First post: Newb with a Sig P229. Questions.

[Allentown]

First of all..Hello High road!

Ok getting right to it.

I was at a gun show and gave into the bug and came home with a Sig P229 with a set of Crimson Trace Laser grips for $848.00.

It was new in box except it looked like it has been sitting on the dealer shelf for EVER.. i have the crimson trace owners manual..but the actual Sig manual was missing It may have been ban era as it came with 3 10 rd mags (or from a commy state).

No worries..i am actually familiar with how to break down and clean a sig (they are 2nd only to a beretta in ease if you ask me..).

1st quesiton..i haven't bought a weapon in FOREVER...was that a good buy or did i get ripped? (They had a P226 Black water with 4 20 rd mags for $928 and i was very tempted but i decided the 229 was the better overall mix of compromise and value..what do you think?)

2nd question: I immediately want to get some more mags for it. When i looked, of course i found factory sig 13 rd mags for it for $31 a piece..but i am also seeing 15rd mags, 17rd mags (what was the P229 "sct" and do these fit the weapon), and even 20 rd mags.... Of course..the higher cap mags ran $54 to $65.

3rd question) To muddy the water..i understand the P229 will work with P226 mags (is that true?) which can be had in 15rd for $31 also..... Do they stick out and look ridiculous? I HATE THAT.

4th question: Where do you sig owners get your mags, which vendors are trust worthy/reliable and does anyone actually like the non sig mags?

5th question: What do you guys think of the crimson trace grips? Good/bad/ugly. I suspect i will leave them off for 90% of my shooting and just turn them on for 50 rounds or so each trip as an "secondary way of shooting"..practice wise at least.

Or heck..they are BRAND NEW..maybe i should sale them???

Opinions welcome!

 

[G27RR]

I can't answer your P229 specific questions, but the MecGar mags I have for my P226 work just like the originals.

I'm not a huge fan of laser grips. I have the CTs on a Ruger SP101 and an LCP, and while they function fine they're not really my thing I guess. I DO like weapon light/laser combos and keep one on my XD45 for home defense. I like being able to grip the gun *without* the laser coming on if I want it to. I actually thought I'd like lasers more than I turned out to.

 

[Allentown]

Thanks! The newer ones must be different..the activation button is located such that i can activate the laser at will using my right hand middle finger... its not integrated into the handle there is an activation button. I specifically didnt want a tac rail as I have practiced with a tac light for MANY hours and wanted to keep the barrel slim in case i ever want to carry. (too old school???)

Ok back to answering my questions someone please!!

 

[Texsun]

The oem mags for the P229 are 12 rounders not 13. Topgun supply has em.

 

[rygould]

Congrats on the new P229... I think you will only continue to fall further in love with it. It is an awesome firearm.

I can't answer all your questions, but a few I can help out a bit with.

1) Great deal! From your description I can't tell if the Sig or the CT was NIB, but if they both were then you walked a way a winner. The Sigs, at least local here are going for $850 new. Throw on top of that the CT grips are easily $300 and you should be very pleased. Used Sigs are very common it seems, and the going rate local for a used Sig seems to be somewhere around the $600 mark. Higher or lower depending on the condition, accessories and extra mags. CT in good condition will hold their value nicely as well.

2) When it comes to magazines and the P229 I have found that nothing has come close to working as well as the factory mags. The 12 rounders as mentioned above are the oem mags for non-ban states. They make an older phosphate version as well as one that is un-coated. I prefer the un-coated as they slide a bit better. Some people have had good experiences with Mecgar mags and the Sigs. Several friends of mine as well as myself have not. YMMV. I'm not a huge fan of the SCT mags as the hang out from the bottom of the mag well and are chunky to me. That is definitely a personal preference though. They work just fine.

3) My P226 mags will not fit in my P229's. They will work if you are using 9mm mags from a P226 into a P229. But the .357 and .40 will not cross over.

4) Topgunsupply.com Again as mentioned above. Decent prices and have them in stock. I'm also not afraid to froggle.com search for them and see if someone has a deal going on.

5) I LOVE the CT grips for the P229. Personally, I think it's another tool to help aide you if you ever need to use it in a defensive situation. You should absolutely learn to shoot with and especially without it on. However, they can be an advantage, and since you got them at a deal, I would at least play with them and see how you like them before you tried to sell them.

Once again congrats and have fun with the new purchase!

