Sig Sauer P6

[AK103K]

Heres what the difference in the ramps between the original and updated versions. The barrel on the right is the older version. Both of those fed any of the hollow points I put in them, but that wasnt much of a variety either, Speer, Federal, and Winchester being what I remember shooting out of them.



As far as the feel of the different grips, Ive owned most of the older P series guns, and the P226 was, and still is my favorite. The other being the P250's.

SIG always had a weird idea as to what compact or smaller is, and personally, I think their biggest mistake was making the 228/229's as fat/chunky as they did. Should have kept the 226's profile with those grips.

 

[JR24]

Should have kept the 226's profile with those grips.

Simply cutting the 226 down to a 4" barrel would have been fine. The shorter grip on the 228/229 is counteracted by the baseplate.

Personally I found they concealed exactly the same, but the 226 feels much better in my hand.

The jump to the fat frame on the 229-1 was right out, adds weight and unneeded width.

 

[tercel89]

The slides of them were stamped steel. You'd never know , at least I didn't until I read about them. I bought mine in 2008 for $275 and it came in the factory blue plastic box. Very well made pistol. Best bang for the buck I ever purchased.

 

[ilgac]

For years my P6 was my only SIG. It was a gift from my son several years ago. Manufactured in February 1980, luckily mine does feed JHPs.


Pictured with my most recent acquisition a SIG SP2340DAK. I have an SA/DA hammer box for it on the way.

 

[golden]

JR24,

The 229 was designed around the .40 S&W round, that is why the slide is a solid piece of steel, instead of a welded stamping and also why it is thicker. The 229 was a result of testing which showed a 226 in .40 S&W would not hold up, at least with the hot 155 grain, 1200 fps load. When the 226 in .40 S&W was announced, I looked into changing my 9m.m. 226 into .40, but they were not the same.

BERETTA did the same thing with the 96 Brigadier. It has a reinforced slide and even then, they only lasted 10 years with the above load.

Jim

 

[JR24]

JR24,

The 229 was designed around the .40 S&W round, that is why the slide is a solid piece of steel, instead of a welded stamping and also why it is thicker. The 229 was a result of testing which showed a 226 in .40 S&W would not hold up, at least with the hot 155 grain, 1200 fps load. When the 226 in .40 S&W was announced, I looked into changing my 9m.m. 226 into .40, but they were not the same.

BERETTA did the same thing with the 96 Brigadier. It has a reinforced slide and even then, they only lasted 10 years with the above load.

Jim

Yep, I know, thanks for the refresher.

Sadly they ruined the appeal of it in 9mm for me by doing so. They do shoot .40 very nice though!

Luckily enough I do have a 228 which I like a good deal more than the wider 229-1 I used to have (also in 9mm). I still wish it had the grip contour and feel of a 226 with the shorter barrel though.

 

[golden]

JR,

Grip feel is an individual thing. I used to carry a 226 on duty and then bought a 229 to carry, but then my agency disallowed them both. Now I have the 225 which I love for the grip feel and a 229, which I bought because it is in 9m.m. and shoots very well. Much smaller groups than my 220, but also shoots smaller holes, so 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another.

Humorously, my .40 S&W issue BERETTA 96D Brigadier and a private purchase of the same gun, both had a smoother trigger than either SIG. The SIG seems to hold up better to hot .40 S&W loads on the other hand.

Jim

 

[Reinz]

Like AK103 I purchased a P6 from Gouger Mountain about 15 years ago as well.

Before I could shoot it I came across a New 225 at a gun shop. It had night sights and was only about $150 more than what I paid for the used P6. So naturally the gun addict in me justified the up charge and bought it.

I can’t remember how I disposed of the P6, but I’m pleased with my decision.

 

[JR24]

Like AK103 I purchased a P6 from Gouger Mountain about 15 (nope, 12 years, close enough) years ago as well.

Before I could shoot it I came across a New 225 at a gun shop. It had night sights and was only about $150 more than what I paid for the used P6. So naturally the gun addict in me justified the up charge and bought it.

I can’t remember how I disposed of the P6, but I’m pleased with my decision.

View attachment 942024

I also got my P6 from Gander about 15 years ago. Sadly sold it a few years later (don't regret it, friend really needed a cheap HD option at the time). My regret was not picking up a perfect condition one later on when I had a chance.

Luckily that one is available again, and I've got the line on it when I have the cash

 

[1goodshot]

I bought 2 years ago, 1 I had refinished by Robar. Great guns

 

[Ignition Override]

JR24: It sincerely warms my heart to read that your original P6 will return to its loving home.

Maybe you can toast its return with a Smithwicks (the smooth Irish beer-if not Ballistol) and shepherds' pie.

* Proofmarks on P6:
Do any of you have the odd, very tiny eagle (looks like a parrot on LSD) used by, or for the German Federal agencies?

One of my P6 has this, the other has the symbol for the city of Kiel ('squashed bug'), which is extremely common in the US.

 

[JR24]

Maybe you can toast its return with a Smithwicks (the smooth Irish beer-if not Ballistol) and shepherds' pie.

Mmmm. I haven't had Smithwicks in years!

More likely to toast with some Four Roses