I might have been the guy that you asked about SIGs in another thread and I didn't get back to you. Apologies if that is the case.
I would say, first of all, that the SIGs coming out of New Hampshire with the frames made by Sauer in Germany are very good guns. I have bought three of them brand new since August 2007 and they are the nicest, most accurate, and most pleasant to shoot pistols I have owned (and between my GF and myself, we've owned quite a few different types: GLOCK, Beretta (old and new), Walther, Steyr (old and new), HK (old and new), Ruger, etc.)
There is often times, in the firearms world and elsewhere, this desire to believe in a time when a certain product was in some mythical state of perfect production... but, of course, things have gone down hill since then. The implication being, if you could only get ahold of a minty version from the "magic" era, you have somehow beaten the system and you have something better than what other people can buy now.
Now, this might be true with Fender Stratocasters or something like that, but I do not think that this holds for SIG pistols, or HK or whatever. If you are talking about P210... then that is apples and oranges. They are all steel guns, a lot of them were made in the 1960s, they are SAO, they are big, heavy and accurate, and I don't think there is anyone left who issues them because of it (the big and heavy part). They are awesome guns, but it is not really so much a quality control issue as it is... they are just from a different era altogether.
The 1980s (and 1990s) SIGs with the stamped steel slides made in Germany, these are good guns. But if you've shot them are handled them, you will know that they are not hand crafted showpieces or anything. They are mass produced, rugged, duty-type firearms - and one of the best and most enduring designs in the history of auto pistols, but they can wear out, sometimes they have problems, but generally they last a long time. They are not custom made target guns done to perfection though. In many ways they appear to be more "rough" than what you get with a SIG today.
The SIGs which have the milled stainless steel slide made in New Hampshire, they are built very well IMHO. I think the new slides are preferable to the stamped ones. Some people think the reverse, but it is personal preference. Both are good designs. Both are tough and will last a long time.
The triggers on the New Hampshire guns I have are very good. They can vary a little bit gun to gun, but they are good. The second P229 I had took a little time to wear the trigger in, but it is as good as the others now. The first 229 I bought is fantastic and was like that right from day one. The new P239 I just bought this October, the trigger was a dream right out of the box. Awesome little gun. One thing on triggers: How many people do a detail strip and clean and lube the hammer and sear components once a year? Not very many. For a lot of people it is probably not a great idea to detail strip their guns, because they are going to mar them, but if you are o.k with tools... and you go and get the right tools... and you don't get frustrated and pound on things... get the SIG armorer's DVD from Brownells (they will ship it to you.. it is not State Department regulated) and some tools and work on your gun from there. Proper cleaning and lubing alone can "improve" the trigger on any gun. If you buy a NIB SIG though, don't take it apart for a year or so. Give it a chance to break it.
On that guys 239 in the link. That looks like wear combined with dodgy maintenance. One thing, I'm not sure when he says he bought it new, but 2008 SIGs do not say "Exeter N.H." on the slide. 2007 ones do though. And, even if there is a spot that was totally finished on the inside of the slide? What the hell does that have to do with anything? The finish "under the hood" there will wear a bit anyway (both on the "top" and the sides).
In terms of finish. Finish is just finish. Wearing the finish isn't the same thing as wearing down components. If you want a gun were there finish doesn't wear, buy a GLOCK. The finish on SIG barrels will start wearing right away, and it is normal.
The finish on the aluminum frames, it is a little more delicate than I would like, but overall it does the job. Just try and not let spent casings drop on it (this goes for all guns though, especially ones with wood stocks).
The only problems I've had with my SIGs are:
(1) the firing pin got stuck for awhile on the older 229. This turned out to be 100% a result of that crappy Fiocchi ammo with the gold covered primer caps that was causing trouble for the HK P7s. The primer cap melts and/or gets pulled back into the firing pin channel and can cause problems. I got that sorted out though. The gun itself was not damaged. I has a similar problem with my P7 PSP until I swore off of that ammo. There are some threads on this.
(2) I was concerned for awhile that the dis-connector bump on the older 229 was being worn down. I don't worry about this any more though. It did wear a bit, and I bought a new trigger bar in case I ever have to replace it, but I have never had a malfunction of any kind with that gun at the range (other than the thing about the firing pin being stuck due to that ammo). I have almost 15,000 rounds through that gun now, and it is still going strong. It sounds like a lot, but we have literally been putting like 250-350 rounds a week through that gun for the 15 months we've had it. I'm still keeping an eye on that disconnector, but I see no reason to swap in the new trigger bar any time soon. Replace your recoil spring every 5,000 rounds, and do try to follow the accepted maintenance practices (get that armorer's DVD for that reason alone).
Hopefully that is of some assistance. SIG 229 is a fantastic pistol that you will not be disappointed with.
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