S&W or Sig?

[MattB]

Originally posted by Ironvic:
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...

If I can find a P226 for the price of a Sigma I'll be all over it. I know 5903TSWs and 4003TSWs have been in the $350 range as well so hopefully I'll be able to find something that I like in that range. If not, there's always a new M&P40 (though the 10lbs trigger model I want always seems to be more expensive than other models).

There's a large gun show coming up next month here in Northern VA so I may have to go see what I can find...

 

[SgtMoe]

Well you could buy both, and if you don't like one....sell it.....I have Sigma 40GVE and its a good little gun and been carrying it for three years now......and now I am saving up for a Sig P245 for my next EDC...Its all about what you want....it doesn't what what we say here on the forum......

 

[GatorFarmer]

Originally posted by MattB:
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.

I'm a homemaker here in suburban VA, though probably an hour south of year. All I can say is that odd things happen at odd times down here. Where I live is pretty safe, buy every now and again something happens out of the blue. Anyway, I'm 6'1" and still skinny and can hide even an N frame revolver IWB under just a polo shirt. Skinny guys actually have it easy once you learn to dress around the gun.

Anyway, if you follow Shorty's advice and start looking into the 3rd Gen autos, there are some deals right now to be had on the prerail 4053 TSWs in .40SW. These are good guns, I have one. Quite concealable and still hold either 9 or 11 rds of .40 depending on which mag you use.

You might also want to check a CDNN catalog, they had some deals recently on H&Ks that would be in the upper end of your price range, but still within reason. While current American made Sigs may have issues (I don't know, all my Sigs were made in Germany that I've had over the years), current H&Ks are still made by some wacky cultish Germans. You might also want to look at the current FN offerings, as sometimes there are real deals on these to be had.

 

[MattB]

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:

I'm a homemaker here in suburban VA, though probably an hour south of year. All I can say is that odd things happen at odd times down here. Where I live is pretty safe, buy every now and again something happens out of the blue. Anyway, I'm 6'1" and still skinny and can hide even an N frame revolver IWB under just a polo shirt. Skinny guys actually have it easy once you learn to dress around the gun.

Anyway, if you follow Shorty's advice and start looking into the 3rd Gen autos, there are some deals right now to be had on the prerail 4053 TSWs in .40SW. These are good guns, I have one. Quite concealable and still hold either 9 or 11 rds of .40 depending on which mag you use.

You might also want to check a CDNN catalog, they had some deals recently on H&Ks that would be in the upper end of your price range, but still within reason. While current American made Sigs may have issues (I don't know, all my Sigs were made in Germany that I've had over the years), current H&Ks are still made by some wacky cultish Germans. You might also want to look at the current FN offerings, as sometimes there are real deals on these to be had.

True, there are occasional things around here that are a bit odd. My friends and I were out in Sterling the other night and arrived at an International House of Pancakes right after some kind of violent incident (at least we assumed so judging by the 15 police cruisers out front). That being said, I have a 5 minute commute to my office on a bad day, and nothing is going to happen at the office. At this point in time I just have no need to carry every day.

The HKs are nice, but very expensive due to how overengineered they are. I'll probably just end up looking for some kind of LE trade-in pistol at the gun show that's happening up here next month.

 

[45caldan]

There are too many assumptions by some concerning P6s not able to handle JHPs. Any that were made mid 80s or later have an updated feed ramp thus no worries at all. Mine is an old style ('81) ramp and only needed a little polishing on the ramp to feed JHPs without any problems at all.
More info here.......
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/5421...331081131#8331081131

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by MattB:
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?

My vote goes to full size M&P in .40 S&W caliber. For the nightstand, you can put on a light, it is thin enough to carry concealed, holds 15 rounds of powerful ammo and is comfortable to shoot. The difference in price between S&W and SIG will pay for a bunch of practice ammo, which is a nice bonus.

 

[45caldan]

Put another 100 rds of JHPs (Magtech 124grn) thru my 1/81 P6 this afternoon with 0 problems!

 

[cxm]

The SIG P6 is a pretty dated design, though it is good quality and gives good service... the price is right.

The SIGMA is IMHO a rather under appreciated pistol... they are reasonably accurate, reliable and go bang every time. It is basically a S&W Glock.

The S&W M&P series is a step up... it is a splendid pistol, an easy trigger job makes it easily the best "modern" pistol on the market... and the price is right...of course it is accurate, ergonomic, a natural pointer, and accurate... plus it has the S&W lifetime warranty.

