Oldnoob
Member
Sig
m&p 9 or sig 226
- Thread starter tonytor58
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Infidel4life11
Member
M&P hands down I love that pistol
I have both pistols. I've got a Sig P226DP in 9mm. It came with a short trigger and E2 grips new. I've got a P226 in .40S&W with the regular trigger.
I love both guns but prefer the 9mm for range use--it fits my hand slightly better. I also have (2) MPs, one a MP9c and the other the regular size MP in .45acp with a thumb safety. I like all my pistols--haven't had any problems with either brand. The trigger on the MPs doesn't bug me at all I kinda like the way it hinges and breaks. I CC the MP9c often. The MP45 full size is my glovebox gun. I have numerous Sigs: 238,239,229,220s,226s, 228 and have a used P210 and a new M11 on the way. My compact 220 fits into it's holster like a glove but isn't stuck in there---I love .45s so it get some CC with the 220c also at times and I do like the SA mode with safety. I'm used to the DA/SA Sig but the DA trigger requires more effort to squeeze and therefore is less target solid for the initial shot.
Whichever, gun you decide on---practice with it extensively and train yourself in it's mechanics until it's second nature. Being highly trained, familiar with the controls and at ease with handling your gun is the most safety related thing you can do. Whether you like old school safety levers, DAO/DAK, DA/SA or SAO triggers makes no difference the accuracy will come but safety is FIRST IN IMPORTANCE!
My mantra is buy one--if you wonder about the other--buy it--have it all. You only go around once.
"Everybody has a plan, until they get hit." M. Tyson
I love both guns but prefer the 9mm for range use--it fits my hand slightly better. I also have (2) MPs, one a MP9c and the other the regular size MP in .45acp with a thumb safety. I like all my pistols--haven't had any problems with either brand. The trigger on the MPs doesn't bug me at all I kinda like the way it hinges and breaks. I CC the MP9c often. The MP45 full size is my glovebox gun. I have numerous Sigs: 238,239,229,220s,226s, 228 and have a used P210 and a new M11 on the way. My compact 220 fits into it's holster like a glove but isn't stuck in there---I love .45s so it get some CC with the 220c also at times and I do like the SA mode with safety. I'm used to the DA/SA Sig but the DA trigger requires more effort to squeeze and therefore is less target solid for the initial shot.
Whichever, gun you decide on---practice with it extensively and train yourself in it's mechanics until it's second nature. Being highly trained, familiar with the controls and at ease with handling your gun is the most safety related thing you can do. Whether you like old school safety levers, DAO/DAK, DA/SA or SAO triggers makes no difference the accuracy will come but safety is FIRST IN IMPORTANCE!
My mantra is buy one--if you wonder about the other--buy it--have it all. You only go around once.
"Everybody has a plan, until they get hit." M. Tyson
SwampWolf
Member
This observation is so true in my experience. The so-called difficulty in transitioning from da to sa was the biggest objection pistol guru Jeff Cooper had to "traditional" da pistols but a minimal training regimen will obviate any such drawback, imagined or otherwise.
That was the turning point in my handgun shooting journey where I started to question things I had always accepted as being true. I greatly expanded my ability to learn and opened my mind to techniques that made me a better shooter
U-235
Member
Since it's on your bucket list go with the SIG. I don't have any experience with an M&P but I have a P-226. I bought it in the early 90's, I wanted a high cap semiauto before the 1994 AWB went into effect. It is a great gun. Straight shooter and absolutely reliable.
hey.moe
Member
I love my P226 and shoot it regularly in IDPA. That said, the most popular guns at my local club matches are M&Ps and Glocks.
-Stan-
-Stan-
Walt Sherrill
Member
As an IDPA safety officer (who also helped score targets) at MANY IDPA matches over a period of years, I will affirm that training (or practice) will minimize the DASA transition problem, but there is almost always a difference in the points of impact between the first and subsequent shots.
The differences are greater with the less experienced shooters, and much less noticeable with folks who have worked on the transaction. Are the differences great ENOUGH to matter? Probably not -- as we're talking about inches, not feet. If the first shot is on target, the other shots are going to be hitting something that's vital, too.
I've got a Gray Guns-tuned P228 that is superb, and a Speed Specialties-tuned M&P Pro. I shoot the M&P Pro S&W better in competition than the P228; others might have different results. I think I'd probably feel better with the P228 as a carry gun, but I've not carried either -- believe it or not, I carry a Kel-Tec P9 when I carry...
jawman
Member
The #1 thing you should look for when getting a pistol is how it feels in your hand. My first pistol was a Sig 226 and while it is an excellent gun, the grip is too big for me and it does not fit as comfortably in my hand as the M&Ps do. I shoot the M&Ps much better, therefore I am getting an M&P as my next handgun. If the gun feels comfortable and solid in the hands and you can get a great grip on it and you like the way it feels better than all the other guns you have tested, get that gun. You'll know which one just "feels right" when you pick it up. To me, that is the #1 thing I look for. As long as I get that part right, everything else will come in training. Check out Sigs, M&P, Glock, Springfield XDM, Walther, etc. Whichever one feels best, get it.
wally
Member
I've helped a few new shooters choose their first 9mm pistol by taking them to the range with the ones I have that they are considering.
SIG226 vs. M&P is a common dilemma, all have preferred the SIG until I had them shoot it DA/SA, then they go with a Glock or M&P.
Unless you are coming from a revolver, its going to take a fair amount of practice to make that first DA shot be as effective as the first shot from an M&P or Glock.
The #1 thing is how well you shoot it!
I find "hand feel" to be misleading as often as its helpful. If at all possible try to find a range rental if you've got no buddies with examples to try.
SIG226 vs. M&P is a common dilemma, all have preferred the SIG until I had them shoot it DA/SA, then they go with a Glock or M&P.
Unless you are coming from a revolver, its going to take a fair amount of practice to make that first DA shot be as effective as the first shot from an M&P or Glock.
The #1 thing is how well you shoot it!
I find "hand feel" to be misleading as often as its helpful. If at all possible try to find a range rental if you've got no buddies with examples to try.
I have both and while I like the M&P I prefer the 226.People make way to big of deal about the transition between da/sa trigger pull.Dry fire practice in the evenings will work wonders.And although I like the M&P I just don't like striker fired pistols all that much.This coming from a guy who has 5 M&Ps.I also just like the solid feel of an all metal pistol.
jawman
Member
Yes, and in my experience, if a gun feels very comfortable and you can get a good, solid grip on it, you can run it well. Every gun that I've ever shot that didn't feel the nicest in my hand, I didn't shoot as well as the ones that I picked up and felt great when I gripped it. YMMV.
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