Sig Sauer as a duty pistol?

[CoyoteSix]

So I'm going into law enforcement in fall of 2013, right now I'm taking the Pre-Requisites. I was talking to one of the instructors about gear (Holsters Belts etc.) and naturally we got to service pistols. I asked him what he recommended, "Glock in a .40" was his answer.

Don't get me wrong, Glocks are cool and crazy reliable from what I've heard. But I just don't Like Glocks! the grip angle doesn't suit me and I just don't get the right feeling from the gun.

So I asked him what else he could vouch for. He also liked the S&W M&P 9/40
I don't like those either..

So I asked him, "What about a SIG?" them being the only handguns I know of with the same reliability record as a Glock.

Unfortunately he hasn't ever gotten his hands on one. So I'm asking you THR, what about a SIG (250, SP2022, or even the $800 p226) for police duty use?

 

[Kymasabe]

I've had the 250 and I doubt you'd like it. Loooong trigger pull and reset.
SP2022 is a good gun, lots of good reviews. I've had a P226 and was easily the most accurate handgun I've ever owned. The one I bought was an oldy, a old German made one that had gone thru Sigs CPO program, I paid around $600 for it but you'd never know it wasn't a new gun, fit and finish were excellent and it worked flawlessly. As s duty weapon? Well, she might be a little heavy after a long day, it's a big gun.
The M&P's aren't a bad option. Does it have to be 9mm? Have you considered Ruger SR9 or SR40? Or Ruger P345?
If CZ is an option allowed by your department, wrap your mits around a CZ P-07 Duty.

 

[sigarms228]

I am not a police officer or such but if your dept allows DA/SA SIGs and that is what you like and are confident with it go for it. SIGs are terrific pistols. I have never tried a P250 with its DA trigger pull but SP2022, P226, and P229 are good to go.

Since you have a preference for hammer fired pistols check out the HK P30 and P2000 also.

 

[CoyoteSix]

I like 9mm because of the economy. And to be honest I'm a little stuck on the Sig idea.

What I really wanna know is how reliable they are. Or if there are any major problems with low quality ammo for practice. (Remington UMC or Tula/Wolf)

 

[TimboKhan]

Reliability isn't going to be an issue, though I will point out that a 229 is going to cost more. Good guns, but I always have thought they were a little overpriced.

Also, not trying to dissuade you, but weight is a factor on a duty belt and polymer is lighter.

 

[VAPOPO]

I carry a SIG 229 DAK in 9mm for a duty pistol and like it quite a bit. There has been a lot of talk about SIG's QC going down hill but we havent had a problem yet with our 2010 prodction year guns.

 

[Old Dog]

The SIG P-226 is NOT a "big gun." I've packed one as a duty gun for years; in 9mm, with the excellent Mec-Gar 18-round mags, what more do you need? In .40 S&W, the 226 is THE perfect forty.

Hey, it's the same size as the S&W M&P (my department's current issue), a little heavier, but probably the most accurate service size handgun out there. Decocker only, the manual of arms is so simple, even a caveman ...

IMO, the SIG 226 (or even the 228 or 229) is an excellent choice for duty carry.

Overpriced? I don't think so. You get what you pay for, and SIG is quality.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

San Francisco police department carry Sigs in 40 cal. I don't know the model.

 

[Dr_B]

The police in my town carry Sig P226's in .40. That's what they're issued but a few choose to carry Glocks. I have a 226 myself and my father carried one as a duty weapon. They're excellent for that role.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've carried SIGs as duty guns most of my career. I've carried the 220 (.45), the 226 (9mm), the 229 (.40) and the 226R (.40 & 9mm)

The 9mm guns have always run smoother than the .40 ones. My 220 has always be a bit more reliable than my 226...but double the magazine capacity can be comforting if you cover is far away. If you go with a 9mm SIG, be sure to keep up with the spring changes (every 3500 rds) and don't forget to change your magazine springs too.

If I were starting out again, I'd look very hard at the SIG 2022. It is very affordable (<$400), very shootable (good trigger) and the lighter weight of the polymer frame really does make a difference during a 10 or 12 hour shift. I'd also be tempted to go with a S&W M&P9, as I've found I can run it a bit faster than the SIGs

If I worked in a more rural area, I'd look seriously at a SIG 2022 in 357SIG.

 

[Ala Dan]

I carried a West German SIG-SAUER P220A in .45 ACP as a duty weapon, for a
long, long time. To me, it was the best .45 ACP (DA first shot) pistol out there.
Now retired, I still own it; and it slips into my winter carry mode sometimes.

 

[lechiffre]

them being the only handguns I know of with the same reliability record as a Glock.

Glocks are not magic. Glocks are no more or less reliable than a lot of other quality brands.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I prefer the Sig P220. I carried one for years (mine was purchased in 1987).

 

[Fishbed77]

So I asked him, "What about a SIG?" them being the only handguns I know of with the same reliability record as a Glock.

There are plenty of service pistols out there with a proven reliability record that is as good or better than Glocks (especially considering the 4th gen Glock problems).

The Walther P99 and H&K USP series spring immediately to mind, along with the SIG P-series.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Lots of State and Federal agencies around here carry the 229. It's my daily carry as welll.
SIG, as do other makers, has a discount program for LEOs.

 

[Rexster]

Bless you for wanting to enter the policin' world in these difficult times! I have no regrets; it is a wonderful, challenging occupation, that makes me feel I am contributing to society, but I am glad to be closer to retirement than the academy.

I have carried a SIG P229R DAK on duty since late 2004. I had carried G22 duty pistols from 2002, but instantly took a liking to the DAK trigger, as it so closely resembled a good K-frame revolver trigger. My accuracy, as measured on the qual course, went up small but a notable amount.