The M&P is by a good bit the best choice if your budget permits...

V/r

Chuck

Originally posted by MattB:
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?

 

[MattB]

The Sigma is definitely under-appreciated, especially at the price. I like it and it fits my hand well, but you can really tell that something like an M&P or Sig P226 is put together better.

I've got another option I found today at a gun store...a Walther P99 A/S. Lightly used with two 10-round mags the gun store wants $550. Opinions on the price and how it stacks up against the Sigma, P226, and M&P?

 

[cxm]

For $550 you can get a M&P... why not get the best?

A SIG 226 is going to cost you a good bit more than the S&W... no question the P226 is a good pistol... but for a 9mm it is a fairly large pistol. I think the M&Ps point better than anything on the market...and the sizeable grips are a real plus too...

I'd go M&P and use the extra money to buy ammo to get very proficient with the M&P.

FWIW

Chuck

Originally posted by MattB:
The Sigma is definitely under-appreciated, especially at the price. I like it and it fits my hand well, but you can really tell that something like an M&P or Sig P226 is put together better.

I've got another option I found today at a gun store...a Walther P99 A/S. Lightly used with two 10-round mags the gun store wants $550. Opinions on the price and how it stacks up against the Sigma, P226, and M&P?

 

[MattB]

Originally posted by cxm:
For $550 you can get a M&P... why not get the best?

A SIG 226 is going to cost you a good bit more than the S&W... no question the P226 is a good pistol... but for a 9mm it is a fairly large pistol. I think the M&Ps point better than anything on the market...and the sizeable grips are a real plus too...

I'd go M&P and use the extra money to buy ammo to get very proficient with the M&P.

FWIW

Chuck

The M&P is a great pistol for sure, but I have to say that the trigger on a Sig 226 or Walther P99 is a bit better. I'm also having trouble finding the M&P variant that I want (fullsize .40, 10lbs. trigger, mag disconnect, no internal lock). Both the P99 and Sig 226 have a very smooth 10-12lbs. trigger pull in DA mode. I prefer a heavier trigger mostly because it's what I'm used to due to having grown up in Massachusetts.

 

[Pisgah]

Mags are expensive to say the least...they're $50 on sigsauer.com.

J&G Sales had P6 mags at $20 apiece last time I checked, and the ProMag aftermarket mags at $18 per work well.

 

[cxm]

Unless J&G just got some SIG P6 mags in they are out... no idea when/if they will get more.

ProMag is problematic.

FWIW

CHuck

Originally posted by Pisgah:

Mags are expensive to say the least...they're $50 on sigsauer.com.

J&G Sales had P6 mags at $20 apiece last time I checked, and the ProMag aftermarket mags at $18 per work well.

 

[cxm]

A quick 45 min trigger job and the M&P has the best trigger other than a custom 1911.

IMHO anyway.

Chuck

Originally posted by MattB:

Originally posted by cxm:
For $550 you can get a M&P... why not get the best?

A SIG 226 is going to cost you a good bit more than the S&W... no question the P226 is a good pistol... but for a 9mm it is a fairly large pistol. I think the M&Ps point better than anything on the market...and the sizeable grips are a real plus too...

I'd go M&P and use the extra money to buy ammo to get very proficient with the M&P.

FWIW

Chuck

The M&P is a great pistol for sure, but I have to say that the trigger on a Sig 226 or Walther P99 is a bit better. I'm also having trouble finding the M&P variant that I want (fullsize .40, 10lbs. trigger, mag disconnect, no internal lock). Both the P99 and Sig 226 have a very smooth 10-12lbs. trigger pull in DA mode. I prefer a heavier trigger mostly because it's what I'm used to due to having grown up in Massachusetts.

 

[MattB]

Originally posted by cxm:
A quick 45 min trigger job and the M&P has the best trigger other than a custom 1911.

IMHO anyway.

Chuck

Can the 10lbs. pull be maintained or will a trigger job have to lighten it?

 

[varoadking]

ProMag is problematic.

I would agree...when it comes to double stacks. Single stack Pro-Mags have worked flawlessly for me, and I have dozens of them for various pieces - including my 39-2.

For a P6...I'd certainly give 'em a whirl...

 

[hipoint995]

I'm biased! Go with the S&W

 

[GZO]

If you're going the 'poly' route, I would look at the M&P-9 and the SigPro 2022... both are comparably priced and are both GREAT guns.
I've held and shot both... M&P feels better in MY hand, but SIG's got the better shoot.
I'd try 'em both and see what's best for you... will not go wrong with either!