Sig P226 vs. Beretta 92fs: Worth >$200 Difference? >$400? More?

[coalman]

I like the P226. I like the Beretta 92fs. Have owned Beretta and Sig. Have shot both a lot. Never issues with either. I own multiple Glocks and 1911s. Have owned CZ, HK, XD, Ruger, Kahr and a few others.

I want an all metal, hammer fired, full size 9mm in SA/DA common in use in the USA. Military/LE issue is a bonus due to cheap mags. Only the 92fs and P226 remain on the list. Cost is a factor, including magazines. Capacity is comparable between the two. Either can be had with a rail. Manual safety (92fs) vs. not (P226) is insignificant to me. Both guns feel and shoot well for me.

Neither will be a super high volume blaster as a carry, game or range gun. Gun will likely be mainly for home/SHTF use, loaded at all times, outside a holster with light mounted. Extra mags will remain loaded as well.

Considering this comparison from a cost/price standpoint. The Sig P226 commands about $200 more OTD in my area, new or used. That's 10+ (factory) or 20+ (contract) spare Beretta mags comparing just the gun price. Sig mags are 2-3x the cost as 92fs USGI contract mags. I've never had issues with contract mags. To fully tool out with gun and mags that's a $400 difference, maybe more.

At the same price, or close, gun AND mags, I'd buy the P226 as I slightly prefer it. But, they are not the same price, especially considering mags, and I'm considering cost.

See poll. Input welcome, the "YMMV" type or not. Thanks.

Note regarding price:
Gun
In my state you pay sales tax AND FFL fee for shipped guns. This adds about $125-$150 total (shipping+tax+FFL). In the past year, for a non-beater, lowest 92FS prices I've seen is $400-$425 (went quick) and for the P226 $600-$625 (went quick). Those have been best case on the guns in my area and any "great deal" I can get on one likely could/would occur with the other in time. Lowest common retail price OTD guns are selling for now is $475-$500 vs. $650-$700 used and $600 to $800 new. So, roughly $200 on the gun is the difference. I would buy a $500 OTD clean, functional used P226 in a heartbeat.
Mags
I've seen 92fs contract mags sell for as low as $6/mag, and common price is $8-$10. Used Beretta factory mags are around $15, new around $20. Sig mags run $15-$20 used and $20-$25 new. Pretty much a 2:1 price difference OTD/shipped w/ contract mags and 3:2 w/ factory mags favoring the 92fs. At the 20+ mags I'd like to have that's the other $200 difference. The P226 with the same 20+ mags is +$400.

Basically, I can get the 92fs -$200 or the 92fs and 20+ mags for the price of the P226. The once-in-a-lifetime P226 deal has yet to pass. So, these costs are my reality and the purpose of the poll question.

 

[sigarms228]

Hey coalman I think that is a question only you can answer but IMO and for me the P226 is well worth it.

Now having said that I was able to buy my first P226 as a CPO - a late 90s P226 with milled stainlless steel slide without a rail for $500 and a almost LNIB 1996 German P226 with case and test target also for $500. I would have no problem paying $800 for a new P226 if I wanted another one but it is not that hard to find really nice used ones.

Keep in mind that for most of us shooters over time the initial investment in the pistol will be a fairly small investment compared to the total cost that includes range fees, targets, transportation to go shoot, and especially ammo.

I buy the Mecgar 18 round flush fit magazines or my P226s when they are on sale for usually around $21 each.

The Beretta 92FS sure is another beautiful looking pistol also - just a bit big for my tastes.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If they both fit your hand and shoot just as accurately at speed for you, I'd get the Beretta and the extra mags.

I'm a huge SIG 226 and 228 fan...I get mine used too...but I find the Beretta shoots just as well. My 96 shot much better than a 226 or 229 in .40. The trigger of the SIG can be tuned finer than the Beretta trigger

The only reason I don't own more Berettas is because I can find an "G" models that I can afford

 

[Jed Carter]

I never could get used to the Beretta's decocker safety, nice pistol but is no longer in my collection. SIG P226 at any price would be my choice over the 92FS, just worked and shot better for me. Both are fine pistols, but I still own a P226, it would make the short list, "if I could only own one".

 

[Sapper771]

I agree with Sigarms228.


I would go Sig. It is the better of the two IMO.

MecGar makes the Sig factory mags and MecGar branded mags can be had in the $25-$30 range. If you can find quality Beretta 92 mags on the cheap, with a steady hand and a good Dre mel tool you can notch the Beretta mags to work in the Sig. I would only use them as range mags though.

Sig also has SRT trigger packs available.

 

[Kiln]

I always thought Sig was overpriced for what you get but that is strictly opinion. I'd go with the Beretta strictly from a price perspective.

 

[1KPerDay]

I own both. For ME the SIG would be the one I'd keep. It is by far my favorite semi-auto. More accurate, more ergonomic, and doesn't have the stupid, counter-intuitive slide-mounted safeties that get in the way of loading/malfunction clearances. Yes, I've accidentally decocked the gun mid-stage in competition. That could probably be avoided with training. But it still seems like a dumb place to put rotating knobs/levers to me.

That is the ONLY thing I don't like about the Beretta. The slide action feels like it's on buttered ball bearings. That alone makes it worth keeping. Plus it's a good shooter. And a good looker.

 

[FMF Doc]

If cost is going to be a considering factor, go with the Beretta. There are a lot more of them floating around than the sigs. That being said, if cost can be over looked, go with the sig. I personally feel that the 226 is just about the best full-size 9mm made. The parts and mags are going to be fewer and father between, and they will cost you a pretty penny, but the Sig is the superior choice...if you can afford it. If you can't, rest well knowing the Beretta is also a fine pistol.

