[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Sig Handgun (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/18/2010 6:53:48 PM EDT
| Ive been looking at different Sig handguns and would like to get one sometime in the near future. I've looked through the spec sheet on the Sig website and looked at the features and all that stuff, and I'm confused. The 3 main ones I'm looking at are the P220, 226, and 229. The features are all the same it seems, except for the fact that the 220 is in .45 and has the ambi safety. What other differences are there? From those of you who have used or owned them, what do you think? |
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P220- full size single stack .45 ( old old ones came in 9mm) P226- Full size double stack 9mm, .357 sig, .40 cal P229- semi-compact double stack 9mm, .357 sig, .40 cal The p228 is no longer in production, it was made with a stamped steel slide, only in 9mm, had had the older style internal extractor. Uses the same frame as the P229. |
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228 is aluminum-framed, and the 229 is all steel. I'd get the 228 for CCW if you can find one...I'm not sure they make them anymore. If you can't, the 229 would be my choice. YMMV HH This is incorrect. The P228 has a stamped cabon steel slide and is only available in 9mm. The P229 has a milled stainless steel slide and is available in .40 S&W, 9mm, or .357 Sig. The slide on the P229 is thicker and heavier than the P228. The P229 was designed around the .40 S&W round. BTW, some P229's (Elite ST) are available with a steel frame, but most P229's have an aluminum frame. Sig also recently re-introduced the P228 and P228R, |
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I own 2-P229's.
One is railed, the other is not. The non-railed gun will fit in the same holster as my P239 (daily carry, and sees occasional carry duty (mostly in the winter). The railed gun is the nightstand gun. As far as I am concerned, they have the best factory triggers of anything outside a 1911. Mine are all DA/SA, with long, smooth pulls. The next thing I am going to buy is a P226 in 9mm. They are actually my favorite Sigs to shoot. I've shot several P220's in the various configs, and the only gripe I have with them is the .45acp chambering (yes, I am one of those godless heathens  ).
ETA: The difference between the 228 and 229 is mainly the slide. 228 is stamped, 229 is milled. Sig has recently released some railed 228's, but i am sorry to say the one example I played with had the nastiest trigger I've ever felt on a Sig. Gritty as hell. To be fair, it only had about 50 rounds down the pipe when I shot it. Hopefully with more dry fire and rounds down range, it'll smooth out. That, or it's making a trip to Gray guns. |
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Bought a SIG 229 for my birthday last year for my CCW but stil have not taken the class yet... I would agree to SIG's having the best trigger besides 1911's. I actually bought the SIG because it looks and feels very close to a 1911. http://i50.tinypic.com/149beyg.jpg LOL wut Maybe size-wise but really, that's it. Trigger is way heavier, it's DA/SA, and it's thicker than a 1911. Then there's the whole "slide release where the thumb safety would be on a 1911" thing which requires training to overcome. I love both, and I apologize for calling your post out, but I had to comment. |
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Quoted: So it sounds like from what you guys are saying, the only real difference between them is that the 229 is a little shorter? Am I understanding you correctly? Basically. I also like the P229 a bit more. I think it fits my hand more comfortably for some reason. By the way, based on some of the responses that I have seen here you really should be asking firearm related technical questions in the technical forums. There have been some very confusing responses that I have seen. Why don't you check out our SIG forum in the Handguns section?  |
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So it sounds like from what you guys are saying, the only real difference between them is that the 229 is a little shorter? Am I understanding you correctly? Basically. I also like the P229 a bit more. I think it fits my hand more comfortably for some reason. By the way, based on some of the responses that I have seen here you really should be asking firearm related technical questions in the technical forums. There have been some very confusing responses that I have seen. Why don't you check out our SIG forum in the Handguns section?
