First Sig!

Cruz5350 · October 28, 2010, 09:56 AM

Just bought a SIG P229 today's been the 3rd waiting day and I'm about to leave work and pick it up any minute now. I've rented them for a few years and just had to have my own. This is an LE model very slightly used by a booking officer or some sort of desk jockey that was still issued a gun. .40 S&W, but I ordered a .357 Sig barrel. 3 mags night sights and looks mint all for $579. I think it was a great deal. Photos to follow in an hour or two.

Uncle Malice · October 28, 2010, 10:06 AM

That is an excellent deal, indeed. Is it the railed model or no?? Doesn't matter, but they don't make the non-railed model anymore. That was my first Sig and (regretfully) traded it away. I would love to get another.

Congrats. You've made a splendid choice and Sigs are very addiction. They are to me, what the 1911 is to others.

Yes, that includes the US models as well.

Cruz5350 · October 28, 2010, 11:25 AM

Here is some crappy cell phone pics when I picked it up.

AZGlock13 · October 28, 2010, 12:14 PM

Congrats on your first Sig! The P229 is a great Sig indeed. The problem with Sigs, is you start to buy more of them!

I'm up to seven different Sigs right now and thinking on getting an eighth one maybe before the year ends. Glocks and HKs have the same effect on me as well.

geetarman · October 28, 2010, 01:02 PM

AZGlock13,

I hear that about Sigs and Glocks. I am afraid I am going to add CZ to my list.

Great guns and accurate.

Geetarman

**Spats McGee** · October 28, 2010, 01:26 PM

Nice! I think you did well, Cruz5350.

Cruz5350 · October 28, 2010, 01:51 PM

I thought I did pretty well. I'm going to tear it down and give it a good cleaning when I get off work here in a few hours. The only people that told me I overpaid are ones that have never purchased a SIG or even pondered buying one. At the same shop he had a new one for $779 and it came with 2 mags and no night sights. The thing looks mint and once I have time tonight I will take some better photos of it.

Dobe · October 28, 2010, 02:25 PM

Nice, I just bought my first Sig also, a 225.

Cruz5350 · October 28, 2010, 03:18 PM

Gettin Siggy Wit It.

Coltman 77 · October 28, 2010, 04:19 PM

Congratulations on your new Sig.

It's a fine handgun by any measure, let us know how she shoots.

Cruz5350 · October 28, 2010, 07:35 PM

Will do going out to the range on saturday. Can't wait until my .357 barrel gets in. That's when the real fun will begin.

Blurry pic of the night sights. Love them!

Misssissippi Dave · October 28, 2010, 08:17 PM

The night sights still seem pretty bright. I believe you did well on that buy.

When you do your part the Sig will do its part easily.

Sig? Yea, I have a few.

Osageshooter · October 28, 2010, 09:05 PM

Congrats. Your first Sig likely won't be your last. The 229 is my go to gun. I put in the 357 Sig barrel. It shoots a little more accurately than the 40. It is what is at my bedside. It is my preferred carry gun.

spyderdude · October 28, 2010, 09:37 PM

It looks exactly like my Sig P229 just slightly bigger caliber!

Congrats!

Cruz5350 · October 29, 2010, 08:05 AM

Can't wait to hit the range tomorrow.

Oldjarhead · October 30, 2010, 08:47 AM

I think you are going to love your P229. I have one in the all blue SAS Gen2, with a carry melt slide, and night sights.(no rail) I originally got it in .40 S&W. Then I got a .357 barrel from www.topgunsupply.com. Although the recoil and blast are more pronounced, the gun snaps back into firing position faster than with the .40 ammo. Shoots more accurately for me too.
I agree with Osageshooter. You will like the .357 more.
My advice on lubrication, is to grease the rails good. Check this link: http://grayguns.com/lubrication-of-s...-pistol-rails/.

Wag · October 30, 2010, 09:11 AM

I've had a P220 for about 15 years. Absolutely love it. Not a lot of shooting. About 2,500 rounds, just guessing.

You'll have a blast with it!

--Wag--

9mm1033 · October 30, 2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

3 mags night sights and looks mint all for $579.

Wow! Perfect timing on your part. Yes, you got a deal. My first P229 was also a LE trade-in. I still have it and I paid $500.00. They are built like tanks.

Cruz5350 · October 30, 2010, 06:27 PM

Ok back from the range and here's the scoop. first 100 rounds were Winchester white box range ammo. It was awful not one shot was consistent. I was very upset I've never had a Sig shoot this bad on me. It consistently shot 6 inches low at 12 yards and a little to the right. So I shot 10 rounds of Federal 180 grain just to see if it was better and it was marginal. So I put about another 50 rounds if Winchester through it and it started getting better. I switched to a much bigger target and loaded up the federal and boom night and day difference everything was grouped nicely. I switched back to the Winchester and shot another 50 rounds through it and it was better not as good as federal but getting there. In all fairness the gun liked the 180 grain best and the nice clean federal ammo instead of the Winchester mess. I'm guna finish off the remaining Winchester and stick to the Federal 180's for the range. I have a little concern it seems like the barrel and frame had some wear on it that was pretty pronounced compared to how it looked before I shot. I'll have to post pics and see if others have had the same experience.

