Sig 229 or 226

[Karate]

I am looking to get a new 9mm...either a Sig 229(228 if I can find one) or a 226...I am curious from those of you who know ...is it that much easier to carry and conceal a 229 than a 226...I am want pros and cons of both...

Thanks

 

[freddd]

229

I have a friend of a smallish frame who determined his 226 was too big for him to carry regularly. He loved it otherwise. The 229 was on his mind a lot as a goal for exchange so he could carry it more often. There's something to be said for a shorter barrel when you are trying to hide it. You can't lose either way though with a Sig. That I know for sure.

 

[Lonestar49]

P229

...

It's all in the picture.. 2 against 1




Ls

 

[Black Majik]

If you're looking at 9mm, I vote for the P226. If you must get compact, then I vote for the P228.

 

[nwilliams]

I would vote for the 229 over the 226 for concealment, although the 228 would make a great choice as well although I've never owned one, still its a Sig so you can't go wrong with any of them.

My main ccw is a Sig 229 and I'm not a big guy by any means. I used to own a Sig 226 and I did find that to be a little harder to carry. Personally if you are looking for a good carry gun you can't do much better than a 229, JMHO. I have both the .40 and .357 Sig barrel for mine and I generally carry .357 Sig as my defensive round and use the .40 more for practice because its a tad cheaper. Either caliber its a great shooter and very comfortable to shoot and carry. Also a good holster makes all the difference in the world, I use a Comp-Tac paddle holster for mine and its extremely comfortable.

Here's mine.......

 

[Karate]

Thanks guys keep it coming

 

[Pilot]

Try to find a used P228. Its got good balance and is well sized for a 9MM.

 

[jhoff8487]

I've got a 229 DAK in 9mm and I LOVE it. Regardless of which you get, you'll be happy.

 

[GZOh]

Sig-P229

Just bought a new P-229 and love it!... Spent alot of time shooting BOTH (226 vs 229)... very similar except for size/hand fit... For me, the P226 felt like a 'larger gun' whereas the 229 was 'perfect' for CCW! (but it's NOT a small Compact)... Have put 500+rnds in, its a SIG, so lets not waste the time talking about FTFs, FTE, etc... Unbelievable ACCURACY... great balance, great hand fit... just a great shoot, highly recommend!

 

[MarcusWendt]

While I'm a P226 .40 guy at heart, the ONE 9mm I own is a P228.

I will say, without shame or arrogance, that the P228 is one of the best balanced, best made, most wonderful 9mm around.

If you will need to carry and in 9mm, the P228 is the way to go.

I've handled the P229 and it's nice, but it's not a P228. If I coudn't get a P228, a P229 would be just fine.

 

[slik_rik30]

228

As opposed to the 229, the 228 was made to be a 9mm. I have the 229 in .40 and love it and carry it (in my truck until my IWB gets here) and can shoot it well.

Dare ! say look into a P6/225. Cant beat $300 for a reliable carry piece, albeit with capacity deficiencies.

 

[Supertac45]

I have a 226 in 9 mm, and three 229 models in .40 cal. In a VM2, there really isn't any difference in carry that I can tell.

 

[JaxNovice]

Here are two 228s for sale. One is NIB for $750

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/9021080821

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/1971059721

I just picked up a second 228 and think they might be the best 9mm I have ever owned.

 

[AK103K]

......there really isn't any difference in carry that I can tell.

There really isnt any difference at all. SIG has funny ideas as to what "compact" is. The difference between the P229 and P226 is about 1/2" and the P229 is a little fatter.

They do "feel" different in your hand though. Best to go feel them side by side and pick the one (or, sooner or later, both ) and see which you like best.

 

[Grayrock]

I am wanting a .40. Anyone have a chart showing stat differences between the 226 & 229? Acuracy? materials? finish? Where is a good source for refurbs or used?

 

[AK103K]

SIG's web page can give you the stats on each. There really isnt much difference between the two size wise. The P226 is a little thinner, and longer, and by "little" I mean little. The grips feel just slightly different. You really need to pick them up side by side to see the differences.

