Sphinx SDP vs. Sig Sauer P229

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ingEneer22

New member
I am in the market for a compact handgun and need some advice! I've always said that the Sig Sauer P229 Enhanced Elite would be the next handgun I purchase. There is no doubt it is a fine firearm but I happened to stumble upon a Sphinx SDP Compact article and now I'm torn between the two. Has anyone had the pleasure of either owning or shooting both?

I'll start by saying I have not shot either although, the P229 is the most comfortable firearm I've ever held, everything about the controls are perfect for my hand. I also like the Short Reset Trigger a lot. Unfortunately, I have never seen a SDP but the reviews rave about the comfortable grip, the trigger and pretty much everything else about the gun.

The other two handguns that have drawn my attention from visits to the gun shop are the Sig P320 (which was recommended as a nice striker fired alternative) and the NEW CZ P-07 (because of it's similarities to the Sphinx SDP).
 
Unfortunately, I have never seen a SDP but the reviews rave about the comfortable grip, the trigger and pretty much everything else about the gun.
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Everybody raves about most everything these days. Hard to tell which reviews are being at least somewhat objective and which are sales pitch/clever marketing in disguise. Then again there really are a lot of terrific firearms available these days.

IMO you can't go wrong with a P229 if the weight does not bother you as in if you were going to be using it for CCW. I own two P229s.

As always try to shoot whatever you are considering first though it may be next to impossible to find a SDP to rent.

If you are considering striker fired I would strongly suggest checking out the Walther PPQ and HK VP9 also.

Good luck!
 
Get a used P228/P229. If the beavertail is a must for you (frankly I find them pointless on SIGs, but others really like them) it might be a bit harder, but for a standard P229 with or without rail you'd probably be able to get a very nice used one for ~$650. I really see no reason to buy a new SIG unless you want one of the latest and greatest flavors that SIG puts out these days (which I think is entirely in response to so many classic P-series pistols flooding the market and making buying a new one for $800 or so akin to insanity).
 
I haven't been able to see an SDP in person. The P229 has been one of my absolute favorites for quite some time. They are well-proven, reliable guns with good aftermarket support.

Sphinx makes excellent guns as well. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the SDP is quite a bit more expensive than the 229. I have done a good bit of research on them and have yet to see anything unfavorable said. I think I would prefer to have the solid alloy framed version than the 2 piece alloy and polymer frame version. I would really like to get my hands on one locally. I just don't want to take the leap of buying one online without ever feeling one in the hand.
 
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Thanks for the response, and I totally agree about the rave reviews! That's why I'd really like to get input from someone who has had first hand experience with both (if such a person exists).
 
The 229 is really, really nice. I'm a big fan of Sig ergos, and I think the have one of the nicest triggers out of the box of all the major manufacturers.

I've never handled a Sphinx, but they've gotten universally positive reviews. I just can't get past the $1,200 price tag, though. Most of those same raves have compared it to the CZ P-07 (ergonomically similar, though mechanically different), and generally conclude the P-07 is about 95% of the quality for under 40% of the price.
 
If is Sphinx is anything like their other pistols it will be a cut above an Exeter P229 in terms of fit and finish. They are excellent in that regard. That does not make the P229 a bad gun or the Sphinx a better gun it just makes them what they are.

I would try to put your hands on one before you discount them.
 
I've handled the Sphinx and I found the grip comfortable, but the trigger was meh. I actually think the CZ P01 I handled at the same time had a better trigger. Don't get me wrong the SDP was nice. I just didn't think it was $995 nice .
 
I have a Gray Guns tuned P-228 (which is close enough to the 229 for this discussion).

The 228 has the Reduced Reset Comprehensive Duty Package and a set of Heine Straight Eight night sights. That work and shipping cost the prior owner about $500, all told. It's a very nice gun, and as configured (but minus the night sights) may still be a bit more expensive than the Sphinx SDP, which can be be found for under $900.

