sig 226

The phrase "buying big and shooting small" is, so far as I know, original with me. It refers to the practice of buying a .40, deciding it is too big, and buying a 9mm barrel for it. Why not just buy a 9mm in the first place? But knowing to do that would require the opportunity to shoot a .40 before buying.
 
I have a P225, a P228 and an M11-A1, I prefer the Sig models that are 9mm only. My P226 is a .40, bought it used and it works great with Hogue finger groove rubber grips to counteract the snappier recoil. The great deals I'm seeing in used Sigs are all in .40 S&W not 9mm. I've never been burned on a used Sig.
 
I really like the .40 in certain platforms (the P229 I prefer in 40) but the P226 is meant to be shot in 9mm and is one of the top choices in that caliber. 9mm.
 
I would vote 9mm. I have all three calibers and 9mm is my favorite on a regular basis. The 226 shoots like a dream with 9mm. It makes a nice suppressed gun too.
 
Frankie1449 said:
If you were to buy a sig p226 what cal would you buy a 9m or a 40cal
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I would buy the .357 Sig and also get a .40 S&W barrel for it or vice versa. I do not believe in the 9mm like a lot of people. I don't want the minimum it takes to do the job I want the best available. Look at all the ballistic gel videos of different calibers provided on YouTube. If after seeing for yourself the 9mm is not equal to the other calibers you still want one by all means get one.ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433215286.114063.jpg
I want at least 500ft lbs of muzzle energy and that is not 9mm. Others will disagree but that is fine.
 
I also like the 40 cal

I have the SIG226 sister, the P229

I like the 40 cal in the Classic P series. The weight of these guns helps tame the recoil

9mm is good, but because of 40's better energy, and penetration through items
that the bullet may encounter, like glass and metal........

In most cases, the 40 delivers 10-20% more energy than a 9mm.

I like the 40 better in this series
 
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I bought both the 9mm and .40 S&W in the 226...and I like both...

go to a range that rents guns / shoot both - see what you like the best.
( 9mm is less expensive to shoot - unless you reload / its a smarter choice probably ).

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=89166&d=1367446255

A Sig 226 X-Five L-1 model in .40 S&W / a pair of all stainless 226's - one in 9mm and one in .40 S&W / all three guns have been real solid !

I will also tell you that the .40 S&W versions - were shipped by Sig ( all new guns ) with 20 lb recoil springs....and as I've gotten older and a little arthritis in my hands....( while Sig did not recommend changing the springs / I have changed both the X-Five and the other 226 in .40 S&W to 16 lb recoil springs - making them a lot easier to manipulate & more fun to shoot ).
 
I only have one .40 left and I doubt I will buy another. I believe you can still pick up a 9mm conversion barrel from Bar-Sto to convert most Sig .40/.357s to 9mm.
 
I like the .40 myself but if more "frontal area" and heavier bullet weights are desired, get a .45. The SIG models 220/227 aren't much bigger than the 226.
 
I would buy the .357 Sig and also get a .40 S&W barrel for it or vice versa. I do not believe in the 9mm like a lot of people. I don't want the minimum it takes to do the job I want the best available. Look at all the ballistic gel videos of different calibers provided on YouTube. If after seeing for yourself the 9mm is not equal to the other calibers you still want one by all means get one.ImageUploadedByTapatalk1433215286.114063.jpg
I want at least 500ft lbs of muzzle energy and that is not 9mm. Others will disagree but that is fine.
Click to expand...

I've watched a lot of tests as well, and the .357 Sig is actually pretty disappointing. Penetration and expansion are the two things that matter. If you've watched a lot of tests then you should know about tnoutdoors9 and his Youtube tests.

Here are some of his results through 4 layers of denim and gel blocks using a G19 and G32.

357 Sig, 125 grain HST
Velocity: 1375 fps
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: .592"

9mm, 124 grain +P HST
Velocity: 1178 fps
Penetration: 14.75"
Expansion: .591"

9mm, 147 grain HST
Velocity: 1006 fps
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: .664"

.40 S&W, 165 grain HST
Velocity: 1113 fps
Penetration: 16.5"
Expansion: .628"

.40 S&W, 180 grain HST
Velocity: 1003 fps
Penetration: 13"
Expansion: .743"

And if you want .40 cal power in a 9mm...

9mm, 147 grain +P+ Underwood
Velocity: 1153 fps
Penetration: 12.75"
Expansion: .791"

I don't see enough of a difference to choose one round over another based on performance, but maybe you do.
 
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