 

[holdencm9]

At the same price, or close, gun AND mags, I'd buy the P226 as I slightly prefer it. But, they are not the same price, especially considering mags, and I'm considering cost.

They are nice, but yeah, $200-300 more nice? I dunno. Definitely not $400 more nice. Personally being a Beretta fan they are equal, maybe I'd pay $100 more for a SIG, but not more than that.

 

[Shipwreck]

Go Beretta or go home

 

[Creature]

I prefer the Sig. Freakishly accurate, easy ergos, ... excellent weapon.

I dislike the exposed barrel on the 92FS...

And then there's always this: http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=5&f=15&t=101362

 

[JR24]

My opinion only, YMMV.

The Sig wins hands down between the two because it fits my smallish hands so much better and I've always liked the Sig manual of arms better than the 92's largely on account of the location of the safety(to the point I'll take a Taurus PT92 over one any day).

As I said, my opinion only.

 

[holdencm9]

I dislike the exposed barrel on the 92FS...

And then there's always this: http://www.ar15.com/mobile/topic.html?b=5&f=15&t=101362

Come on now....read on in that same thread

Average durability of slide 35,000 rounds, frames 30,000 rounds, locking blocks 22,000 rounds.

Neither will be a super high volume blaster as a carry, game or range gun. Gun will likely be mainly for home/SHTF use, loaded at all times, outside a holster with light mounted. Extra mags will remain loaded as well.

To me, especially since he says it won't be a high volume shooter, then talking about the parts breaking is like saying, "Don't buy that car because they start to have issues after 300,000 miles."

 

[Kiln]

Come on now....read on in that same thread

Average durability of slide 35,000 rounds, frames 30,000 rounds, locking blocks 22,000 rounds.



To me, especially since he says it won't be a high volume shooter, then talking about the parts breaking is like saying, "Don't buy that car because they start to have issues after 300,000 miles."

My grandpa's old Beretta had to have the locking block replaced well before 22,000 rounds. He ended up changing it twice before getting rid of it and neither time did the locking block reach that round count.

Maybe there was some other underlying issue but I don't know. Either way Beretta claims to have fixed the issue in their later models so I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I found one at the right price.

 

[WRGADog]

They are both superb firearms, but for my money

The 92FS is the best choice. The Beretta costs less initially, and additional mags, either OEM or contract, are available everywhere and cost less than the Sig Mags. Also, the reliability of the Beretta is equal to the Sig IMO. That said, you won't go wrong with either pistol. I happen to own both guns, Beretta 92FS Inox, M9A1, 92FS Compact, and Sig 226 Blackwater.

 

[holdencm9]

My grandpa's old Beretta had to have the locking block replaced well before 22,000 rounds. He ended up changing it twice before getting rid of it and neither time did the locking block reach that round count.

Maybe there was some other underlying issue but I don't know. Either way Beretta claims to have fixed the issue in their later models so I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I found one at the right price.

Was your grandpa's a 92F? Those are the ones that had more issues. I know they strengthened the slide in the 92FS, I believe the locking block also.

Also, new recoil springs every 5,000 rounds really help. If the spring is dead then there isn't anything slowing the slide before it slams into the frame. For $8 apiece it is preventive maintenance anyone can afford.

 

[hAkron]

Either one would be great. For the purpose you describe, find yourself a used one. SIG certified Pre-owned 226's are under $600, and a good used German sig should run you around $500. I paid $425ish for a used 92F

 

[lechiffre]

Just my opinion :

Stamped P226 > Italian 92 > American 92 > milled P226.

If buying new I would pick the Beretta without even considering the SIG/Exiter. Between a stamped P226 and a 92fs I prefer the P226 by a very slight margin. I would be satisfied with either one.

 

[Shipwreck]

If you don't change the recoil spring every 3-5k, you DO have a good chance to crack a locking block early. People complain about that and complain about the 92 when this happens... But guess what - usally, the person who suffered this NEVER changed a spring until it broke. Then they complain about the gun.


Change the spring, and you should be okay.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Given the number of police trade Sigs on the market you shouldn't have to pay $200-400 more. Shop around. CDNN usually has police trade 226's in stock.

(Edit)

Sig 226 is by far the best DA/SA pistol I have ever fired. At the time they were significantly more expensive than just about anything else on the market. Berettas are a love/hate thing for a lot of people.. they just don't 'fit' everyone.

 

[coalman]

Bump with some realities on price in my area that result in the $200 (no mags) and $400 (w/ extra mags) "OTD" differences. Thanks all for the input thus far.

 

[LTR shooter]

I picked up a new P226 a few months ago on an online auction for $680 and have no regrets paying that much. Not sure how much more over a new 92FS this would be.

The newer style E2 grip on the P226 fits my hand better than any high capacity pistol I have ever fired. The accuracy is excellent and the trigger is quite good in either DA/SA. Makes an ideal companion to my compact P239.

I have very little experience with the Beretta. I know it does not fit my hand as well but still manageable. A friend of mine who owns a 92 says it is one hec of a shooter.

 

[DoomGoober]

I have smallish hands. I had to replace the physical trigger on my P226 with a "short" trigger, so the pull distance wasn't as much. Strangely, I can pick up anyone's 92 (which actually feels like more of a handful) and shoot it more accurately than my own P226!

I think an E2 might be good for me, but there's no way I'm dropping another $700 bucks to find out. =)

A random thing to think about: The P226 has ridiculously simple controls for a semi-auto pistol. I teach a lot of people how to shoot and new shooters have no problems with the P226. Even take down of a P226 is simple as heck.

 

[Ar180shooter]

P226X5>Everything else

 

[bluethunder1962]

I love my 92fs