First & Last Defensive Handgun - SIG 226 or 1911

[mec]

Of the two guns you mention, I'd pick teh SIG over a Springfield. Reliability is the reason. I have experience with both but am not up on the current production standards of either company. Gun companies are in business to make money-not guns and quality control varies considerably. In the past, SIG was more likely to be reliable than Springfield.

If you are a real 1911 fan, a current Colt or something from a small shop like Les Baer would probably have the best chance of working without gunsmithing.

 

[Zerodefect]

My 1911's are most reliable in a 5" barrel length with Tripp Cobra mags (must check these out!!) and usually 18lb recoil springs. I polish the ramp a bit and often throat the bottom of the barrel a little (like a glock) to get every bit of reliability out of them.

Don't bother with a "pretty" 1911. Just get a regular Colt or Dan Wesson Valor. If its for CCW it'll be really ugly soon. My sweat can rust through the slide of a oiled/greased/cosmoline coated 1911 in less than a week!

If your set on a 1911, check out the Dan Wesson line up. Then send the gun out for a Melonite refinishing for a modern finish.

I sold all my Sig's. I still get a bit grumpy when THR recommends them, because this is where I decided to try Sig, based on THR recommendations.

If your in College your going to be dragging that gun everywhere. No time to worry about finish or dirt or Sig/1911 reliability.

Get a Glock 23 or 32 and a Crossbreed Supertuck holster! LOLz.

 

[Sapper771]

A shotgun is a good choice, wide range of ammunitions and designs to suit your need, situation, and environment.

If I had to choose between the 1911 or the Sig 226, I would go with the 226. I have had more issues from 1911s than I have with any other platform. Not bashing 1911s, I have 4 of them currently and have owned around 15-20, both mid and high end models. My favorite is my ArmoryKote TRP.
I have a West German Sig 226 that is a great pistol and I would carry it if I didnt have the option to carry my Glock 21 or Glock 17.

I enjoy reading terminal ballistics reports and coroner/ME reports. One thing that I have noticed is that the majority of the time hollowpoints don't expand properly, especially when the BG is wearing heavy clothes. I think the consensus agrees that shot placement is king and shot placement comes with practice and training. 9mm is cheaper to practice with than 45 acp thus allowing the shooter to shoot more with the same amount of money. I believe that the 45 is more effective in most circumstances, but the cost is the negative factor, unless you reload.

The 1911 is a great platform if it runs. You can customize just about everything on the 1911 to make it fit you better.

The Sig isn't as customizable as the 1911. IMO , all it needs is a good set of sights, slim grips, a short trigger, and an SRT kit. My Sig 220 has the SRT and it is night and day from the stock trigger system.

Either the 1911 or the Sig226 are good choices. I would try them both out first before any serious commitment is made. After I made the decision , I would shoot it like it was about to be outlawed to make sure it will function correctly.

 

[Ken Rainey]

Well, another option I'd suggest you consider for a full size 9mm pistol would be the Glock 17. I prefer the same trigger pull for every shot on my handguns for ease of operation, training and accuracy. I "cut my teeth" on S&W K frame revolvers and then ventured into the world of autoloading pistols with SA/DA triggers, then on to 1911s & HiPowers, then Glocks. The 9mm Glock pistols will spoil you as to their ease of maintenance, reliability, and durability.

However, there ain't nothin' no sweeter than a smooth runnin' 1911. My favorite full size (pre series II) Kimber is my "go to .45", having run perfect since new and also being the one that I used to learn how to replace and fit parts on and then have it's final blessings bestowed by 1911Tuner on a visit to his neck of the woods a few years ago...yep, it's sorta special to me...
Having said that, I would suggest that you also consider a 9mm 1911. I have recently acquired a full size 9mm stainless steel Kimber 1911 (series II ) that is quite impressive...

The point of all my ramblin' is simply to suggest other options in the 9mm caliber of: 1. The Glock due to it's practical simplicity...and: 2. The 9mm 1911 which gives you a 1911 with it's attributes and more economical operation all in one...

