Sig 290RS bad or good?

[Debi]

When looking at the Sig 290RS 9mm, the salesman told me it was one of two guns he had personally owned that he was sorry he ever bought. He said it "kicks like a mule" and this was a big dude with hands twice the size of mine. What has been your experience? I was rather disappointed in his review as this was the first 9mm I was even considering. Thanks for your input.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have never shot one but I have never heard that about the P229. It gets very good reviews and is similar but smaller than the P226. Only way to know for sure is to shoot it. He may hate it but you may love it. This is why there are so many guns on the market.

 

[Plan2Live]

Debi - Welcome to The High Road. A concealed carry handgun is a big bundle of compromise. All small, lightweight pistols in larger calibers will have more felt recoil than a larger, heavier pistol or smaller caliber. You will have to decide which compromises you are willing to make. The best advice is try before you buy whenever possible. Find a range that rents the model you are interested in and try it out first if possible.

The 290RS is a hammer fired, double action only pistol with a fairly stiff trigger. These features offer a layer of safety over a striker fired semi-auto with a lighter trigger pull. The RS stands for re-strike. Being a hammer fired pistol you have the ability to pull the trigger a second time if you pull the trigger and the round doesn't go off. Striker fired pistols don't offer that ability.

The 290RS Was designed to be an easily concealable 9mm self defense pistol, not a soft shooting range toy. It is just as good of an option as any other 9mm pistol in that size range but offers the added safety of that longer, stiffer trigger pull. So back to my original statement, you will have to decide which compromises are acceptable to you. Good luck and keep asking questions.

 

[Gary A]

I think the p290rs is a fine choice in a very small 9mm cc handgun. I used a 290rs for my CCW qualification and did quite well. I am no recoil junkie by any means and find the 290rs to be quite manageable and easy to shoot with either the six or eight round magazine. The trigger is long and not overly light but very smooth like a good revolver double action. The rs model is a true double action and the hammer is not pre-set by the action of the slide. The pistol is very small being about 5.5 inches long and just under 4 inches tall. Personally I would have preferred two 7 round magazines instead of one six and one eight. It is plus P rated though I have only used standard pressure. It is a tad heavy due to the steel sub-frame.

As much as I like the attributes and features and utility of the P290rs, I traded mine toward a Sig P238HD Nickel. I like the SAO 238/938 better. The HDN was there. I saw it. Wanted it. Was willing to trade for it. The 290 is a very good gun. I liked it. I just didn't love it and the 238s are even smaller.

 

[joe_security]

I strongly agree on the DAO trigger being about the safest pistol to have on your person with a round in the chamber. I use an old Smith 3953 for this reason. Some have reported the P290RS as a pita to field strip.Sig quality is usually quite good. I too ended up having to dropping down to a .380 for deep concealment (G42). As we age , we tend to shy away from recoil and larger pistols. I looked hard at the P290RS but needed to go even smaller. You will be well served by a DAO pistol from a safety standpoint, even if slightly more shooting practice is needed to master it.Good luck !

 

[Gary A]

Joe - you make a great point about the 290rs takedown. I'm surprised I didn't think of it because I did think it a minor PITA. The slide has to be let forward just slightly from locked back against a pretty strong spring for the pin to come out. A bit awkward. Other than that it is very simple. Sig now includes a small spacer which holds the slide in the proper position and/or will mail one if requested.

 

[Debi]

Thank you all so much for your replies, I sure do appreciate your thoughts and help. Regarding DAO, this is what I am used to, being a revolver person. My primary carry is the Ruger LCR in 38+p, which I am very happy with. I also have a S&W Bodyguard 380 for a secondary, deep concealment carry, which is my first semi-automatic. The Sig P238 was very appealing to me when I had the opportunity to shoot a friend's, but I liked the way the 290RS felt in my hand at the gun shop (no opportunity to shoot one yet). It just felt "right" but I was a bit concerned about recoil based on what the salesperson said. It is more in my price range than the P238. Again, thank you for your help and expertise. God bless.