I am also shooting a Sphinx SDP. Its on loan from Kriss/Sphinx, and it's hands-down better, at least for me. (The SDP came with a heavier-than-I-like trigger, and the Kriss rep said I could use lighter CZ compact hammer springs, which I did, and now it seems almost ideal.) I shoot if far better than the SIG -- but that may just be that it fits ME better than does the SIG. If I could, I'd swap the SIG for the SDP without hesitation.

Note: I have a nicely tuned CZ-85 Combat, and I like it a lot, but I shoot the SDP better than it, too -- but only a bit better. (I had the 85C tuned by a local gunsmith, who used a CZ Champion sear in the tune-up; nice break, no firing pin block, etc.)

Fit and finish is quite good on both guns. While others might prefer the SIG, but I really like the CZ-like ergonomics of the Sphinx SDP. The SDP is a bit like a CZ built by the same folks who built the old SIG P210... a product of the much vaunted Swiss craftsmanship.
 
I can't say enough good things about my p229 that I used to have....Great gun, a little on the porky side like most sigs but still a great handgun. Accurate, great sights, good trigger, and wonderful build quality.

On the other hand the CZ p-07 is probably going to be my next pistol (new style) I come really close to going with the 07 instead of my 09 but I was looking for a full sized pistol. Now that the 09 has been such a great performer I want an 07 in 40 to replace my 229 in 40 that I used to have.
 
I've tried two and have talked to others who are shooting them. Your two responses are the first negative ones I've heard -- except for complaints like mine about them being a bit heavier than most like. They are typically quite smooth.
 
I've shot four different SDP's and played with at least that may more. Not sure how many 229's I've shot and held but, quite a few.

The guns are pretty similar in size. The grip on the 229 is just a tad too short for my hand where the SDP is right at the minimum and feels a little better with the large grip. The SDP is around four ounces lighter than the 229.

Both have comfortable grips and controls. I do like the Sigs controls better though. The Sphinx has three different grip modules to choose from. The Sig has a few more options for different grips.

Trigger wise, they are pretty close. Pull weights are similar in both modes. They are smooth and break clean with maybe a slight edge to the Sig. The reset is where the differ the most. The Sigs SRT is much shorter than the Sphinx's but the standard trigger reset distance is longer, so the SDP is in the middle.

The back sight on the SDP is solid black and I prefer the three dot system. Both are very accurate guns with the Sig being better. I'd put it about third behind my Sig 226 and Walther PPQ. Both are very high quality models. I'd give the edge to the Sphinx by a slight margin. The SDP looks finished nicer I think due to it very flat and smooth upper frame. I like the polymer bottom half on the SDP Alpha line for it's weight reduction. Plus it's a unique design.

I'll be picking up a SDP pretty soon as I have already bought some extra magazines for one.

Price wise the are pretty close like many other aspects of these two models. Can't really go wrong either way.
 
Your two responses are the first negative ones I've heard -- except for complaints like mine about them being a bit heavier than most like. They are typically quite smooth.
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I'm not sure I'd call "meh" negative. I just wasn't impressed. I didn't say it was terrible. I've watched a number of the YouTube reviews and many of them echo the same thing. Most talk about how comfortable the grip is (and I agree there) and that the fit and finish seem superb. I haven't seen one where the trigger was raved about. Compared to an HK trigger sure it's better. But to me it's not as good as the standard SIG factory trigger with an SRT. I handled and dry fired both the Sphinx and the CZ back to back and honestly besides the fit and finish I didn't see where the money was going. Now I'll probably still own one at some point, but that's just where I stand currently.
 
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Thank you all for the input. For those of you that have shot the Sphinx, does it seem like the lower bore axis help negate some of the felt recoil? That's one big difference between the two with all Sig's tending to have a high bore axis. Granted I'm sure both are tame compared to the snappy feel to a polymer framed firearm.
 
Bore axis is somewhat over rated. Sure it can help reduce some muzzle flip but, other things can too. So, it's only part of what controls the amount of muzzle flip/recoil. If a low bore axis gun is high on you list of importance, look at other models than these two. The Sphinx does have a slightly lower bore axis than the Sig. Don't let the thin slide of the Sphinx fool you to thinking it has an ultra low bore axis. You need to account for the thickness of the upper frame and how they relate to the grip.

