Sig P226 Elite Stainless .357 or Les Baer HC 40 for carry?

[theoak]

I was interested in a high capacity .40 or .357 for carry. The Sig P226 Stainless Elite in .357 is about $1350, while the Les Baer HC 40 is about $3,000.

I'm sure the Les Baer is more accurate, but is it work the extra $1,650 for a carry gun?

How accurate would the Sig 226 Elite Stainless (w/ Sig's Short Reset Trigger) in .357 be as compared to the Les Baer HC 40?

 

[TurboFC3S]

For carry?!?! Those are both big guns, I can't imagine trying to conceal either one. Is there some reason why you narrowed it down to those two guns? Are you open to other choices?

 

[theoak]

I'm not carrying concealed, so size isn't an issue, and I don't carry any additional clips, so I prefer high capacity.

I picked a high end stock pistol to compare to a high end custom. I'm sure there are other options, those are just 2 that I prefer.

I tried a friend's Les Baer .45 a while ago, and I compared it to a standard Sig 229 in .40. I was shaking my head at the difference in accuracy when we shot at 25 yard steel targets. With the Les Baer I didn't even have to concentrate and I was knocking down every target. With the Sig I was hitting 75% and I had to focus on every shot. The Les Baer made me think there was something wrong with the Sig.

 

[crebralfix]

Always carry at least one spare magazine. What do you do if the magazine in the gun went bad between the last range trip and the "event"?

Don't be that guy in the morgue with bullet holes in his hand.

Search John Farham's quips for several incidents that occurred.

 

[TurboFC3S]

Don't have to conceal ... that makes more sense

How about a Sig X-5? I have several high-end and custom 1911's, and other very accurate handguns like a Gray Guns HK USP Expert, and the Sig X-5 is my most accurate handgun. It's big, but in the same league as the two others you mention. You could also do something like a Fusion or STI high-cap 1911 on the 2011 frame.

 

[PO2Hammer]

For out of the box reliability, you have to go with Sig. Accuracy won't be shabby either. I had a SIG P226 stainless .40 that was plenty accurate out to 50 yards.

 

[theoak]

Les Baer is giving a 2.5" accuracy guarantee ay 50 yards for their HC 40.

Can any factory guns (like the Sig 226 Elite or the H&K USP Expert) match that?

 

[TurboFC3S]

USP Expert, probably not quite ... but I bet it would be close. The Sig X-5 and X-6 however, I'd put them up against the 2.5" at 50 yard challenge any day.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Les Baer is giving a 2.5" accuracy guarantee ay 50 yards for their HC 40.

Can any factory guns (like the Sig 226 Elite or the H&K USP Expert) match that?

No. If pure accuracy is the main consideration, get the Baer (I love my Baer .38 Super).

If reliability is critical, get the Sig.

 

[crebralfix]

Those accuracy guarantees, while neat, are for target guns. Just how much accuracy do you need at 8 to 15 feet? While it's great to be able to get tiny groups at long range, in my opinion, it's not necessary. If you're taking shots at 150 feet, you better have a good reason AND should consider using a rifle. Does that mean it'll NEVER happen? No, but consider the frequency of such events. Knowing my luck, I'll be the guy that has to take a 50 yard shot in the "event" of the decade.

Seriously, though, consider what a self-defense handgun really is. If you can control 30 feet with it, you can control most locations from your home to the local stop-n-rob. I would think the Baer is a "nice to have". $1600 buys a lot of ammo and training, which is more important anyway.

Also consider the gun you are carrying "expendable". It's going to get dinged up from training and practice. You may have to stick the muzzle in someone's eye and pull the trigger. Needless to say, the gun will be confiscated if you use it in a fight...who knows what will happen to it once the police get ahold of it. I view it as just another "expense", along with the CCW permit, training, court costs and other legal fees. I certainly wouldn't cry over a Glock, but an expensive SIG or 1911? Are you really that manly?

 

[sigsteve]

The Sig 226 Elite not be as accurate as the Les Baer? I wouldn't be so sure about that. Plus the reliability of the Sig can't be beat by much of anything. I have a 229 in 9mm and it shoots dead on at 75' and it hasn't had one malfunction in over 2000 rounds that I've shot it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm seriously considering a 1911 Baer or Ed Brown although it wouldn't replace my Sig as my CCW

 

[sigsteve]

USP Expert, probably not quite ... but I bet it would be close. The Sig X-5 and X-6 however, I'd put them up against the 2.5" at 50 yard challenge any day.

Sig guarantee's a under 2" at 50 yards from their X5 so I don't think that is a problem. Having said that. These test results they tout are from a pistol clamped in a gun vice to eliminate shooter error. So I'd have to bet there isn't a person reading this that could shoot 5 rounds at a 50 yrd target two handing it and be lucky to keep them with with in 2' much less 2". I could be wrong though.

 

[Coltman 77]

I'd go with the Sig and the more powerful .357 round.

 

[pes123]

my husband will always prefer Les Baer HC 40:banghead:

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Get the Sig, you aren't capable of shooting to the gun's potential, anyway. Use the extra cash on some ammo, holster, extra mags and some training.

 

[Jed Carter]

If you are going to "open" carry such large pistols why not an extra magazine? Perhaps an H&K Mk23 with a suppressor, just kidding. If I was to open carry I would make a statement with the Les Baer. I conceal carry, for many reasons, I would not open carry for many of the same reasons.

 

[Rexster]

Neither the P226 nor the Baer are loaded with clips. While we must all choose our own level of salvation, I strongly believe in carrying at least one spare magazine.

Make sure your hands are big enough for the pistols in question.

 

[m2steven]

i'll vote for the x-5 too. i had the chance to hold one and fiddle with it. it's SUPER nice and I think every bit the pistol the Les Baer is. I could be wrong however and the dealer had expensive Les Baers in the case. They were VERY nice....

 

[Lezak39]

Go for the Sig; if possible I'd, take a look at the p229. Size makes a big difference when you're cartin' it around all day. In Concealed Carry, pinpoint accuracy is secondary to reliability and utility, something the Sig offers in abundance. At the same time, I don't think the Sig really gives away all that much accuracy to the Baer anyway...

on a side note, be careful of caliber if you do decide to purchase the Sig. .357sig is an excellent round (in my opinion one of the best), but it can be EXTREMELY hard to find. Practice is essential with a carry firearm and nothing will curtail practice like a shortage of ammunition.