Smith vs Sig

[Badkarma 1]

I'd never look down my nose at a 226, that pistol has saved my bacon more than once! That said my 5906 and 5946 fit me like a glove, have never failed to go BOOM, and are plenty accurate for their intended job.
If anything the SIG tends to be more accurate (especially the older folded slide models), but even a full size 5900 is still more compact and thinner. I think my signature says it all. Dale

 

[Mack]

Sig is still making the P series and spare parts are available, S&W 3rd Gen are out of production and no longer supported by the factory. Thats a pretty big advantage to Sig.

 

[JamesArthur60]

How many Sig's do you see appreciate like a fine S&W?

Ask that question on the SigForum and you'll get your answer.

 

[Wizard1500]

Good afternoon, all...I admit, the only S&W semi-auto pistol I have is a 22a, and I absolutely love it....But, I do own a P230, P226, P228, P220, and a C3 1911. I ccw the C3, and the P220 is my goto nightstand gun.....I don't really care for the new guns with rails, but I have been shoot Sigs for 20 years, and I love the feel and reliability of them...btw, have never had one with a SRT.....

 

[18DAI]

I too prefer the S&W 3rd gen pistols. That said, the Sigs are fine guns and the Sig 226 in 9mm is one of my favorite full size 9mm handguns.

In 45 nothing beats a S&W 45XX, IMO. The Sig 220's are simply not as reliable or as durable in my experience.

Its sad that S&W has abandoned the hammer fired metal frame market. Sig continues to do very well in it. Regards 18DAI

 

[Ghost_Soldier]

I have owned a Smith 5906 for 20 years, a 6906 for 15 years, a 3913 for 2 years and I just bought a 3904. DA/SA is the only way to fly! I have carried for 4 years now. I have lusted after a Sig 228 or 229 for about 20 years and I finally bought a 229 in 9mm.

I am a bit disapointed. I like the 229 but it seems to me that they have only recently close to caught up with Smith 3rd generation pistols in just some ways. I had to install Short Reset Trigger parts to get as good a reset as my 5906 had 20 years ago. The nitron finish on the Sig has caught up with Smith's stainless steel. I need to install a Short Reach Trigger to get the same trigger reach length that comes standard on the Smith. The Smith slide is narrower and less bulky. The Smiths are lighter. I cannot get a bobbed hammer from the factory for the Sig. A comparable height butt on a Smith holds more rounds, 15 for my 5906, the same height butt for my 229 holds 13. Although, Mec Gar now makes a 229 mag that holds 15. The Sig grip is good, but secures with screws, they loosen sooner or later and the grip still has a little play in it even when they are tight. Sig now makes an E2 grip which snaps and pins in like a Smith, it only costs $50 more.

I like the 229, but for the life of me, it seems like the Smith 3rd generations are slightly better over all pistols. All my Smiths have been dead nuts reliable. Why, Oh Why, did S&W ever stop making the 3rd generation pistols?

It sounds like you bought a handgun you didn't like just to complain about. If you don't want the 229 I'll take it

 

[GKC]

The only advantage that SIGs offer, IMO, over S&W 3rd Gen pistols (other than still being in production) is that the SIG breaks down and reassembles slightly easier than does the S&W 3rd Gen...but that is a very slight advantage. S&W 3rd Gen pistols are better in every other way...except snob appeal. Of course, since the S&W 3rd Gens aren't being made anymore, and you will most likely have to buy one used, you may not be able to get warranty service...and parts may be in short supply, some day...but then, you may never NEED service!

It's like buying a Mercedes Benz...an overpriced car that doesn't actually live up to its cost.

 

[ugrey]

It sounds like you bought a handgun you didn't like just to complain about. If you don't want the 229 I'll take it

You gotta read my rant right. I had to wait 20 years for Sig to catch up to Smith before I bought a Sig.

Smith copied the Walther hammer-safety-trigger system for the model 39, Smith then copied the Browning Hi Power double column mag for model 59 - creating the modern WONDERNINE, Smith then copied Devel and Asp for model 469 and a few other ideas, For the third generation Smith copied the Sig smaller grip frame, Now Sig has copied Smith's short reset trigger (according to a post above, #18) and snap in smaller plastic grip. And thus, progress is made and I end up with a Sig 229 that is almost as good as my Smith 3rd generation autos. I still want a bobbed hammer for my Sig, S&W has spoiled me.