The Sig has a little more weight which also helps reduce recoil. I've not shot a the 229 and SDP side by side. I have shot my 226 and a SDP back to back and the 226 had less recoil and muzzle flip. The 226 is longer and heavier than the 229 though.
 
ingEneer22 said:
...For those of you that have shot the Sphinx, does it seem like the lower bore axis help negate some of the felt recoil? That's one big difference between the two with all Sig's tending to have a high bore axis. Granted I'm sure both are tame compared to the snappy feel to a polymer framed firearm.
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It seemed as though I was shooting a more-refined CZ.

I've never really noticed much difference between CZs and SIGs with regard to bore axis -- primarily because when I'm shooting I'm focusing on a proper grip and stance (which greatly helps with recoil), getting the sight back on target regardless of the gun. If there's a time-difference in getting back on target (as might be the case with more with more "flip", I've never been good enough to take advantage of that extra fraction of a second. Breaks, when I've measured them, don't seem that different, but there are always so many other variables, its hard for me to BLAME muzzle flip for the difference. (To much caffeine -- even a single soft-drink earlier in the day -- and my accuracy can go to crap; when that happens I'm not thinking about bore axis or breaks.)

While I haven't shot this Sphinx in competition, I've owned and shot the 2000 series Sphinxes in competition, as well as a number of other guns, including CZs and SIGs -- and bore-axis is a non-issue for me. As you suspect, the Sphinx is not snappy, as it's a bit heavier than most polymer guns.

The SDP I'm using has a steel slide (as do most guns), an alloy upper frame, and a polymer grip frame... although if you aren't told, you'd not realize its polymer. The Sphinxx SDP has a 3-piece assemblies: slide and two-part frame. The pther options are stainless steel in all three pieces, or Steel slide and alloy lower units, with some variations in color being offered. The grip has three inserts, and they let you adjust WIDTH (and how it fits your hand).

If you like CZs but are wary of the ongoing complaints about the obvious machining marks (where they don't affect function) and don't like the Polycoat finish, the Sphinx SDP could be something you'd like. It is, to my thinking at least as refined and nicely done as the CZ Custom Shop guns which can be even more pricey.

As I said in an earlier response, the only thing I felt wasn't absolutely optimal was the heavy DA/SA trigger. I talked with the KRISS/Sphinx rep and he said I could install lighter CZ hammer springs. Installing the Wolff 17lb CZ Compact hammer springs fixed that for me. With the Wolff 17lb. spring installed, the trigger weight of mine is 9 lbs from the decocker DA start, and 5 lbs for followup Single Action shots. When I measured the pulls I was surprised, as both feel lighter, because of their smoothness and clean break. There is no grunge or grittiness in the Sphinx trigger..) Most of my other guns have SA triggers around 3 lb., and the heavier Sphinx 5 lb. pull doesn't bother me a bit.

David Milam at Cajun Gun Works has springs made to his spec (they are not repackaged Wolff springs) and his kit offers an 8 lb. DA pull and a 3 lb. SA pull with no ignition issues. Reliability is important; in the SDP I'm shooting, the 16lb. Wolff CZ hammer spring was not reliable. A friend had no problems using the same weight Wolff spring in his SDP. If I keep this gun (am able to buy it when the loan period is over), I'll probably go the CGW route.

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Worc and Walt, thank you for the great input! I appreciate you sharing your experience with both firearms. I think I will hold off from buying the SIG until I can find a Sphinx to at least hold and get a feel for. There is no doubt that either of these firearms will preform so it will end up coming down to how they feel in the hand.
 
Is the Sphinx 3000 still imported? Someday, if I ever win the powerball, I'd like to own one. The SDP looks nice, but doesn't inspire in me the same Old Testament level of envy that the 3000 does.
 
One thing I did forget to mention which you likely know is that Sig has a much larger selection of parts and accessories. I think Sphinx is gaining traction in the US market with the help Kriss and their reduction of manufacturing cost that is passed along to the end user.
 
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