own several sigs and no m&p guns. have shot the m&p and like the way they shoot and feel in the hand. if you can afford both, the sig is a better gun,but sometimes the customer service sucks,about like browning. doubt you would ever shoot it enough to be rebuilt unless you are shooting several hundred rounds per week, and even then it will take awhile. my normal carry gun is a p226 and has been for years.
Debating on Getting Rid of my Brand New M&P9 in Favor of a Sig P226
- Thread starter Joe Cool
- Start date
EPWrangler
Member
For years I was turned off on S&W guns as well as Ruger guns over the sell out to Clinton. Acouple of years ago my daughter in law had a chance to go to Gunsight for traiining. They provided her with an M&P to train with and she did very well with it in her small hands. So much so she came home wanting one for Christmas. She wound up with a new 9c in a range bag and all the goes for it from the ProShop at Gunsite. A couple of months later I decided if she shot the M&P well maybe I would. The day before a qualifying shoot of 50 rounds I bought a 9FS. The next day I went out with it and fired a perfect one ragged hole in the center of a B-27. WoW! The range officers on each side of me and the other 20 shooters all did well but, I did better. Comment from the instructor...."Holy sxxt!....Old men rock!" Yes , they do with an M&P. I never leave home without one.
I don't know if anybody said it before, but if you are evaluating the weight of an alloy or plastic framed gun, you need to do it with a full magazine. Handle an empty Glock and then one loaded and it's like two different guns. A 5906, not so much. Joe
I realize I'm late in this topic, but felt I could add something here. I saw a lot of comments about the 226 being out of members price range. They are indeed pricey, but I have a solution for those with a SIG appetite and a Hi Point budget. I own several SIG's and can honestly state the 2022 is every bit as good as my 226! On top of that I paid less than $400 dollars for it. My purchase was through CDNN for @$350, @$15 for shipping and my local FFL charged me $10 for the transfer.
This value was largely made possible by all the SIG snobs (which I used to be part of). There is one major difference with the 2022 which is of course the polymer frame. You still get a hammer forged barrel, all the quality of a 226 PLUS adjustable backstraps for a better fit. What about the lack of the signature SIG + Hogue grip? Oh, Hogue makes a back strap for the SIG Pro lines as well. IMHO there is no greater handgun bargain than the SIG Pro line pistols.
This value was largely made possible by all the SIG snobs (which I used to be part of). There is one major difference with the 2022 which is of course the polymer frame. You still get a hammer forged barrel, all the quality of a 226 PLUS adjustable backstraps for a better fit. What about the lack of the signature SIG + Hogue grip? Oh, Hogue makes a back strap for the SIG Pro lines as well. IMHO there is no greater handgun bargain than the SIG Pro line pistols.
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I'm just a newbie member here, but I own an M&P 9, and several other pistols.
The M&P has been my favorite gun for some time now. I like the weight, simplicity, and 'feel' of the gun.
I won't say never, but I can't see ever selling this pistol. But, I will probably pick up an M&P 22 (LR) in the near future. I want a training gun that's similar to my 9mm and something that's cheaper to shoot.
As many of the others have said before me...why not have both pistols?
The M&P has been my favorite gun for some time now. I like the weight, simplicity, and 'feel' of the gun.
I won't say never, but I can't see ever selling this pistol. But, I will probably pick up an M&P 22 (LR) in the near future. I want a training gun that's similar to my 9mm and something that's cheaper to shoot.
As many of the others have said before me...why not have both pistols?
If you view your firearms as something to collect and admire primarily, then no one can give you a useful recommendation on what to do. Your aesthetic sense is yours and will be unique to you.
If you want your firearms to be tools primarily, then I think it would be a big mistake to trade in your M&P for a 226. If you make this trade, you will end up with a lesser tool and have to pay extra money to boot.
By every measure of a fighting gun, the M&P is superior to a current production 226. The M&P is lighter in weight so will carry easier. The M&P is more durable: yes a properly molded polymer frame with steel inserts will last longer than a machined alloy frame. The M&P has only one trigger stroke; with the 226 you will have to master two different strokes and the transition between them. The M&P sits lower in your hand and that will aid in shooting fast and accurately especially under stress. The M&P will resist corrosion better than the 226. The 226 requires more lubrication, a byproduct of having that alloy frame. The 226 will be more finicky about how you grip it; if you use a high grip you'll likely hit the slide stop lever by mistake. The 226 only has one possible advantage as a tool over the M&P: some M&P 9mm FS guns seem to exhibit poor accuracy compared to the .40 and .45 versions. SIGs still seem to exhibit good accuracy.
