Sig P228 opinions

[Mike SC Hunter]

Which just tells me that the 228 is marginal with proper spec 9mm ammo, but is AOK with the SAAMI weak-sauce fodder.

Oh Geez......Why don't cha just get a 500 S&W. Then no-one can say your quote about your gun.

 

[LLOYD17]

I carried a 228 on combat flights and the SEALs put plenty of rounds through the 226 but based on the above I guess they’re totally junk.

I think you’ll enjoy it if you decide to pick it up.

 

[alwslate]

I carried a 228 on combat flights and the SEALs put plenty of rounds through the 226 but based on the above I guess they’re totally junk.

I think you’ll enjoy it if you decide to pick it up.

This is the kind of silliness that happens on here when someone asks a simple question of the “experts” on here and gets a boatload of opinions and replies of how well someone loves his and little to nothing in the way of actual factual information. No one said the sheet metal Sigs were totally junk. During the US tests of 9mms the 226s did experience cracked frames due to the flexing of the slides during recoil. “Bowing of the slide” was the military term when they discovered the cause of broken frames of the 226s. That’s it. It happened. Matter of record. Research it yourself instead of shooting the messenger because you don’t like the message

 

[sigp220.45]

The cerakote is a bummer, but I’d still be in if it was cheap enough

I saw tons of FBI issued 228s on the range at Quantico and in the field, all shooting +P ammo and don’t recall any problems. If there had been issues they’d have been recalled to the Mothership.

Eventually of course they were phased out for Glocks and most of them met this ignoble end.

 

[Mr. K]

I have 5 228’s, 3 West German and 2 German made. They are absolutely reliable and strong. In my opinion they are the best balanced Sig pistols and aim very easily.

 

[alwslate]

I have only one Sig, a 239 that I bought at a local auction house a couple of years ago. It’s the compact version of the 229 I think. Very well made solid steel slide and more beefy alloy frame the the sheet metal models. I got it for $350 in excellent condition with two factory mags which seemed like a good deal to me. The only sheet metal model that I really wanted was the little single stack 225. I wish that I had gotten one when they were available and would buy a good used one if if came along at a good price. I know how they are made and would only shoot standard pressure 9mm in one. But so what? Std pressure ammo is all I use in several of my 9mms, like my 1977 BHP, my two WW2 Lugers, my WW2 blowback Astra 600 and my old slim single stack Beretta 951s. It’s no big deal. I don’t see much of a real need for +P 9mm anyway.

 

[Grayfox]

I'm a big fan of the older P Series all metal Sigs. I've got a P220, P226, P228 and a P239. All but the 239 are older German guns. Great guns all.

I have complete faith in my P228. As far as the so-called weakness of the folded slide, let's be real here. Yes, there are rare recorded cases of them causing problems. But, its after many thousands of rounds are fired. Quite honestly, no one on this board will ever shoot one enough to get to that point.
You're making a mountain out of a mole hill.

While I love my P228, the only Sig in my carry rotation is the P239. I do love that little compact 9mm.

 

[clang444]

Isn’t it great to hear from the people that call anyone that thinks differently from them a “fanboy “?

I’ve got a couple of Sigs and they are good guns. Might be on the expensive side if buying new, but I bought mine used. One of them is a .40 P229 that I picked up a 9mm P228 slide for and both calibers have been flawless. I did have to pick up a new locking block to run the P228 slide, but the .40 mags work fine for 9mm too.

I’ve got plenty of other 9mms too - from a Hi-Power to Glocks and several in between.

 

[Valmet]

A 1993 mfg P228 has been my fathers carry-gun since 1995. It’s been shot a lot and despite some cosmetic character marks, it’s as functional now as it’s ever been.

 

[44wheelman]

Sold off my German 228 after I got a 229-1…..just wanted the extra +2 magazine capacity. Downside was: don’t use or like the rail. Upside: I like the E2 grips better, and the 228 had nightsites that were fading, the 229’s were almost new.

They shot the same, trigger was similar.

Bottom line; Sigs are quality….fear not.

 

[black1970]

Sig 228

Don’t have but 3.
Full nickel
Two tone
Blue

 

[ColbyBruce]

I own a West German two-tone, DAO, KG date code (96) Sig P228. It is practically the same height and length as a Glock 19. The P228 is slightly thicker than a Glock 19. The Sig with no magazine weighs 26.1 ounces. The Glock without a magazine weighs 21 ounces. I have a few flush fitting 15 round MecGar mags for the P228 to even up the capacity of each gun.

Both guns work extremely well. Certainly more effort was required to produce the Sig than a Glock but accuracy, reliability, longevity as well as user loyalty are practically equal between the two. A person would be well armed with either firearm.