 

[silversport]

I have found that my P290RS is a soft shooter...I'd bet the heavy slide helps make that so...

Bill

 

[Gary A]

Trying to describe recoil to another shooter seems a bit futile. I have some concerns regarding recoil in some of the very lightweight sub-compact 9mm pistols not so much that they "hurt" but that they might be "jumpier" and harder to keep your aim true shot to shot. The 290rs does recoil more than a 238 in nearly every case, if not all, but like others I found it to be non objectionable and not difficult to control. A polymer frame and a bit of added weight no doubt help with that. If you are used to a DA revolver and the 290rs fits your hand well, I expect you will like it. It is a very well made handgun and, I think, a bargain. Good luck with your choice and God bless you also!

 

[kellmark]

Debi; I have had a similar experience to you.

I also have a Ruger LCR, in .357, but I use .38 +P in it. I really like it and have carried it at times. I really love the trigger. And the grips, shape and overall design.

But, I also acquired a Sig P290RS a few years ago. It has grown on me. It is now my favorite gun.

It has a more concealable shape than the LCR. And has 6+1 rounds rather than 5 rounds. It can be carried in a pocket, or IWB, and certainly in a purse for a woman.

I find the trigger to be very practical and similar to a double action revolver. I like that feature, and feel safe with it, when carrying a round in the chamber. It is easy to get used to.

It is well built and strong. It is accurate. It is reliable. I have never had a problem when shooting with it. It fits my hand well. It is a little more difficult to take down, but with the supplied spacer it is reasonable.

I am getting older and am not a fan of heavy recoil. I handle this one just fine.

Some other guns will be lighter. Others will be easier to take down, although I have gotten used to this one. Not everyone likes it. But I feel more confident with this gun for concealed carry than any other.

 

[Debi]

Thank you kellmark, silversport, and Gary A for the additional comments and input. Coming to a forum like this with questions is a wonderful thing And Plan2Live, your explanation of the RS is great and one of the things I like about this type of gun, thank you.

 

[kevincallahan]

I purchased a290 RS the day I was retiring off the job. After carrying a USP both in uniform and in plainclothes, I had met with the sig rep and shot the 290. Now I started with a model 19 and that is what the trigger reminds me of. I like the real sites and the finish. I have carried it as my daily carry since 11/12 and have found nothing I like better. It is heavier than some and that helps recoil, but I have found it very easy to shoot and carry. It also has never jammed. Plenty accurate for me if I do my part.

 

[geneo]

I purchased a 290 RS this week, took it apart and cleaned it. Took my reloads, Missouri bullets 124gr.RN HS-6 powder and 124 gr. Berry HP HS-6 powder . Run a half a box of ea. through with no FTF or FTE. Shooting @ 15 yards at the 4" clay peg-ins. Recoil to me is no problem at all. I like it a lot and it will go with the rest of my hand gun I shoot. Been shooting guns sense the 1960es. Gene

 

[chaim]

I have shot a few of the micro-9s over the years and handled nearly all of them. One of my closest friends had a Kahr MK9 Elite for a few years and then traded it on a PM9 so I have had the opportunity to fire both extensively. I rented the Kel Tec P11 many times, and I own a PF-9. While not 9mm, I also have a Ruger LCP (.380) and I used to own an NAA Guardian (.32acp) and Bersa Thunder .380 (and shot a Kel-tec P32 and SIG P230 several times) for experience with other small pistols. I own or have owned several small-framed snub revolvers over the years (Taurus 605, Taurus 85CH, S&W 442, Rossi 461). I also own a SIG P290RS which I bought several years ago. Out of all these deep concealment/pocketable CCW guns, my SIG P290 is one of the best. For occasional pocket carry and regular tucked IWB carry it is tied with the (double the price) Kahr MK9 Elite as my favorite, and is only beat out for regular pocket carry by the Kahr PM9 due to the Kahr's lighter weight and smaller size.

