Your Opinions Please

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genuinejewell

Inactive
Everyone has an opinion and I'm asking yours. I currently use a Taurus Model 85 ultra lite revolver (38 special). Nice gun, but terrible to practice with :( .

I'm looking at the Sig 229 or 239 in 9 mm. For a female (I'm neither weak nor limp wristed, but I want something I can shoot and practice with on a regular basis) would that be a good caliber to go with? I know I need to hold both to see which fits my hand better, but I need to wait a couple of months before I can afford one and I know if I look now I'll want to bring it home!!!! If it makes any difference the width of my hand is 3 1/2". I've also shot my hubby's Star 45, but it weighs 2 1/2 lbs. I'm looking for a nice concealed carry gun that's going to be reliable and last!!! Does one model seem to be better than the other?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

gj
 
Greeting's geniunejewell and Welcome To TFL,

to answer your question; yes, 9m/m is a very
good caliber for personal defense situations.
However, I would strongly consider a little
larger frame Sig, such as the P225 or even
the P228. The P225 is for persons with small
hands; whereas the P228 is of double-stack
magazine construction, and therefore is for
person's with larger hands. When I want a
"break" from carrying the Sig P220 in .45ACP;
I often times carry the 9m/m P228.:D:)

With a 9m/m shot placement is paramount. I've
seen or heard of perp's absorbing multiple
hit's to "center mass" with a 9m/m leaving
the scene on foot; and being seen the next
day with bandaid's covering their wounds.
That's why I prefer to carry the .45 caliber
Sig P220A.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.

GO BIG ORANGE
 
A SIG P239 in 9mm sounds like just the ticket. It's a very accurate and reliable handgun made to very high quality standards. The grip on the P239 is designed for smaller hands; you'll find it a lot more manageable than the double-stack P229 if your hands are smaller than average. (Of course, you need to try and see which one of those pistols fits your hand the best.) Don't let anyone talk you into the P239 in .357SIG or .40 if you already feel comfortable with the 9mm, it's a respected caliber that will do its job if you place the shots where they are supposed to go. 9mm will also enable you to practice a lot since the ammo is much cheaper than most other pistol calibers.

The SIG P229 and P239 only differ in capacity and barrel length otherwise: the P239 holds eight to the P229's 10 rounds, and the barrel on the P239 is a bit shorter. The P239 is more concealable and has more rounded edges, and it's also a little lighter and less bulky than the P229.

I've owned two P239s in 9mm, and haven't had a failure of any kind in either of them. They are very accurate and dependable. You can't go wrong with any SIG, so you'll be well served by whichever one you choose.
 
Thanks for the quick responses,

Ala Dan...how is the recoil for the sig's in 45 cal. vs. 9 mm? Like I said, I shot my hubby's 45, but it is much more heavy than the Sig's (40 ozs. with empty mag.). It's recoil was felt less than my 38 special.

Thanks,

gj
 
IMO Sig = excellent
9mm = excellent
and not just me

In terms of a 9mm Sig, the 229 and the 239 are the most readily available (current production).

It all depends on your hands 229 double stack, more mass
239 single stack, rounded trigger/hammer/etc.

But I would suggest trying to get your hands on a 225 as Ala Dan suggests. It is slightly larger than the 239, but is a single stack. Many people with varying sizes of hands say that the 225 fits like a glove.

But you really can't go wrong with a Sig.
 
Another suggestion - Sig is super but why not try a Kahr. I bought one for myself in 40 cal and wife has taken it over. She loves it!!! I gave it to her for her personal carry gun. Her only complaint (if you can call it that) is that it is heavy. But as she says, she is a "grown up girl and the gun makes big holes."

FYI she is 5' 4" and 105 lbs with small hands.

Now I gotta find another one .........

Good luck in your selection.

Raider
 
My wife carries the Kahr MK9 that I got her for Christmas. She loves it dearly, but I would think it a bit small for what you want.

She has also fired my Kahr P9 (16oz) and although she said it did recoil more than her MK, she didn't have any problems firing 2 mags full.

She's a very petite and kinda dainty little thing, and not at all what I would consider "strong" or anything. So if she's happy with the recoil, I imagine most women would be.

I would actually recommend the Kahr K9 over the others though, as it's a great size and feel, and there have been a few reported "P" series issues. I know that the all-steel Kahrs FEEL heavy, but in reality, they weigh around 24oz... they're just so small for that weight, they feel heavier.

Good luck with whatever you get...
 
GenuineJewell,

The recoil from a Sig P220 isn't real bad, for those persons
that are accustomed to shooting .45 caliber semi-auto's;
however mastering any .45 takes lots of practice. I have
not shot the smaller P245; but it's a more compact version
of a P220, with shorter barrel and grip. :)

I occassionally shoot my P220 with my carry factory fodder;
which is the Federal 230 grain Hydra-Shok ammunition.
Recoil and muzzle blast is more noticeable, than with any
of my handloads using the Mangus 200 grain L-SWC's.
Also, Remington's 185 grain JHP in it's standard loading
is quite hot. I tried some of these factory round's in a
full size H&K USP, and found the Sig P220 to be more
tolerable.:D Hope this info helps a bit-

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I have heard the 9mm stories too, but I've also heard about a couple of police shootings wherein the perp has taken several rounds of .45 acp and continued to fight and survive and in one case the perp got away after being shot nine times! I don't have any evidence one way or the other for any of these stories. Makes them irrelevent in my book.

