View Full Version : Buying a P229 this week or next...
I just had a quick question for you guys, I'm buying a Sig P229 either this week or next and wondering what caliber I should get. Here is what I've been thinking, either .40 or .357, but kinda open to 9mm. What would you guys suggest? I currently have a Glock 22 (Gen2) in .40, and a Springfield 1911GI Champion .45 that I use for CC, but have been thinking of using the P229 as a CC weapon because I want a little more ammo cap.
Thanks in advance guys!
sneakerd
06-21-2011, 13:02
9mm without a doubt. I've never jumped on the .40 bandwagon. 9mm is cheap, readily available everywhere, has good defensive loads. Very accurate and controllable.
9mm without a doubt. I've never jumped on the .40 bandwagon. 9mm is cheap, readily available everywhere, has good defensive loads. Very accurate and controllable.
I was kind of leaning that way, that and if I decide to go the suppressor route I can get some good subsonic rounds- unlike .40 which is way too fast for suppression. Thanks for the input.
Rooskibar03
06-21-2011, 13:14
While I'm relatively new to the shooting world I'll throw out my 2 cents as I just got my first handgun, a 229 9mm.
I went a fired lots of different guns and different calibers and always came back to the Sig. I was hooked right after I shot the 226 for the first time but it was just a little to big in my hand.
A few weeks later I went back to the range for some more "test drives" before I made my final decision and they had added a 229 .40 into the rental fleet. I was in love but still wanted to go 9mm due to cost of ammo and size of magazine. I ended up with a great package purchase from Buds Guns for my 229 as a fathers day gift to myself.
I even got to take it the range Sunday and it preformed just like I hoped, perfectly.
Thanks for the input Rooski, I'm headed over to BluCore probably tomorrow and will rent the 229 9mm they have and finalize my decision. Eric, the owner of BC said that's what he used as a member of SEAL Team 6 and swears his and his shipmates life by it. Heck if the US Secret Service trusts it (in .357 though) can't be a bad gun at all.
Rooskibar03
06-21-2011, 13:21
Those guys rock. it was there I got my introductions as well.
Thanks for the input Rooski, I'm headed over to BluCore probably tomorrow and will rent the 229 9mm they have and finalize my decision. Eric, the owner of BC said that's what he used as a member of SEAL Team 6 and swears his and his shipmates life by it. Heck if the US Secret Service trusts it (in .357 though) can't be a bad gun at all.
sneakerd
06-21-2011, 13:22
Hey Rooski, what kind of a deal did you get on the 229? I currently have a hard-on for another 228, hate the rails on the current crop of Sigs. Guess they don't make the 228 anymore.
I personally don't care for the .40 but if you already own/shoot it then stick with it. Most of the 180gr stuff is subsonic.
I personally don't care for the .40 but if you already own/shoot it then stick with it. Most of the 180gr stuff is subsonic.
Well I have a .40 Glock and my 1911 in .45 then a 12GA, .22 rifle, .410, AK in 7.62, AR in 5.56 and looking to get a Rem 700 later this year in .308, what's one more pistol caliber gonna hurt? Besides, like was stated before 9mm is cheap, everywhere and there is a lot of good defense rounds.
Rooskibar03
06-21-2011, 13:59
See the link below. 229 E2 with 3 15 round magazines for $739. I was a little hesitant to make my first firearm purchase from an online retailer but it was to good a deal to pass up. I was pleased with the transaction with the exception of them holding the payment for 4 days, which to be fair they said the might. I had to delivered to Green Mnt Guns who did the FFL transfer for $35.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411544192
Hey Rooski, what kind of a deal did you get on the 229? I currently have a hard-on for another 228, hate the rails on the current crop of Sigs. Guess they don't make the 228 anymore.
Zundfolge
06-21-2011, 14:28
9mm without a doubt. I've never jumped on the .40 bandwagon. 9mm is cheap, readily available everywhere, has good defensive loads. Very accurate and controllable.
