I'm getting ready to buy my first handgun, which will be used as a nightstand gun and a CCW piece if needed (not everyday, but if I know I'm going to go to a bad area I'd want to carry it). In the $300 price range I'm comparing a new Sigma against one of the surplus Sig P6s that are out there, and in the $500-700 range I'm looking at a fullsize M&P or a Sig P226. I've handled all of them and feel comfortable with them. Of the four, which is the best option given what I plan to use it for?
S&W or Sig?
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I'm getting ready to buy my first handgun, which will be used as a nightstand gun and a CCW piece if needed (not everyday, but if I know I'm going to go to a bad area I'd want to carry it). In the $300 price range I'm comparing a new Sigma against one of the surplus Sig P6s that are out there, and in the $500-700 range I'm looking at a fullsize M&P or a Sig P226. I've handled all of them and feel comfortable with them. Of the four, which is the best option given what I plan to use it for?
Erich
Member
I own a Sigma, and think it's an outstanding value. That said, I think that the P6s are perhaps a better value . . . when I worked in a gun store, I never sold a P225 to anyone who was less than delighted with it. Good luck finding mags, though.
Originally posted by Erich:
I own a Sigma, and think it's an outstanding value. That said, I think that the P6s are perhaps a better value . . . when I worked in a gun store, I never sold a P225 to anyone who was less than delighted with it. Good luck finding mags, though.
Mags are expensive to say the least...they're $50 on sigsauer.com.
smith10
Member
P6 is my choice of the cheaper set.
M&P 9mm of the more expensive.
M&P 9mm of the more expensive.
Sigs are first class.
HEADKNOCKER
Member
Those Surplus SIG Sauer P6s for Under $300 are the Deal of The Century...
Gary/Hk
Gary/Hk
GatorFarmer
Member
For the life of me, I continue to fail to see why people get so excited about the P6s. The trigger pull isn't very good compared to the commercial Sig offerings. The mags are hard to find and expensive. Aftermarket offerings for grips, holsters, etc are also rare. It'll also be a used gun with no warranty and an unknown service history.
Of the options listed, I would pick a brand new Sig P226 simply because mags will be more common and available than will be the case with the newer SW offerings. It also has a fairly long and successful service history.
Note that I did own a P6, and I even had plenty of mags for it, I traded it for a Model 36 and was happy with the trade. The 3913/14 pistols on the used market cost about the same as a P6 and are actually a tad smaller than the surplus Sigs, mags and parts are cheaper and easier to come by, and the trigger will usually be better. A 3rd Generation hi cap auto will also be in the price range of a Sigma or a P6. I still have my 3914.
My personal Sigma is a .40 caliber. It makes a Glock look beautiful and seem refined. Oh, it works, and the rough pointy parts left molded onto the plastic were easy to take care of, but a Sigma is probably at its best for a first time gun buyer, someone on a very limited budget, or someone who hasn't been spoiled by other offerings. (There really are differences even amongst polymer pistols.) Different strokes for different folks. It's an inexpensive handgun that is as reliable as a more expensive one, but handling and refinements hint towards the inexpensive heritage.
I'm not sure what kind of handguns you are used to. If you are used to 1911s, you might have trouble with the location of the Sig's decocker. It also takes training to learn to use a TDA auto if you were used to a DAO, SA, or revolver.
I'm not sure why you'd not want to carry it daily, unless you have some other carry gun. Unfortunate things can happen in any area and if you could predict when, you'd just stay home that day. I'm dealing with the same climate you are, and I have no problems with carrying a full size steel 1911 so a P226 should be quite doable for someone of average build, the P6 is thinner and more concealable, but the P226 isn't that bad.
The one downside to carrying Sigs, except for certain models that they've changed it on as of late, is that blued models tend to have rather thin bluing and are prone to finish wear and rust. The older P6s will certainly have the older style finish.
Of the options listed, I would pick a brand new Sig P226 simply because mags will be more common and available than will be the case with the newer SW offerings. It also has a fairly long and successful service history.
Note that I did own a P6, and I even had plenty of mags for it, I traded it for a Model 36 and was happy with the trade. The 3913/14 pistols on the used market cost about the same as a P6 and are actually a tad smaller than the surplus Sigs, mags and parts are cheaper and easier to come by, and the trigger will usually be better. A 3rd Generation hi cap auto will also be in the price range of a Sigma or a P6. I still have my 3914.
My personal Sigma is a .40 caliber. It makes a Glock look beautiful and seem refined. Oh, it works, and the rough pointy parts left molded onto the plastic were easy to take care of, but a Sigma is probably at its best for a first time gun buyer, someone on a very limited budget, or someone who hasn't been spoiled by other offerings. (There really are differences even amongst polymer pistols.) Different strokes for different folks. It's an inexpensive handgun that is as reliable as a more expensive one, but handling and refinements hint towards the inexpensive heritage.
I'm not sure what kind of handguns you are used to. If you are used to 1911s, you might have trouble with the location of the Sig's decocker. It also takes training to learn to use a TDA auto if you were used to a DAO, SA, or revolver.
