Sig 226, H&K P30 or Glock 19

All 3 great choices! They would serve you well in multiple capacities.

For me, under your conditions of use, I would go with the P226.

First for range burning, I like the feel of a heavier all metal frame. I find that it is more comfortable to shoot a heavier gun during practice, and I tend to be more accurate. The P30 and G19 will both be lighter, but since your choice will not be holstered and concealed, it doesn't make a huge difference.

I also like the DA/SA ability of the 226 for range use. I can practice long DA trigger pulls, and have a bit of fun with the SA. The SRT feature that the 226 offers now is nice as well.

I own Glocks, Sigs, and HKs, and out of those the Sigs and HKs have better ergos and seem to point more naturally for me. I love the grip sizes and balance in the 226.

There are nearly endless amounts of accessories for all the above, so lights, laser, night sights, whatever you fancy can be added to each one.

The last bit is person preference, but I find the 226 to be the best looking of the 3. Not that any are hideous by any means. As I mentioned before, great choices. You would be happy with any one of the three.

I would rec the HK P30L for the range, etc. I like the light LEM trigger. Very ergometric and adjustable grip.

While the P30 is probably a good handgun, it hasn't been around as long as the P226 or the G19. That's something that I myself would consider.

I also like the DA/SA ability of the 226 for range use.

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This is one of the things that makes the Glock 19 a great choice. You don't have to learn / practice 2 different trigger pulls. Everybody has their own druthers, but for me, I won't own a DA/SA pistol for that reason. Just my nickle's worth. Others will have different opinions.

Bovice said:

While the P30 is probably a good handgun, it hasn't been around as long as the P226 or the G19. That's something that I myself would consider.

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I take it reliability/ tried and true design is what your getting at with this statement. Anyone with doubts go pistol-training.com and look at the P30 tests (91,000 rnds in like 6 months, WOW) +1 on the L version for range/HD use

I have a P226 and a P30 both in 9mm and its a tough call between the two. They are my 2 favorite NEW 9mm's out there, probably take the Sig though, choose your flavor, they make about 25 different models now. They are both top quality, well made guns but the metal frame and better trigger of the P226 win it for me. Wont ever sell the P30 though - if batman carried a 9mm he'd probably have the P30.

I have tried to like the Glocks many times but always go back to the Sigs and HKs for my non-1911 needs. Still own one Glock but its in 10mm so I dont really count as a Glock owner.

Snarlingiron said:

This is one of the things that makes the Glock 19 a great choice. You don't have to learn / practice 2 different trigger pulls. Everybody has their own druthers, but for me, I won't own a DA/SA pistol for that reason. Just my nickle's worth. Others will have different opinions.

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Get the LEM trigger, problem solved. I have both the 19 and P30 with v2 LEM trigger and prefer the HK. JMO

I just made a thread today about some things I learned/experienced personally in a carbine/pistol class, and one of the things was the DA trigger on my P229. It's the standard DA/SA model, and prior to the class, 80% of my shooting was SA. Being in the class was the first time I ever drew from a holster and fired. I felt no difference between the two pulls. With all the stress of the drill and whatnot, I guess I just didn't notice it. My ability to put them directly into the center of the chest was unaffected. the shots landed inches apart each time.

For any foreseeable situation that I might be in, a double action shot would be taken at close range and fast. You don't need to be a marksman with the double action pull, so don't let that necessarily limit your list.

Wow, great replies so far.

If I got the P30, I would get the P30L version for the activities you listed.

Out of those three, for your purposes, I would get the P226. What makes a good shooter is weight, sight radius, and good trigger break quality. The Sig P series has the easiest double to single action transition of any DA/SA pistol I can remember using. And some have very clean single action breaks as well.

The double action pull on the Sigs isn't too heavy, is reasonably smooth, and the pull and break seems to occur at a point in the finger stroke where my finger muscles are very strong. The pull weight stacking seems to occur in a progression favorable to good shooting. These things either provide a shorter than normal double action pull, or lead to that illusion. Anyhow I find it relatively easy to get first round hits fast with the Sig.

Additionally, for pure desireability, I prefer a gun made of metal. Plastic has its pratical purposes and I own plastic guns, but I prefer a metal gun. And for the uses you described, the metal would only offer the advantage of more weight. The 226 slide is also a beefy one with plenty of heft.

Both the Sig and Hk also come in DAO designs too, I prefer the da/sa and like Bovice dont notice that much difference. When my wife first started shooting my P30 her first shot was always off maybe 4-5 inches from where the rest of her rounds would typically group. About 500-1000 rounds later thats a thing of the past BUT its the only gun she shoots so she is very familiar with it. For her guns are not an addiction like her idiot husband, just a responsibilty. Sadly with my sickness I am forced to learn to shoot firearms on multiple platforms.

