SS 226-229

B

BerdanSS

New member
I currently don't have any "modern" large capacity auto pistols after I let go of (was forced) my last 92fs. I've been carrying a 4-3/4" Uberti SAA clone in .45 colt for the last few years, and the weight/carry position of the holster is starting to cause some problems with the back I injured a few months ago.

For a high capacity 9mm, I've always had (and LOVED) a beretta, three to be exact. And I did, for a time carry one. I feel it's a little bit of a hoss to do that with anymore. I've really been wanting another rugged, accurate all around pistol...HD, CCW, range/working gun. I'd never given a seconds worth of though to a Sig. Until last week when I wrapped my hand around a 226 at the LGS. I have never even held one till then. It felt like it was darn near custom made for my mit. Even for the size it felt compact and streamlined in the hand, compared to the M9 I was lining it up next to. I wanted to look at a 229 to see it what ways it was smaller than the 226, but they didn't have one.

So, three questions for the sig guys.

1. Do sigs have a magazine disconnect? I failed to even check while I was holding one:o I was so gosh darn enamored with the way it fit and pointed, it slipped my mind.

2. is the 229 basically the same pistol as the 226 but with a shorter barrel?

3. If I go with the 226, which freak'n model! Sig has (from the looks of it) made that decision more difficult than chevy did with releasing the same vehicle over and over with different names. :confused: I don't need a light rail but I'm guessing the non 1913 model would be easier to fit in any given holster. I just want plain basic black, night sights a plus. Do certen different models had different guts?

I did look into other calibers, but since the wife has a couple 9mms and a 9mm ar15 is in the works for spring 2015, I figured I stick with 9mm. I'm pretty comfortable and confident in it's ability. Please, no suggestions to get a gladware chunk'o'2x4 plastic wonder gun. I've had them, they don't fit my hand well, I don't think they are worth what they sell for now and I just don't care for them. Specifically looking at the Sig 226 or maybe the 229. Thanks
 
Last edited:
1. No

2. For the most part with a little shorter grip too.

3. They don't make my perfect 226. It would be an Extreme with E2 grip and fat trigger. I like the plain ole 226 as well with a SRT kit.
 
The P229 is largely the same handgun as the P226, with a smaller frame and shorter barrel. There are some minor mechanical differences.

As far as what flavor, +1 to the vanilla P226 with E2 grips and SRT kit. The SRT kit is $50 from Top Gun Supply, and is how the weapon should ship from the factory. The E2 grips are slimmer, have great palmswells and stipling, and are light. Past these changes, the other P series flavors are largely just aesthetic.
 
I started with the P226 Extreme. Now I am looking at the Dark Elite P229. No matter what you get you can change it up as you need to.

Also what do you guys recommend for a wide trigger? I do think the stock one is a bit thin.
 
I have a P226 E2 and a P229 Elite Dark. Both 9mm and both my favorite guns.

No mag disconnect.

The P229 is the Glock 19 and the P226 is the Glock 17. Mags interchange.

Just don't get anything crazy. SIG is really into marketing lately.

d68408eb3ec4dd3c439eaba672589f80.jpg



My babies. :)
 
Just sold my 229 not because I wanted to but I had a real need for a new 20ga. and something had to go. It was a great pistol but I opted to keep my P220 as it is a stamped slide model which made it a lot lighter, plus I prefer .45ACP over .40S&W. Gun was accurate and functioned flawlessly, can't remember a single malfunction. Since your looking for a 9mm I might suggest looking into what CZ has to offer. I have a PCR which has an aluminum frame and is a lot more streamlined than the 229 plus the grip frame is awesome.
 
The P226 is not much smaller than the Beretta 92fs. The barrel is about 1/2" shorter. The P229 has a barrel nearly an inch shorter than the 92fs and a shorter grip. Neither have magazine disconnects.

The Beretta 92 compact is nice too, but it is bigger than a P229.
 
You'll do well with either of them.

I do prefer the 226 slightly over the 229, but I really, really like both. My 226 MK25 is my favorite gun that I've ever owned (getting close to 100 now).

I actually really like the 1913 picatinny rail on the MK25. I think it looks better and it's more universal. You're right about holsters though. That was the only challenge that I had when I first got mine. I had a custom kydex pancake holster made and also got the Comp-Tac Infidel(my favorite holster) for it. The Alien Gear and other hybrid style holsters for the regular 226R will work for the MK25 because the fitment isn't as tight.

In either style, I am a fan of the 'Extreme' model. It comes with night sights, SRT trigger, and Hogue G10 grips which are FANTASTIC and over $100 after market anyways. I also recommend the Gray Guns P-SPIT replacement trigger. It is a drop-in part that includes a built-in over-travel stop and nicely radiused trigger face.

