Sig P229

[sodacan]

Was at the range yesterday with my P229 Stainless Elite. I've had it nearly ten years, and it's one of my favorite shooters, and a primary HD guns. This is an all S/S model (frame and slide), not the more current model with the alloy frame. Both are discontinued by Sig. This gun is the softest shooting 9mm I have ever fired. Between the weight and the girth, recoil is very light. My understanding is that the 229 was designed for 40 caliber, so the whole gun was beefed up for the extra pounding. Not that it needed the extra weight, I replaced the plastic guide rod with a steel one. It bothered me that plastic was used in this fairly pricey gun. Very accurate and reliable. Just thought I'd share.

 

[Rock185]

Enjoy your new 229. I bought a new 229 .40 soon after their introduction, and have been a fan since. I've owned several more over the years, all in 9MM except for a 229 Sport in .357 SIG. Currently have a couple, '95 and 2017 production. Solid, reliable little guns IMHO.

 

[dsf]

I have an older non-railed type in 40 S&W. Added a 357 Sig barrel for no particular reason. I switched out the levers for their Legion version, have to say it seems to make no practical difference. Their short reset kit is worth it though. I noticed mine (short reset kit) was made in Germany and machined. I ended up with about 1/32" movement before trigger reset. Installed the same for a friend and noticed the parts were MIM, not nearly as clean and with not as good results.

I used to think Sigs were a PITA to work on, but they're fairly straightforward.

 

[dobk63]

Full Nickel P229 in .40 I picked up a couple of years back. They made a few runs over the years and small details differ like number of pins that remained blue. Have yet to see one in 9mm or .357 so not sure they made them in those calibers.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

It's hard not to love a P229! Here are my two. An excellent condition older non-railed version in .40 S&W and my beater in 9mm that has seen nearly 8,000 rounds down the pipe.

 

[Mainsail]

I have the P229 Legion in .357Sig and it's a great pistol.

It's a great platform for the .40 and .357 rounds. Overkill for the 9mm IMO.

 

[sodacan]

I have the P229 Legion in .357Sig and it's a great pistol.

It's a great platform for the .40 and .357 rounds. Overkill for the 9mm IMO.

I totally agree that it's over built for 9mm, but I never bought into the 40 and 357. I've limited my semi-auto calibers to 45acp and 9mm. The Stainless Elite is real recoil killer.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

In the fall of 2018 I came across a deal on a P229 "Red Box" pistol, law enforcement trade-in sent through the factory for refurbishment to "as new" condition, shipped in a red box with manual, 3 mags, and one-year Sig warranty.

Mine is early 1990's, German-made alloy frame, .40 S&W, standard DA-SA-decocker. At that time MSRP for a new P229 was $1087. I bought mine for under $400.

For those not familiar with the Sig line-up over the past 30 years or so, the P229 is a compact version of the P226, which evolved from the P220 series. Both the P226 and P229 have been chosen for several US military uses. The P229 has served with US Secret Service, federal sky marshals, and numerous other law enforcement needs. In addition to .40 S&W the P229 will be found in 9X19 and .357 Sig. An interesting option exists with the .40 and .357 Sig versions being easily converted to either caliber with nothing more than a barrel change, all other parts (including magazines) being compatible.

My prior experience with Sig pistols included a P6 9mm (German police surplus) and a P230 .380. Both were excellent pistols, and the P229 met the same quality standards. Almost boringly reliable with any factory or reloaded ammo and very accurate. Controls (slide stop, mag release, decocker) are well located, easy to use, and become intuitive with minimal training/experience.

The P229 is (literally) a handful. I have mid-sized hands with fairly long fingers and I can handle it well enough, but those with smaller hands may find it difficult. This is not a complaint against Sig's design; the same commentary can be offered for double-stack pistols from many manufacturers, including S&W. The P229 dual-recoil spring design requires considerable strength in the hands and arms in operation. Loading the magazines can also be a chore due to very stout mag springs (I found the Maglula loader nearly indispensable).

.40 S&W ammunition is a subject for another "caliber wars" discussion. Like it or hate it, it is what it is. Personally, I find it to be a good choice, but I prefer handguns chambered for cartridges beginning with a "4".

 

[UFGator]

P229 Thoughts

Carried P225, then P228, then P229 in .357 SIG. Former two in 9mm of course. I too have small hands and the P229 is on the edge of feeling uncomfortable. My favorite is the P228. Interestingly, and old news, DHS has dumped the SIGS for Glocks. I'd rather carry the SIG but it all came down to a price difference of $200 per item.

 

[Sheepdogged]

My P229 is my favorite pistol. Mine is chambered in .357 SIG, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

 

[sodacan]

My P229 is my favorite pistol. Mine is chambered in .357 SIG, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

Just curious. When did you buy it? Mine is an older one with the German frame and short extractor. Purchased about 11 years old.

 

[mckenney99]

Several years ago CDNN offered some LEO trade in guns that had been run through Sig's CPO program. The P229 I bought was in 357 Sig and DAO and it was in like new condition. I don't mind the DAO as my last duty gun was a P226 DAO in .40 S&W and they were boringly reliable. I will say the trigger on my old duty gun is a little lighter and smoother than the CPO P229 but the P229 trigger is very good. Before I got the P229 in my hands I picked up a Sig .40 S&W barrel and a bunch of LEO trade-in mags. I normally daily carry a Micro 1911 and had forgotten how much fun the .40 can be in the P226 and P229. Great guns, just a little for me to carry daily in retirement.

 

[xtrtsqrt11]

My P229 is a 9mm with the Short Reset Trigger added. Very much worth the trouble, I just got the Grey Guns DVD to do it right rather than trusting a you tuber that might not really know what they're doing. Wasn't too bad to install though at all.
Yes, it's arguably too over built for 9mm but I decided to go with it instead of the 228 because of availability of the 229 compared to the 228. I also liked the idea of the stainless machined slide in comparison to the folded slide for the durability factor...