Then there's the matter of the .357 SIG...

[FN in MT]

I'm retired from the MT Hwy patrol. We went to the SIG 229 in .357 sig in late 2001 for all MHP Troopers. The platform and the cartridge served us well in my years and has continued after I retired in 2007. Worked fine in Trooper involved shootings too. The Agency is in it third set of pistols, they have traded into new 229's about every six or seven years.

I was an Armorer and the 229's were fairly bulletproof. NO real issues.

We used WW 125 gr Ranger SXT for duty use. Practiced with WW or Speer 125 gr FMJ's. We qualify FOUR times a year, with two of those Quals a hi round count "range day". So we do put rounds through the guns far more than some Agencies.

Some of the comments posted about the round are somewhat puzzling. It's no tougher to reload than any other round. At least here in Montana, it's in gun stores. It IS available.
It appears to perform QUITE well on barriers and at longer ranges.

In my years as a Firearms Instructor, for both the Academy classes as well as quarterly shoots....I NEVER saw a 229 fail to feed/eject a .357 sig round. The fact that it is a bottleneck case, which IS a bit different, certainly makes for easy feeding.

A few of the posts bring to mind a comment made by a gun writer many years back, regarding hunting. He stated that a few writers needed to go out and actually hunt....not hunt with their typewriters. Same here...give the .357 sig a try in a quality pistol.

 

[stchman]

During some of the ammo shortages, 357 SIG ammo was much easier to find in stock, than 9mm, .45 ACP, or .40 S&W, apparently because far fewer folks felt compelled to hoard 357 SIG, a significant advantage of this "boutique" cartridge, at the time. This was one reason I bought and kept a 357 SIG barrel, for my P229 pistols, during my .40 duty pistol era. (I now use 9mm and .45 duty pistols; .40 is no longer mandated, thankfully.) I sold that barrel, along with one of the several P229 pistols I sold when I stopped using .40 S&W.

The 357 SIG made plenty of good sense when bullet technology was not as advanced as today. For quite a while, the only way to ensure consistent expansion of the better bonded-core bullets was plenty of velocity. Today, 357 SIG remains valid, but is less necessary.

When criminals/enemies inside motor vehicles are a significant threat, every bit of velocity is useful. This was a reason for .38 Super and .357 Magnum in the Thirties, and 357 SIG in the Nineties and into this century. This velocity remains as valid as ever, but today's "tactical bonded" ammo makes it less necessary.

Key thing is to stock up NOW on the ammo you want. 9mm is cheap now, so stock up. Don't wait until panic buy situations to buy ammo, NOW is the time. When the ammo shortage hit back in 2013, I had plenty of ammo.

 

[gotboostvr]

I keep thinking about picking up a cheap used 40sw trade in Sig229 and converting it to 357Sig.

Just that one gun gives me a good bit of versatility and flexibility with regards to ammo. I've got multiple 9's and 45's for carry and range work. The 229 is a good mid sized that can do either well. It also gives me two more calibers that despite them not being my preference, I won't begin to argue their effectiveness. They work. I'm actually most intrested in the 357Sig.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I’ve bought several of my Sigs that way. They were originally .40 cal but after I experimented with the .40, I decided the .357 Sig cartridge would be more useful so I bought some barrels and now have some nice Sig pistols in .357 Sig. There are some great deals available if you want to do that.

I don’t know if they still do it but they used to send used Sig trade ins back to the factory where they were inspected and any worn parts replaced. The factory would install all new springs and then sell it in a red case or box to signify they were factory refurbished. They might show some finish wear but the internals were like new. I was able to buy a couple of the factory refurbished pistols and they are great values.

 

[pblanc]

I’ve bought several of my Sigs that way. They were originally .40 cal but after I experimented with the .40, I decided the .357 Sig cartridge would be more useful so I bought some barrels and now have some nice Sig pistols in .357 Sig. There are some great deals available if you want to do that.

I don’t know if they still do it but they used to send used Sig trade ins back to the factory where they were inspected and any worn parts replaced. The factory would install all new springs and then sell it in a red case or box to signify they were factory refurbished. They might show some finish wear but the internals were like new. I was able to buy a couple of the factory refurbished pistols and they are great values.

Yes, SIG still does this. It is called the "SIG Service Plan" and costs $144.95. For that you get complete disassembly, cleaning, inspection, replacement of all springs, installation of SIGLITE factory night sights (except on the P232), and function test. You can read about it here:

http://www.sigsauer.com/custom-shop/

 

[Bottom Gun]

That's interesting. I didn't know so many services were available. The Sigs I own, however, were just fine right out of the box. It's one brand that doesn't need much improvement.

 

[TomJ]

I’ve bought several of my Sigs that way. They were originally .40 cal but after I experimented with the .40, I decided the .357 Sig cartridge would be more useful so I bought some barrels and now have some nice Sig pistols in .357 Sig. There are some great deals available if you want to do that.

I don’t know if they still do it but they used to send used Sig trade ins back to the factory where they were inspected and any worn parts replaced. The factory would install all new springs and then sell it in a red case or box to signify they were factory refurbished. They might show some finish wear but the internals were like new. I was able to buy a couple of the factory refurbished pistols and they are great values.

I bought one of the refurbished P229's in 357 Sig. It looks like a brand new gun, but at a significant savings. It's a great program.

 

[FN in MT]

SIG also has the occasional SALE on almost the same deal.... For $99! They usually do it Fathers Day.

I sent my old duty 229 back and it came back with new nite sights and springs. Opted for a refinish and that was also cheap...few years back, forget how much for the refinish. Got basically a new gun back.

 

[SigP229R]

Last I heard and from a good source (training instructor) N.C. Highway Patrol was using it.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I stopped carrying 1911’s in favor of my P239 or my P229 in .357 Sig. It’s simply a better round.

P239 makes an excellent carry. I'm not sure why it never caught on in the civilian market. I have a 9mm that I bought for cheap. Mags are a bit of a problem tho, never see any used anywhere. I passed on several 357's and held out for a 9mm. Nothing wrong with 357 but I already had a collection of range brass and dies. I'm cheap.

I like my 1911's but I won't carry one. I have a think against safeties on a carry gun.