OK, guys, I'm not going to try to make it a "flame-ish" debate within a brand name (and a great one)
, but here are the facts...
I've chosen 229 after a very careful and painful consideration (226 and 239 were other very strong candidates) and didn't fall in love with it after I already had it in my possession and, therefore, felt a certain need to defend my beloved weapon in the eyes of others.
Even if 228 was available in .40 caliber (and it's not), I would still choose 229 for it's simply a more powerfully constructed gun of the exact same size FOR THIS CALIBER: the slide, as it was outlined many times on TFL, is machined from a solid block of stainless steel as opposed to a stamped-sheet slide of 228. And oh yeah, it is heavier.
To be on a fair side, I must admit there's yet to be found an evidence that the stamped slides of 228 can't withstand all the workload they're subjected to. Well, of course except for the fact that all guns may potentially have cracked slides
...
Another factor is that I'm inclined to think the 228 is somewhat an oversized pistol for just 9 mm. If I wanted to get this caliber (which I don't think I'll ever do), I'd get 239 which I've found to be just a gorgeous performer in all three calibers it comes in. I must say, however, that I find it totally ridiculous there's 229 in 9 mm -- for god's sake, speaking of putting a Civic engine on a Cadillac...
Another hard fact is that 228 has blue finish which is by all means an older and inferior coating method to the Nitron finish of 229.
All I'm saying the 229 model is the least "delicate" Sig out there and after handling a couple of rock-solid Glocks, I started to appreciated it VERY MUCH.
I was going home after the range where I had a chance to shoot the plastic "thingies" and another Sig (not 229 or 228, and I won't say which model) and was trying to find a justifiable reason not to call my gun...a fragile piece of machinery. After I got home, I grabed my 229, held it in my hand for a while, and calmed down. No way!
It all simply comes down to a simple choice of caliber -- if you want the greatest 9, you stick with 239 in that caliber or any 228. But for a defense tool? Even after being able to shoot a couple of inches-sized groups at 25 consistently? Under a sharp and sudden, most likely previously never experienced stress and fear for your life? Well, ladies and gentlemen, would you mind handling me that .40 or .45 over there, please?...
Just my 2 c.
Regards,
Emin