Chris_B · October 30, 2010, 06:38 PM

Lube is important for a Sig. What did you use?

Wear on the anodized frame can spook you, but be negligible as far as function goes

wear on the barrel might not be a concern either. Can you feel the barrel 'dip' along it's length at all? Some wear-in is normal. Oddly I just posted this photo a few minutes ago and it comes in handy again-

1988 P226 barrel, original to my P226. Note the wear, This is normal

another

Cruz5350 · October 30, 2010, 06:58 PM

I'll post some photos next time I decide to tear it down again. I'm still nervous about frame wear though. I may just put a little more grease on there just to feel more comfortable.

Chris_B · October 30, 2010, 07:03 PM

If it's just some chips, then not a huge deal. The slide will still glide on the ano, not the exposed aluminum because the ano is higher than the AL

If it's long areas that have been worn down to gold color or raw aluminum, then there may be an issue

Uncle Malice · October 30, 2010, 07:11 PM

Interesting that you say the Winchester is dirty. I find the Federal Champion target ammo to be among the dirtiest ammo I've ever shot through my guns. Lately I've been picking up the Remington UMC bulk packs at Wal Mart.

I also really like the BVAC ammo from Cheaper Than Dirt. Excellent quality, very accurate shooting, and very reasonable pricing.

Cruz5350 · October 30, 2010, 07:46 PM

I went against my better judgment in shooting some of the rounds of Winchester. I think (an someone correct me if I'm wrong) the white box target loads of Winchester are reloads and it doesn't seem like they were in the tumbler long enough to clean them up. It was just awful, but I'm willing to try the UMC loads and see how those run. This thing seems to like the 180 grain better so maybe it was just the 165 causing the problems? Anyone else have any info on grain size and their performance through their own Sig's? I'm going to take some photos tonight and upload them to show you guys what the wear looks like. It's not down to bare aluminum in any places at least I don't think it is.

chris in va · October 30, 2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

I think (an someone correct me if I'm wrong) the white box target loads of Winchester are reloads

Nope, they're new manufacture.

The Sig 229 is the only one I like. Soft recoil, fat grip, decent size for CC.

October 28, 2010, 09:56 AM	#1
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	First Sig! Just bought a SIG P229 today's been the 3rd waiting day and I'm about to leave work and pick it up any minute now. I've rented them for a few years and just had to have my own. This is an LE model very slightly used by a booking officer or some sort of desk jockey that was still issued a gun. .40 S&W, but I ordered a .357 Sig barrel. 3 mags night sights and looks mint all for $579. I think it was a great deal. Photos to follow in an hour or two.

October 28, 2010, 10:06 AM	#2
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	That is an excellent deal, indeed. Is it the railed model or no?? Doesn't matter, but they don't make the non-railed model anymore. That was my first Sig and (regretfully) traded it away. I would love to get another. Congrats. You've made a splendid choice and Sigs are very addiction. They are to me, what the 1911 is to others. Yes, that includes the US models as well. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

October 28, 2010, 02:25 PM	#8
Dobe Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2004 Posts: 1,348	Nice, I just bought my first Sig also, a 225. __________________ What America needs is not a good 5 cent cigar. What America needs is a good source of cheap ammunition.

October 28, 2010, 04:19 PM	#10
Coltman 77 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,244	Congratulations on your new Sig. It's a fine handgun by any measure, let us know how she shoots. __________________ "A man can be destroyed but not defeated". Ernest Hemingway Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights -- Join the NRA

October 30, 2010, 08:47 AM	#16
Oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2008 Posts: 508	Congrats I think you are going to love your P229. I have one in the all blue SAS Gen2, with a carry melt slide, and night sights.(no rail) I originally got it in .40 S&W. Then I got a .357 barrel from www.topgunsupply.com. Although the recoil and blast are more pronounced, the gun snaps back into firing position faster than with the .40 ammo. Shoots more accurately for me too. I agree with Osageshooter. You will like the .357 more. My advice on lubrication, is to grease the rails good. Check this link: http://grayguns.com/lubrication-of-s...-pistol-rails/.

October 28, 2010, 11:25 AM	#3
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	Here is some crappy cell phone pics when I picked it up.

October 28, 2010, 12:14 PM	#4
AZGlock13 Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 270	Congrats on your first Sig! The P229 is a great Sig indeed. The problem with Sigs, is you start to buy more of them! I'm up to seven different Sigs right now and thinking on getting an eighth one maybe before the year ends. Glocks and HKs have the same effect on me as well.

