Sig P229 vs. P226

I strongly prefer the 226 over the 229. I don't carry either though.

I had a P229 and it really just never felt good in the hand. Shot crazy-good groups, but felt awkward to me.

Winkman822

I had P226 and currently have a P229R with the SRT. Liked the P226; it was easy and comfortable to shoot and very accurate. I sold it because I was looking to get something a bit smaller in a 9mm. Picked up the P229 while in the market for a new HD gun. It fills the bill perfectly and I also have occasionally used it in the CCW role . Given a choice between the two I would go with the P229.

The 229 feels significantly different to me and I don't like it. I wouldn't complain if it were my only choice, because it's still a great pistol. but the 226 is amazing.

One of the reasons I bought the P229 is that I really liked the E2 grip. The P226 was very ergonomic to be sure but the P229 felt even more comfortable in my hand.

I've owned both, and I agree that the P229 never felt quite right, despite being a very accurate pistol. One thing I especially disliked about the P229 was the slightly shorter grip. I like that the P226 (and the polymer-framed SP2022 as well) has a grip that's long enough for all of my fingers.

minutemen1776

One thing I especially disliked about the P229 was the slightly shorter grip. I like that the P226 (and the polymer-framed SP2022 as well) has a grip that's long enough for all of my fingers

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That's probably why I like the P229 E2 (and P228 for that matter), more than the P226. I have a smaller size hand along with shorter fingers. The P226 grip, while very comfortable and ergonomic, always felt a little too big for my hand.

I own a P229 in .40 S&W. I have shot 9 mm P226s . I prefer the P229 although the P226 is very comfortable.

The P229 is slightly more compact although the grip does feel a bit thicker which works for me as it fills my hand better. The grip is as short as it can be an still allow me to get a full three finger grip on it. The slide and barrel are long enough to give a good sight radius. The pistol balances well for me. For the .40 S&W and 357 SIG I like the fact that the P229 went to the drawing board with the forty caliber in mind.

I wouldn't expect a new pistol to feel quite as comfortable as one you have had for a while and shot many times. The two are certainly different enough that the P229 should be expected to feel at least a bit foreign.

Though I have relatively large hands, I really like the E2 grips on the Models 226 and 227 that I have.

How two similar guns "carry" or "feel" is the result of small difference in anatomy and clothing, not some specific gun design feature. The P229 is a little smaller, but only in some dimensions. I wouldn't expect it to necessarily be obviously better or worse than a P226 for any application.

I owned and carried both for a number of years. The P226 was always my favorite between the two.

The 229 is a pudgy thing compared to the more svelte 226, and the difference between them is instantly obvious if you compare them together.

Both work and shoot well, so its really just a matter of preference.

Eh, both models are eminently worthy pistols and I have never had any problem carrying either. In the cooler months (we don't really have a winter here), I'll pack a P-226 often (especially since I can carry a couple spare Mec-Gar 20-round mags), otherwise, I'll go to my favorite ol' West German P-228 or my new baby, the P-229 Legion.

I personally don't note a whole lot of difference between the models when shooting both in the same session. Both models are typically exceptionally accurate, and the shorter barrelled 229 doesn't alter my perception of recoil much.

Call me fanboy if you must.

I have both and love both. However, I do not like the rail models as the look and holstering is not as smooth.

I found my 228 to be more comfortable to carry and the same or a tic better to shoot than my 226.

My 229 isn't the same series, so harder to compare, but I REALLY like my 229 Legion.

I find this interesting. I was under the impression that the 226 and 229 shared identical frame sizes. Is that not so? I thought the barrel and slide length were the only difference.

Two different sized guns. The P229 has a shorter grip (and a big lump on the left side for some reason), shorter dust cover, shorter barrel/slide.

Don't think of it in the same light as a 1911 Government Model and a Commander Model.

The difference in grip comes from the P229 having a wider frame. The P226 was designed around 9mm while the P229 was designed around .40 S&W.

Ah interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Well that's good info. Thanks gents.

Several years ago I had both a SIG P226 (9mm) and a SIG P229 (.40). I actually much preferred the P229. I sold the P226 because I liked my CZ 75B much more and when I took a full sized 9mm, it was the CZ. I sold the P229 (and other guns) when one summer I needed the money for rent (I am a teacher, I used to have a job that didn't pay over the summer, and year just before the summer came I had a big unexpected expense that ate up most of my summer savings). Out of the two, the only one I really want to replace is the P229 (and someday I will, despite the cost).

As much as I do like my P226 in .40S&W, and I'm not a such a big fan of this caliber, I have always preferred carrying & shooting my P228 and my M11-A1