Sig Sauer P226/229 Elite

[wnwitzell]

Have been considering buying either one of these stainless steel in either 9mm or 40. I realize that they are hefty and the grips robust but haven't been able to handle one yet. I am concerned about the fairly large grips. Has anyone fired either one? Thoughts? Concerns? Caliber?
Thanks.

 

[slickracer]

Fantastic pistols, can't go wrong with Sig.

 

[sodacan]

The plastic E2 grips have a narrower profile than the rosewood ones on the older elite models. My older P229 Stainless Elite is a handful, but it is also a very soft shooter in 9mm. It is also much heavier than the alloy frame models. I have fired a standard model P226 in 9mm. It's also a nice gun. 40 caliber has never been for me. Too expensive, and I really like 45acp. Regardless of the opinions you get here, you'll have to try one to see if it fits you. Good luck.

 

[American1776]

Here's my honest opinion on current SIG products: I won't buy them.

1) The NJSP filed a lawsuit against SIG last year. SIG sent them the wrong P229 version, then, when those pistols jammed, SIG couldn't fix the problem, and sent NJSP the 'correct' version of 229, and many of those were defective from the box. NJSP filed suit for the cost of the pistols and the supporting equipment. They went with Glock.
2) The P320 is presenting problems to the US military (ejecting live rounds, triggers shattering with normal use).
3) The P320 was shown to fire when dropped (we all know this one). SIG's response was neigh on negligent (announcing an 'upgrade' rather than a full safety recall).
4) I owned two SIG 1911's new in box. They both would FTF with factory ball ammo.

SIG *used* to be a top of the line German / Swiss company. The SIG of today is a different company under different management. The P series pistols have been altered from their original designs.

Just my personal experience / opinion.

 

[birdshooter]

I cant speak to the Elite but I did just pick up a P226 Legion SAO in 9mm. It was the first SIG I had fired and kinda took a leap of faith. The grip is large and obiously has a much different feel than an M&P and different than a 1911. I have fairly large hands so it is not an issue. It is a very sweet shooting gun and I am pleased with the quality. Maybe try to shoot one before you buy?

 

[thomasinaz]

I just got 9mm P226 Alloy Stainless Elite, and really like it. I also have a P220 Stainless Elite, which I like for the range but no so much for carrying. The extra weight makes the all stainless pistols fun for a lot of shooting, but it is noticeable when carrying in a holster. The newer wood grips aren't as fat as the older ones that Sig used to provide. I think they're made by Hogue now, and they're shaped well. They are still bigger than the regular plastic and the E2 grips. I wear a large size glove, and the wood grips are about at the upper limit for size. Not too big, but close. You can always get an E2 grip set, or standard plastic grips, to replace the wood if they're too big. I think the Stainless Elite models give you extra value with the night sights, beavertail frame, and frontstrap checkering in either the alloy or all stainless guns.

As far as choosing between 9mm and 40, that's always a tough choice. I like the 40, but it's losing favor for now, and resale is tough. It may work in your favor as a buyer though. The 9mm is always in demand, and is a soft shooter in these service size semi autos. With MecGar magazines the capacity is 18+1 in 9, and 13+1 in 40. Factory mags are 15 and 12 respectively.

Sig still makes some of the best pistols in the world. They had issues with the newer plastic stuff, but you can't go wrong with any of the P22X models. I have small, medium and large Sigs, in all of the available calibers and each of them perform very well.

 

[44wheelman]

I love my Sigs, nothing but good luck with mine; but....my ffl brother echoes the sentiment made in post #4 of new guns he sells. So now, I would be cautious of a new purchase, and am reluctant to recommend at what new prices are. I have both a 229s (357 sig)& 226s. They are heavy, accurate, and soak up recoil...very fun.

 

[scooter123]

I have the P229 Elite Stainless in 40 caliber, purchased new in 2008/9. The Rosewood grips that came on the pistol were VERY fat/wide, so much so that I had to "sidesaddle" the grip and I have Large hands. Pretty quickly I replaced the Rosewood grips with Hogue Combat grips which were a bit narrower but I still have to "sidesaddle" the grip a small amount. BTW, a 1911 with a flat mainspring housing and long reach trigger fits my hand perfectly.

As for the current E2 grip, I have zero experience with them but suspect all they really do is reduce the trigger reach by some amount in the 1/8 to 3/16 range. The simple truth is that Sig's grip frames are rather wide and you can only make a grip panel thinner by a small bit, go too thin and they won't last.

Now on to shooting. I have two P239's and my P229 Elite stainless and I have NEVER EVER had one single failure of any description with any. Also have a P290 in 380 and that one won't shoot an entire magazine without some type of failure to eject. Sum it up in my experience Sigs made before 2010 are stone cold reliable, newer models since then are a **** shoot.

As for shooting properties of the P229 Elite Stainless in 40 caliber it's a VERY smooth shooter. In fact it is so smooth shooting I actually find it a bit boring and actually prefer my P239's, both of which are also 40 caliber. Basically the P229 is a Cadillac and the P239 is a 1970 LT-1 Camaro with glass packs.

 

[Apec]

In my opinion the grips/frames are fine, though they may feel slightly bulkier than a CZ or a 3rd gen S&W auto in comparison. Getting thinner aftermarket grips may help though. I have average hands, then again a good number of guns in my collection are Beretta 92 series. The only way you'll get a double stack 9mm with a substantially thinner grip is if you pick a gun with a modular polymer frame.

I have a P226 police trade in and a P226 Dark Elite, which I swapped the aluminum grips for normal plastic OEM ones. One thing which may take getting used to on SRT (short reset trigger, not short-reach) equipped guns is that the trigger may pinch your fingertip at break - takes some learning/practice to in order to adjust your finger position.