A .22 conversion kit for your SIG SAUER pistol is a great way to get range time in at a fraction of the cost associated with centerfire ammunition.
For a time, SIG offered a .22 conversion kit for the classic pistols: the P220, P226, P228 and P229.
However, the company discontinued these kits and they are now only available as used kits that often sell for triple the original MSRP.
Before you drop your money on one of these used kits, let’s talk about what they are and if they make sense for your needs.
The SIG .22 Conversion Kits
Starting in 2008, SIG SAUER sold .22 LR conversion kits for the company’s most popular handguns: the P220, P226, P228 and P229.
A .22 conversion kit allows a shooter to practice with the firearm on the range, but at a less expensive cost since .22 tends to be very inexpensive. Additionally, the low recoil from a .22 is ideal for training a new shooter the fundamentals without causing them to pick up flinches from the sound and recoil from larger calibers.
Each conversion kit came with a slide assembly, recoil spring, guide rod, barrel and ten-round magazine. Adjustable target sights were included on the slide. The kits came in a hard plastic carrying case for storage and transport to the range.
A second kit was offered from SIG. The second kit was nearly identical to the standard kit but came with a threaded barrel. This allowed the shooter to add a variety of muzzle attachments including sound suppressors.
The kit included a thread protector for use when a suppressor or other device was not attached to the barrel.
What Happened?
Unfortunately, SIG SAUER discontinued the .22 conversion kits for its pistols. While I am not privy to the decision making process, I can only assume that money played a significant role.
After all, if a product is not selling well, why would a company continue to produce it?
If the conversion kits were discontinued in spite of making a profit – well, I would deem that a significant mistake. Many people like to have conversion kits.
Personally, I own conversion kits for other guns including one for a Glock and another for ARs. Sadly, I failed to pick one of these up for my SIG P226 prior to the kits being discontinued.
How Did They Run?
There are two main complaints that a lot of people express regarding the SIG .22 conversion kits. The first is about the slide lock and the second relates to reliability.
From the feedback I have gotten on these conversion kits, the number one disappointment was the slide will not lock to the rear after firing the last shot.
For anyone doing training – be it for self-defense or sport – practicing reloads is an important part of the training regimen. Having the slide lock back on an empty mag would be a very good upgrade to these kits so reload drills can be practiced.
Reliability also seems to be a bit of an issue for some shooters. However, that may not be SIG’s fault.
Like any .22 LR gun, the SIG pistols equipped with the conversion kits can be unreliable with some loads. That is just the nature of the .22 LR round, I am afraid.
In general, people seem to have better performance with “hotter” .22 loads. I recommend trying several, finding the one that works and then sticking to it.
Last update: June 3, 2021
23 replies on “SIG Sauer .22LR Pistol Conversion Kits”
Excellent! Any idea when they’ll be available to order?
Brian,
I talked with Sig today. They say that the kits will start shipping in early April. Initially, quantities will be limited as they ramp up production and see how the market responds.
The suggested retail price is $369.00.
Richard
that price is $100 to high. i’m pretty sure aftermarket is cheaper, why so much? the aftermarket conversion kits are shooting 2″ groups at 25 yards. that works for me. and they come with cleaning kits.
Richard,
Isn’t it better to buy a Sig Mosquito than to buy this conversion kit? You can buy a Sig .22LR Mosquito Sport for $388.00 with 2 mags.
I have a P229R 9mm and I was looking into buying this conversion kit or mosquito. Can you enlighten me on my dilema?
Erick
I cannot answer the question for you, only you can make that decision. What is “better” is in the eye of the beholder.
If you are looking for a .22 handgun, the Mosquito -may- be a better choice, although I am not a big fan of it.
If you are looking to spend more time training with your P229, and a 22 rimfire conversion kit would allow you to do that, then the conversion kit -may- be the better choice.
Keep in mind that the Mosquito is a similar size to the 229, but it is different. Some of the size differences are even more pronounced with the P226 and P220.
Good luck!
Richard
Richard,
Thanks for the advise. I went to my local Sig dealer and looked at the Sig Mosquito. You were right, the feel was different as you said. I ordered the conversion kit and the dealer said it might take a while because it has been backordered.
Again thanks for the enlightenment and more power to you Richard.
Erick
Any rumors on a 22 kit for the P250?
Not that I’ve heard. We’ll have to see how the sales numbers come out for the P250. If it sells as well as they hope, then a .22 kit would likely follow.
Any plans on producing a conversion kit for the P239?
I am looking for a 22cal. for the range. I like the Sig and am contemplating purchasing the Sig 22 for $499. and a conversion kit for another $300. Is this a waste of money? Should I buy the mosquito or another 22cal.???
Andrew,
What is this Sig 22 that you will be purchasing? Sig does not make a gun with the designation “22”. If you are referring to the P220, then I would say it is an awesome deal, even if the gun is used. If you are referring to a .22 caliber Sig, then you wouldn’t need the conversion kit. Sorry, but I’m a little confused what you are asking.
Sig has on their website the new P226 22 classic. It is a p226 with the 22 conversion kit on it. You can get them at budsgunshop for $488.00. I have a P226 9mm. I bought the conversion kit for $300. It is great. Sights are exactly the same as the 9mm
I recently purchased a P229 Classic 22. At this time I trying to decided to go with the 9mm X-Change Kit or a .40. The only complaint on the P229 .22 is that the slide does not lock back after the last round and if you don’t keep track of how many rounds you shoot, you end of dry firing. According to the techs that I talked to at SIG that is how it was designed to operate. I have recently purchased some after market upgrades for the P229. Jeff is currently working on a follower mod that will lock the slide back after the last round. Hope this helps.
I have had many bad experiences with .22 pistols jamming/not ejecting shells properly with a variety of supposedly good pistols even with high velocity ammo. How are these new Sigs performing?
I bought a 22 conversion kit for my 228, the dealer told me to buy mc2500 mil.comm lub which I did I could not wait till I got it home to put it on my 228 I lubed the kit and the frame I put in on The first 10 times working the slid it would not close all the way. after working the slide about 100 times it worked well.
I loaded it up useing Remington hollow points. the first shot was a little slow closeing but from that point on I gould not ask for better at 15 yard useing a rest I had a shot group of a inch, all I can say is I in love.
I was told by the person I bought the kit from to clean it with alcohol only I have never cleaned agun with Alcohol what say you.
I suggest you look at the manual that came with the kit. I don’t know that Sig suggests using alcohol. Unless it says otherwise, Hoppes #9 would be my choice.
the very small manual that came with the kit states nothing either way
about cleaning it did say use agood lubricant i will take your advise and use #9 i have used it for 25 years thanks
40 s/w ve will this work ??? which model of kit p226 ???
Mine went back to Sig 4 days after I got it. The trigger felt like it had been buried in a sandbox and the upper would not come off the frame. Multiple FTF, and the first round, almost always, had to be struck twice by the firing pin in order to discharge. Major disappointment.
The quality of the SIG-SAUER Guns is considerably better if the components with a DE are marked. DE=Made in Germany.
do you make a kit for a 227? skips it in list.
Hi Don,
This is an older article, and I believe SIG no longer makes the conversion kits. Even if you find one used, it may not be compatible with the P227 as the kits were introduced 5-6 years before the P227 hit the market. I’m not sure enough on the internals to tell you if they would work, would need modification, etc.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
-Richard