Sig P229 Questions

[KelVarnson]

I am close to pulling the trigger on a Sig P229 in .40 caliber, but I have a couple of questions.

There are two dealers in town who have this gun in stock. One says "Stainless" on the slide, one does not. They are both black. All of the P229's shown on Sig's site say "Stainless" on the side. So what's up with the one that doesn't?

By the way, the one that doesn't say "Stainless" is priced at $780, the one that does is priced at $859, I wonder if there is a reason. Also, I suspect I could get one of these for less somewhere couldn't I? Anyone care to comment on what I should pay for this gun?

I have several wheelguns and rifles and shotties, but this will be my first semi-auto. Any other words of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

[P90shooter]

Not true, if you look at the SAS version as well as the Platinum you will see that these do not have the words "Stainless" on them. Plus I really wouldnt worry about that because if memory serves they didnt always put that marker on the slides until just recently. Pick up any Sig made in the 70's or 80's ( its been a while since I last picked one up this old) if I remember correctly that lable isnt there. I hope some of my bull schtick spilled here helps.

 

[KelVarnson]

Oops, good catch. And thanks for your quick reply!

I wonder though, if I'm looking at one that is blued, but doesn't say "Stainless" on it, could that mean that the underlying metal is NOT stainless? That is the question in my mind.

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Is one non-railed and the other has the rail?

Both are NIB?

Prices are in-line, better than IF you were buying the same gun here in Calif.


My guess/bet is that the price difference is solely based on what each guy paid for it.. a/o one wants to make 100 bucks more in profit..

Go with the one that leaves you with the fewest questions and get to enjoying the finest, softest, most accurate 40cal out there IMO.


Ls

 

[KelVarnson]

Both are railed, and both are NIB, supposedly anyway. I have no reason to believe otherwise, and both are from reputable dealers. And yes, the more expensive one is from a dealer known for his high prices.

And this is in Cali, so I guess what you're saying about the price is good. I checked another dealer about 25 miles south and they were right in the middle of the other two, price-wise. I just wanted to make sure I couldn't get the thing $200 cheaper through some other type of sale.

Thanks for the advice. Good to know that I am looking at a gun that is considered by many to be a really good choice.

 

[rellascout]

All P229 have milled stainless steel slides. There are no P229 with stamped carbon steel slide. If they were they would be P228s.

Price is fair but still a bit high even for CA. Find a good dealer who will ship to CA. If you need one let me know.

Reverse Tutone P229 with night sites can be had for $635 shipped and that is with wood grips.

 

[Lonestar49]

Questions for RS

Price is fair but still a bit high even for CA. Find a good dealer who will ship to CA. If you need one let me know.

Tutone P229 with night sites can be had for $635 shipped and that is with wood grips.

...

RS,

Is yours you're selling/offering (in here, which I have no problems with fyi ) have rails or is it a non-railed, used or NIB ?


Ls

 

[Lonestar49]

Which one.. lol ?

And this is in Cali, so I guess what you're saying about the price is good. I checked another dealer about 25 miles south and they were right in the middle of the other two, price-wise. I just wanted to make sure I couldn't get the thing $200 cheaper through some other type of sale.

Thanks for the advice. Good to know that I am looking at a gun that is considered by many to be a really good choice.

...

Yes, IMO, the prices for a NIB 229 are GOOD for being sold here in Calif..

So, which one are ya gonna get?

Be sure to get a couple of box's of both 165gr and 180gr 40cal ammo so you can determine which you like best, for accuracy and faster follow-up shots.

Both my 40cals do best with the 180gr for SD/HD ranges..

Enjoy, after the 10 day DOJ wait..


Ls

 

[rellascout]

No Lone...just trying to help another member get a good deal.

That would be brand new in the box from Bud's Gun shop who still ships to CA I believe.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_28_778/products_id/411535169

 

[KelVarnson]

Those are indeed some good prices, thanks for the link. The closest one I could find to the one I'm looking at is a non-rail version for $663, but they're out of stock:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_28_778/products_id/29170

I like the idea of a rail, but I don't know how much that adds to the price. Maybe adding a rail, and the FFL fee I will have to pay will cause it to start approaching the $780 the local guys want. But then again, would I be dodging the sales tax if I bought it from Bud's out of Kentucky? That's another $50, that could offset the FFL.

Edited to add, here is the same gun I am looking at locally for $30 dollars less at Bud's:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_28_779/products_id/50981

Looks like the local deal ain't so bad, this is really helping me zero in on things, thanks again guys.

 

[rellascout]

The rails are standard on all Sig Pistols now except 1911 and SAS models. You do not pay more for a rail. Actually these days you pay less.

Think of it this way.

The nite sights which are worth at least $75.

The what look like Hogue grips are worth $70

Shipping $20

No Tax $50

Total: $215

So you are paying $415 for the base gun with a reverse tutone paint job for free. So even if you pay $50 to transfer the gun then you are still way ahead.

 

[KelVarnson]

Well, that is certainly a nice-looking gun, and a good deal. But I prefer the polymer grips, and the black finish, so it is kind of moot.

However, the night sights thing, the dealer I talked to that had the price in between the other two was offering a gun that had night sights, so I will have to take a closer look at that.