My problem is that the snappy .40 recoil, plus the relatively high bore axis of the P229, is starting to really hurt my formerly stronger wrist, whether that hand is the weapon hand or even the support hand, if I am using a modern, up-to-date support hand technique. I reckon all those big-bore magnums I shot in the 1980s are taking a time-delayed toll on my wrist.

I have yet to try shooting a .40 Glock to see if the lower bore axis alone is sufficient to mitigate the pain/damage. I am hoping my chief will sign off on a proposal to allow 9mm as an alternate duty pistol cartridge. Interestingly, the gentler-accelerating .45 ACP, fired from a relatively heavy 5" all-steel 1911, is still a painless joy to shoot, but I cannot go back to carrying a 1911 as a primary duty pistol, worn in the uniform duty rig, due to policy changes.

This is just my experience, how the higher bore axis and the .40 affect me. Mechanically, my SIG is fine.

 

[rodinal220]

If your still in the testing/hiring phase don't buy anything until your hired.The dept GOs will dictate what you can and cannot carry.Some depts issue firearms some make you buy your own.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Never gotten his hands on a Sig?

I wouldn't get too hung up on "track record." Glocks, M&Ps, XDs, Ruger SRs, H&Ks, Sigs, CZs, Berettas, and more, all have fantastic track records. Your only concerns should be figuring out which one feels the best to you, which sights you like best, which grip angle, ergonomics, etc.

As far as Sigs are concerned, for a service weapon, avoid the P250. They're good guns, but not up to par with others. The 2022 (polymer) and the 226 (steel) are both great choices.

Additionally, it may be a moot point, as the department you join may leave you little choice.

 

[montgomery381]

I carry a 226 in 40 as my duty weapon. It is a solid weapon and can be carried with full confidence. The ergos are great, definitely better feeling than a Glock. But it is heavier than the Glock and S&W. In the .40, with Mec-Gar mags, Glock and S&W have a 2 round higher mag capacity. I chose and had to purchase my Sig and I love it. However, I the heavier gun with fewer rounds does kinda bother me. I CCW a Glock 27 and have shot Glock 23's. The recoil is not bad and the accuracy is great. The Sig is probably more accurate if you are strictly target shooting but when it comes to combat or defensive shooting you don't see a difference in accuracy. Those are my thoughts. As for an answere to your question. Sigs are solid weapons and make fine duty weapons. The 250 would probably require more training to get proficient with due to the DAO, but it is a very smooth DAO. I have heard good things about the 2022 but have not shot one. Also it is kinda heavy, for a polymer framed gun. You can't go wrong with a 226 or 229. Good luck. You also might want to look at the XD's.

 

[CoyoteSix]

So if it came down to the 250 or 2022 what would you recommend? Also does a Ruger 22/45 make a good trainer/ practice pistol for the Sigs? I just need similar trigger and grip style. I know Sig makes the 226 in .22lr and the mosquito, but both are pretty pricey for a .22 for me :banghead:

 

[Sam1911]

Also does a Ruger 22/45 make a good trainer/ practice pistol for the Sigs?

Not terribly, no. A Ruger Mk I/II/III or 22/45 has a crisp single-action pull that is not much like any SIG, the controls are different and in different places, etc.

It makes a fine practice gun, but not a "trainer" for any specific gun, except sort of like a 1911, which is what the 22/45 was supposed to more closely emulate.

But it really doesn't matter. You'll be issued or will be told to buy whatever the department that hires you wants you to carry. Not impossible that that could be a SIG, but not exactly likely, either. So don't fret about it. Get whatever training you can with whatever gun you like, for now, and worry about tranferring the skills to your duty platform whenever you actually have a specified duty platform.

 

[rcmodel]

Unfortunately he hasn't ever gotten his hands on one.

Then he would be the last guy I would ask for gun advice.

Hard to imagine a firearms instructor that has had no experiance with a SIG!!

BTW: The P226 is our local PD's issue sidearm, and has been for many years.
All the cops I know love them.

rc

 

[CoyoteSix]

Leaning towards the M&P after a little research, that M&P 22 looks to be the best trainer for its parent gun. I like getting trainers because as we all now, ammo doesn't seem to be getting any cheaper.:banghead:

 

[Jaeger]

I've carried a Sig P226 for the past 14.5 years. First a 9mm DAO (different from the DAK-terrible trigger!) then a .357 SIG in both DAK and DA/SA.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the P226 as a fantastic duty weapon. I personally prefer the DA/SA with the SRT trigger but the DAK is quite manageable if you like that sort of thing. I've been our department armorer for quite a few years and while Sigs certainly aren't perfect I have found them to be highly reliable, durable and accurate. Couple that with a .22 conversion and I'd say you will have your bases covered for cheap practice while maintaining commonality of training.

They are more money than many other weapon systems but if the handgun fits you and you are comfortable with it you should try to find a way to come up with the $.

Of course, you may well be told what to buy or just issued a weapon when you find employment...

Don't get too hung up on caliber. All of the popular calibers, from 45 to 9mm are so close in terminal performance as to be statistically insignificant.




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[powder]

The only Glock I don't like is the G22, the 17 and 19 I've carried on duty and enjoy the accuracy.

Just got into SIGs this last winter, went to one of their LE Armorer's courses for the classic 2xx series pistols. WoW! Snagged an old German trade-in online for like 400, threw in a new parts kit and SRT. Smooth, accurate, and has an uncanny balance in my hand that a Glock does not have. I carry it off-duty in the winter, under heavier clothes. Love it.