considering a sig

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Revolver Ocelot

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
1,470
I've been considering getting a sig lately and have been looking mostly at the 226 228 229 and 220 variations but as much as I way the pros and cons of them I just can't seem to decide on one.

I want it for a cold weather carry gun so size is incredibly important but should still be considered.

I've handled them and liked the look and feel of all of them, I just wanted some input from you guys as to which you like best and some carry ideas.
 
I love my SIG's, the P226 in .40S&W / .357SIG is my favorite, but it is big and heavy. If I had to conceal carry one on the list it would be the P229, or maybe the P220. I have 5 SIG's, not one malfunction or failure of any kind, all have a great SA trigger, however the DA is stiff for obvious reasons. I prefer a rail free pistol with tritium night sights in black stainless finish, box stock with no aftermarket parts. If I could only own 1 SIG it would have to be the P226, only true weapon SIG makes, IMO. For some of my SIG's I belt carry, using a Blackhawk SERPA holster, however my standard go to carry everywhere pistol is a CZ PCR.
 
Last edited:
at the moment all my semi auto pistols are subcompact so I decide sig should be the first pistol on the larger end of things.

I really would like a pistol with no rail and a beaver tail but ufortunately the p220 is the only one that offers that from sig, I would just run out and get that one but I can't get past the idea that if I'm getting a bigger pistol it should have a significantly higher capacity regardless of caliber.

the p228 is probably on the top of the list as good compromise of concealability and capacity however I don't know how the recoil would be and being I want an srt on whichever I get I'm not sure how well that will work out.

which brings me to the p226, great gun, high capacity, very accurate and very controlable which despite its size for carry may be the best choice due to the want of an srt.
 
Just depends on what caliber and your hand size. My older 220 45 has a thinner grip than my friend's 229 9mm and is a tad awkward to shoot. I like his 229 better, but then again it's not a 45 so...

Keep in mind the Sigs have a fairly high bore axis that tends to magnify muzzle flip.

Also keep in mind the older, 'folded slide' Sigs tend to have fewer issues than the current expensive crop.
 
Of the SIGs my recommendation would be the P229. Love mine.
Due to recent issues, as previously mentioned, you might consider a used pistol from 2004 or older. Plus, SIGs get better with age anyway.
 
I do love the Sigs. I have a couple, and what I don't own, I have borrowed/tried. I agree with the poster that said they get better with age.

You dont mention this, so I have to ask, What caliber do you want?

If you are ok with a 9mm, then I would definitely choose the 228. It is a well balanced gun that is slightly lighter than the 229.

Next I would choose the 220. Great power in a slim(er) package. Various grip sizes and barrel lenghts to choose from. You can add hogue grips to change the grip shape if you so desire.

If you know that you want .40 or .357, then the 229 is your choice.

The 226 is a FANTASTIC gun, but it is large. Great for home defense, but I wouldn't try to conceal it on a regular basis.
 
Not to thread jack here, but I am also looking for a sig to replace my Beretta 96 .40cal. As you can see it has been a long time since I have done any major posting. I have handled the P220 and the P229. Planing on shooting both at a indoor range here in tower. A friend who has much gun experience, and has owned both, recommends the P229. Though just from handling both the P220 feels better in the hand. This will mostly be for a every day (except college campus *sad*) carry. Most likely will carry with an in the pants holster, though this is not set in stone.

I guess my question would be what is the difference (pros/cons) to a .357 v.s. .40cal? Now I know there are tons of opinions on this, so lets not let it get too heated lol.

Also, is there a safety factor difference between the two guns? As I stated I have handled both, and it will be carried with one in the chamber. So, would it be "safer" to have a full (read higher poundage) first trigger pull on the P229 v.s. the low poundage pull on the P220?

Great thread, love the great support this group has to offer. Thanks for the responses ahead of time.
 
I was recently able to shoot a Sig 229 in 9mm - I was very, very pleased with how easily I was able to shoot this gun accurately. I wear an XL size glove and this gun fit me nicely. It fed every brand of 9mm I could feed into it without a hitch. (Caveat: This was a one-time event- I can't vouch for how well the gun would run over, say 500 or more rounds fired) This particular model does not have the accessory rail- But if it is any indication of how well Sig firearms work and I was looking for a top-drawer 9mm in a compact size, this gun would be at the top of my list.
 
You dont mention this, so I have to ask, What caliber do you want?
Click to expand...

I'm fine with any caliber, it really depends on the platform, if it was p228 or 226 then 9mm, a p229 then 40 or 357 is fine and 45 if its a p220.

I've listed all the pros and cons of each pistol and each one has one con for me

p228 can't be had with a stainless slide
p220 compact has what I would consider a unsatisfactory capacity for its size
p226 is really heavy
p229 would require I try buying up a new caliber of ammunition which reasonably priced ammo is scarce at present.

duneblade, if you wish to replace your 92 with something along the same lines you may want to look into a p226.

if something smaller is in order however the p220 and p229 are both great guns, the p229 and p220 compact (the ones I've handled) they are nearly identicle in dimentions except for the p229s grip is alittl wider.