 

[Allentown]

EDIT: yeap..NIB never shot in perfect condition....both gun and laser grips.

It was missing the owners manual and the lock like someone had open and closed the box a million times until they lost or mis-placed both..but the condition of both..well you can tell never fired and never used.

I bought the 9mm version because this is 75% a range gun..only 25% something i would use to defende myself with.

They are listed on Sigs web site as 13:

http://www.sigsauer.com/SigStore/ShowProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=27&productid=71

Ahh so it being a 9mm..they probably are 13 (he was talkking the .40 cal version) and the p229 mags will work...(but stick out so probably not worth it)..

Are you saying just stick with the factory 13 rounders then???

Thanks!!!!!

 

[rygould]

GREAT deal then!!!

Yes, 12 is for the .40, 13 for the 9mm.

Yes, the P226 mags will stick out of the bottom, as will SCT mags...however those will at least look better.

I would still stick with factory mags, but again that's just based on my own personal experience and others have had success with after market mags. I know with the Beretta 92's Mecgars work just fine.

 

[230therapy]

SIG + factory mag = reliable happiness

 

[Welding Rod]

Top Gun Supply is a great place for Sig parts and magazines.

 

[Allentown]

This is the older version of the 229 without the tac rail so that could have accounted for some of the discount..

I think someone was sitting on this thing since before bush was in office..lol

Ok so i went to top gun. The Mec-gar are 15 rd flush fit 21.95 (but i should avoid because they may not feed?)

The SCT are 17 rd with a grip extender for 49.95 (also avoid? not reliable?)

They have the sig 13 rd ones for 31.95.

So the consensus is...get the sig 13 rd ones right (just looking for a consensus but this seems to be the case..dont mean to beat it to death!)..lol

 

[wgsigs]

Mec-Gar made/makes? - I believe SIG recently switched to a U.S. manufacturer - the SIG OEM mags. They also make 15-round 9mm mags, also available in nickel, for the P229 under their our name that fit and function just like the OEM ones since that is what they are/were. Top Gun Supply sells them. I have a couple that have functioned flawlessly. Any larger capacity mags will stick out.

Bottom line - the Mec-Gar mags are the same as the older OEM SIG mags only cheaper, higher capacity, and available in nickel.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If it was truly new, considering the initial cost of the gun and the extra cost of the laser grips, that wasn't a bad deal . But a new in box gun should have come with the manual.

 

[Allentown]

I agree..but it came with the sig box and NOT A SIGHT OF WEAR, no gun powder residue, not a SINGLE marking on the breech, feed ramp barrel or ejection port that would indicate a single round had been put through it...advertised and sold as "NIB"..hell maybe it got tossed out of the box in the confusion of the guns show and he ended up with it.

Regarding the mags: I would love it if some other people chime in that they like those Mec-Gars. 21.95 for 15 rnd mags that work as good as OEMs would make my day...

It would however make me ask why the sig ones are 13 and the Mec-Gar are 15 if they can make them fit flush and feed properly.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Did you chk behind the foam padding..?

Congrats, you got a great gun/model and IF you want to sell the CT grips, let me know, as I have them, same kind, on my railed P229 9mm but I just got a NIB non-railed P228 9mm that I would like to put the same 302's on..

PM me if you want to part./sell them. (I could also offer you my manual on the P229 9mm) as part of the swap/deal..
.
Enjoy,


Ls

 

[wgsigs]

It would however make me ask why the sig ones are 13 and the Mec-Gar are 15 if they can make them fit flush and feed properly.

My guess is that SIG wanted to stick with 13-rounds. I don't believe it was a reliability issue. However, you can order the mags by phone from TGS and ask them. I am sure that they will tell you Mec-Gar made all of the SIG mags except for the P220 ones until recently.

 

[Allentown]

Sounds like i am safe to just go ahead and order 3 of the mec-gars for 21.95 each and be done with it then...

I will have more questions soon i am sure!

 

[basicblur]

From SIG's site:
You can down load PDF copies of all our product manuals from our web site. If you would prefer a printed copy, contact Customer Support at, 603-772-2302 ext. 3. Or download the .pdf from our website at http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/OwnerManual.aspx

AFA the price...I paid $650 for a new P229R-I think too many folks in here are overpaying for guns these days!

