Just as the title states I have found good prices on both pistols and want a full size gun for competition. The sig is like $150 more than the m&p, but I have this urge to buy the sig cause its on the bucket list. Will the m&p be more practical for idpa? I have shot idpa with my fnp9 and had some trouble with transition fro da to sa. I am open to suggestions outside these two but really have a like for these two.
m&p 9 or sig 226
- Thread starter tonytor58
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1KPerDay
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If you have trouble with the transition go with the one with the consistent trigger.
The SIG P226 is a fantastic pistol, however. My personal favorite. I compete (informally/recreationally) with mine and don't take first place but I generally do okay.
IMO I'd look for a lightly used West German P226... as long as we're bucket-listing.
The SIG P226 is a fantastic pistol, however. My personal favorite. I compete (informally/recreationally) with mine and don't take first place but I generally do okay.
IMO I'd look for a lightly used West German P226... as long as we're bucket-listing.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Whichever fits, handles and shoots better for you. Personally, I find that particular SIG much too large for my hands as well as having a very long stroke DA trigger, while the M&P is practically an extension of my arm and hand. I'd try to rent and shoot representative examples of both before committing to $$$.
1KPerDay
Member
Always a good idea.
I've competed in IDPA with both, but my experience might not mirror yours as both of mine were highly tuned.
I have a lot more years with the SIG, having used it as a duty gun, and have found that the DA/SA transition is highly overblown as an impediment to accurate or fast shooting. I've actually found that my first DA shot, when drawing out of the holster was often more accurate than my followup SA shots.
I'm currently shooting a M&P9 with the Apex Tactical FSS and don't have a problem keeping up with folks shooting their 9mm 1911s in ESP.
The biggest difference that I have found between the two is the speed of transition between targets. The lighter M&P will start and stop faster between targets. The trade off is that a lighter gun will usually jump more as the muzzle flips.
Shot side by side, the 226 will hold a slightly tighter group for me at 20 yards (IDPA Classifier)
If you are shooting untuned models of each in SSP, I think the SIG 226 has a slight edge to begin with as it is a bit easier to shoot accurately and to make follow up shots...plus it is on your bucket list
I have a lot more years with the SIG, having used it as a duty gun, and have found that the DA/SA transition is highly overblown as an impediment to accurate or fast shooting. I've actually found that my first DA shot, when drawing out of the holster was often more accurate than my followup SA shots.
I'm currently shooting a M&P9 with the Apex Tactical FSS and don't have a problem keeping up with folks shooting their 9mm 1911s in ESP.
The biggest difference that I have found between the two is the speed of transition between targets. The lighter M&P will start and stop faster between targets. The trade off is that a lighter gun will usually jump more as the muzzle flips.
Shot side by side, the 226 will hold a slightly tighter group for me at 20 yards (IDPA Classifier)
If you are shooting untuned models of each in SSP, I think the SIG 226 has a slight edge to begin with as it is a bit easier to shoot accurately and to make follow up shots...plus it is on your bucket list
Corpral_Agarn
Member
EDIT: ^^+1 and besides, bucket list should always win...
I think you pretty much got what you need for advise. Try both and then go with it!
I am a sig guy, I guess, so I would go with the 226. And a standard one is not that heavy or big for CCW too, if you ever need to. I have small hands and find the 226 pretty shootable and much prefer the DA/SA with no safety.
M&P's have pretty good reps too, so I don't think you can really go wrong here...
Is capacity a concern? i am not sure what the capacity on the M&P is.
I think you pretty much got what you need for advise. Try both and then go with it!
I am a sig guy, I guess, so I would go with the 226. And a standard one is not that heavy or big for CCW too, if you ever need to. I have small hands and find the 226 pretty shootable and much prefer the DA/SA with no safety.
M&P's have pretty good reps too, so I don't think you can really go wrong here...
Is capacity a concern? i am not sure what the capacity on the M&P is.
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In most states, it is 17 + 1; although for IDPA, you'd be limited to 10
Corpral_Agarn
Member
I have a "Short Reach" trigger on mine. All it does is give my small hands a better reach on the trigger so I can use the pad of my finger a little easier.
They also make the "Short Reset" trigger for the SA shots. That usually comes standard with the "Upper" versions of the 226 but you can buy the kit from places like Midway USA.
The best thing to do would be to send it off to Gray Guns for a working over, but that's expensive.
Some people say you can put a lighter spring in it to reduce the pull weight of the DA, but i wouldn't recommend it. As long as the DA is smooth the 10lbs shouldn't be too much trouble. I find mine quite controllable and accurate.
Robbins290
Member
i would go with the sig. you wont regret it
Jim Watson
Member
I have a Burwell Plastic M&P and a Gray P226.
Of the two, I do better with the M&P.
It is not just the crunch-tick, I do not mind a CZ-75 DA-SA. Or a revolver for that matter.
I sure wish Bruce would find a way to put a thumb safety on my Sig.
Of the two, I do better with the M&P.
It is not just the crunch-tick, I do not mind a CZ-75 DA-SA. Or a revolver for that matter.
I sure wish Bruce would find a way to put a thumb safety on my Sig.
allaroundhunter
Member
I shoot an M&P, but if I had the chance to get a Sig P226 for only $150 more than I paid for my M&P....well, I would have a Sig in the holster for competition from then on.
jimbo555
Member
I bought a m&p9 fs for about half of what a p226 costs in my neck of the woods.Another plus for me is the weight difference,about 10ounces lighter for the m&p.
Robbins290
Member
I shot both. The ergo's are way better on the p226. The 226 has less noticeable recoil. It's a little more money. But I think it's worth it. Everyone I know that has a m&p and used it for major target practice, that had to being it back to smith and Wesson for things breaking. Like frame lugs, cracked slides, sights falling off. Thet fixed it for free but they couldn't use the pistol for a month till they got it back. My brother had his sig for 5 years now and beat the snot out of his. Puts over 10k rounds a year and twice that in dry fires. Never had a issue with the P226. I sold my m9 and s&w for the p226. Never. Looked back and regretted it.
I tried a 9 Pro and could not get over the trigger hinge, as I use gloves quite a bit, and got a little pissed that it would need APEX kits to bring it online.
Picked up a used 226 last winter before going to a SIG Armorer school. (Summit gun broker.) Tore it down, dropped in a fresh parts kit and an SRT. Amazing pistol. I was going to got all out on a TAC OPS 226 but could not swallow the price, even with LE Discount. Glad I went used and refurbed it myself. She's a keeper, scuffed a bit and I don't mind. Go 226.
Picked up a used 226 last winter before going to a SIG Armorer school. (Summit gun broker.) Tore it down, dropped in a fresh parts kit and an SRT. Amazing pistol. I was going to got all out on a TAC OPS 226 but could not swallow the price, even with LE Discount. Glad I went used and refurbed it myself. She's a keeper, scuffed a bit and I don't mind. Go 226.
Of your 2 choices, I favor the 226 as well....because it fits my hands better, and I like the trigger better ...and the controls better on it than the M&P ....
but to the point, there is no "mechanical reason" to pick one over the other ...they're both solid guns..
What matters - is what fits your hands the best, what controls you like, which trigger you like....rent or shoot as many of the guns you think you like as you can -- and figure out which one you like the best.
but to the point, there is no "mechanical reason" to pick one over the other ...they're both solid guns..
What matters - is what fits your hands the best, what controls you like, which trigger you like....rent or shoot as many of the guns you think you like as you can -- and figure out which one you like the best.
Old Dog
Member
My duty pistol is the M&P. I'm also a firearms instructor. I carry a SIG.
Sheepdog1968
Member
This.
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