 

[team sidewinder]

Love my Sig 229R in 9mm but never have had any complaints with S&W guns. I prefer my Sig in the nightstand with the Shield 9 for my CCW. The Sig seems so overbuilt/heavy in the 229 9mm that I don't carry it much anymore but it is a very accurate and reliable pistol. I don't like the long reset on the sig but doubt I will ever pay money to get the short reset factory installed.

Each has it own purpose for me. The sig wasn't inexpensive and dollar for dollar I think the S&W is the better buy.

 

[wproct]

I have owned 5906 S&W pistols for 12 years or more. However, I previously owned a P229 SIG, and felt that it was the most comfortable 9mm pistol I ever shot. Unfortunately it fell victim to being sold to finance another purchase. I would love to have another P229, only this time I would like to have a Stainless Elite model. However, whenever I look at the price tag I have to walk away.

 

[StatesRightist]

Ask that question on the SigForum and you'll get your answer.

I do not need to ask anywhere, I know the answer, very few Sig's appreciate. Dollar for dollar, overall % for S&W is much better.

.......And for the record, I own and like both brands.

 

[gdogs]

Been my experience that neither Sigs nor S&W autos appreciate in value (unless you are talking about low production number models like the 622VR, 4040pd's, and other frame mounted decocker models). Personally, I prefer the Sigs over the S&W 3rd Gens. I like the aluminum frames and I like frame mounted controls (or I should say I dislike slide mounted controls). What I don't understand is why Sig started making steel frames, and putting beavertails on their handguns, as they simply aren't needed. Has anyone ever worn out an aluminum framed Sig? And I've never been bitten by a Sig, didn't even think it was possible. The double stack mag Sigs do have a large grip (mainly due to having actual grip panels), which combined with their already long trigger reach makes for an even longer trigger pull. But compare the P220 to a 4506, and I don't think it is even a contest.

 

[Chaosrob]

Good thing the op didn't throw H&K into the mix lol

 

[StatesRightist]

Point of clarification: My comparison is of one brand vs the other, not of just SA's.

 

[4506517]

I never knew you could reverse the mag catch on a SIG. However, that still doesn't solve my problem. I reversed the may catch on my Beretta 96 and it was horrible. I use my middle finger for the magazines release. I usually don't have to alter my grip that way. Besides, being a southpaw still precludes me from using the SIG's decocker. With the 3rd gennies that isn't an issue.

Personally I think SIG makes great stuff. I own several SIG rifles and enjoy them immensely. When it comes down to it, the 3rd gens are what I shoot the best, so in my opinion, they are the best. I can appreciate how others like the SIGs so much. Like my mother used to tell me: "The world would be boring if we all liked the same things".

 

[saleen322]

Smith 952 - Sig X5 L1

Sometime ago I was in the market for a high end 9mm and these were the two I came down to. This was before the P210 was brought back but I don't know if that would have changed anything. Manufacturers will at times include test targets to show what a gun is "capable of" and that can be misleading. You folks who try to wring the last bit of accuracy out of your guns know what I am talking about. Old "Joe" buys a new Les Baer and shows you a test target under 2" at 50 yards and Joe thinks the gun will do that with his ammo that he got at Cabelas because the ammo said "Target .45" on the box. ...No....it would be nice if that was the case but not so fast. IMHO 9mms are more cranky than .45s or .38s and it is tougher to get performance out of them. I am not saying they won't get there, but the climb is harder. Anyway, most of the competition I shoot is done one-handed so for me the 952 is ahead of the X5 L1 because of its larger grip that is harder to control with one hand. Added to that is the 952 has the better trigger on the ones I shot. But still the proof is in performance. My 952 definitely prefers heavier bullets. 147s will beat everything lighter in mine all day long. Sig claims the X5 L1 (and the new P210) is capable of 2" groups at 50 yards. Ok so how does the Smith do?

The target I am shooting at is in the upper left hand corner of the picture, the plain piece of paper at 50 yards.

The first 5 shots...

and in case you think the 952 can't do it twice in a row, you are right. One flyer opened the second group.

Now I wonder how many targets are shot by some of the match guns until they get a keeper.

 

[williamlayton]

If you trust your life to a 9mm you may also leave the keys in your car----first and foremost.
If I had to roll out of bed and grab a gun, new in the box and unfired, to save my bacon---you can bet the ranch that it would be a Sig.
I carry a P220 a lot---a P239 a loter and I don't own a S&W semi---but I do own a lot of semi's--most of which start with a 4.
My 2 cents worth.
Blessings