I find it easier to shoot than any other small gun. Its recoil is quite mild for such a small and light gun. My Kel Tec by comparison is outright painful to shoot, comparable to a .357mag snub. Even the terrific Kahr PM9 is no where near as comfortable to shoot. What this translates to is quicker follow-up shots which can be indispensable in a self-defense shooting, and more practice for better accuracy and familiarity with the gun. Also, I find it is much more accurate than such a small gun has any right to be (comparable to guns the next size up).

The gun has been 100% reliable so I absolutely trust it in a self-defense situation.

The biggest complaint most people have is the trigger. A hammer-fired DAO gun will have a heavier trigger than a SA, DA/SA (once transitioned to SA mode) or most striker fired DAO triggers. However, while it is longer and heavier than some other options, it is a very smooth trigger. As a revolver shooter, it reminds me of a nice DA revolver trigger pull. So, I like the extra safety of the longer trigger pull (you have to mean to pull the trigger) coupled with the comfortable butter smooth trigger pull.

I would agree that the take-down can be somewhat difficult. Not that it is complicated, but with the small 9mm design, you have a very stiff recoil spring. That can make it take a little work to take down, but anyone with decent hand strength should be able to handle it without problem.

I love CCW type guns, most of my handguns would fall into that category (even though I only part-time CCW due to MD laws so I only carry when visiting a state that honors the UT non-resident permit). I have quite a few in this category. If I could keep only one CCW type pistol, the P290 would be on my short list (along with the larger but modular, thus quite versatile, SIG P250, and the near perfect all-around gun, a 3" medium frame .357mag revolver).

 

[oss117]

Question for the P290RS owners: When you chamber a round, will the P290 drag the next round in the magazine forward like the P938's do?

Thanks!

 

[omega5]

Debi - Welcome to The High Road. A concealed carry handgun is a big bundle of compromise. All small, lightweight pistols in larger calibers will have more felt recoil than a larger, heavier pistol or smaller caliber. You will have to decide which compromises you are willing to make. The best advice is try before you buy whenever possible. Find a range that rents the model you are interested in and try it out first if possible.

The 290RS is a hammer fired, double action only pistol with a fairly stiff trigger. These features offer a layer of safety over a striker fired semi-auto with a lighter trigger pull. The RS stands for re-strike. Being a hammer fired pistol you have the ability to pull the trigger a second time if you pull the trigger and the round doesn't go off. Striker fired pistols don't offer that ability.

The 290RS Was designed to be an easily concealable 9mm self defense pistol, not a soft shooting range toy. It is just as good of an option as any other 9mm pistol in that size range but offers the added safety of that longer, stiffer trigger pull. So back to my original statement, you will have to decide which compromises are acceptable to you. Good luck and keep asking questions.

I have a P290RS Extreme. Everything Plan2Live says correct. "Kicks like a
mule" is a purely subjective observation. Could be the salesman has weak
wrists or wanted to sell you a more expensive gun. Would I recommend
the P290RS as a first conceal carry weapon to a stranger. No, and not
even a friend but I would not oppose it either. I would let a friend shoot mine
and make their own decision. The long trigger pull would be an advantage some
would say. So would the 2nd strike ability but like the man said, it's a decision
you need to make.
My wife went thru a 1/2 dozen weapons before she settled on 3: a S&W M&P
Shield for OWB, a Kahr CM9 for IWB and a new model Ruger LCP for pocket
carry. Attire accounts for what we carry as well as the other things you'll hear
from everyone including your salesman.
Good luck and welcome.
Dano

 

[FireInCairo]

I was considering one before I settled on the Nano, but the only real concern I had was how heavy the trigger was out of the box. DAO pistols can be an excellent option for simplicity of point and shoot in a personal protection weapon, but if the triggers are heavy it may take the muzzle off target when firing.

One thing to be sure to do is dryfire it. Ask first, safety check it to make sure it's empty, and point it in a direction that doesn't freak people out (towards the ground). Watch the sights as they are aligned when dryfiring. If the muzzle brings the sights off target when the trigger breaks, you know the trigger is too heavy.

From what I have read, some had light enough triggers out of the box and some didn't. Always check before you commit would be my advice.