The 226 is a higher priced gun than the M&P but not because it's better. The materials and methods of manufacture of a 226 are simply more expensive than an M&P, but not better. Thirty to forty years ago when SIG developed the 220-225-226 family the state of the art in lightweight handguns used a machined aluminum alloy frame. Unfortunately aluminum is expensive to make(more expensive than steel, far more expensive than polymer), requires machining, needs expensive surface treatments (hard anodizing) to prevent unacceptable wear, and has to be kept well lubed to protect the surface treatment. Current manufacturing technology allows casting a durable but inexpensive polymer frame and using a durable but inexpensive inner steel frame with the frame rails. The steel/polymer frame of the M&P is not only less expensive to make than the machined anodized alloy frame of the 226, it's also more durable.
There's little doubt that in today's very competitive handgun market, SIG Sauer has had to cut corners on quality control in order to keep making and selling its guns at something approaching a competitive price. This reveals itself in reliability and parts breakage issues. They are not the same quality as SIGs of 10 or 20 years ago. But if you get a 226, you might get lucky and find a gun that works fine and lasts a reasonable length of time.
If you want your firearms to be tools primarily, then I think it would be a big mistake to trade in your M&P for a 226. If you make this trade, you will end up with a lesser tool and have to pay extra money to boot.
By every measure of a fighting gun, the M&P is superior to a current production 226. The M&P is lighter in weight so will carry easier. The M&P is more durable: yes a properly molded polymer frame with steel inserts will last longer than a machined alloy frame. The M&P has only one trigger stroke; with the 226 you will have to master two different strokes and the transition between them. The M&P sits lower in your hand and that will aid in shooting fast and accurately especially under stress. The M&P will resist corrosion better than the 226. The 226 requires more lubrication, a byproduct of having that alloy frame. The 226 will be more finicky about how you grip it; if you use a high grip you'll likely hit the slide stop lever by mistake. The 226 only has one possible advantage as a tool over the M&P: some M&P 9mm FS guns seem to exhibit poor accuracy compared to the .40 and .45 versions. SIGs still seem to exhibit good accuracy.
The 226 is a higher priced gun than the M&P but not because it's better. The materials and methods of manufacture of a 226 are simply more expensive than an M&P, but not better. Thirty to forty years ago when SIG developed the 220-225-226 family the state of the art in lightweight handguns used a machined aluminum alloy frame. Unfortunately aluminum is expensive to make(more expensive than steel, far more expensive than polymer), requires machining, needs expensive surface treatments (hard anodizing) to prevent unacceptable wear, and has to be kept well lubed to protect the surface treatment. Current manufacturing technology allows casting a durable but inexpensive polymer frame and using a durable but inexpensive inner steel frame with the frame rails. The steel/polymer frame of the M&P is not only less expensive to make than the machined anodized alloy frame of the 226, it's also more durable.
There's little doubt that in today's very competitive handgun market, SIG Sauer has had to cut corners on quality control in order to keep making and selling its guns at something approaching a competitive price. This reveals itself in reliability and parts breakage issues. They are not the same quality as SIGs of 10 or 20 years ago. But if you get a 226, you might get lucky and find a gun that works fine and lasts a reasonable length of time.
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N4KVE
Member
I have a Sig 220 I purchased in 1988, & it's just awesome. However, I work in a gunstore, & sometimes we have several used 226's in stock. The older, made in Germany guns are far superior. Many milled parts from the German made guns are now cast on the new guns. You definitely want a Sig made in Germany where Sig was located in Herndon Va, or even Tysons Corner Va. The earlier NH guns were OK, but try to find a German gun. If the 226 is too big for small hands, get a 225, or P-6. These were only made in Germany. If you can find a German Sig, & do sell the M&P, you will be selling a Buick, & buying a BMW. CZ's are great guns too. I would rate the newer 2022 & 250 as the same as the M&P's, but the older 226's are definitely superior. GARY N4KVE
M_E_
Member
The SIg line has been one of the most reliable guns ever produced. I have 3 P220s. That said, the new Sigs aren't what they once were. I do not care for the new slides made in the USA. Very heavy and I do not like the finish. You may take a look at what I got INSTEAD of the P226
HK P30. It is now my go to gun. Outshoots my Sigs.
