[8][9] It became the first polymer-frame handgun from SIG Sauer and one of the first pistols to feature a built-in universal accessory rail and interchangeable grips.

As of March 2020[update], only the SP 2022 variant is still listed on the SIG Sauer website.

[13] It was originally developed as a .40 S&W caliber service pistol and introduced in June 1998, followed shortly by a version in .357 SIG.

About a year later, a 9×19mm Parabellum variant was introduced and entered production in response to demand for the type.

[10]: 78 These offerings feature a Picatinny rail, and a trigger guard that is visibly different than the first generation variants.