SW99 or Sig P239 ? I cant make up my mind.

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BBall

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Hello my fellow pistol packers!

Im going to buy one (1) new pistol here in the near future and Ive run into a snag. You see Im looking for a 9mm that I can carry and is also a joy to shoot. For my own reasons Ive narrowed the field down to the SW99 and the Sig P239. Both weigh about the same, are in the same general ballpark for size, both have decockers, the SW99 edges out the Sig on capacity, but the Sig looks to be a better packer.

I would really appreciate some feedback on this one. I understand some like to bash the S&W line Im really not interested in that type of feedback Id rather read constructive posts for both and make up my mind.

I value everyones knowledge and experience in here and didnt hesitate to pose my question in this fourm.

Ive heard the Sig shoots well, I have not heard much about the SW99's handling or accuracy. So let me ask the question this way.

Why would I want a SW99 instead of a Sig P239?
 
Of the SIGs I've tried, the only one that has lived up to its reputation (in my experience) is the 239. As long as it fits you & the trigger meets with your approval, I'd go w/ the SIG ;)
 
Can't knock the S&W as I have no experience with it, I do however have the SIG P-239, it conceals well in the WildBills Undercover IWB, but be sure to get the double belt with it. The Sig shoots very accurately and I along with many others on this board feel it is an excellent carry gun, and don't forget it is probably one of the most reliable guns made. I am really pleased with mine and I don't think you would regret owning it,good luck in your choice...
 
Well considering i have a sw99 in .40 right here at my side....

id say go with either the .40 in the sw99 or get the walther p99 in 9x19. why? well the walther is prettier and easier to justify than the bad knock off :D.

No i really like my sw99. it hasnt had ANY malfunction yet, and id guestimate about 1500 or so rounds though it since febuary. It has went bang every single time, it has ejected the shell every single time, and has loaded every shell thereafter. I went one time about 500-600 rounds though it without any cleaning at all....zip zero ziltch problems. cleaned it up, still looks new.

my only complaint is the night sights. the rear sight isnt very tight, it can be giggled side to side.

my logic for the .40 was get more bullet for my money. only reason id say smith over walther is the warrenty as well. but the .40 with night sights was 20 dollars cheaper than a run of the mill stock p99 in 9x19 at my stores.

the smith is harder to find holsters for, fobus you have to buy one for a glock. but i dont know id still buy this gun it has been great. i didnt like the sw99's 9x19 barrel the way it flarred out, since smith uses the same slide for both the 9mm and the .40. unlike walther which drills the holes differently for the each caliber.

the sig...ive never shot one. ive held many sig's in my hands and liked them. but they feel very thick, wide, in my hands. my sw99 just feels poured in. the trigger is very cool, i like no external safteies and a heavy first pull. but i love the trigger short reset on the sa pulls. makes for rapid fire or target shooting fun.

accuracy. as good as a service pistol could be expected. its no target pistol. when shot indoors mine will group un suported at 12 yards for about 2 inch groups in slow fire. this is me tho, mr i cant aim for crap. but i can hit a cd placed at 25 yards and put more holes in it. so it can be shot as well as it is needed.

you wont be let down with the smith, but at the same time you cant gloat at the superiority of your weapon to others tho...
 
I have a P99 and have put about 200 flawless rounds through a range rental 239 (in 9x19). For what you are looking for, I think that the 239 is just about perfect. The 239 was a real joy to shoot and was surprisingly mild for its size. If I could carry here in Maryland and still get one, the 239 would be my carry gun (would probably get the slide hard-chromed though). As a matter of fact, we had a 239 on the counter next to the P99 right before I decided on the P99.

So why did I choose the P99? I love its looks and since I cant carry capacity was a big issue (16+1 rounds of 9x19 is hard to argue against). I also liked its glock-like simplicity and durable finish. In an IWB type holster even the P99/SW99 is near invisible based on my non-scientific tests of sticking the unloaded pistol down my waistband with a large t-shirt over it.

Really though, despite its limited capacity (isnt it like 8 or 9 standard?), the 239 is hard to beat. It is smaller and shoots just as mild as my P99. I will even bite the bullet and say that the 239 is easier to shoot and was more accurate than my P99 is.
 
"Of the SIGs I've tried, the only one that has lived up to its reputation (in my experience) is the 239. As long as it fits you & the trigger meets with your approval, I'd go w/ the SIG"

......same here 10-Ring.

BBall550, I suggest you go with the 239 if capacity is not an issue. A finger-groove hogue grip change off is all you need and you won't believe how sweet it shoots.

;)
 
Although I love my 239 I don't like the Hogue grips. It feels great without them and doesn't snag clothing as much. I also wouldn't get the SW99 unless it was in .45acp.
 
Another vote for the P239. I have a Walther P99QA 9mm and a P239 9mm. Both are good guns, but the P239 is a delight. Recoil is very mild, and the factory DA pull is very good.
 
Thanks all, your replies have cinched the deal. I start my search for a Sig P239. To be honest I have been leaning towards the Sig all along but the capacity of the SW99 caused me to stray but only for a moment.

Too bad Nill grips are so expensive Ive recently found a picture of a P239 with a set of Nill grips(thank you Dr Lunde), enough to make a kitty purr.

http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/photos/p239-left-full.jpg

Thanks again!!
 
I'm biased in that I've never handled a P99, but I've owned a SIG P239 in .40 for a few months now and it's wonderful...a good balance of power, size, and weight. Normal carry set-up for mine is a Kramer holster shirt, but if I'm going biking or walking I'll opt for a fanny pack. If I'm wearing a covering garment like a vest or jacket, the SIG backs up my 1911 that I'll carry on the belt.

Happy searching to you! :)
 
Too bad Nill grips are so expensive
Click to expand...

Say...just how expensive are those grips? I've never thought wooden grips would be a good thing on a P239...until seeing that pic you posted...
 
This should tell you how I feel: I sold a SW99 9mm last week and bought a P239 a few days later.

The SW99 was VERY inaccurate for me. Never had a jam though. I liked the feel of it but it was no SIG. I own several SIGs so that is the standard I judge all other guns by- everything comes up short. :)

In my opinion SIG just can't be beaten, especially for carry. I prefer not to have a safety on a gun I carry, so the SIG DA/SA system works great for me and I feel a little safer with it than i do with a Glock, although I like them too in their own way.
 
If you care enough to carry the very best........SIG Sauer.

What did you expect, I am one of the board's SIG trolls.:D

Actually we also have a Walther P99 and it is a spectacular firearm but I would take the P239 over it any day.

Chris
 
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