Sig 229 shoots low - what can help?

With the center of white dot/center of mass SIG combat sight picture it will always shoot low if you're using a traditional 6 0'clock or even a top of sight/center of target hold. The white dot on the front sight is usually the point of impact the factory SIG sights are going for. This sight picture works great in quick shoot drills but covers half (or more) of the target when trying a more precise or a long-distance shot. For a lot of people that sight picture isn't what they're used to and it can be tough to find their happy place with those sights, especially if they also shoot revolvers a lot. I started my combat-style shooting with a SIG 226 back in late 1990, so that sight picture and point of impact is normal for me and I use that sight picture on all of my "service" style autos. (I had a hell of a time getting used to the 6 o'clock when I bought a Glock 17L!)

You could get a shorter front sight if your shooting style isn't allowing you to bring the white dot up to the center of the target, which would allow for a more traditional "top of front sight" hold. There are lots of options out there for you to look over. SIG branded sight pushers are sorta costly, but if it finally brings you the results you want the cost is well worth it.

Stay safe.

If you look in the manual, there should be a section on the sights, and what the different height front sight POA/POI are.

ETA: This was the first thing to pop up in a search of SIG front sights, and it looks like it gives a pretty thorough explanation of things.

https://www.realgunreviews.com/sig-sauer-sight-heights-sight-numbers/

I have used Dawson’s front sight calculator to fix POI on several pistols, and if you measure carefully it’s spot on. Some pistols just shoot low (or high). I have a Brig that’s annoyingly low and a CZ75 that’s annoyingly high. Saving dough for front sights for both.

My SIGs usually print right on the dot or near the top of the front sight, but I’ve shot a P220 that hit like 4” low at 10 yards. If that were my gun I’d get a new front sight ASAP. People like to talk about SIG’s “combat hold” but some pistols are more like belt-buckle shooters.

WoodchuckAssassin said:

You pretty much hit the nail on the head. My "point and click" shooting isn't bad, but when I'm reaching out and I can't see the target at all (on account of the higher hold) it's a little frustrating.

Can anyone else attest to a specific sight/height that has worked for them? I agree that with training I could fix my problem, but all my other handguns are a traditional 6 o'clock hold, so if I can keep that consistent I'd be much happier.

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as with discussing specific ammo or reloads for specific pistols, it’s not really helpful for someone to tell you what sight height worked for them.

your pistol is unique, your shooting style is unique, and your ammo may be unique. The only way to make your pistol hit where you want it is for you do do the calculations and get the sight/a that work the way you want in your gun with your ammo.

it’s a straightforward process and not difficult to exchange sights in most cases. You can use hand tools or a sight pusher.

drive them out to the left and drive them in from the left, unless specifically directed otherwise.

Note if you start measuring heights to adjust POI: SIG measures their sight heights from the BASE, while dawson and most other places I’ve seen measure their heights starting at the top of the SLIDE.

For the sight height calculators I use measured heights from the top of the slide to the top of the sight.

I hate the cover-the-target "combat" sight picture. Bullet impacts should be regulated to hit at or just above the top of the front post. Low-visibility scenario three dots are fine for emergency use, because at the range where they would be necessary, the slightly lower impact point would be inconsequential.

WoodchuckAssassin said:

I was curious if anyone else had a similar problem and found a sight combo that worked for them.

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Yes, it's annoying. Mine had aftermarket NS from the factory and I did not care to immediately change them on a new handgun. I chose to go the ammo route when I found that 155's shot to the sights.

My P239 is the same way, it shoots nice groups but the front sight has to cover the target to do it. It’s annoying trying to hit my smaller steel spinners since I can’t really see the circle I’m trying to hit. It came with night sights as well so I don’t really want to invest in a different front sight.

Well, since SIG offers different height sights, maybe go with 8/8 and see how it goes. I know a lot of folk go by the dot on the front sight, I go by the top of the blade, which puts my shots low. There is not a shorter front sight for my pistol, so I just shaved a bit off the sight.

Before I’d go through the expense and hassle I’d shoot a few good groups and take some careful measurements, use a sight calculator and order the one that will move the groups up to where you want them.

anybody have any experience with this? I'm also getting tired of having the target covered by the front dot in my 220. this desnt list the 229 though.

Fusion Adjustable Sight Set White Dot for Sig P220, P225, P226, P228, P320 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011M2TRWQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fli6DbG8J24B2

WoodchuckAssassin said:

Wouldn't a higher front sight push my groups further down? .

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Yes, but SIG numbers mean different heights depending on front or rear. The easy way to remember is, as numbers go up, groups go up. Higher numbered rears=taller rears=higher POI. Higher numbered fronts=shorter fronts=higher POI.

A gun zeroed at 25 (which is what sig says) will be lower at 10. Couple that with the already low to most "combat hold" and you will be pretty low. I changed the sights on my 226 to get a normal hold. My 220 in 10mm already had a normal hold and I honestly dont recall what my 45 has. I left the 229 with the combat hold because I carry it occasionally and shoot silhouettes with it. The combat hold works well for driving the dot quickly and getting hits on steel when tiny groups isnt exactly the goal. Which is Exactly what it was made for.
My newer 320 also shoots with a normal hold rather than the combat hold.
I agree that ammo will change the poi but at 10 yards I cant imagine that much of a difference. I shoot from 155 to 180 (and have even shot 200 grain handloads) with no real difference at such short ranges. Now on steel at 100 yards the difference is very pronounced.

Out of the box my 229, 40 S&W, shot low. I switched out the rear sight for the highest one Sig offered and am very pleased with the results.