 

[alwslate]

Longevity between the Sig 228 and G19 being equal? Really? During the US tests of the 226 in competition with the Beretta expected service life of the new US gun was lowered to 7,000 rds to be considered due to frame breakage of the 226s by 7,000 rds caused by “bowing of the slide” during recoil. Because 7,000 rds was the average the longevity requirement was further lowered to 5,000 rds with the stipulation that none of the test guns failed before the 5,000 rd figure. That’s how the 226 finally got accepted for bidding. The cost of each gun included 4 magazines and a spare parts set. The Sig was cheaper than the Beretta per gun but the extra cost of the spare parts set increased the total cost to more than the Beretta. If you expect your 228 to last as long as the rugged G19 better get about 10 extra frames to go with it.

 

[CH4]

Longevity between the Sig 228 and G19 being equal? Really? During the US tests of the 226 in competition with the Beretta expected service life of the new US gun was lowered to 7,000 rds to be considered due to frame breakage of the 226s by 7,000 rds caused by “bowing of the slide” during recoil. Because 7,000 rds was the average the longevity requirement was further lowered to 5,000 rds with the stipulation that none of the test guns failed before the 5,000 rd figure. That’s how the 226 finally got accepted for bidding. The cost of each gun included 4 magazines and a spare parts set. The Sig was cheaper than the Beretta per gun but the extra cost of the spare parts set increased the total cost to more than the Beretta. If you expect your 228 to last as long as the rugged G19 better get about 10 extra frames to go with it.

Must be newer frames. I've fired well in excess of 10,000 rounds out of several of my Sigs and never a mechanical issue of any kind. Other than a little holster wear on my 229 and 220, they all look and perform as new...same with my Glocks.

 

[alwslate]

Must be newer frames. I've fired well in excess of 10,000 rounds out of several of my Sigs and never a mechanical issue of any kind. Other than a little holster wear on my 229 and 220, they all look and perform as new...same with my Glocks.

I don’t know what Sigs you own but your 229 is one with the solid steel slide and the 220 has the sheet metal slide but is for the low pressure .45 acp. Do you own a 9mm with the sheet metal slide like the 225, 226 and 228? If so have you fired one of them in excess of 10,000 rds? Realize also that the US testing of 9mm handguns was all done with the service round which is a fairly warm 124 gr FMJ ctg that apparently is about halfway between std and +P pressure levels. One of my friends was an LEO back when his department switched from the S&W 66 to tha G17. He was none too happy about it until he went through the Glock armorer’s school. He quickly became a convert and told me all Glocks used in the school and for firing familiarity had over 100,000 rds through them.

 

[glockk13]

I don't see how you can say you can buy a p228 under $400 good luck on that one

 

[sigp220.45]

I don’t know what Sigs you own but your 229 is one with the solid steel slide and the 220 has the sheet metal slide but is for the low pressure .45 acp. Do you own a 9mm with the sheet metal slide like the 225, 226 and 228? If so have you fired one of them in excess of 10,000 rds? Realize also that the US testing of 9mm handguns was all done with the service round which is a fairly warm 124 gr FMJ ctg that apparently is about halfway between std and +P pressure levels. One of my friends was an LEO back when his department switched from the S&W 66 to tha G17. He was none too happy about it until he went through the Glock armorer’s school. He quickly became a convert and told me all Glocks used in the school and for firing familiarity had over 100,000 rds through them.

I was issued a 226 in the FBI Academy in 1991 (which I gave back and carried a 220) but I saw hundreds of 226s and 228s on the line. (I was a firearms instructor as an additional duty for 20 years). New agents fired about 10,000 rounds through their issued guns before leaving the Academy in tbose days. Each agent qualified 4 times a year thereafter with either NATO ball or the issued +P duty ammo for a total of about 1000 rounds a year. Lots of guys shot on their own time, too.

Maybe other agencies had issues with the 9mm Sigs but I’m pretty sure the Bureau didn’t. Even after Glocks became the standard issue, Sigs were on the Personally Owned Weapons (list) and many agents carried them long after.

I never saw the issues you keep bringing up. By your standards the guns would have never made it out of the Academy.

 

[Doug44]

The Sigs in semi-auto are like Smiths in the revolver world. The old 228 s are much sought after. If you don’t want the 228 send me the info. I wouldn’t mind having one.

 

[ColbyBruce]

alwslate, I, as many others involved in this thread, do not claim to have your vast knowledge of Sig handguns nor your obvious disdain for them. I don’t spend hours each day pulling the triggers of Sigs, Glocks, or any other brand. Mine were purchased used, in VGC and well maintained. My handguns have a considerably longer life expectancy than I do.

I no longer own the 1996 P226 .40 S&W in this photo, but it has in excess of 27,000 rounds through it. It was returned to Sig, Inc. last summer for service and continues to serve a retired LEO as his daily CCW. This gun may be a fluke but I doubt it.

 

[Racer X]

AKs have stamped steel receivers. Just saying. Probably close to 100 million by now, with all the variants and makers.

Just saying.

Quit bickering. This is about the only forum I use where it is unusual. Don't screw it up.