Police trade-in Sig 229 .40 cals: some were Not carried?

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Ignition Override

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A couple of them on an online auction website look excellent. The retailer has an A+ rating on the auction website.

He/she states in the description for both of them: "I can't find any wear!".

How is this possible with an LEO/Federal "trade-in" gun, unless it was stored in a department gun locker or such?:confused:
I have no idea how or whether they keep any guns in reserve, unless meant to be a possible replacement.
 
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My department recently switched to Glock 17's. We had Glock 22's. The Glock 22's became available for purchase to employees of the Department. I paid $300 and revieved the following. Glock 22 Gen 4, four 15 round magazines, and 100 rounds of .40 FMJ. My Glock was an armory gun. Meaning it was kept in storage as a back up in case one of the duty guns malfunctioned. None did. So I got a brand new Glock with 4-5 year old Trijicon night sites for $300. Most departments, aside from ones where you have to supply your own gun, keep spares in case of duty gun failure. While they don't stock enough to replace every officers gun, they do typically have a few.
 
I have a Colt Trooper MkIII that was issued to a Texas Ranger. It spent 30 years in his desk in a cigar box wrapped in an oil soaked sock. He did not neglect it. I bought it shortly before Christmas from his nephews. It looks like brand new. The reason is he never ever carried it. When the department switched over to semiauto he was allowed to buy the Colt. He did so, and the cigar box went into his home desk with the gun. It has been fired, but the finish on the outside of the gun is pristine. The grips are in perfect condition as well.
 
Roger that. Luckily the only .40 cal (with DA/SA), Sig 229 in my area was spotted in a nearby local shop. My first Sig larger than the .380 232!
Nobody has a 9mm Sig 229, but online .40 S&W ammo is about the same price as 9mm.

The one I prev. described is on Gunbroker in Arlington TX. Both of his "trade-in" 229s look new.

Even a gun showing a bit of wear--but local (and $70 less)--is so much easier than long distance "Buy Now", waiting on ship + transfer etc.
 
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There are many possibilities - everything from spare guns that never got used, to pistols that never left a desk drawer, to pistols that went home with an officer and got stashed in a dresser/safe/closet because they were allowed to carry something else.


Example:
My neighbor's brother just retired after 36 years as an LEO. His last assignment had him patrolling a desk 90% of the time.
He was issued a Sig P220 almost 10 years ago, but didn't like the example fired at the range. So, he was allowed to buy and carry the Glock previously issued.
The Sig issued to him sat in his desk drawer, in the original box, until he retired. It was still unfired and almost untouched when it was logged back in to the armory.
 
Frankenmauser: interesting.

This used P229 worked perfectly today after I bought it, maybe 60 rds.
The slide always locked back when empty, etc.

But just after the first field strip tonight, reassembly, the slide sometimes --with the same mag inserted-- is Not held open by the slide catch.

Maybe when manually pushing the slide to the rear, the wrong hand pressure (upwards or downwards) can cause this?
 
My LEO trade in Sig P220 DAK has almost zero wear, I doubt it was carried at all. Barely shot, the "smilies" on the barrel were just barely there. My S&W 5906 is in almost as nice condition. Barely shot, and zero holster wear, just a nick on the grips on both sides. It was issued back in the 90's to a Sgt, whose name is written in marker on the blue case. I even found pics of him online! My ex-NYPD P226 has definite holster wear, and so do my other LEO trade in guns.
 
A buddy years ago picked up some HP trade in's. Most had Badge Numbers and holster wear. I picked the 586 with No Badge Number and No Wear. I presume it was an armory spare.
I bought a Model 10 (4 Screw) years ago that was from Civil Defense Storage. Brand new and unfired, but with the City's 2 Initials and CD engraved on the butt.

Bob
 
My buddy bought a used Smith & Wesson M&P trade in from the Detroit PD. Had it stamped on the side of the slide. Anyway, clearly the gun had never been issued and was NIB without a mark on it.

My police trade in had some wear by contrast which you'd expect, but I wouldn't be surprised by trade in suns that don't appear to be issued.
 
But just after the first field strip tonight, reassembly, the slide sometimes --with the same mag inserted-- is Not held open by the slide catch.

Maybe when manually pushing the slide to the rear, the wrong hand pressure (upwards or downwards) can cause this?
Click to expand...
My first instinct with a such a malfunction is to assume that the magazine spring is weak.
 
FrankenMauser:

I just showed it to an LEO, and already had it figured out.

Pulling back the slide somewhat slowly, the Slide (itself) doesn't lock.
But at a very quick snap, as it is when shooting, it's perfect, and locks open.
 
Yea the magazine follower has to get under the slide catch. Should do it slowly as well, you just have to pull back far enough.


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I bought a P229 in 40 police trade in a while back from sportsman's guide and if I remember correctly Sig reconditions the guns and sends them out...Mine looked brand new when I bought it..
 
I don't blame them...I wouldn't carry one of them,either.

Give me a Glock, anytime...and I am not crazy about them, either.
 
Ignition Override, In response to your question I did all firearms related purchasing and care and control of the weapons room. I always had a number of G 22 and G 23 pistols on the shelf for new issue, issue in shooting incidents or officers weapon grounded for repairs. So if a weapon replacement did occur there conceviebly could be unissued pistols included, the ones you do not want were my range pistols..they went with me everywhere and were used by multitudes of people and untold numbers of rounds of ammo. I cleaned them on occasion but normally they would go for months without so much as a wipe down.
 
When one of the smaller local departments in my area transitioned from Beretta 96s to Glocks, they traded the Beretta's to the local Police Supply Shop. I picked up a new unfired 96 Centurion with three mags, in the original Beretta LE cardboard box and sleeve packaging. It was issued to the operations lieutenant who keep it locked up in his office safe for 6 years. It is still unfired.....
 
Buds had some California State Parks engraved M&P 40’s in their shop. I bought one that looked like the slide had never even been retracted. When they went and got the box it had a big strip of tape on it with what I presume was the officer’s last name.

Apparently not everyone who is issued a gun carries it.
 
My shooting buddy and I have bought quite a few milsurp and police trade-ins between us. Every once in a while one will be obviously unfired. Talk about a lucky break!
 
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