So the 229 is shorter than the 228? I couldn't tell from your post, and just posting "FAIL" was highly constructive to the conversation... In short, despite you complaining that others have been "very confusing," you haven't helped either. |
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Quoted: Quoted: So the 229 is shorter than the 228? I couldn't tell from your post, and just posting "FAIL" was highly constructive to the conversation...Quoted: Basically. I also like the P229 a bit more. I think it fits my hand more comfortably for some reason.So it sounds like from what you guys are saying, the only real difference between them is that the 229 is a little shorter? Am I understanding you correctly? By the way, based on some of the responses that I have seen here you really should be asking firearm related technical questions in the technical forums. There have been some very confusing responses that I have seen. Why don't you check out our SIG forum in the Handguns section? In short, despite you complaining that others have been "very confusing," you haven't helped either. Like I said, this is GD where the answers to technical questions are not helpful.  |
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I'm curious on the difference between the 228 and 229. The P229 uses a stainless steel slide that is machined as one piece, not a stamped carbon steel slide that has a block pinned in it. It's supposed to be more durable and involve less intensive maintenance. The P229 was designed around the .40, where the P228 was designed as a 9mm. Again, that goes to overall service life and durability. The P229 has ergonomics that are better than the P228, IMO. Posted by somebody else:
228 is aluminum-framed, and the 229 is all steel. Negative, Ghostrider. The P228 and P229 have an aluminum alloy frame. Certain special models of the P229 (like the "Sport" model) have a steel frame, but the majority of P229 handguns have an aluminum frame. |
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Quoted: Posted by somebody else: Negative, Ghostrider. The P228 and P229 have an aluminum alloy frame. Certain special models of the P229 (like the "Sport" model) have a steel frame, but the majority of P229 handguns have an aluminum frame.228 is aluminum-framed, and the 229 is all steel. I would like me a 229 elite stainless!   |
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http://www.gundealersonline.com/members%5Cusers%5Cdsofirearms%5CDSO_Sig_P220ST_c.JPG I have a P220 in stainless. They are no longer in production, but I see them for sale ("NIB") for between 800-900 delivered. If you're a fan of the polymer jobs this may not be for you. It does get back on target pdq. No ambi safety. My Air Force buddy has this same gun. I have shot ALOT of guns in my life and that gun was the MOST accurate gun I have ever fired. I tore the center bullseye out of the target and it was consistent everytime.
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I kind of like the idea behind the Sig P250, and the DAO feels pretty good. Anybody try one of these yet? http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/picture-9-9.png Let SIG work out the kinks before committing to the platform. Nifty idea... but from what I have seen, they need to refine the concept further... |
| OP, unless you are going to CCW, I'd go with the 226. IMO, it toes the line between comfortable full-size and almost too big. I bought an '88 W. German 226 a couple years and it is one of my favorites. Great shooter, great trigger. Tons of aftermarket support as well. |
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Of the 3 models you listed in the O.P. I would recommend either the P220 or P226. But.....look for an older West German stamped slide model.
They seem to be the overall best in quality produced by Sig...They are the guns that built Sig's good rep. If you like the size of the P229 I would look for an older P228. For me, they represent the pinnacle of Sig handguns. Just an opinion from a long time Sig fan/owner. |
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I got a p226 this year after lusting for one for years. I really love it. Easiest pistol to shoot accurately I've ever used. I only paid $300 so I didn't feel bad about dropping $90 this week on the SRT kit. Where did you get the SRT kit from???? I've got a P226 that I converted from DAO, to SA/DA and I'd really like to get an SRT kit installed. thanks! Oh, OP, get the P226. I've got a P226 and a P228. The P226 is the gun that always comes to the range with me. 
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I got a p226 this year after lusting for one for years. I really love it. Easiest pistol to shoot accurately I've ever used. I only paid $300 so I didn't feel bad about dropping $90 this week on the SRT kit. Where did you get the SRT kit from???? I've got a P226 that I converted from DAO, to SA/DA and I'd really like to get an SRT kit installed. thanks! Oh, OP, get the P226. I've got a P226 and a P228. The P226 is the gun that always comes to the range with me. this |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I got a p226 this year after lusting for one for years. I really love it. Easiest pistol to shoot accurately I've ever used. I only paid $300 so I didn't feel bad about dropping $90 this week on the SRT kit. Where did you get the SRT kit from???? I've got a P226 that I converted from DAO, to SA/DA and I'd really like to get an SRT kit installed. thanks! Oh, OP, get the P226. I've got a P226 and a P228. The P226 is the gun that always comes to the range with me. this Check the EE under handgun parts. A few different people are selling them but they go quick. And it is very nice, I ran a few rounds through it yesterday. I was with my dad so I didn't try to go to fast but it was easy to tell you can pull the trigger faster than you'll be able to aim. |
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I got a p226 this year after lusting for one for years. I really love it. Easiest pistol to shoot accurately I've ever used. I only paid $300 so I didn't feel bad about dropping $90 this week on the SRT kit. Where did you get the SRT kit from???? I've got a P226 that I converted from DAO, to SA/DA and I'd really like to get an SRT kit installed. thanks! Oh, OP, get the P226. I've got a P226 and a P228. The P226 is the gun that always comes to the range with me. this Check the EE under handgun parts. A few different people are selling them but they go quick. And it is very nice, I ran a few rounds through it yesterday. I was with my dad so I didn't try to go to fast but it was easy to tell you can pull the trigger faster than you'll be able to aim. To paraphrase Jack Burton, I never shoot faster than I can see.
