Glock 17 or Sig P226

temp

Inactive
Hi I'm looking into purchasing a handgun. At first I was convinced that the Glock was the way to go, but then I heard about Sig handguns.

So, what are your thoughts on which is a better handgun for personal defense, the Glock 17 or the Sig P226?
 
Hello, welcome to TFL!
I'm betting you are going to get alot of praise for the Sig and the Glock in the posts to follow. Both are excellent pistols for your purpose.
I'm also betting most people here will tell you to try both and pick what suits you best.
Or you can do what I did... buy both of 'em .:)
Dave
 
Definitely the SiG! I would trust my life more with the Sig than the Glock. Much more accurate and reliable hands down over the Glock. The P226 is one of the best if not the best SiG ever made, and it's a SiG! If its good enough for the Navy SEALs, its good enough for me.:eek:
 
Glock 17 vs. Sigarms P226

temp,

First off, let me welcome to TFL!!! You will find this to be a very helpful forum in the world of shooting. The folks here are very knowledgeable and have a helpful spirit. Even when the flame starts flying, there is usually something helpful to catch in the midst.

Now to answer your question. My personal experience tends to lean in the SIGs direction, but there are many factors that you will have to determine for yourself (comfort, pointability, shootability, etc.). So before I say anything else, you HAVE to shoot both before you make up your mind.

That said, the SIG P226 is a traditional DA/SA semi-aotumatic pistol of German design. SIGS tend to be among the best made handguns bar none in the world. Accuracy is world class, ergonomics are among the best, and handling characteristics are very good. The only thing you wil have to get used to is the unique hammer drop location and the DA/SA functions. Some will say the initial DA shot is too difficult to master, but that is not true. With enough practice any weapon's characteristics can be mastered. The SIG may also be a bit heavier than the GLOCK.

The Glock 17 is a full size polymer frame/steel slide and internals handgun. The Glock's real promise is its simplicity of operation and rugged design. There are no safety controls to be concerned with, and the gun has less than 30 parts total, so the gun is easy to maintain and fix if it breaks down. The Glocks have undergone some of the industries most rigorous duribility testing, and come through with flying colors. The Glock design must be gotten used to though. The grip angle is weird for many people, and while combat accurate, the Glock is probably not as intrinsically accurate as the SIG.

I personally own a SIG 226 in 9mm and absolutely love it. IMHO, SIG makes the finest sidearms around, but like I said before, only you can pick a handgun for you.

BTW, if you are looking for something more compact, consider the SIG 228/229/225/239 or Glock 19.

Good luck and God Bless!!!
 
Glock 17 vs. Sigarms P226

temp,

First off, let me welcome to TFL!!! You will find this to be a very helpful forum in the world of shooting. The folks here are very knowledgeable and have a helpful spirit. Even when the flame starts flying, there is usually something helpful to catch in the midst.

Now to answer your question. My personal experience tends to lean in the SIGs direction, but there are many factors that you will have to determine for yourself (comfort, pointability, shootability, etc.). So before I say anything else, you HAVE to shoot both before you make up your mind.

That said, the SIG P226 is a traditional DA/SA semi-aotumatic pistol of German design. SIGS tend to be among the best made handguns bar none in the world. Accuracy is world class, ergonomics are among the best, and handling characteristics are very good. The only thing you wil have to get used to is the unique hammer drop location and the DA/SA functions. Some will say the initial DA shot is too difficult to master, but that is not true. With enough practice any weapon's characteristics can be mastered. The SIG may also be a bit heavier than the GLOCK.

The Glock 17 is a full size polymer frame/steel slide and internals handgun. The Glock's real promise is its simplicity of operation and rugged design. There are no safety controls to be concerned with, and the gun has less than 30 parts total, so the gun is easy to maintain and fix if it breaks down. The Glocks have undergone some of the industries most rigorous duribility testing, and come through with flying colors. The Glock design must be gotten used to though. The grip angle is weird for many people, and while combat accurate, the Glock is probably not as intrinsically accurate as the SIG.

I personally own a SIG 226 in 9mm and absolutely love it. IMHO, SIG makes the finest sidearms around, but like I said before, only you can pick a handgun for you.

BTW, if you are looking for something more compact, consider the SIG 228/229/225/239 or Glock 19.

Good luck and God Bless!!!
 
I only saw the 229 and the 239 on the sigarms website. What are those other ones, maybe older models?

The 239 "personal size" is quite a bit smaller than the 229 "compact size". I do not like the idea of the 8 round clip on the 239, so I wonder if the 229 is alright for concealed carry?

I think I'm still leaning towards the 226, I like the full size. I prefer the glock 17 over the glock 19 also.
 
Give both a try before buying. Personally, I prefer the P226 by far....BUT, my preferences are likely different than yours. Thus, you need to try both guns out for yourself before buying. :)
 
Welcome to TFL, Temp!!!

After you have completed your testing of the Glock 17
and Sig P226, you must decided on this; the most
important fact. Do I want a semi-auto with a "safe-
action" trigger, much like a DA revolver; or do I want
the capeability of DA/SA from my auto pistol?