I think the SIG Sauer P239 in 9mm would be just the ticket for your smaller hands. The P225 would also be an excellent choice.
 
IMO, you can't go wrong with the 239. Mine's been wonderfully accurate and reliable. Wy wife isn't thrilled with it, only 'cuz she thinks the grip's too small! Even with her smallish hands, distinctly smaller than mine, she prefers a full-size Beretta 92. So, unless you really like an oversized grip, I think you'll be more than happy and well-equipped with the 239.
 
The 225 is a good gun but it does nothing a 239 can not do better with its greater corrosion resistance and nicer grip. The glock 26 is a good choice for ccw as its a potent pistol in a small packadge with mild recoil good accuracy and its easer to shoot than a da sa gun or a long trigger dao gun.
PAT
 
Personally, I preferred the 239 to the 229. I've owned both and found the 239 more shootable and a better fit for my hands, and I have large hands.

For the average person, the 239 will conceal more easily. But, I carry a Beretta 92 daily, so as long as you do your part with the 229 you should be fine if that's your choice.
 
Hi Geniuinejewell,
The love of my life HAD the same problem that you now face. She also carried the M85UL. For the very same reason, she has now confiscated my Glock 26 9mm!!! The G26 is about the same size as the M85 ( I have one also), but is much easier to handle. It conceals just as readily, and has an inherent accuracy that will astound you!!! The 9mm cartridge is an effective round that has served military, and police forces the world over for longer than the .45ACP has even been alive. My advice is to rent one, and try it out. I think you will be pleasently surprised. :)
 
SIG's are excellent pistols and the 9 mm is well suited for defense with the proper load, and as others have said, get the pistol that fits you best. Also, keep in mind that SIG makes "short trigger" for both the 229 and 239, which will put it closer to your finger if trigger reach is a problem.
 
Genuinejewell,

If you're searching for a CCW gun give the Glock G30 a look. It's compact but has a double stack mag that holds 10 rounds of .45ACP. It's very accurate and surprising light recoil for a compact .45. I'm not a fan of Glock but this little gun surprised me. If you have your heart set on SIG, sorry I can't help you. But no matter what you buy try to rent it first, if you can, then decide which one you like.
 
gj,
I have been teaching CCW classes since 1994 and have seen a bunch of people with DA/SA autos go through the course. The vast majority of them have trouble or never master the two trigger pulls.

Last Saturday I did an introductory class for a young couple who had just gotten into shooting. The Wife had a Glock 26. The husband had a Berretta 2002 (?). In the course of about 3 hours of shooting - she consistantly out shot him in terms of accuracy and speed. The consistant trigger pull of the Glock was the reason. He couldn't get the two trigger pulls, or the transisition from one to the other, down pat no matter how hard he tried.

I would second the earlier recomendation that you take a serious look at the Glock 26. Good luck in your choice, what ever it is.
 
The da/sa "transition" is only a problem if you try to make it one. I use the same trigger "press" without any difficulty. Just because somebody fails to master something like the da/sa trigger of a SIG Sauer and somebody else out shoots them using a Glock, doesn't make the Glock superior. (I just means the wife can shoot and the husband can't.)
 
Don't forget the Glock 36 if you can find one,.45 single stack good all around gun. If you can find one in a gun shop buy it cause it will not stay long. Stay safe
 
blades67

ITs hard to face reality sometimes. But for speed shooting and defensive shooting a glocks trigger system is better than a da sa. I started out hating glocks too and was a big time sig fan. But qualification scores do not lie and my over all scores with glocks and 1911's are about 5 points higher on average and I score expert more consistently with a short trigger gun. This is not just me it is most people. DA SA can be mastered and I felt I was as good at this system as most better many and I found it either slowed down my first shot at 7 yards and beyond or it made me pull the shot into the low c zone section or at 25 yards into the d zone. After the gun was cocked things got easier. But there is no way to argue that a 12 pound pull is as easy to shoot as a 6 pound one.
PAT
 
The problem I have with the 36 is it only good for die hard 45 fans. I mean you could get a glock 19,23 or 32 that are approximatley the same size and weight with more than twice the ammo in good calibers. The 36 is just a touch slimmer than the 19/23/32. I held them in a gun shop and had a hard time telling without a micometer. It appeals to 45 fans that want a slim gun in a modern design thats reliable. I think if you must have a 45 the glock 30 is a better bet unless its too big for your hand then the 36 may be an ok choice. But why bother just get a 23 or 32 o19 or for even better concealment get a 33,27 or 26 depending on your level of skill and ideology on stopping power.
PAT
 
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