8/4/2023 0 Comments Sig sauer 9mm subcompact p290![]() The addition of the extension changed the entire grip and added a lot more stability than expected. ![]() With a full grip on the small frame, it felt more like a compact and handled like one. The range mag was an added bonus and extremely comfortable. The performance with both magazines was great. Knowing that you can count on a CCW every time to perform is wonderful - and quiet a relief. Every action is repeated exactly the same with no changes. The coned barrel and tight fit of the slide and frame makes for a continued joy to shoot. The grouping remained consistent the entire trip even after running 500 rounds through it without as much as a wipe down. Before this trip only my Glock 19c was performing to those patterns (in my hands). Having had several issues with subcompacts and Critical Defense rounds in the past, I was surprised to not only successfully cycle every round but also run a 3-inch grouping from 12 yards. In a box of 50, had one jam, and two failed to eject. The second box was a standard FMJ which cycled flawlessly, so feeling confident, I decided to go for a box of Hornady Critical defense rounds. The first box of ammo was a standard frangible round 115 grain. With the original P290 having multiple issues on a regular basis between being a picky ammo cycler to jamming, it was a defiant leap of faith. The first trip to the range was extremely unnerving. The standard OWB holster is smooth and fits snug. The P290RS is offered in a Nitron black matte finish, a two toned stainless, and the SIG signature Rainbow for the more adventurous. The mags are made of high quality steal and comes with one carry mag in a six-round capacity and a range mag in a eight-round capacity. With the absence of an external safety, the longer pull makes perfect sense. The only thing about the trigger that returned was the long pull. The stippling on the frame has also remained true to the original. It’s 5.5 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and weighs 20.5 ounces. But this isn’t a Glock and we don’t live in a perfect world.The SIG P290RS is chambered in 9mm. Do I wish it had the same functionality as my G19’s extended slide stop? You betcha. Locking the slide to the rear is mostly an administrative action so it’s not a critical fault. I CAN do it, but there is a great deal of breaking my firing grip to press my finger in and up hard enough to activate the lock. While I can usually operate slide stops with the flat of my trigger finger between the first and second knuckle, that isn’t a trick I can easily pull off with the P290. If you’re wrong-handed like me, it’s a chore. Shooting it right handed your thumb can readily lock back and drop the slide. It is artfully blended into the lines of the gun and really doesn’t increase the functional width of the gun. With the P290 being a DAO there is only the slide stop lever to worry about. As such Sig pistols in general are a bit of a chore to manipulate the controls on. I will have to blame this last problem on my parents, my upbringing, that I was homeschooled and that we rooted for the Cubs – I’m left handed. Another thing to mention is that in 500 rounds I haven’t had a single malfunction, with either ball or Speer Gold Dots. I can’t say the same about 100 rounds out of my J-Frame or my old PM40. At the end I was still fresh and could have shot another 100. The longest shooting session I’ve had was a 100 round string. Even with its snappiness I never found the recoil to be uncomfortable. The pistol is snappy but that’s a function of its size. The pistol weighs in at 20 oz and compared to other lighter subcompact 9mms the extra couple of ounces helps with recoil and followup. Even shooting some of my hotter handloads, recoil was very manageable. Shooting the 290 isn’t as unpleasant as some of the other subcompacts that I have shot. ![]() I chose the latter and Sig got the front sight to me later that week. The other was for them to ship me a front sight and have it installed locally. One was to have the slide shipped back to them for their gunsmiths to install a new front sight. To Sig’s credit when I brought this to their attention they were quick to offer me two solutions. ![]() That is to say the tritium either wasn’t present or had been damaged so the front sight wasn’t visible in low light. I discovered that the front sight was dead from the factory. The sights are also one of my gripes with the gun. The rear sight has a flat front which assists in performing single hand malfunction clearances. The pistol is equipped with the three dot Sig Lite night sights. I was comparing the new models out there and discovered that Sig Sauer now offers a very reasonably priced (< $500) 9mm single stack subcompact in the P290RS. I know 9mm subcompacts are a dime a dozen and I’ve cycled through my fair share of carry guns over the years. I have been looking for an off-duty carry piece for when my Glock 19 is impractical to conceal. ![]()
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