That P220 is from 1995 and it doesn't get any better than that. I've had a newer one and it was also great. But the W. German stamped ones are the best. The largest mag I have for is holds eight rounds. The Glock is a few years old, gen. 3, also indestructible and reliable as the day is long, but a totally different animal.

The Glocks are great - I have shot them - but I can't get over the plastic and the brick looking slide.

I am a revolver guy, so a pistol would be a big enough step for me without any plastic. I'd enjoy a German made classic. I do like the P7 HKs but they are hard to find and $$$. The Browing Hi Powers are nice too, but seem a little antiquated and a waste (holding 13 rounds, but only having 10 rd. magazines here in CA).

G

Rick my 226 is from the 90's. how can I tell if it is German made?

With three little kids we use paper plates, bowls, and plastic cups all the time. If we didn't our dishwasher would be running constantly. We'll break out the real stuff for a bigger meal, or for meals like steak where you have to cut your food.

Here's a question:

Which is more environmentally friendly?

1) Using paper plates made from recycled paper that are then recycled?

2) Using regular dishes (ceramic, glass, etc..) and running them through a dishwasher daily.

I have no answer to this, just curious.

Should say "W Germany" on the slide, stamped or engraved. If it's laser etched on the frame, that's made in New Hampshire (I think). They're all fine and, frankly, the older ones can be had pretty cheap. They don't wear out, so don't shy away from an older one. New spring kits are $26 from SIG. I've replaced the springs in all of mine and had them refinished in Robar NP3.

Thanks for the info. Just checked. Mine says "made in w Germany". My bro prob got it new in 95.

They were really popular at our office, where we seemed to average a party of week for something or other. Credit where it's due, we had a Martha Stewart-type that could lay out an elegant-looking spread with Chinet plates, plastic utensils, and paper tablecloths. Most of the options seem to separate into 4 categories: high end stiff paper that was almost as strong as china, cheaper paper with various color designs (new years, b-days, x-mas, etc), plain white styrofoam that hold up well and don't soak thru and the plain white paper ones you have to double up to support a couple of chicken wings.

I was curious too...

Stanford sez:
150 uses of ceramic plates pays off their carbon debt (which is only one aspect of env'l friendliness)

Stanford Magazine - Green Dinner Parties: Nitty-gritty - January/February 2011

Here is an article that cites to an actual scientific journal:
Hey Mr. Green: What's Greener: Throwaway or Reusable?

If you live in a big forest (PNW) next to a pulp mill & paper plate manf. plant, answers could differ. But that is a real wet area. I guess the test would be a semi-desert in a big forest (Ponderosa Pine?) next to a pulp mill & paper plate manf. plant...

we usto use regular dishes all the time never paper. Got sick of washing them and A few months ago started buying regular white paper plates. cheapest we could find and now we use them for all but the really wet meals. we usually just burn them when we're done since we always have a fire going in the fireplace. It works out fine. saves on soap and water too.

Chinette.