Sig P229 for EDC?

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osteodoc08

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Hey guys. Picked up a P226 TacOps the other day and absolutely fell in love with the ergonomics and shooting experience with it. I'm considering purchasing a P229 for EDC and wonder what everyone experience is with it as a carry piece. Too chunky? Hard to conceal? Etc.
 
I've carried a 228 (same as 9mm 229; slightly smaller than .40/357SIG 229) in an OWB holster under a sweatshirt for over a year.

While you would think the grip angle would make it the same as the 226, the 228 is actually a lot more comfortable to carry; the 226 just pokes me wrong...however I'm able to carry a 220 without issue

The 228 was very comfortable and I found it almost nicer/faster during the presentation
 
I have a 229 with both the .40 and .357 SIG barrels. A great carry gun with the right holsters. You'd be WELL armed.
 
It is a good weight and size for carry. A little bulky for year round carry in the deep south for me, but I often carry mine in an OWB with a cover garment or even more often in the inside pocket of my jacket in the winter time.
 
Have you considered the 239? Same basic platform only in a singlestack. I carry a 239 in an OWB holster under a dark colored t-shirt with no problem. I carry a single spare mag for that once in a lifetime event where I need more than 8+1.
 
I've looked at the 239 but prefer the squared/hooked trigger guard of the 226/229. It's just a preference thing. I have a TLR1s on my 226 and its my bedside gun. I wanted to go to one platform for carry and HD and fell in love with my 226. While I love my 1911's, that 226 of mine just had "it" whatever "it" is. I can't describe why, it just is what it is and isn't what it isn't. If that makes any sense.

I also have an M&P pro that I like, I just do so much better with the 226 that the M&P has been collecting dust in the safe.
 
If I'm carrying a SIG, it's lately been my two-tone 229 in 9mm (stoked with a Mec-Gar 15 round mag and a Mec-Gar 18 round mag as a spare on the belt) ... I love my 228s for packing, but the 229's slightly heavier slide makes it seem like a softer shooting pistol ... I'm an average sized guy, and have no problem concealing a P-229 OWB in a Kramer Belt Scabbard (pancake) or IWB in a Milt Sparks VM-2. So yeah, my answer would be an emphatic "yes" for a 229 as an EDC pistol (heck, I carry a full-sized 226 concealed often as well).
 
Well, you didn't ask me, but -- in Kydex, I favor the Blade-Tec (you can use the paddle attachment, which I'm starting to like more than the belt attachment); in horsehide, the Kramer Belt Scabbard reigns supreme (durable, close-fitting, eminently concealable high-rise pancake), and in cowhide, for an off-the-shelf, easy on the wallet, but good-looking concealment holster, the Galco Concealable is great (the Combat Master has a less pronounced forward rake, but is a good deal as well). For IWB -- the Milt Sparks VM-II is the gold standard, but there's a wait no matter who you order from (www.topgunsupply.com is a good source), the Kramer IWB #3 in horsehide will last a lifetime.

Of course, a sturdy belt is key to good concealment and comfy packin' ... whatever holster you choose, a purpose-built gunbelt is mandatory.
 
Hi osteodoc,

I purchased a P229 tacops package early last year and I love it! I use it for an EDC often. I absolutely love the tritium/fiberoptic combo front sight. I picked up a new, 13 rd flush fit magazine since all the mags that came with the tacops package are extended.

I use the galco kingtuk with a 5.11 polymer insert belt. It is very comfortable and doesn't poke. For reference, I am 6' 2" 208 lbs ( in all the wrong places). I find it easily concealable with a long sport polo, thicker button up dress shirt. With a vest, light jacket, hoodie, etc it is completely gone. Also works well with a couple of my suits.

Hope this helps, it's a great value for a great gun!

-Scott
 
I carried my P229 concealed for about a year. I live in TX and even in the summer while wearing Tees it wasn't hard to conceal BUT I got so tiered of the weight and having to adjust my pants/shorts all the time. So I got a lighter weight pistol to carry (still have the P229, it's a fine pistol).
 
This post led me to go take out my P229 .40 and carry it again, which I've done for the past few days. I carry it in a Kramer belt scabbard, and despite it being thicker than my other pistols, it carries well. I learned to shoot with Sig Sauer pistols so I have somewhat of an affection for them. Mine was made in 1998, so it has no rail (which I solely prefer). I had the slide hard chromed by Tripp Research before they stopped hardchroming in 2008 and this is one of those pistols I'll never sell.

Carrywise, it is heavier and thicker than the other polymer offerings, but with a good belt and holster, it carries comfortably. I carry a spare mag in a Kramer single mag pouch, and the weight balances well on my 5-10, 190 pound frame. I feel well armed with this and appreciate the quality and function of this well made pistol.
 
I carry a 229 13 to 18 hours a day in a galco king tuck. I am very tall and large works great for me


Sent from my SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2
 
Thanks for all the replies. The hunt is on.

How does it carry with the extended beavertail?
 
I don't know if you're talking about a beavertail other than what comes normal on the P229 tacops which I have, but that beavertail doesn't cause any problems. The biggest thing I have found in my carrying experiences is beavertail can affect comfort. Select IWB holsters that buffer your belly from that beaver. ;)
 
I really like the P229. It is easier to carry than the P220 and P226 (though a good holster goes a long way toward evening the difference out). They key is a good belt (look at Comp-Tac kydex reinforced belt) and a holster with lots of forward cant. The cant assists in hiding the grip under your shirt. Make sure the holster has a sweat shield; this improves comfort and protects the gun from sweat. The DeSantis Cozy Partner offers quite a bit. Look at "The Bodyguard" and the "Dual Carry" holsters from DM Bullard. He has OWB and IWB holsters.
 
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I carry a P229R as a duty pistol, and for several years, also toted the same P229R, or a non-railed P229, concealed while off the clock. Yes, they are chunky, but it is easy enough to dress around the gun. Try concealing an N-frame revolver for several years; after that, a P229 is easy! :)

I mostly stopped carrying the P229 on my own time when it started hurting my arthritic wrist to shoot it; .40 has snappy recoil, so I now practice with it very little. I now tend to conceal an all-steel 1911, in the gentler-recoiling .45 ACP. I prefer to carry a weapon with which I have practiced recently.
 
My EDCs are the p228 and p229 - both are very readily concealable with an IWB holster

My holsters include the Milt Sparks VersaMax II (the best constructed and most comfortable holster I've used) and the Galco Skyops. The Galco has not held up as well - the leather is thin, lacks reinforcement,
 
I'm still looking locally for a P229. I like the idea of the railed version. Can't wait to find one.
 
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