Actually if you didn't already have a .40 this would be good advice ... but since you have a .40 I say keep it simple stick with fewer calibers.
sneakerd
06-21-2011, 14:44
A couple of years ago, I had a perfect Sig 228 9mm (for me). Heinie Straight 8 nites, many extra mags. Just perfect. Like the idiot I often am, I dumped it for some stupid reason. Now here I am looking for another. It was one of the more accurate 9mms I've ever had. Evidently the early Sig 229 9mms are the same, they just have a solid pin thru the slide as opposed to the earlier roll pin. I just hate the rail.
Zundfolge
06-21-2011, 15:08
The difference between the P228 and P229 is that the P228 slide is made from stamped, carbon steel whereas the P229 slide is milled stainless steel (also I think the P228 is only available in 9mm whereas the P229 is available in 9mm, .357sig and .40S&W).
Something about the pre-unification P228s that makes them extra special.
Actually if you didn't already have a .40 this would be good advice ... but since you have a .40 I say keep it simple stick with fewer calibers.
I don't know if you saw the list, but I have so many different calibers as it is, one more won't hurt. Besides, it's a rare occasion that I take both my 1911 .45 and my Glock .40 out in the same outing to go shoot. I had also contemplated selling my Glock, I've shot it less and less as of late. Maybe it's because I'm always carrying my 1911 with me so it's just easier to take that out shooting rather than dig out the Glock and then go get ammo.
I don't know if you saw the list, but I have so many different calibers as it is, one more won't hurt.
Seems you keep telling yourself that.
IMO, it's a little easier to pick and choose what you're gonna lug to the range when you have fewer cals to feed.
Seems you keep telling yourself that.
IMO, it's a little easier to pick and choose what you're gonna lug to the range when you have fewer cals to feed.
I do keep telling myself that, otherwise I'll be like "aw hell I'll just hock everything but my .45 and only get guns in that cal." No one of the reasons I'm leaning toward 9mm is cost of ammo and suppression possibility in the future.
All I can say is I like my 229 in .40S&W. It is the most accurate .40 I've ever shot. The 9mm is a good defense caliber, but the .40 is gooder! WB
mrfish83
06-21-2011, 16:32
I've switched from a 40 to several 9mms. My reason is simple, I shoot them better. Buy what your are comfortable with.
Regarding CC - the majority of sigs are quite wide (I have several) which makes them a pain to CC, at least they have been for me. For CC, I like the P239 in 9mm, but that is still relatively large by today's CC choices.
CC aside, don't overlook a 226. I love my 226.
If you are open to buying online, check out Mark at Summit Gun Broker (http://www.summitgunbroker.com/SIG_SAUER.html), he has phenominal prices).
Byte Stryke
06-21-2011, 17:12
I've switched from a 40 to several 9mms. My reason is simple, I shoot them better. Buy what your are comfortable with.
Regarding CC - the majority of sigs are quite wide (I have several) which makes them a pain to CC, at least they have been for me. For CC, I like the P239 in 9mm, but that is still relatively large by today's CC choices.
CC aside, don't overlook a 226. I love my 226.
If you are open to buying online, check out Mark at Summit Gun Broker (http://www.summitgunbroker.com/SIG_SAUER.html), he has phenominal prices).
all of this...
If you purchase a .40S&W, a simple change of barrel will also allow you to shoot 357Sig out of it. You can also purchase a conversion 9mm barrel and a few mags and, presto, 9mm Sig P229!!
Sadly, this only holds true when converting from 40 to 9mm. Because of the size of the barrel, you would be unable to convert a 9mm P229 to shoot .40S&W.
If you purchase a .40S&W, a simple change of barrel will also allow you to shoot 357Sig out of it. You can also purchase a conversion 9mm barrel and a few mags and, presto, 9mm Sig P229!!
Sadly, this only holds true when converting from 40 to 9mm. Because of the size of the barrel, you would be unable to convert a 9mm P229 to shoot .40S&W.
This!!!
I have and carry a P229, P250, and Glock 22. All are set up to shoot either .40 S&W or .357 SIG. Barrel change to go back and forth on ammunition.
I was kind of leaning that way, that and if I decide to go the suppressor route I can get some good subsonic rounds- unlike .40 which is way too fast for suppression. Thanks for the input.
Sorry if someone beats me to this, I haven't read the whole thread yet, but .40 in 180 grains should be subsonic out of a shorter barrel, and right on the edge out of a longer barrel.
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