SIG 226 vs 229

[richc]

Hi all,

I visited with America's Armed in Milford today and had a great visit with Anthony. I'm a newbie and he was very helpful and willing to answer all my dumb newbie questions.

So I've kinda fallen for SIG products. I really like well engineered products in general. The fit and finish on the SIG products was really nice.

So I am thinking of a SIG 239, 9 mm for CCW. And then a SIG 226 or 229 for target and range use and fun. I also like the idea of the 22LR kit for either. It is very cool technology and engineering.

I'm curious what y'all think? Which is a better pistol for range use? 226 or 229. Or is it tastes great or less filling?

Thanks,

Rich

 

[Raoul Duke]

If it's strictly rage, you'll enjoy the 226 a little bit more. I have both, love both. The P226 is just a little larger and more comfortable.

 

[jhrosier]

Rich,
Start with the 229 and see if you can learn to live with it for all around sue.
The 239 is really not much smaller through the top end, nor significantly lighter.
There are many advantages to carrying the same gun that you practice with.

Jack

 

[2000GM]

Exactly what I was going to say. The P239 is a great, great pistol. However like said above it really isn't much smaller than a P228/P229 in any dimension. The grip is thinner, being a single-stack, and I guess to some people that little bit of overall "smallness" could be a big deal. However after owning 2 P239s (one in 9mm and one .40) I still kept on going back to my P228 for carry. Not much larger, very close in weight (the P229 weighs a little more than the P228 though), and almost twice the round count (with MecGar 15 round mags).

 

[SemiAutoSam]

Also have both and love both,

The P226 and P229 in 9mm will also accept a extended 20 round magazine which is very handy to have and they are available preban for you restricted folk.

P226 in 9mm.

P229 in 9mm.

 

[matt]

Sig is a great choice. Very reliable and, for me, ergonomically just about ideal.

If you are looking for a true target gun though, this is what I'd recommend:

1) Get the 229/6 for reasons listed above. I think the 239 is a bit too snappy for new shooters, especially in .40.
2) Get a dedicated .22lr pistol like the Ruger MkII. It will serve you for training and if you really get into target shooting will last you a very long time. It is also excellent for introducing new shooters.
2a) If you don't want to get a .22 pistol, get a .38/,357 revolver like the S&W686. .38's are great for target shooting and .357 goes BOOM which is not only fun, but good for defense.

 

[richc]

Hi all,

Interesting feedback... thanks! Regarding the 686... I do plan to buy one. I love the look. I'm still pondering the barrel size. Any thoughts?

However I'm still curious about the difference between the 226 and 229... or is it significant at all? And the 239 felt a fair bit lighter to my hand today, and I assumed lighter to carry. With my "physique" I have to be careful about adding extra weight to the waistband of my pants... the results could be embarrassing!

Thanks,

Rich

 

[terraformer]

Hi all,

Interesting feedback... thanks! Regarding the 686... I do plan to buy one. I love the look. I'm still pondering the barrel size. Any thoughts?

However I'm still curious about the difference between the 226 and 229... or is it significant at all? And the 239 felt a fair bit lighter to my hand today, and I assumed lighter to carry. With my "physique" I have to be careful about adding extra weight to the waistband of my pants... the results could be embarrassing!

Thanks,

Rich

Frame and slide size. The 226 is longer and higher. If you are really into sigs, then don't sweat it because you will eventually buy all three.

All revolvers ideal for target shooting should be >5 in barrels, otherwise they have less than ideal accuracy beyond 7 yards. 4" is marginal, anything less is not for target use but for carry pieces. Too long and they become more difficult to shoot. 6" is usually ideal.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Hi all,

Interesting feedback... thanks! Regarding the 686... I do plan to buy one. I love the look. I'm still pondering the barrel size. Any thoughts?

However I'm still curious about the difference between the 226 and 229... or is it significant at all? And the 239 felt a fair bit lighter to my hand today, and I assumed lighter to carry. With my "physique" I have to be careful about adding extra weight to the waistband of my pants... the results could be embarrassing!

Thanks,

Rich

Good choices. I have 2 80's vintage p226s and am looking for a P228 for CCW. Get the P226 and decide if you like the Sigs (you will) and then add a P228/229 or a P239 for CCW. The P226 and P228/P229 are pretty much the same gun providing that they're both from the some era. The P239 is much more scaled down, but is also pretty much the same gun.

In my pre-love handle days I carried P226 IWB and could cover it easily with a sweatshirt or hoodie. If you're slight, you could carry either providing you have the right support.

If you've got money to spare, forget the S&W 686 and spring for a used M547 and stick to 9mm ammo.

 

[richc]

Regarding the 239... which trigger configuration is best for CCW? There are three choices, DA/SA, DOA and DAK.

I fundamentally understand the differences, but wonder what the prevailing wisdom is on these choices?

Thanks,

Rich

 

[PaulD]

If it's strictly rage

LOL

I think the 229 is nice because it can be CCW'd (not ideal but it works) and is also very good at the range. I do want to get another Sig at some point and the next will be a full size of some type.

 

[mikem317]

Mosquito for the .22LR plinking.

239 is a great CCW piece. The .40 S&W is quite a trip, I'd get the 9mm if I had the cash now.

229 is probably as far as you could go for comfortable CCW. Can be difficult to conceal.

226 would be for home defense or for OC.

 

[Xak]

I have a full size P220 that I love to carry in the winter. For Spring and fall it's the P239 in .357Sig hands down. The single stack is nice and thin, and being limited to a single stack capacity I opted to have 7+1 of the harder hitting .357Sig over 8+1 of 9mm.

The P239 .357Sig is a hand cannon, yet still manageable. The little P239 has an uncanny ability of handling just as well as it's bigger brothers even in .357/40. The .357Sig is less snappy than the .40, but it is louder, therefore gives more perceived recoil. I fire it just as well as my P220 and full size P99AS 9mm. I am very fast with it and the extra boom is comforting.

If you want a carry piece I would go with DA/SA. A single action trigger is much easier to operate under pressure.

 

[Blitz1]

.

 

[Executive]

I've owned a 220, 226, 228, 229, and several 239s in different calibers. The only one I still own is the 229. It fits just right, not too big, not too small. Ten rounds of .40SW is more than enough to get the job done. The 239 is almost the same size as the 229 with a marginally slimmer single stack grip. It is very heavy for what is purported to be a "smaller" carry-type gun. It handles much better with an aftermarket Hogue finger groove type grip, which reduces the size advantage of the 239 over the 229 even more. All are well made, reliable, and accurate. The 229 seems to be the best compromise and will accomplish most of what you wish to do with a pistol. Buy it in .357 or .40 and you can pick up additional barrels in alternate calibers.


Chris

 

[Ham Slam]

I've owned a 220, 226, 228, 229, and several 239s in different calibers. The only one I still own is the 229. It fits just right, not too big, not too small. Ten rounds of .40SW is more than enough to get the job done. The 239 is almost the same size as the 229 with a marginally slimmer single stack grip. It is very heavy for what is purported to be a "smaller" carry-type gun. It handles much better with an aftermarket Hogue finger groove type grip, which reduces the size advantage of the 239 over the 229 even more. All are well made, reliable, and accurate. The 229 seems to be the best compromise and will accomplish most of what you wish to do with a pistol. Buy it in .357 or .40 and you can pick up additional barrels in alternate calibers.


Chris

+1 go with the 229. I carry one all the time. It is basically the same to carry as the 239. if you are worried about size and comfort I would get a snubby as wll as the the 229.