SIG SAUER Unveils P290 Sub-Compact 9mm

SIG SAUER knows where the American Firearms market is headed: CCW. In 1997, the FBI conducted 2.7 million instant criminal background checks for Americans applying for a Concealed Carry Weapons permit. As various states liberalized concealed carry laws, the number soared. In ’08, the FBI’s CCW-related checks jumped to nine million. In ’09, it hit 14 million. This year, it’s going to be 20 million. If you’re a gunmaker that isn’t making guns for CCW, you’re watching the parade go by. To avoid that fate, SIG SAUER has just announced its P290 Sub-Compact 9mm pistol . . .

The P290 is a new platform for the New Hampshire manufacturer. The double-action only pocket pistol will offer removable side panels in the usual wide range of finishes and an integrated light option.  The gun’s 20.5 ounce weight is just a tad heavier than the comparable Glock 26 (19.75 ounces). Full P290 stats (from thefirearmsblog.com) below.

The mini-SIG won’t hit dealers ’til next year. Priced right, it will move and move fast. And despite SIG’s most excellent Colt-clone P238 rat gun (click here for our review), the smart money says the P290 will eventually chamber the increasingly popular .380 caliber.

Specifications
Caliber	9mm
Trigger	DAO
Capacity	6 – 8 rounds (two different magazines?
Finish	Polymer / Nitron black or Stainless slide
Grip	Removable Polymer / Wood
Barrel	2.9″
Overall Length	5.5″
Width	0.9″ (1.1″ with slide catch)
Height	3.9″
Weight	20.5 oz (with magazine)
Front Sight	SIGLITE night sight
MA / CA compliant	No
MSRP (Price)	Not yet announced.