I'd go on feel and what caliber you like best, which is the same point I find myself stuck.
also to my knowledge there shouldn't be any differense for trigger pull, the da/sa models have a 10lb da and a 4.4lb sa on both guns.

also I would like to hear opinions on the 40 vs 357 atleast in the p229 platform.
 
Here is my 229R. I really like this gun. The previous owner had the slide and all mags done in NP3. I bought the rosewood grips from a guy on the Sig forum. This particular model came with the FO front sight. This one is a keeper.

KittinsApr2009004.jpg
 
Size differences between the the P series SIG's are minor, unless you go with a P230/232 or the P238. Even the difference between the single and double stacks is minimal. Except for the .380's, they pretty much all carry the same.

It seems a lot of people consider them to be "large" pistols, but large compared to what? The P220/226 are Colt Commander sized pistols, which I dont really consider large, but then again, thats what I carried, along with Government Models most of my life before I switched over to SIG, so I dont see any difference. Maybe if your used to carrying a J frame, or Kahr, etc, they seem big, so its probably more of a perception thing than anything else. I've never had any problems concealing any of them under an untucked oxford type shirt in the heat of the summer.

Caliber wise, I switched from the 1911's to a P220, as the .45 was what I was accustomed to, and felt it was the best choice at the time. Whats not to like with a P220? Great trigger, accurate, and easy to shoot well with.

Not to long after, I got to shoot a 357SIG, and was quickly converted. Havent carried a .45 since. Switched over to P226's and P229's, and after mostly carrying a P229 for a number of years, I've switched back to a P226, simply because it has an extra 1/2" of barrel length that maximizes the 357SIG's ballistics. You get almost another 100fps out of that extra 1/2". Over the .45, the 357SIG gives you the extra rounds of a somewhat more potent caliber in a high cap gun, thats basically the same size as the .45's, so whats not to like.

I have spare .40 barrels as back ups for each gun, but other than checking them for function, I rarely use them, and except for one, the others dont get used at all. Its nice to have the capability to switch if need be, but I'm thinking I'll never see the need at this point.

Your best bet if possible, is to try to shoot what you think you might want before you buy. The difference between the P226 and P229 is really nil, but at the same time, they feel different in your hand and how they present. Same goes for the P220.
 
I have only owned one Sig and it was a Sig P220 Platinum Elite. It was a pleasure to shoot, very accurate, and recoil was soft. I had some issues with DA/SA transition, but that was just me. I never had a problem out of it as far as malfunctions. I learned how to fully disassemble it and it isnt much more complex than a 1911. It was a very good pistol. I ended up trading it for yet another 1911.
 
i have a sig 229 made about 1993, i bought it new then,, of all my guns, i rember this one jamming more than others,, not alot just once or twice a year,, compared to the zero problems with the others,, i also have and shoot two sig gsr 1911,, they have a rare jamming issue also,, the cheaper glocks, sw sigma, 92f, or xd always go bang,, when i recall a good brand named gun of mine with a failure every so often,, it is with a sig
 
I have a 220R and 2 P245s Try a p245 if you can find one They are my favorites by far. Smaller than 220 They fit my hand perfect. But I'm a compcat 45 fan.
 
I pack a 220 Carry model (.45 ACP) concealed, regularly and comfortably in a iwb holster. The pistol has been very reliable and it fits my (fairly large) hands perfectly.
 
The 220 is awesome, and they actually make a carry model which is very concealable. I also have a 226 that I shoot every week, but I think its too bulky to carry. Regardless, whichever Sig you buy, make sure you get the SRT, it will make the biggest difference.
 
My vote is for the Sig P229 in .40 S&W. Add another $120 down the road and you can buy a conversion barrel for .357Sig. Uses the same magazine too.

I added Houge Grips to mine and it is a real pleasure to shoot. Accurate too.

Ralph
 
The P220 and P-228 are the best of the breed. The others are good with the 226 being superb. I'm not a fan of the 229. Any more I'll only by W. German in the P-series.
If you get a P-228 you wont be sorry.
 
I have a P220 carry and it conceals very well in an IWB holster. Yes, it is heavy but if wear a sturdy belt like the 5.11 tacticval web belts, the gun does not seem to be too bulky.
 
I've had 3 p-series sigs and have sold them all. While they are nice guns, they're plagued by a really long pull and long reset (even the "short reset" one's)... For what they cost you can get more gun and a better trigger if you look elsewhere IMO.
As an example or two, an FNH FNP or H&K 45 are both quite sig-like yet come with better triggers and are both lighter for carry... JMHO.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Sig 229 or 226
Replies
19
Views
6K
MarcusWendt
M
N
  • Locked
Sig question
Replies
4
Views
1K
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
K
  • Locked
SIG 226, 228 & 229 Help
Replies
10
Views
725
Pilot
P
P
  • Locked
Sig classic 22
Replies
5
Views
564
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
S
  • Locked
Sig P 220 or P226 - Pros and cons
Replies
8
Views
29K
stogiegila
S
Back
Top