SIG P210 Target Target

The concept of the P210 came before World War II as a possible replacement for the Luger Parabellum that had been in service since the turn of the century. When it made its debut, the P210 was chambered for the 7.65mm, 9mm and .22 Long Rifle. The mag release was on the bottom of the frame, and the sights were rudimentary.

Initially made in Switzerland, then in Germany, the current P210 Target is made in the United States. It features a fuller beavertail than you find on a 1911, both the slide-lock lever and the safety have been updated and, last, the old-fashioned magazine catch has been moved from the bottom of the grip frame to just behind the trigger.

The lines are clean, smooth and classic, the finish impeccable. Dressed in black with a matte finish, there is not a blemish, ding or other imperfection, but the first thing you’ll probably notice are the grips. They’re truly a work of art. Finely finished in select walnut, the panels fit your hand like custom grips. While they’re made in two pieces, you can’t see the line between them. They work for either right-handers or left-handers and are finely checkered, as is the frontstrap.

The slide is Nitron-coated stainless, and there are cleanly finished cocking serrations front and rear. The rounded slide and tapered frame make for a clean draw. There is no barrel bushing, and the muzzle is precisely fitted to the frame.

The fully adjustable rear assembly requires only a well-fitting screwdriver for windage and elevation adjustments. It’s melted into the frame. I can brush my hand over the sight without being cut, and it won’t snag on the draw. The rear notch pairs nicely with the front blade, which features a luminous insert.

As I mentioned, the slide-lock lever and the safety lever have been modernized with flowing lines—and they’re easy to get to and easy to use. One push on the mag release button and magazines falls out of the gun as if on ball bearings. The gun comes with two nicely polished, blued nine-round magazines, and their bumpers ensure good seating into the gun even with the oversized grip panels.

The trigger guard has been squared off and checkered, and the trigger is solid, not skeletonized, which I think looks great. The pull measures three pounds, and there’s enough slack for it to be considered almost a two-stage affair.

This particular handgun has gone through a dozen alterations, variations, models and concepts since its inception. They say number 13 is unlucky, but with this model, SIG has hit the jackpot.

---