Thanks, I'll check the EE. |
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I got a p226 this year after lusting for one for years. I really love it. Easiest pistol to shoot accurately I've ever used. I only paid $300 so I didn't feel bad about dropping $90 this week on the SRT kit. Where did you get the SRT kit from???? I've got a P226 that I converted from DAO, to SA/DA and I'd really like to get an SRT kit installed. thanks! Oh, OP, get the P226. I've got a P226 and a P228. The P226 is the gun that always comes to the range with me. this Me too, I was thinking of sending it in for the $99.00 job. Can you buy the kit and is it a fairly easy install? GM ETA: Read the above. |
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I'm curious on the difference between the 228 and 229. The P229 uses a stainless steel slide that is machined as one piece, not a stamped carbon steel slide that has a block pinned in it. It's supposed to be more durable and involve less intensive maintenance. The P229 was designed around the .40, where the P228 was designed as a 9mm. Again, that goes to overall service life and durability. The P229 has ergonomics that are better than the P228, IMO. Posted by somebody else:
228 is aluminum-framed, and the 229 is all steel. Negative, Ghostrider. The P228 and P229 have an aluminum alloy frame. Certain special models of the P229 (like the "Sport" model) have a steel frame, but the majority of P229 handguns have an aluminum frame. To further comment, the standard 9mm P229s have the exact same aluminum alloy frame as the P228 did and also use tha same locking block, barrel, and magazines. No difference in frame size or ergonmics at all. The only difference is in the slide. After SIG developed the one piece milled stainless slides for the .40 S&W P229 they started moving all production over to that slide in all calibers. In the case of the P228 however, they just discontinued the pistol since they already had a 9mm P229 and it didn't make sense to have competing products. The P220 and P226 are essentially similar sized pistols- P220 single stack in .45 ACP, P226 double stack in 9, 40, and .357 SIG. Essentially the same barrel and slide length and height. The P229 is shorter in length and height than the P226 and P220 and is more concealable. |
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Ive been looking at different Sig handguns and would like to get one sometime in the near future. I've looked through the spec sheet on the Sig website and looked at the features and all that stuff, and I'm confused. The 3 main ones I'm looking at are the P220, 226, and 229. The features are all the same it seems, except for the fact that the 220 is in .45 and has the ambi safety. What other differences are there? From those of you who have used or owned them, what do you think? I currently own 2 latest-generation Sigs, a P228R and a P220R (the "R" refers to the light rail on the frame the newer models). You mentioned an ambidextrous saftey. This probably means the 220 you are looking at is a single-action version. The main difference between new 228's and 229's is that the 229 has a thicker and heavier slide to accomodeate more intense calibers such as the .40 and .357 Sig. It also makes it heavier and some think, less well balanced than the 228. The 228 is strictly 9mm. The 229 is NOT all steel. In fact, the newer model 228's use the same alloy frame as the 229. Some say, if you are going with 9MM, go with the 228. I would find it difficult to decide if I had to give up either the 228 or 220. Even though they have similar controls and appearance, they seem like totally different guns to me, both with their advantages. I guess it boils-down to which caliber you prefer. 9MM is cheaper to shoot and 9MM ammo is more readily available or, does the larger caliber give you the warm-fuzzies? Which feels best in your hand. Which fits your needs best (are you going to conceal?) Some ammo-performance gurus have been saying lately that with modern high-performance HP's, there is marginal difference in terminal effect between all the above mentioned calibers. ( I won't make that argument). |
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Yes it is.Sig P228 is the way to go. I really wish that they would bring it back for a full production run, that and the P229ST! Instead we get this... http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/X-5-Golder-Dragon-detail-L.jpg http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/X-SIX-SCAND-BL-Detail_L.jpg 
Sweet, if I ever become a Middle Eastern dictator they already have a gun I can wear! |
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I personally like the 229.
