So I was thinking. Sig P229, chambered for .357 SIG. Any opinions?
As an owner of a P229R in 357 SIG, I’d say start off with something else.
I got the 357 SIG as a bit of a lark-had plenty of 40 S&W and figured if getting a SIG, why not get it in the 357 SIG just for something a little different, maybe a little more penetration (it’s one of my main winter CCW), and since SIG invented the cartridge…?
Not a thing wrong with the gun (one of my favorites), but for a newbie I’d start with something else.
As others have stated, maybe a good (used?) .22 to start and learn the basics. This will give you somewhat of a starting point to learn what you do/don’t like although it’ll probably be a while before you narrow down your wants/need a bit.
They get a bad rap (early models?), but I’ve always liked the idea of the Walther P22 (got one) and SIG Mosquito (plan to get one). I like a .22 that functions/handles more like what you’ll probably end up with for self-defense (I know there are a few other brands out there).
After you’re ready to graduate from your .22 (or you may want to keep it), you should be able to go to the most popular calibers with little/no problem, although with modern ammo ain’t nothing wrong with a 9mm, and the ammo is much cheaper.
The other gun that I've had my eye on has been the Springfield XD-M in .40 S&W. Any opinions on this gun?
You say you may go for CC in the future-if so, why not an XDSC?
My main CCW is an XDSC40, but if I was doing it again I might go with the 9mm instead. It’s a surprisingly accurate gun, but you do get a little more muzzle flip than I’d like. I’d think you could stay on target a bit more with the 9mm.
You are familiar with the whole 40 snap/45 push discussions, aren’t you?
If you don’t go with a 9mm, you might consider a 45 for push vs. snap recoil?
BTW…most of the time when building my collection, I compared rounds held vs. caliber. If the same gun held 10 rounds of 9mm vs. 10 rounds of 45, I’m going with the 45. On the other hand, if it held 17 rounds of 9mm vs. 10 rounds of 45, I’d probably lean towards the 9mm.
Yeah…I know you’re going to hear the spray and pray naysayers that want to ridicule your choice if it’s based on magazine capacity, but I have no plans to “spray”-I’d just like the opportunity to put 17 rounds on target instead of 10 without reloading if the situation required!
Oh yeah...forgot to mention...if it was me, I'd avoid a Glock for a first gun since there seem to be an unusual number of AD/ND with 'em, and I think some of it has to do with it's design. You might be better off with a manual safety or a grip safety in addition to nothing but the trigger safety as on the Glock.
And for heaven's sake...don't let your buddies talk you into getting a trigger job for a SD weapon!
The 229 is a fine weapon, but I'd say get it in 9mm.