How is the SIG P229 in 9mm?

Good gun... no p228 but a good gun.

It should serve you well.

It would be a good choice...

My buddy and I both have W. German P226's and he also has the P229 in .40 and a P228. My cousin has the P229 in 9mm w/ Hogue grip. Let me start by saying that I do think the P226 is arguably the best fullsize DA/SA combat 9mm out there.

Ok, having said that...

As mentioned, I've only shot the P229 9mm w/ the Hogue grip. I think because of the stainless slide, it shoots w/ the recoil characteristics of the P226, yet has the compactness and ergonomic shape of the P228. My only real criticism of the gun is the smaller slide serrations. I find my hand slips a fair amount of time when grabbing the serrations. I may be wrong, but I think the P229 in 9mm is heavier than the P228. If you carry, this could be a factor. The P228 definitely feels a little snappier than the P229 w/ Hogue that I've shot. Not that big a deal on a 9mm, but it's there.

The P226 is a stellar handgun though. It is the easiest gun in my inventory to shoot accurately. Every newbie I've ever brought out for their 1st shoot agrees. It is a very accurate service pistol. The P226, along w/ some of the HK pistols, are the benchmark of 9mm service pistol accuracy. My P226 has been reliable for 3.5K rounds, and hasn't had one malfunction....zero. IMHO, it's one of those pistols....like a 1911, or a G19, the P226 just has that perfect blend of outstanding qualities for an exceptional pistol in it's category.

If I CCW'd, the P229 would be better at filling this role. For myself, I'm glad I have my P226. I may get a P228/P229 at some point for my wife. She always hogs the P226 when at the range.

Sig P229 is the replacement for the discontinued P228 in the Military M11 compact handgun
program.
That should tell you something.

My 229R in 9mm has become my favorite carry gun. It is totally reliable, scarry accurate, and even hot +p rounds are a piece of cake to shot fast and accurate. Mine have the Siglite nightsights. That is the only thing you really need on them. It's ready to fight out of the box. I would buy some of the 15 round Mec Gar mags from Top Gun Supply. They work perfect and make the gun a 15+1 9mm. Works for me.

+1 on SIGLBER's comment. My primary carry gun is the P229 (older - no rails). I find it and the p228 faster on target acquisition than my P226. All three are the most accurate pistols I own. For daily carry, IDPA and target shooting, I prefer the P229 and P228. For target shooting and sometimes IDPA, I use the P226.

I'm not a fan of the Siglites - I prefer the classic bar-dot sights.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either P229 or P226. Hold them both and see what works for you - better yet see if a range near you rents Sigs...

In 5300 rounds and change, my 9mm P229R has jammed only once--and that was due to out-of-spec brass. You have no worries there.

As for P229 vs. P226: the only advice I can give you here is to handle both, then buy the one that fits your hand better. If you have small hands, I advise looking at the sing-stack P225/P6.

Sig P229 is the replacement for the discontinued P228 in the Military M11 compact handgun
program.
That should tell you something.

Click to expand...

It tells me that Sig in Exeter is too cheap to continue to pay for the stamped slides needed for the P228.