You might browse around Gunbroker.com or Guns America for magazines?
I bought 4 new OEM ones for a reasonable price-one of the few things I've seen on Gunbroker that wasn't outrageously priced.

 

[Sig_Pilot11]

Where'd you find a P-229R for $650? I payed $1030 for mine..

 

[runningfast]

I highly advise Mec-Gar magazines for the p229.There is a 15rd 9mm magazine that fits flush an is only like $22 from TGS.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/mec-gar_p228-229-9mm-15rd-magazine-blue.html

 

[speaksoftly]

2nd question: I immediately want to get some more mags for it. When i looked, of course i found factory sig 13 rd mags for it for $31 a piece..but i am also seeing 15rd mags, 17rd mags (what was the P229 "sct" and do these fit the weapon), and even 20 rd mags.... Of course..the higher cap mags ran $54 to $65.

I have the SCT in .40 and the high cap mags have been 100% reliable. Also, they look just fine and fit well. The pistol I bought came with these only and I bought a regular sized mag to make the gun easier to carry.

3rd question) To muddy the water..i understand the P229 will work with P226 mags (is that true?) which can be had in 15rd for $31 also..... Do they stick out and look ridiculous? I HATE THAT.

The 229 will work with 226 mags. However, the fit isn't perfect and the mags look pretty bad poking out from the bottom of the magwell.

5th question: What do you guys think of the crimson trace grips? Good/bad/ugly. I suspect i will leave them off for 90% of my shooting and just turn them on for 50 rounds or so each trip as an "secondary way of shooting"..practice wise at least.

I love them and yeah, they're a bit ugly haha. I've done a bit of practicing with them on my weapons and have gotten used to them but they're not for everyone. Heck, if you don't like em then shoot me a price on em. Haha

Where'd you find a P-229R for $650? I payed $1030 for mine..

That's rough man. Got my P229 SCT at a LGS for $700 out the door.

 

[speaksoftly]

I highly advice Mec-Gar magazines for the p229.There is a 15rd 9mm magazine that fits flush an is only like $22 from TGS.

Definitely agree with this one. Factory or Mec-Gar is the best of the best IMHO. Just make sure to steer clear of Pro Mag! Total crapola!

 

[Allentown]

Thanks again. I ordered (and have already received) 3 of the 15 rd ft flush mec gars in black. I plan 2 order 2 more in nickle in a month or so. For a total of 5.

I do not like the three 10rd restricted mags that came with it but at least this way, i can go to the range with all 8 mags and have 105rds pre-loaded.

Since i usually only shoot 100rds a trip....NO RELOADING at the range, which will be nice.

*Thumbs up*.

 

[speaksoftly]

Sounds like a plan...I can't remember the last time I shot and didn't have to reload. Have you shot it yet?

 

[Allentown]

No fate keeps consipiraing to keep me from going. Issues with gun range being too crowded, went out of town twice, now taking the trip to NC to get my kids this weekend etc.

That is why i am holding off on buying any more mags or doing anything else till i can put it through its paces. So far i have 100 rds of the bulk winchester and 20 rounds of the PdX1 to put through it...going to buy an other 50 to 100 rds this weekend as well probably. I cleaned it and oiled it really well last week.

It had way more gun residue in it than i would have expected after just test firing and i found further evidence of firing.

I don't think this thing was 100% new, looks to me like someone put a couple boxes of ammo through it, even though the exterior was perfect.

Anyway thats gun show buisness for you.... She is ready to go now and im looking to get to the range within the next week or two.

I let my CCW lapse a couple years back and am now getting signed up to take the course again. If all goes well this will be the weapon i use for the course and it will ultimately do some duty as a car/house gun in addition to being something to take to the range.

CCW will most likely end up being a glock 26/.38 ultra light (hot/cold weather) or a kahr 9mm/bersa .380..or some similiar combination of 2 small guns that i alternate.

 

[speaksoftly]

Interesting about the residue. I would try to get a partial refund from the gun store if I thought it had been shot and sold as new. However, in reality if the gun's had 100 rounds fired through it or so then you still have about another 19,000 rounds to fire through it before stuff starts to break on it haha.

Mine's a GREAT shooter and I honestly don't know if I like the way it or my 226 shoots. You will be more than pleasantly surprised as the 229 has one of the best balances I've ever experienced. As for CCW, it's good but a bit bulky/heavy at times. I'm currently looking for a P239 in .40 to carry as a CCW.