Two thing's are in favor of the Sig P226 in my opinion.
That being it is of the DA/SA configuration, and the
fact that Sig's have exposed hammer's; as opposed
to Glock's internal firing mechanism. Also, I believe
you will find the Sig's accuracy to be out-standing;
leaving the Glock in the dust and fumes!!!:):D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I own both and I like them for different reasons. At the end of the day I always find myself admiring the SIG more. The SIG fits my hand better. The single "safe" action of the Glock is faster than the double action first shot of the SIG. With practice the DA can be mastered. The SIG is more expensive, but a really nice peice.
You gotta' shoot them both decide on one then decide you should have gotten the other one and buy it too.;)
 
I have to come to the defense of the poor Glock, too many Sig replies! :) My Glock 17 will put a full magazine in a 3" group at 50 feet, so there's nothing wrong with the accuracy of the Glock. The Sig may well do slightly better, but the BG is going to be just as dead with either pistol.

If you're going to compete with it, I'd consider the Sig for the possible added accuracy. If it's just for shooting enjoyment or defensive use either will do the trick just fine. The real choice should be determined by trying them both and picking the one you feel more comfortable shooting, either pistol will give you years of service.
 
Peter Gunn says it all. I prefer the Glock because it fits my hand better, I like it's trigger, I like it's operation, and it is plenty accurate. A bit cheaper too.

I don't care for the Sig because it does not fit my hands right, seems to big to me, and a bit top heavy. But there are many that love it as much as I love my Glocks. Both are fine pistols. Try them both before you buy.

Consider also the Glock 19. I have both the G17 and G19. I find the G19 overall a bit more versatile, i.e. you can conceal it a bit easier.
 
I've owned and carried Glocks, and I currently carry a SIG. I prefer the SIG (239 in my case, I like subcompacts). In my case, it's for 2 reasons. First and foremost is accuracy. The SIG puts every shot right where I want it, every time. The Glocks put every shot near where I wanted it, most of the time. Glock certainly had reasonable accuracy, but not on the level of the SIG. Second is the trigger. I never could get used to the feel of the Glock trigger (which probably contributed to my own lack of accuracy with them). I prefer the traditional DA/SA trigger of the SIG, and the SIG trigger is exquisite, right out of the box.

Bottom line, as has been said, is that they're both good guns, choose the one that fits you better. Me, I took the SIG.
 
Temp,

The Sig is an outstanding pistol, and I say that as someone who carries and shoots a Glock 19. There are few handguns made which equal the Sig in terms of ergonomic feel, imo... it just feels great in my hand. Why don't I carry/shoot one (and it would be the 229)? I am a lefty, and the Sig, with its lack of an ambi de-cocker, just isn't very lefty-friendly. Makes me sad :( Boo hoo! I would definitely own one otherwise. Glocks? Some people hate plastic guns, but not me. I love 1911's too... apples and oranges.

Is the Sig perfect? I'm list my personal pluses and minuses of it and the Glock:

FEEL
--Sig: Better ergonomics. Just feels great
--Glock: I'm used to it... not bad, though

ACCURACY
--Sig: More accurate for sure, individually and gun-to-gun
--Glock: combat accurate. Some are more accurate than others, even among the same model/caliber. Not sure why. Not a bullseye gun, but that's a given. Accurate enough.

RELIABILITY:
--Glocks are hard to beat. Simple design, fewer parts ( i keeps spare parts handy), easily maintained by owner, and an armorer in every zip code, it seems. Of course they break (everything does), but when they do, it's usually easily solved.
--SIGs: Very well made and reliable, but don't stand up to extreme use like the Glock, imo. Sure the SEALs use them, but they have their own spare guns, parts, and armorers, and they don't pay for them out of their own pockets! Not many Sig factory armorers... my DEA friend was shipping his Sig 220 to Connecticut every 3 mos (he shoots about 1-2k rounds/month). If I were going to shoot 10,000 rounds a year through it, I'd buy two, and rotate them.

RECOIL
--Glock: the lower bore axis means less muzzle flip, imo with the Glock. I like that
--SIG: higher bore axis, more muzzle flip

TRIGGER
-- SIG: Great trigger for a DA/SA, which I don't prefer. Teddy Jacobsen of Actions by T in TX can make it even better. You can get used to it, and of course on SA it's great. Too bad Sig doesn't make a "cocked and locked" model.
--Glock: I'm used to it. Not perfect, and some hate it, but I like the shot-to-shot consistency of the pull. Can be smoothed out w/polishing. The 3.5# is even better, but not for carry (I use the 5#)

FINISH
--Glock's Tenifer finish is about the best out there, other than hard chrome
--SIG: not as durable. You could get the nickel, which isn't bad. Not sure if you could chrome it, but maybe Black-T is an option. Anyone here know?

Shoot them both, and make your choice. You can't go wrong either way. Good luck.
 
I could never get use to the high bore line of the SIGs. They are an excellent pistol but they do sit very high on the hand. The Glock sits much lower and THAT I like. The Glock trigger can be improved if you don't care for the factory one. The Glock is also somewhat lighter. :cool:
 
First of,,,,,,,bedeviler,

You cant be serious,,,,are you?:(

How in gods name are you going to say that teh Sig is much more reliable and accurate than a Glock?

ANyone that knows anything would agree that both Sig and Glock are known for their reliability. Both are equals there. The Sig might be a little more accurate but not much at all.

Glocks are a little tougher than that of a Sig. With normal maintnence thats not even an issue. The Sigs cost a little more but not by much. High cap mags are everywhere for the Glocks and I love that:)

In short, either of these guns will suit you well for deffence. The bottom line is to see what feels better in your hands and what trigger pull you like. They are both very, very different.

Although I have got to tell you, the Glock is a dream to clean. Never cleaned a simpler gun in all m,y years of shooting.

I own a Sig P228, (2) P239s and a P220. Also I own a Glock 22,23 and 27. You cant go worng, just see what feels better to you.

Jason
 
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