And another really newb question here, what exactly are night sights, and how do I know them when I am holding the gun in my hand?

 

[Jim Watson]

Night sights are (dimly) illuminated by little sealed ampoules filled with tritium and lined with phosphors that glow in the radiation from the mildly radioactive isotope of hydrogen.

Look at the dots on the sights and you can see the glitter of the ampoules. Take the gun in a closet and see them glow.

 

[Lonestar49]

It is indeed..

No Lone...just trying to help another member get a good deal.

That would be brand new in the box from Bud's Gun shop who still ships to CA I believe.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411535169

...

Beautiful gun and price, RS, for NIB.. its got my vote

Personally, I like the one non-railed version for Hogue's advertisement better..

Well, KV, there's your 200 dollar savings.. give or take

Choices, they come from all different angles all at once.. lol

Just get one asap and make me a happy post-reply er..


Ls

 

[KelVarnson]

LS, I certainly admire your enthusiasm! And thanks to everyone else for the help. I think I may take a short trip and look at option C with the night sights. It's nice to see the local guys are in the ball park, at least on the gun that I want.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[Lonestar49]

Get the gun with the Night Sights already on..

LS, I certainly admire your enthusiasm! And thanks to everyone else for the help. I think I may take a short trip and look at option C with the night sights. It's nice to see the local guys are in the ball park, at least on the gun that I want.

...

It comes naturally when we're talking about SIGS..

IMO, the guy with the price in the middle with the gun that has the Night Sights already on them, is the way to go.. bar none.

This because, they cost, (Trijicons for example) aprox 120 bucks, give or take, then another 25/35 bucks for a gunsmith to take off your other sights and put the new ones on..

This can come with 2 gray areas.. 2 weeks without your gun, and one small slip by the gunsmith, and wammo, you have your first scratch/s.. AND you will see them.. Been there, done that.. no joy.

Most guns that come with say, combat sights, supernova glow by light charge type sites (glow for 30 mins before needing re-charge) swap for real night sights that glow 24/7 for aprox 8yrs or more..

Just make sure that the front sight is white/glows-green, and the rears can be the same or white/glow-orange, or yellow, and you're good to go..

Do not go red in the front.. period

Front sight glows green is a must, as green shows up the easiest, and most, for the human eye at low light levels or really dark.. fyi

Also, be sure to get some "snap-caps" in 40cal (for dry-firing-practice, trigger-break-in) 2 bore snakes in 45cal (they work fine for 40cal) but do a little better job IMO.. and some EEZOX (directions on can) some good gun oil, some Q-tips, great little things.. lol, and for a temp-holster that won't put any holster wear marks on your new gun (ever) great for protection of gun putting it on Night Stand, table, or in Small Gun Safe, etc., get a 15 dollar Uncle Mike's # 15-size Neoprene IWB Holster..

You're probably on the road as am typing this one, lol, but make a list with these items and don't forget to get them before, of when, you take possession of your new 229..


Ls


PS.. depending where ya live in Calif, but if near Orange County, you can be my guest at Evans Indoor shooting range, in the city of Orange, and break in your new 40cal, along with my old one, anytime after July 9th, lol

 

[KelVarnson]

Wow. Thanks for all of the great advice, and the invitation. I'm pretty far north of you, but if I'm ever on a road trip...

I will probably go down and look at the other one tomorrow. They were closed today.

I appreciate all of the tips on accessories too. Good to know during the 10-day mandatory accessory shopping period.

 

[Lonestar49]

A positive-plus for Calif Gun buying.. hehehe

Good to know *during the 10-day mandatory accessory shopping period.

...

LMAO.. *That should be listed as "another Calif Golden Rule of gun buying"

Road trip (thru Orange County) anytime, just PM me and we'll make-it-happen..


Ls

 

[KelVarnson]

Another Question

As I am thinking about this gun, I have come up with another question, this one pertaining to single-action operation.

Let's say I rack the slide, then de-cock the gun and holster it. Sometime later, I draw the gun. At this point, is it safe to pull the hammer back manually, for single-action operation?

I am assuming that it is. I understand the danger of using the trigger to de-cock this gun, that is a big no-no. But, as long as my finger is off of the trigger, I should be able to manually pull back the hammer for SA operation, right? The Sig manual says that the gun cannot fire without the trigger being pulled.

Sorry if this is a newb question; as I said, I am a wheelgun guy, and this will be my first semi-auto. Just trying to fully understand the operation.

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, it is possible to thumb-cock a P229 and avoid having to make the first shot double action. That would be ok for slow careful target shooting, but if you intend this gun for self defense or fast competition like IPSC or IDPA, it would be smart to learn the DA-SA operation.

 

[KelVarnson]

Hey everybody, thanks again for the responses. I went back into the store and checked out a P226 that I had overlooked, mainly due to price. I fell in love with the gun, it seems like a better fit for me. So I will be picking it up in ten days (I live in CA).

The bright side is, that is ten days to shop, and ten days to get advice from you guys (as long as it's not "You shouldn't have bought a 226!).

Since the topic has changed, I started a new thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4673719#post4673719

If anyone here has advice or tips on this gun and/or accesories and ammo, or on semiautos in general, and you have a little spare time, please drop by that thread and give me a little education.

Thanks again for all of your help!