Accuracy wise, I doubt you'd be able to see a difference. Everything else is the same.

 

[357wheelgunner]

I like the Sig P226, but not the P229. The P226 is proportioned correctly, like the P225. The P229 is an inbetween that I just don't understand, it's scaled down, but not in every way to keep things balanced. It just seems stubby I guess.

If your choice is P229 or P226, get the full size. If you're going to carry it, the extra barrel length won't matter in an IWB holster. The P229 is to short and fat to carry IWB, having less barrel length means that it's more difficult to hold the gun to your side for proper concealment.

You can get a P6 (P225) for extremely cheap right now. Do a search if you're interested. It's the same, looking from the side, as a P229, but it has a narrow grip with a single stack magazine. The P6/225 is a lot like a Browning Hi-Power or Springfield M1A - once you hold one in your hand, you have to buy one.

 

[AK103K]

It just seems stubby I guess.

This is sort of a problem with SIG's. Most of their guns are very similar in size, but perceptions seem to vary greatly.

The P226 is only half an inch longer in the barrel/slide than the P229, which to me is insignificant. The P226's slide is somewhat thinner than the P229, but again, not all that much. Both guns do feel slightly different in your hand, and point slightly differently, but for me, its never been an issue. I shoot both equally well, but for some reason, I ever so slightly prefer the P229 over the P226, even though the P226 feels a tad better in my hand. Like I said earlier, you really need to get one of each in your hands at the same time and see what you prefer. Even better, shoot them side by side. Your not going to be able to do this by looking at pictures and asking others, the differences are that subtle.

It's the same, looking from the side, as a P229, but it has a narrow grip with a single stack magazine.

I have P6's and P229's. While the P6 is a single stack, and the P229 a double stack, I really notice little difference in the feel of the grip. Nothing like what you'd expect. I'd be willing to bet, you'd have a hard time telling which was which if placed in your hand and asked to identify them sight unseen.

 

[BlindJustice]

The Numbers

I got these off the SIg and CZUSA Sites


Sig 226 - Later design DA/SA
From Sig Site. 9mmx19 ( .40 S&W / .357 Sig )
Mag Capacity: 15 rd Mag, ( 12 )
Barrel Len.: 4.4 inches
O.A.L. ---- 7.7 inches
O.A. Height: 5.5 inches
O.A. WIdth: 1.5 inches
Sight Radius: 6.3 inches
Weight Empty: 34.0 oz
M.S.R.P. = $929

CZ 75B 9MM x 19
16 rd Mag,
Barrel Len.: 4.7 inches
O.A.L. ---- 8.1 inches
O.A. Height: 5.4 inches
O.A. WIdth: 1.4 inches
Sight Radius: ?
Weight Empty: 35.2 oz
M.S.R.P. = $500 ?

Sig 229 - Smaller version of 226 DA/SA
From Sig Site. 9mmx19 ( .40 S&W / .357 Sig )
Mag Capacity: 15 rd Mag, ( 12 )
Barrel Len.: 3.9 inches
O.A.L. ---- 7.1 inches
O.A. Height: 5.4 inches
O.A. WIdth: 1.5 inches
Sight Radius: 5.7 inches
Weight Empty: 32.4 oz
M.S.R.P. = $929

CZ PCR(D) Compact 9MM x 19
14 rd Mag,
Barrel Len.: 3.9 inches
O.A.L. ---- 7.2 inches
O.A. Height: 5.3 inches
O.A. WIdth: 1.4 inches
Sight Radius: ?
Weight Empty: 27.2 oz
M.S.R.P. = $500 ?

 

[MarcusWendt]

I'll be the third person to say get a P228. If you were after a .40 S&W or .357 Sig, I'd say go P229, but I think in 9mm, the P228 has much better balance than the P229.

You won't go wrong with any of them, but if you want the best in 9MM, I'd say go P228