October 28, 2010, 01:02 PM	#5
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	AZGlock13, I hear that about Sigs and Glocks. I am afraid I am going to add CZ to my list. Great guns and accurate. Geetarman

October 28, 2010, 01:26 PM	#6
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Nice! I think you did well, Cruz5350.

October 28, 2010, 01:51 PM	#7
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	I thought I did pretty well. I'm going to tear it down and give it a good cleaning when I get off work here in a few hours. The only people that told me I overpaid are ones that have never purchased a SIG or even pondered buying one. At the same shop he had a new one for $779 and it came with 2 mags and no night sights. The thing looks mint and once I have time tonight I will take some better photos of it.

October 28, 2010, 03:18 PM	#9
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	Gettin Siggy Wit It.

October 28, 2010, 07:35 PM	#11
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	Will do going out to the range on saturday. Can't wait until my .357 barrel gets in. That's when the real fun will begin. Blurry pic of the night sights. Love them!

October 28, 2010, 08:17 PM	#12
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	The night sights still seem pretty bright. I believe you did well on that buy. When you do your part the Sig will do its part easily. Sig? Yea, I have a few.

October 28, 2010, 09:05 PM	#13
Osageshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 179	Congrats. Your first Sig likely won't be your last. The 229 is my go to gun. I put in the 357 Sig barrel. It shoots a little more accurately than the 40. It is what is at my bedside. It is my preferred carry gun.

October 28, 2010, 09:37 PM	#14
spyderdude Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Posts: 579	It looks exactly like my Sig P229 just slightly bigger caliber! Congrats!

October 29, 2010, 08:05 AM	#15
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	Can't wait to hit the range tomorrow.

October 30, 2010, 09:11 AM	#17
Wag Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 988	I've had a P220 for about 15 years. Absolutely love it. Not a lot of shooting. About 2,500 rounds, just guessing. You'll have a blast with it! --Wag-- __________________ "Great genius will always encounter fierce opposition from mediocre minds." --Albert Einstein.

October 30, 2010, 06:27 PM	#19
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	Ok back from the range and here's the scoop. first 100 rounds were Winchester white box range ammo. It was awful not one shot was consistent. I was very upset I've never had a Sig shoot this bad on me. It consistently shot 6 inches low at 12 yards and a little to the right. So I shot 10 rounds of Federal 180 grain just to see if it was better and it was marginal. So I put about another 50 rounds if Winchester through it and it started getting better. I switched to a much bigger target and loaded up the federal and boom night and day difference everything was grouped nicely. I switched back to the Winchester and shot another 50 rounds through it and it was better not as good as federal but getting there. In all fairness the gun liked the 180 grain best and the nice clean federal ammo instead of the Winchester mess. I'm guna finish off the remaining Winchester and stick to the Federal 180's for the range. I have a little concern it seems like the barrel and frame had some wear on it that was pretty pronounced compared to how it looked before I shot. I'll have to post pics and see if others have had the same experience.

October 30, 2010, 06:38 PM	#20
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	Lube is important for a Sig. What did you use? Wear on the anodized frame can spook you, but be negligible as far as function goes wear on the barrel might not be a concern either. Can you feel the barrel 'dip' along it's length at all? Some wear-in is normal. Oddly I just posted this photo a few minutes ago and it comes in handy again- 1988 P226 barrel, original to my P226. Note the wear, This is normal another Last edited by Chris_B; October 30, 2010 at 06:43 PM.

October 30, 2010, 06:58 PM	#21
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	I'll post some photos next time I decide to tear it down again. I'm still nervous about frame wear though. I may just put a little more grease on there just to feel more comfortable.

October 30, 2010, 07:03 PM	#22
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	If it's just some chips, then not a huge deal. The slide will still glide on the ano, not the exposed aluminum because the ano is higher than the AL If it's long areas that have been worn down to gold color or raw aluminum, then there may be an issue

October 30, 2010, 07:11 PM	#23
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Interesting that you say the Winchester is dirty. I find the Federal Champion target ammo to be among the dirtiest ammo I've ever shot through my guns. Lately I've been picking up the Remington UMC bulk packs at Wal Mart. I also really like the BVAC ammo from Cheaper Than Dirt. Excellent quality, very accurate shooting, and very reasonable pricing. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

October 30, 2010, 07:46 PM	#24
Cruz5350 Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Posts: 63	I went against my better judgment in shooting some of the rounds of Winchester. I think (an someone correct me if I'm wrong) the white box target loads of Winchester are reloads and it doesn't seem like they were in the tumbler long enough to clean them up. It was just awful, but I'm willing to try the UMC loads and see how those run. This thing seems to like the 180 grain better so maybe it was just the 165 causing the problems? Anyone else have any info on grain size and their performance through their own Sig's? I'm going to take some photos tonight and upload them to show you guys what the wear looks like. It's not down to bare aluminum in any places at least I don't think it is.