of time. In fact, you can easily carry it as your daily weapon without issue.

While some people may not like it due to their understanding of staging the trigger for a more accurate shot, I find this gun to be superior in terms of its design, resembling a new generation firearm. Additionally, the clip can hold up to 15 rounds, which is a definite win for me.

On a side note, I own both the full-size and subcompact versions. However, one issue I've encountered is that since they have been discontinued, replacement parts are running out. When the recoil spring of my subcompact broke, I had to swap in a P239's recoil spring, and it works just fine.

On the Range

I consider myself to be a competent shooter. Prior to testing out and assessing the Sig P250, I had been shooting with my Ruger LCP. This is a common occurrence, so switching over to a similarly sized gun was no big whoop.

I'm a big fan of the Ruger LCP. It's been my personal weapon for several years now and has yet to let me down. You could say I'm biased, but the gun has held up well since its release and hasn't once faltered. So moving over the Sig P250 was a welcome test to see how the gun handled.

I'm pleased to share that the Sig P250 is a commendable weapon that holds its own against my LCP. I found myself hitting targets with relative ease, solidifying what most shooters can already tell you about this weapon.

While there are some potential issues with the handle and its girth, I think most beginner shooters will want to stick with this gun. The 9mm caliber is easy to shoot and delivers respectable accuracy across the board.

This P250 is on par with other hammer-fired polymer pistols that you can find on the market today. It is more than capable of putting rounds into your target. Granted, it isn't quite as accurate as some of its peers, but in the right capacity, it's more than capable.