Buying a Sig P220 .40 S&W, first pistol, which ammo?

[JDNJ1985]

Hey guys,

As the title suggests, I will be buying a Sig P229 in .40 S&W very soon. It will be my first pistol. I'd like to keep it in tip-top shape.

Can you guys recommend ammo? I haven't the slightest clue of what is good, bad, mediocre.

I mostly target shoot at the range, but that doesn't mean I will use crap ammo. It will also be for home defense.

Thanks.

-Joe

 

[NG VI]

Well, I wouldn't worry about your range ammo. If it is factory ammo or reloads made by a reputable source like Georgia Arms or any of the other solid companies then don't worry about it. As far as defense, don't use the same exact ammo for defense and fun shooting. Nothing but Gold Dots/Golden Saber/HST would get expensive quick, and sticking the same Blazer Aluminum range ammo in your magazines for defense isn't a good idea either.


I guess just don't overthink it too much, the 229 is a very solid gun and it won't take nearly as much effort to maintain it as you might expect. Keep it clean and lightly oiled and feed it appropriate ammo for the purpose it is serving at a given time, and learn to shoot it to the best of your ability.



Congrats on a new gun!

 

[JDNJ1985]

Thanks for the reply and recommendation!

I actually haven't bought it yet, but very soon. I'm a total newb with guns. I have a Saiga rifle and this will be my first pistol.

While we are at it, is there a good online resource that shows how to properly clean a pistol? I know there are probably different ways, but I'm just curious.

Also, what disadvantage would there be to using range ammo for home defense?

Thanks!

-Joe

 

[Mello]

Like NG IV said, get less expensive ammo to practice and pick a good hollow point like the Gold Dot or Golden Sabre for defensive use.

You mentioned home defense. One consideration among many is penetration of walls. Lighter bullets tend to penetrate less than heavier bullets (general rule, not always).

Double Tap Ammunition lists several 40S&W loads:

Bullet : Nolser JHP
Ballistics : 135gr. @ 1375fps / 567 ft/lbs- (4.0"bbl)


Bullet : Speer Gold Dot
Ballistics : 155gr. @ 1275fps / 560 ft/lbs- (4.0"bbl)

Less expensive range ammo, is less expensive because it uses less expensive bullets to reduce costs. You might be shooting cast bullets or plated bullets. The least expensive of those types are not a hollow point design.

One thing you have to understand about the defensive use of a handgun is that all defensive handguns are underpowered. That is why it is taught to shoot twice to center-of-mass for major calibers and three times for minor calibers. Also, even if you do everything right and hit the bad guy in the heart; there is no guarantee that he will drop and stop fighting.

Get training.

 

[JDNJ1985]

Ah, didn't think of that. Thanks for the clarification.

-Joe