I'm not sure why you'd not want to carry it daily, unless you have some other carry gun. Unfortunate things can happen in any area and if you could predict when, you'd just stay home that day. I'm dealing with the same climate you are, and I have no problems with carrying a full size steel 1911 so a P226 should be quite doable for someone of average build, the P6 is thinner and more concealable, but the P226 isn't that bad.
The one downside to carrying Sigs, except for certain models that they've changed it on as of late, is that blued models tend to have rather thin bluing and are prone to finish wear and rust. The older P6s will certainly have the older style finish.
RON in PA
Member
One thing to bear in mind with the P6 is that it was not designed for feeding hollow point ammo and thus may present problems with modern self-defense ammo.
presspics
Member
Let us not forget something about the SIG P6. If you get an earlier one, it's ramp and chamber are not able to handle hollow point ammo. There is plenty of information on that over at SIGForum.
The SIGMA is a very good gun for the money.
The M&P is an even better gun for the money.
The SIG P226 is a great gun if you buy an older model that was made in Germany. The US made guns have issues so I would avoid the US SIGs.
Don't overlook the SIG P228 and the S&W 3rd Generation guns. You can't go wrong with any of those.
The SIGMA is a very good gun for the money.
The M&P is an even better gun for the money.
The SIG P226 is a great gun if you buy an older model that was made in Germany. The US made guns have issues so I would avoid the US SIGs.
Don't overlook the SIG P228 and the S&W 3rd Generation guns. You can't go wrong with any of those.
All comments thus far regarding the Sig are well founded. I however would strongly suggest the S&W Sigma, M&P (my favorite match gun) and most any of the S&W Semi autos as the customer service and willingness to do almost anything to make it right and within factory safety and performance spec's is unbelievably fine. Only Dillon Customer service is better! You will not regret a Smith in your arsenal!!!
Randy
Randy
+1 on SW Customer Service... I know there have been other comments to the contrary, but they've always done me right, whenever I've called to order parts... I've always been surprised with them showing up at no charge.
Have you considered one of the PD trade in S&W 3rd Gen pistols? A 4006 can be had in the $300 price range and they are as reliable and non picky about ammo as they come.
Have you considered one of the PD trade in S&W 3rd Gen pistols? A 4006 can be had in the $300 price range and they are as reliable and non picky about ammo as they come.
Nelson Kyle K
Member
O Hell I would buy both; have your cake and eat it to!
The guns I learned to shoot with were a Sigma and a Beretta 92FS so I'm pretty comfortable with almost anything.
As for why I don't plan on carrying daily, my daily routine consists of me getting in my car, driving a mile to work, working, and then driving back, all in the Northern Virginia DC suburbs. Not really much reason to carry...but I would like something that I can conceal if necessary. I'm about 5'10 and pretty thin but I could probably get away with carrying a P226 under a jacket.
shortranger
Member
Okay, here's my out-of-left-field carry suggestion for the day: since you have learned to shoot a Sigma, give some thought to a nice, used 5946. Accurate, DAO, easy to shoot, solid steel, will carry as well as a 226 (a gun I like, btw), and will last virtually forever. The 5946 is one of those guns that I periodically rediscover when I am rummaging through my gun closet and I always wonder why in the world I stopped using it.
Shorty
Shorty
I think if I'm going to get a 3rd gen I'll look for one of the ex-Gwinnett PD 5903TSWs. I'm comfortable with both TDA and DAO but would prefer TDA if it's available on a given model. I also like having an accessory rail to put a light or laser on since I won't be carrying it too often (and when I do I can just remove the light).
shortranger
Member
Certainly a good choice - any 3rd gen is. The TSW series are not my particular cup of tea (don't care for the rail), but a good choice nonetheless.
Shorty
Ironvic
Member
I have a S&W S&W 9c and like it, right now the mag release is sticking, so I'm holding off judgement until I get it resolved. I also have a Sig P-226 in 9mm. It's full sized, but man, I LOVE THIS GUN!
When I bought it last year, I asked the shop guy if he had any P-226 law enforcement trade-ins, and he brought out three. One had adjustable sights, added aftermarket, no way. One had Hogue rubbers on it-naw, too bulky. But one was holster worn on the slide's finish, had those cool checkered black plastic grips and was well cared for by a department armorer. It shoots like a dream and was once use to serve and protect.
You can likely find a nice Sig as a LE trade-in if you ask. I got mine for $275.00 out the door with a high cap mag and I've already staked my life once while camping and I'd do it again.
The 9c is still a wait n' see...
When I bought it last year, I asked the shop guy if he had any P-226 law enforcement trade-ins, and he brought out three. One had adjustable sights, added aftermarket, no way. One had Hogue rubbers on it-naw, too bulky. But one was holster worn on the slide's finish, had those cool checkered black plastic grips and was well cared for by a department armorer. It shoots like a dream and was once use to serve and protect.
You can likely find a nice Sig as a LE trade-in if you ask. I got mine for $275.00 out the door with a high cap mag and I've already staked my life once while camping and I'd do it again.
The 9c is still a wait n' see...
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