HK P30. It is now my go to gun. Outshoots my Sigs.
I traded off my 226 a while ago... not sure why now. Shortly after I let it go I realized that not having a Sig in the stable was a bad thing, so I replaced it with a 220. Accurate, reliable, light (for a 45) and good looking. I just can't get excited about striker fired guns, with the exception of my PSP. I'll take a DA/SA gun with a hammer over a striker pistol anyday. I can also say that the new 290RS, with the true DA will probably be my next gun purchase.
N4KVE
Member
AMEN brother. My last 2 pistol purchases were a USP 45, & a USP 45c. These guns are Rolls Royce's. I got real excited when the Shield came out, but when I calmed down I said to myself "Why am I getting excited about a Shield when I carry a USP 45c"? Not knocking the Shield, but when you drive a Rolls, you don't get excited about a Buick. GARY N4KVE
George9
Member
Someone brought a S&W 5906 .. Well what about the lighter alloy frame 6906 12 rounds and it's lighter more compact and also one heck of a great gun.. Great CC gun. You can get them at a good price too..George
kris7047th
Member
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IMO .. Better training would have prevented that .. like keep your finger OFF/OUT of the trigger guard area until you are ready to commit to fire.
I had a early model West Germany 226, and it was a nice gun, but I just never grew that fond of it.
I traded it off after I got my M&P Compact, and have never regretted it.
I have actually traded or sold most of my semi-auto handguns since I started shooting the M&P including three Glocks.
I traded it off after I got my M&P Compact, and have never regretted it.
I have actually traded or sold most of my semi-auto handguns since I started shooting the M&P including three Glocks.
JoeCool,
The 226 is a good gun, as is the compact 228 that the Air Force did buy for OSI agents.
What you don't realize yet, but is obvious from your post, is this: you are a nascent 1911 driver! No doubt about it. Borrow, rent, or steal one, and shoot it. You will be a convert very quickly.
Resistance is futile.
Having said that, I love my 1911s, carry them often, but also love the M&P9c. There's an LCR somewhere too. They are tools. The 1911 is, well, this is a family oriented board. It's special.
The 226 is a good gun, as is the compact 228 that the Air Force did buy for OSI agents.
What you don't realize yet, but is obvious from your post, is this: you are a nascent 1911 driver! No doubt about it. Borrow, rent, or steal one, and shoot it. You will be a convert very quickly.
Resistance is futile.
Having said that, I love my 1911s, carry them often, but also love the M&P9c. There's an LCR somewhere too. They are tools. The 1911 is, well, this is a family oriented board. It's special.
DocSunShine
Member
The Sig is a fine piece of equipment... That said, give me the M&P all day long. For carry, the weight of that Sig is going to get to you, you'll see. Also, I know the STOCK trigger on your M&P might not be the best, but why not put an apex kit in?
You need to keep in mind that the Sig is a DA/SA trigger system, while the SA trigger might be ok or good in your mind, you'll always have to deal with the DA pull first and that really puts you at a disadvantage IMO. I learned from experience with an H&K USP, fine pistol, but I'm much better with striker fired, striker fired pistol (Glock, M&P, XDm) is a more effective defensive weapon system for me, hands down... And out of the 3 I mentioned, M&P is the best, even with it's stock configuration that can be made better.
You need to keep in mind that the Sig is a DA/SA trigger system, while the SA trigger might be ok or good in your mind, you'll always have to deal with the DA pull first and that really puts you at a disadvantage IMO. I learned from experience with an H&K USP, fine pistol, but I'm much better with striker fired, striker fired pistol (Glock, M&P, XDm) is a more effective defensive weapon system for me, hands down... And out of the 3 I mentioned, M&P is the best, even with it's stock configuration that can be made better.
Handguns are a very personal purchase.
If a gun doesn't feel right I don't care how well made the gun is I am not going to buy it.
It has been my experience the grip of every model of Sig I have held did not feel right.
On the other hand my M&P shield feels like it was molded to fit my hand.
Russ
If a gun doesn't feel right I don't care how well made the gun is I am not going to buy it.
It has been my experience the grip of every model of Sig I have held did not feel right.
On the other hand my M&P shield feels like it was molded to fit my hand.
Russ
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