If you buy one in .357 or .40, the barrels are interchangeable You can also convert a .357 or .40 gun to 9mm with an aftermarket (bar-sto, I think) But, you can not change a factory 9mm sig to .40 or .357 So, even if you want a 9mm - buy a .40 or .357 instead, buy a 9mm barrel for it, and you will add much versatility to your weapon. I know this works on the 226 and 229. Not sure about the 239. |
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Ive been looking at different Sig handguns and would like to get one sometime in the near future. I've looked through the spec sheet on the Sig website and looked at the features and all that stuff, and I'm confused. The 3 main ones I'm looking at are the P220, 226, and 229. The features are all the same it seems, except for the fact that the 220 is in .45 and has the ambi safety. What other differences are there? From those of you who have used or owned them, what do you think? I currently own 2 latest-generation Sigs, a P228R and a P220R (the "R" refers to the light rail on the frame the newer models). You mentioned an ambidextrous saftey. This probably means the 220 you are looking at is a single-action version. The main difference between new 228's and 229's is that the 229 has a thicker and heavier slide to accomodeate more intense calibers such as the .40 and .357 Sig. It also makes it heavier and some think, less well balanced than the 228. The 228 is strictly 9mm. The 229 is NOT all steel. In fact, the newer model 228's use the same alloy frame as the 229. Some say, if you are going with 9MM, go with the 228. I would find it difficult to decide if I had to give up either the 228 or 220. Even though they have similar controls and appearance, they seem like totally different guns to me, both with their advantages. I guess it boils-down to which caliber you prefer. 9MM is cheaper to shoot and 9MM ammo is more readily available or, does the larger caliber give you the warm-fuzzies? Which feels best in your hand. Which fits your needs best (are you going to conceal?) Some ammo-performance gurus have been saying lately that with modern high-performance HP's, there is marginal difference in terminal effect between all the above mentioned calibers. ( I won't make that argument). By far the most helpful post so far, although I realize I posted in GD. I like the 228, but I don't really want a 9mm. I have an M&P that shoots 9mm, and while it'd be nice to share ammo I'd rather have something with a little more pop. I don't want to turn this thread into a 9mm vs .40 vs .45, but it is something I need to decide. In the next year or 2 I'll be getting a .45 1911, so I'm trying to decide whether I'd rather go with the .45 in the 220 so they can share rounds or if I should go with a .40 to have something different. .40 is a little cheaper than .45 too, correct? As far as needs go, it is something I'd consider carrying, which makes the 229 more appealing. But I'd also heard from a friend who's looking at the same handguns that the 226 is a little more reliable than the 229. Is there any truth to this? |
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Sig P228 is the way to go. Yes it is. Indeed ... and there are still some Swiss Police trade-ins available. $450 for a P228 is a bargain. Be aware, the Swiss Polizei P228s, in general, have been shot quite a bit more than the German P6s that were imported a few years ago. They also appear to have had no PMCS performed on them either. For example, I bought two P6s, one 1979 and one 1981 vintage. While they had some holster wear, both had very little perceptible wear on the frame rails (read the rails were still mostly black with a few shiny spots), so maybe a few hundred rounds. In contrast, the Very Good Swiss P228 I purchased (2204 vintage), and others I have seen pictures of, had frame rails worn through to the bare aluminum, and a trigger bar with a flat worn in the disconnector tab, so probably several thousand rounds with little or more likely no maintenance (cleaning, lube, etc.). Some may have been arsenal refinished as well based on pictures and information I have seen from one buyer. So, whether or not they are a bargain at the prices asked is a matter of opinion and will vary from pistol to pistol. |
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By far the most helpful post so far, although I realize I posted in GD. I like the 228, but I don't really want a 9mm. I have an M&P that shoots 9mm, and while it'd be nice to share ammo I'd rather have something with a little more pop. I don't want to turn this thread into a 9mm vs .40 vs .45, but it is something I need to decide. In the next year or 2 I'll be getting a .45 1911, so I'm trying to decide whether I'd rather go with the .45 in the 220 so they can share rounds or if I should go with a .40 to have something different. .40 is a little cheaper than .45 too, correct? As far as needs go, it is something I'd consider carrying, which makes the 229 more appealing. But I'd also heard from a friend who's looking at the same handguns that the 226 is a little more reliable than the 229. Is there any truth to this? I've never heard that before. They are both extremely reliable. What did your friend base that opinion on? See my post above about barrels if ammo sharing is a feature you desire. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Sweet, if I ever become a Middle Eastern dictator they already have a gun I can wear!Quoted: I really wish that they would bring it back for a full production run, that and the P229ST!Quoted: Yes it is.Sig P228 is the way to go. Instead we get this... http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/X-5-Golder-Dragon-detail-L.jpg http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/catalog/product/X-SIX-SCAND-BL-Detail_L.jpg lol |