[el Godfather]

Dear THR:
Between elite 226 and 229, which would you choose? CCW is not a factor.

What experience do you have with these guns?

You opinions are apreciated.

Thanks

[OARNGESI]

I prefer the 226 over the 229

[JSNAPS]

What is your main purpose?

Personally for a fullsize handgun I grab my p226

[ritepath]

I love my p229...so much I'd love to have a p226.

For a non cc/oc firearm I'd go with the 226 in stainless.

also on my list are 220 and 938.

[FMF Doc]

If CCW isn't a factor, I want the one that holds the most rounds.

[wgsigs]

I'd go with the full size gun, too, if CCW is not a consideration.

[Plan2Live]

I voted 226. If CC is not a consdieration then I would go with the 226. I fired one today (226 Elite). Absolute tack driver with minimal recoil. It felt great in the hand and would make a great home protection/range gun. If I could find a Stainless 226 and could afford it, I would be in hog heaven.

[Lateck]

Own both 226 & 229 (not Elites, but have a 220 Elite).
Each has it's place.
I voted it doesn't matter they are on par with each other.
Like it is aways said: Get both!

Lateck,

[ultra45]

I was never a Sig fan. While at the LGS the Mrs. Asked to see a P226 EE, she then says "this is nice, what do you think?" I gave it the once over and quite frankly liked it. She bought it and loves it. I've shot it and I'm now looking for a P229 EE in 40 to replace a G-27 I bought and never carried. So, as soon as I can off load the 27 looks like ill be getting my first Sig.

[Inebriated]

Glock 17.


But seriously, if carry isn't a factor, the P226. No reason to miss out on the extra sight radius.

[Torgy]

I think the 226 and 229 are equal in terms of functionality, reliability, quality, accuracy, etc.... Therefore, with everything else being equal, I say go with the 229 simply because it's concealable -- at least more so than the 226. I realize you indicated that CCW isn't a factor. However, that's how you feel today. That may change. If it does, get the one that's potentially a CCW just in case.

Outstanding guns. You'll be happy no matter what.

[el Godfather]

I see that more people have chosen 226. Can some one explain why, since capacity issue is moot?

[JTQ]

el Godfather wrote,
I see that more people have chosen 226. Can some one explain why, since capacity issue is moot?
Why is capacity moot? You said "CCW is not a factor", not that capacity was not a factor.

If you don't have to conceal it, what's the advantage of the smaller pistol? You may as well get the larger pistol with more barrel, and more capacity. I would also pick the P226.

I don't think the beavertail of the Elite line-up adds anything to the Sig. The regular Sigs are not known for hammer bite and the regular grip is plenty comfortable.

[ichiban]

According to Sigsauer.com: 226 = 15 rounds (9mm), 229 = 13 rounds (9mm).

[el Godfather]

Jtq
Like the above post, its 15v13, but 229 is also available in 15 shots magazine. That is why is moot as one does not have significant advantage in capacity over the other.

For eg:
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p229-scorpion-tb.aspx

[JTQ]

It's basically the same argument between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19. The answer is basically the same. If you want a easier to conceal gun get the G19. If "CCW is not a factor" the G17 has the advantage of longer sight radius, longer barrel, longer grip, and yes, more capacity.

Sure, you can put G17 mags in a G19, but in reality the G17 is a 17 rounder and G19 is a 15 rounder. Is the capacity difference big? No, but it is a difference. Same with the P226 Elite and P229 Elite.

Now if your question was, "what do you prefer the Sig P226 Scorpion or the Sig P229 Scorpion?" Well, in that case, capacity would be the same.

[wgsigs]

The fact that CCW was not a factor as stated in the original post did not say anything about capacity to me. It just indicated that the size of the gun didn't matter so the advantages of a full size gun, as already mentioned by JTQ - longer sight radius, longer barrel, etc - made me choose the P226.

However, more important than the size advantages is how the gun feels to you. If the P229 feels better and you shoot it better, then things like longer sight radius really don't matter. For me, under those criteria, the P226 is still my choice.

Disclaimer: Both my P226 and P229 are NOT Elite models.

[bannockburn]

I prefer the P-229 as it feels better in my hand than the slightly larger P-226.

[JWJacobVT]

The 226 fits my hand better and with a short trigger I shoot it better. I ccw it in both 9mm and 40.

[el Godfather]

Look friend,
It is different than Glock scene. 229's 15 shot mag is not extended. Its flush fit.

[TheMercenary]

If concealing is not a issue, then I see no advantage for the P229

I have both, with E2 grips, night sights, and SRT on both. The P229R serves as my CCW while the P226R paired with a TLR-1 serves nightstand duty and competition riding in a Safariland 6280 light bearing holster.

I love them both, and they both serve there purpose

I will also add that current production P229's ship with the P229-1 15rd mag (40/357 body) and the P226 has 18rd mags available from MecGar that are superior to the OEM contact 15rd mags, and are flush fit.

[NG VI]

Mec-Gar makes 226 mags that hold more than 15 don't they?

[mharveyww1]

I don't ever envision CCW with the P226 SCT. It's a home defense (and in a vehicle) weapon that my wife is comfortable with due to it's extremely soft recoil and the fact that she's got 20+ rounds at her disposal!

I love it because it shoots like a dream. It's so accurate it almost seems unfair to the targets! :)

I love Sigs and have never had a bad experience with one.
The P220 is my favorite, non-1911, 45ACP...and the P238 is the "keeper" of all the 'mouse guns' I bought and sold (and I believe I bought an example of every one readily available on the market over the past three years!).

Good luck with your decision.

Mike Harvey

[Jed Carter]

Personally I always shot a P226 better and faster than I did my P229. Added barrel length, sight radius, and extra weight, do have an advantage.

[Captain33036]

I had both, loved both. SIG is my favorite semi-auto in 9mm, hands down. I have had several actually.

The 226 actually has a somewhat nicer, more sculpted E2 grip than the 229. It is wonderful in the hand. Obviously, a slightly longer barrel may shoot better for you.

That said, I found I shot both just about equally. I ended up selling the 226. My reasons:

1. The 229 can share magazines with my 228 (which I would say is the best SIG ever made...the balance is perfect).

2. Mounting a weapon's light (for night stand duty, a primary mission for this particular gun), I found that the balance was better with the 229. The 226 felt just a little more clunky.

I do wish I still had the 226. Would love to have both, but could only have one for budget purposes.

If this is not fo CCW and you will do a lot of range shooting, AND, not planning on putting a weapon's light on, then go for the 226.

If you want a gun for a defensive role, with a weapon's light, rather than a range queen, than the 229.

The 13 v 15 round magazine argument is null. There are plenty of 15 round mags for the 229. I personally like MecGar's.

Hope this helps.

[if you can...get both...maybe one Elite and the other a standard E2....you CAN use 226 mags in the 229...so if you do have a need for two side arms, get an Elite SIG and a standard. One 226, one 229]

[cougar1717]

Voted 226 - since it's a question of use. If you're not cc'ing and capacity doesn't matter, why not go with the bigger gun? These two clarifications effectively change the question to "Which is the better range gun?" Longer sight radius, slightly more weight. I'd pick the 226 unless you really liked the handle of the 229 better.