I would prefer the P30 or the 226. Both are proven accurate handguns. HKs have a rep for accuracy. I have 6 and soon to be 7 HKs. The accuracy is always there. If you ever want a great .45, consider the HK45. That gun shoots as tight as any 1911 I own (except the EB). I wouldn't discount the 226 either.

P226 X-Five Tactical. Who said a P226 had to be da/sa? SAO baby, cocked and locked!

5 inch barrel, accurate as anything, beautifully crafted in Germany.

Any other P226 would do, older German, newer R series, it's all good. HK is great but I personally prefer the metal frames of the Sig.

For a range gun I think the P226 is hard to beat. Good SA trigger, soft recoil, terrific practical accuracy.
I like my Glock 19, but it's not as much fun at the range as the Sig.
Never shot the P-30, but the very similar HK45 is a good gun.

Sig 226, H&K P30 or Glock 19

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I'd skip the Glock just because........you can always get one.
Now, between the other two high quality guns, do you have big hands or small?
If big, go Sig, if small, go P-30.
I wanted to get a Sig 226 Blackwater. When I held it it was all wrong, front heavy, long reach to the trigger, blocky grip. I then tried the H&K P-30 and it was like it was made for my hand. And talk about quality, it's probably the last gun I'd ever sell. Never a glitch, ever. Mags are expensive, because you only get them from H&K. Ergonomics are perfect for me.
I still want a full size Sig, so I'm looking for a really nice P-225 (single stack.)

(For an all steel range gun, don't overlook the CZ 75 SP-01. Sweet.

If money is no object, the P30 is the clear choice IMO.

If only one then the SIG P226, next choice is a Glock G34 vs the G19 (5.38" vs 3.9" barrel), and last the H&K. I have the SIG and G34, use the SIG for range use and HD it has the SIG night sights. The G34 I currently use for USPSA and IDPA matches. Magazine costs are a big concern for me as I tend to have 8-10 per pistol. Glock mags are great and are the cheapest to purchase at around $19, SIG mags run around $35 and the H&K mags are $49+. All are great pistols but my SIG has over 10,000 rounds without any malfunctions ever, G34 has 2 FTF both on Remington UMC ammo, when it had less than 500 rounds through it, not any since and it has almost 5,000 in 2 years.

No doubt, grab the HK P30L. The gun literally molds into your hand and becomes part of your body. Most ergonomic gun I've ever held. Top it off with incredible build quality and unmatched reliability, and you've got yourself an awesome handgun.

Runner up goes to the venerable Sig 226. Awesome gun but I could never warm up to the control placement and/or "spongy" trigger feel. Still a great gun but it didn't work for me.

Glock? IMO, not in the same category as the two above.

HK: good, but obscenely overpriced. crummy trigger pull. never proven to be more reliable, durable, or accurate than a glock, despite costing over twice as much.

SIG: QC coincidentally went downhill when the factory opened in Exeter years ago. too big for it's caliber. double action.

Glock: best bang for your buck. find me another pistol that can go 348,200 rounds and still work for less than $500.

all three are good guns

I own a P226 Blackwater and love the gun. The gun is extremely accurate out of the box, and incredibly reliable. Also, 20 + 1 capacity ain't bad either.

Before making your decision, and since you're already looking at three guns, I would also look at:

Beretta M9A1

CZ SP01

You wouldn't go wrong with any of these 5 guns, but the trick is figuring out which one works best for YOU. Try and rent or borrow as many of these as you can before laying out your cash. Good luck!

I think that the Glock 19 is the best buy for your money.
The Sig and the HK are over-priced and over-rated IMHO.

easyg said:

I think that the Glock 19 is the best buy for your money.
The Sig and the HK are over-priced and over-rated IMHO.

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Just curious, have you owned the Sig and HK?

The reason I ask is I was never taken by the Sig when handling it in the gun shops. Then my local dealer had a screaming deal on one so I bought one as it was too good a deal to pass up. I have owned many dozens of handguns over the last 20 some-odd years. After spending a fair bit of range time with the Sig, turns out the Sig P platform is my favorite pistol. I traded off several other guns to get a few more.

I wanted to get a Sig 226 Blackwater. When I held it it was all wrong, front heavy, long reach to the trigger, blocky grip.

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For many people, the ergos on the new SIG 226 E2 goes a long way in obviating the "blocky" grip and "long" reach to the trigger some folks complain about with the "standard" 226. It is still a relatively heavy pistol and a bit large for caliber but these drawbacks become assets when using it on the range-though I carry a SIG 220 in an iwb holster, comfortably and concealed, without a problem. Finally, the transition from da pull to sa pull is an enigma that can be largely overcome by practice with a good training regimen. I much prefer a "traditional" da format for pistols I carry for self-defense.

My P226 is 11 yrs old, no rails, no ugly laser serial # on it. As much as I like it, you probably get more bang for the buck with the G19. FWIW, I shoot Glocks better for some reason.