With the P226, the MecGar mags hold 18rds. The 229 mags hold 15rds. You can get +2 extended magazines for either/both.

10598529_1568434923384323_900677579_n.jpg


10724596_796176940446284_2038404835_n.jpg
 
I currently carry a 226 Mk25. I carry it IWB but it fits perfectly in the Bianchi M12 (UM84/92) with or without the cover, for belt carry.
-SS-
 
Last edited:
Thanks all! Most helpful, im pretty green with sigs.

Would $753.95 out the door with tax be a decent price for a NIB 226 navy? standard accessorie rail, standard grip, night sights, non threaded barrel and 3 factory 15 round mags.
 
That's a decent price. Not super impressive, but certainly within range. I would say to go for it. The recommended upgrades I would point you to would be:

- MecGar mags (18rd vs 15rd factory versions) - ~$25/ea
- Gray Guns P-SPIT trigger - ~$60
- Optional: Hogue G10 pirhana grips - ~$110 (feel really, really nice in hand)

I don't know if that 226 Navy comes with night sights or not. if it comes with factory ones, then leave them. If it comes with contrast sights, I'd recommend replacing them with Trijicon HD (yellow front) sights - or even the Sig factory night sights.

Pics when you get it!
 
Personally I'd forget about the Mec Gar mags. It's popular to bash the factory Checkmate mags, but I have yet to have one fail or cause a problem as long as you keep them clean. They are very tough... And mine run like a top.
-SS-
 
Malice

The salesmen said it did have factory night sights. Kind of an odd place. All their firearms are 12% off right now, they do not buy or sell any used guns and they have no layaway. The last thing is the hitch. Until he told me that, I was going to have my brother run over and put 10% on it to hold it, till I can get down there and pay/do the paperwork since I cant go get it till Monday. They don't hold anything of course, and its the only one they have.

I'm not in a huge rush to get one though. If I need to pass a couple up and it takes a couple weeks to find the right one, im okay with it. Until then I'll just keep lugging the .45 around :)

I REALLY like the look of that beaver-tail frame by the way:cool:
 
Ahh, that's understandable. Well, if they still have it when you can make it by, I think it's certainly worth it. If they don't, it's nothing to kick yourself in the pants over.

I also think the beaver tail frames look really good. They also feel good. The only downside is that they can tend to poke into your side during carry. You can usually adjust it accordingly, but it's something to be aware of.

Good luck!
 
Personally I'd forget about the Mec Gar mags. It's popular to bash the factory Checkmate mags, but I have yet to have one fail or cause a problem as long as you keep them clean. They are very tough... And mine run like a top.
Click to expand...

Holy disregard this to the tenth degree Batman.

I have over 8,000 rounds through my P226. Only 4-5 malfunctions were because of the old factory magazines. None happened with my Mec-Gar magazines. 2 of them don't even lock the slide back.
 
Umm. Yeah, it's pretty well known that the Checkmate mags are very hit or miss on quality. Some run just fine, in fact 3 of my 4 run just fine.

However, given the choice, I will opt for MecGar every time. They USED to be the factory supplier for Sig mags, but Sig wanted to get them cheaper.

Now, you can buy aftermarket MecGar mags for cheaper than factory Sig Checkmate mags. They have higher capacity, better quality control, fit, finish, and reliability.

This isn't really a debatable topic. It's like saying that Taurus is as reliable as Glock because you have a Taurus that works just fine.

MecGar is the way to go.
 
This isn't really a debatable topic. It's like saying that Taurus is as reliable as Glock because you have a Taurus that works just fine.
Click to expand...

I've had Checkmate mags for 1911s and M1As that have been rock solid. I think it has more to do with SIG's specs for the mags and a matched pricepoint than anything to do with Checkmate's abilities.
 
I didn't say checkmate wasn't capable of producing reliable mags. I have no knowledge of their mags outside of the Sig platform.

What I said was that their Sig mags are not as good as MecGar.

Are you disagreeing with that?
 
I'm sure there are probably both good and bad. Seems everyone always told me McCormick 1911 mags were junk. While I bought several wilson magazines, the two CM mags that came with my Kimber never failed after thousands of rounds. I did have a couple MecGar 15 round mags for my 92fs and one or two 12 rounders for my 96G elite II that were excellent. I'm not sure I'd carry one fully loaded with 18 rounds for CC though, that sounds a tad on the meaty side;)

SRT? Do it myself? have Sig do it for $100 or total waste of greenbacks? It's funny haw many "gun guys" have told me recently about how great those limited edition "SWAT" guns with the "Strategic Response Team" Triggers are.:eek: Yes I'm serious, I have talked to gun shop employees that think that is what Sig SRT stands for:rolleyes: That is one thing I DO like about shooting my wife's 26 and the G22 I had, The short quick "reset" on the trigger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top