Sig P226 or P229?

[Macchina]

I've narrowed my choices down to a .40 Sig for my first (and probally only for a while) handgun purchase. I'm looking for a gun to shoot at the range and use for home defence, CC may be a small option down the road. Of the two, which is more comfortable to shoot, which is more accurate, reliable, etc.? I've heard great things about the 229, but was wondering if a bigger gun might be better if I'm going to be shooting it at the range most of the time. I've held them, but do not know enough about which would be comfortable while shooting. Would the 226 be too big to CC, I am a 160 lbs. guy. Also, I really like the looks of the Elite series, are they nice?

 

[vnepilot]

the P226 is more accurate and has a longer sight radius but very hard to conceal and heavier, if you need a gun to shoot at the range and conceal and can only get one get the P229 with the rail so you can conceal it and put a light on it for home defense. Get both if you can they really are great guns.

 

[wolvdog316]

Man, I got the 229 and its a dream. IMO because of your size its better. its a smaller gun yes, but its unbelievable accurate out of the box. It can be concealed with a good leather holster. Plus the recoil isnt bad at all. When I go to the range I usually shoot 300 bullets of that at a time. I never get fatigued and it never hurts my accuracy. Only time I get accuracy fatigue is when I shoot my 45 200 rounds or so. lol. You can get a nice 229 CPO for about 530 plus shipping and FFL. Around 600 for everything online. Mines a CPO and ive already put about 1000-1400 rounds through it in a month or so. No jams no nothing. Its big enough to abosrb the recoil enough so I can range shoot it, and small enough to conceal when I want to carry it. Anymore questions let me know or email me

[email protected]

 

[10-Ring]

If I'm going to only have one & concealed carry is only a possibility in the future, I'd definitely go fullsize -- so, in this case, I'd go w/ the P226

 

[Lonestar49]

P229 Carry

...

Having the P229R Carry 9mm, I can tell you that is VERY accurate out of the box, and at any HD/SD range. I do have the CT, Crimson Trace Grips as well, and the laser only tells me what my normal Night/Day 2dot Sig sights tell me, that I'm on target, as is the gun.

The P229R Carry 9mm is the same size as the 40cal, with the exception of the grips, Plastic standard Sig grips are the thinnest, then the CT grips are a bit wider (but rubber) and are wide, like grips that come with the Equinox models. I tried them (Equinox Grips) and didn't like how wide/thick, smooth/slippery they were but, the Sights that come with the Equinox are the best. You could always get the Equinox, and then put on some Sig factory Wood grips, or Nills wood grips, which would be slightly thinner than the Equinox grips, and that would be ONE good looking Pistol.

Easy choice, hard choice, but the right choice IMHO is a P229 Carry in 40, as I know it CCW's well, the same as my Carry 9mm, and shoots accurate, both close range and long range.

Enjoy,


LS

 

[Macchina]

Thank you all for the replies. I think I'm going to go for the P229. I will look for a police trade in, and if I can't find one, I may splurge and go for the Equinox.

 

[Lonestar49]

By ALL MEANS.. Splurge

...

Any Sig is an "investment" and, the Equinox IS really one, and like I said, keep the fancy grips if you like them, or get Wood grips, for a AWESOME looking gun.. And if you ever go to sell it, you can offer both factory grips and the wood ones to the drooling buyer..

Dark wood choices: Coco Bolo, or Rosewood

Good choice..


LS

PS.. buy a split case of Winchester or Federal Eagle range FMJ 40cal bullets in both 165gr and 180gr so you can decide which weight bullet you like best. Shoot 50 of either first, then switch, and you should be able to tell after the first case is gone, which size/weight bullet you shoot best with. Same weight in HD/SD Hollow points that you decided you like in the FMJ range ammo.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I just splurged and got a 229 SAS.

 

[cslinger]

My two cents are the P229 is the way to go.

You gain no extra capacity with the bigger P226 and the extra sight radius is not enough to really aid in shooting. The P229 is marvelous balance of capacity, compactness, shootability and handling.

The P226 shines in 9mm in my opinion.

Chris