Sig Fans

[Gun novice]

Would the Sig 226 or 229 be good for a first gun? I want something with stopping power, reliable, accurate, and also something that looks good.

[sigcurious]

They are reliable and as accurate as the shooter. I don't know if they look good to you though, you'll have to determine that.

[BillyJack3]

I think it would be a great first gun. I got a 226 as my first pistol about 12 years ago. It's still my go to pistol. Accurate, reliable and a great looking piece.

[Technosavant]

I'd think they'd be just great- they have a great reputation for reliability and accuracy.

The only difference between the 226 and 229 is the size; the 229 is slightly more compact if you think you might want to carry the thing. Either choice would serve you extremely well.

[BGutzman]

The brand overall is a very good name, you almost cant pick a bad model... Not to say there havent hicups but solid overall... P226 is a great place to start... Be careful they are addictive...

[Patriot86]

P226 or P229 is a matter of what you want to do with the gun and how you like the feel.

I have had both; ended up selling my P226 in 40 S&W but plan to get one either in 9mm or 357 SIG sometime soon. I have a P229 stainless elite in 9MM and it is by far my favorite handgun ever. The "pointability" is just freaking sweet.

You really can't go wrong but I will say this 9MM might not be quite AS "powerful" as 40 S&W or 357 SIG but it is a lot cheaper to shoot; being your first gun do yourself a favor uless you are a trust fund baby get the 9MM and shoot it a lot. If you want something more "powerful" you can always get a second SIG later on in 40 S&W or 357 SIG.

good luck!

[TunnelRat]

I see no reason why a SIG wouldn't be able to meet your demands .

[JimDandy]

Last I checked Sig makes 22LR conversions for the 226- for the OP, VERY (So do your research) Basically, you can take the top half off, replace it with an exchangable top half to fire very very cheap 22 Long Rifle cartidges. Good for the mechanics of shooting, though you'll still want to run some normal rounds through from time to time to keep the feel of the bigger rounds felt recoil and whatnot.

[Dragline45]

I find the 229 too big for concealed carry, therefore the extra size and added capacity of the 226 makes more sense to me.

[sigarms228]

Either would be a fantastic first gun if it fits you well and meets your needs.

One of my P226s



One of my P229s.

[Patriot86]

FYI the P226 factory flush fit magazine in 9mm holds 15 rounds.
The newer P229's in 9mm hold 15 rounds also with a new style flush fit magazine. I do not know why the SIG site is inaccurate ; maybe it is only on some models but its pretty cool to have 15+1 in a gun the size of a P229.

So no longer is there any sort of capacity benefit. The only thing that does exist is a 20 round 9MM magazine from Mec-Gar(I think) for the P226. There is also a 17 round mag available for both in 9mm.

[zaknefein]

P226 was my first handgun.. I think for a first pistol the P226 is the best choice you can make.. The controls are great, everything seems like its in the right place. I have small hands but I can still use the magazine release and decocker appropriately because they are placed appropriately. I hate shooting a gun and having to adjust to release the mag. Its also very easy to maintain.

I like keeping it original, so I'll keep my 9mm 226 and if I get a 229 i'll get it in .357sig.

[BigJimP]

Nothing wrong with either model ...personally I've picked the 226 over the 229 because it fits my hands a little better....

You should pick whatever fits your hands the best !

[Tactical Jackalope]

I want something with stopping power

lol...get an assault rifle then?


BGutzman

The brand overall is a very good name, you almost cant pick a bad model... Not to say there havent hicups but solid overall... P226 is a great place to start... Be careful they are addictive...

^^^ What that scallywag said.

A 226 in 9mm is a good CCW. But this "stopping power" thing. Knock it off.

[sigarms228]

FYI the P226 factory flush fit magazine in 9mm holds 15 rounds

Mecgar makes 18 round flush fit magazines for the P226 and they work great

[TXAZ]

Either 226 or 229 are excellent choices. The Sig is well made, handles well and holds its value. Welcome and good luck.

[proxpilot]

a 1989 p226 was my first gun well pistol anyway....no regrets till death do us part

[Skadoosh]

In my case, I chose the P226 to purchase first.

[thedudeabides]

Metal Sigs are reliable and built like tanks, so they're much heavier than a polymer gun. An unloaded P229 weighs more than most loaded polymer pistols in its class.

Both the P226 and 9 are very accurate, reliable, and well made, with thumbs up going to the 226 with its longer barrel if you're more looking for a range gun and the stubbier 9 if you're looking for CC.

Both come in 9, 357, and 40 with the 357 and 40 barrels interchangeable--so you can have two guns in one if you choose a 357 or 40.

The stock grips are small, but you can get a nice wraparound Hogue for less than 20 bucks if you have huge hands or get yourself a fancy G10 if you want to upgrade without going big.

They have the classic build of P220 derived Sigs with SA/DA, a spurred hammer, and a decocking switch, but can be had in DAO LEM variants. Standard sights are contrasting, but you can get the Siglite H3, which are bright as hell.

If you are on a budget, CPO P229s can be had for about 650 with a full warranty from Sig.

They also have an old cousin, the P225, which is a single stack variant from the 80s, and it's twin the P6. Both are sold as German army/police surplus and are really cheap--but don't have the new refinements of their descendants.

I have 3 Sigs. They're good, reliable, solid guns.

They're just very expensive.

[hoho_leung]

I also just ordered a P229 E2 as my first gun. And I thought about getting Sig SP2022. Both SP2022 and P229 gave me the same feeling. If you want to save money, you definitely should get SP2022.

[Single Six]

If either pistol you're looking at has the same annoying habit of my issued Sig P220 [that is, having it's trigger return spring snap in two while in use]...I'd strongly suggest that you reconsider.

[TunnelRat]

If either pistol you're looking at has the same annoying habit of my issued Sig P220 [that is, having it's trigger return spring snap in two while in use]...I'd strongly suggest that you reconsider.

In thousands of rounds down my SIGs I have never encountered this issue. This includes a P226, P228, P229, and a P220. My two best friends, who also shoot SIGs, have also never had that issue.

I don't disagree that you had the issue in question, and I remember you bringing up this issue on passed threads. My point is any gun company can make a lemon, and bad batches of parts do happen. While your experience is one data point, mine is simply another. I do feel safe in saying your experience is not the norm.

[shuler13]

Huh. I never had that problem with my 226 or 2022. Both have had zero malfunctions and have been great from the first shot.

[sigarms228]

SIG redesigned the trigger bar spring to a much improved design however the grips may need to be replaced with the newer style to accomadate the new spring design depending on the age of the pistol.

TunnelRat is 100 percent correct of course in that this type of problem does happen to every pistol manufacturer. It is well known for instance of earlier HK USP pistols breaking their firing pins - a part much more difficult and more expensive to replace than a spring. However such would not stop me from buying a HK pistol if I wanted one.

[Single Six]

Shuler13: I'm genuinely happy to hear that your Sigs have given you no problems, but that doesn't mean that everyone else has had the same experience. The parts failure I described has happened to me twice, and also to another officer at my department as well.