Which one to buy?

[Rasputin747]

My grandfather died recently, and he bought my brother a pistol when my brother was about 20. He left me some money, and I feel like he would have wanted me to have a handgun too. I've narrowed down my selection to two:

Walther P99 (9mm)

Sig-Sauer P229 (.357 SIG)

The Walther is cheaper, but I like the .357 SIG round better. Anyone have any insight on which one to get and why?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Go SIG!

Sig 229 pros:
Great trigger
Aluminum alloy frame
.357 Sig
push button mag release
Its a Sig!

Sig 229 cons:
Price


Walther P-99 pros:
Great grip

Walther P-99 cons:
Trigger sucks (MY opinion)
Polymer frame
9mm compared to the mentioned Sig

 

[ugaarguy]

Rasputin747, which gun fits your hand better? Have you factored ammo cost and availability into your caliber debate? Go with what fits you best. If its the SIG P229 don't rule out getting it 9mm. Practice is way more important than caliber, and with this being your first handgun the need for practice is magnified. 9mm target ammo cost half or less what 357 SIG target ammo does. The 9mm you get twice as much practice with beats the 357 SIG you get half the practice with. As sm says "Focus on the software not the hardware."

 

[TimboKhan]

Assuming that the guns fit your hand, you like them both, etc... I would go with the SIG. I am pretty neutral on both of these guns in terms of my own interest and bias, so the reason that I say go SIG is simply because you like the cartridge better. 9mm is a much more readily available cartridge and all, but if you like the .357 sig, then I say go for it.

 

[Glockfan.45]

I like them both, but I would probably go with the Walther. Its a nice looking gun, and .357sig ammo is impossible to find around here.

 

[AK103K]

I have a couple of 229's in 357SIG. Great pistols. You wont be disappointed.

357SIG ammo is readily available across the web and delivered right to your door. Prices are not bad either, and often only a couple of dollars more a box than 9mm. Most all the gun shops around here carry some sort of it.

 

[Autolycus]

Get a Sig 229 in 9mm. And then a decent holster and belt. Take a course and your good to go.

 

[ugaarguy]

Rasptin747, forgive us for not saying it sooner, but Welcome to THR. Also, my condolences on the loss of your grandfather.

 

[10-Ring]

Which one would you & your grandfather enjoy? Did he have a preference in a handgun?

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I own a 9mm P99 and a Sig in .357.

Both are accurate and extremely well designed & built.

If you get the P99 you must get the AS trigger - it's a beautiful thing!

In Sig I also prefer the DA/SA traditional trigger.

Both pistols have very smooth triggers, especially after a few hundred rounds.

The one thing that annoys me about Sigs is the loooooooooong trigger reset. The Walther posesses about the shortest, most crisp reset going.

.357 Sig ammo online can be found pretty reasonably, but still close to $4/box MORE than 9mm.

Not sure if you'd use this gun for self-defense or carry, but I think 9mm and proper shot placement is perfectly capable in a SD situation, and remember .357 Sig is harder to follow up with accurately and quickly.

 

[AK103K]

...and remember .357 Sig is harder to follow up with accurately and quickly.

I dont find this to be the case. Fast and accurate double and triple taps are very easy to make with it, even in a smaller gun like the P239.(not that the 239 is all that light)

 

[Rasputin747]

I think 9mm and proper shot placement is perfectly capable in a SD situation, and remember .357 Sig is harder to follow up with accurately and quickly.

I like the .357 SIG since it's more powerful. If there ever be need for me to use a gun on someone, I'd want to make sure they stay down. Not saying that a 9mm won't do that, but I like the power factor.