Yep, some 1911s may need a little extra tweakin' from the factory, but it's mostly all things that you really need to know how to do to be able to maintain a smooth runnin' 1911 anyway...BUT, if load and shoot reliability with minimum maintenance and drop in replacement of parts is what you value most, then do consider the Glock...

Another option worthy of consideration these days is a .22 conversion unit for your favorite pistol. I got one for a Kimber and it is nice. Using one of these can sure save some money on shooting as well as provide the option of the .22 when that's all that's needed for either targets or varmits.

Luck to ya

 

[RX-178]

I can't help it. I'm looking at this poll and my mind just won't stop SCREAMING 'Sig 1911'.

No logic or rationale behind it. Just... 'Sig 1911!'

 

[GunLover2010]

If it has to be a Sig 226 or a 1911, and someone broke in, I'd say take the stopping power of the 1911. Sig makes 1911s so you could get the best of both. Sig 220 isn't a bad 45 ACP choice either. However if you want to carry it concealed, I'd go with a Sig 229, being that it's better suited for CCW.

If money is no object for ammo then either is fine. I have a 45 and love to shoot it, but may actually buy a 9mm for a second gun that isn't so expensive at the range. My 9mm will also be smaller for CCW.

 

[NG VI]

Neither, FNP-9M for me in your position. Carries better than either of those things, superb sights, a fine trigger, cheap to feed, never had a reliability issue with mine, smaller in every dimension than the 226, 3.9" barrel is a good length for a mulit-use pistol.

 

[Bongo Boy]

Also wanted to add more opinions based on what experience I do have, which I'm not claiming is extensive. You already said DA/SA isn't a concern, and I wanted to talk to that specifically.

I shoot IDPA & IPSC matches and run the Sig P220 which, in spite of my time with the trigger, still probably has upward of 8 lbs, maybe even still 10, on the DA. Never notice it in the least little bit, and that's just under the life-or-death situation of an IDPA or IPSC match.

So, I've been struggling and researching and renting and shooting for about 3 months now, looking for a CCW gun. Being a P220 owner and a 1911 owner, I'd already decided on .45 ACP. I don't care about any arguments over stopping power and knockdown this or muzzle energy that or whatever...don't care. I like the cartridge, it's MY cartridge, and I got that choice out of the way right up front.

Struggled with a CCO format 1911 in steel...wanted the weight but didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money for a finely tuned 1911 (which to me, is inherently a dumb idea for CCW). The Sig 1911 Compact (all stainless) would be my choice--my opinion is that is the upper limit of what you should pay for a 1911 for 'combat'. I've had a GI 1911 that rattles and creaks for over 40 years, and in 40 years it has NEVER malf'd in any way with any ammo it's seen. Don't need no fancy shirts, I just need the ones thats clean.

I found an M&P .45 Compact and shot it. Bought it the next day. Eight big rounds of the 45 comin' at 'cha and in a small, controllable lightweight package. So far (300 rounds only, understand) I think it's going to be a great carry. Try one. You're hearing this from a guy who had a major issue with plastic frame and no hammer, and a MAJOR beef with 'lightweight' anything--would NEVER have considered buying a polymer handheld device. I shoot tighters groups with it than I do with my P220 Elite Stainless (at 10 yards, mind you), I'm embarassed to say. That's just the facts.

Yes, it has a Fisher-Price feel and a trigger that must be made by the same folks that make the ones for Nerf, but again, I firmly believe that after a few more hours with it, I won't be hesitating on those controlled doubles. For me, I believe it's the perfect carry. It's impressed the hell out of me and I had no problem buying a P220 Carry Elite Stainless and cutting it up to make it into a stainless P220 Compact. Glad I didn't.

I know you didn't ask for another option, but hey you got one anyway! As always, try before you buy.

 

[230therapy]

Only two choices? Did the government ban everything else?

P226 any day over the 1911. Lower end 1911's tend to require too much tweaking and testing and why bother paying $1800+ for a custom gun with many reliable service guns are available for one third of that price?

The platform is probably the most tested platform out there.

I disagree. The revolver has more "experience". Change it to "...most tested semi-automatic platform..." and it would be true for the US.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I'd say 226 for a first one, as others pointed out for the reliability without any tweaking being necessary.

One thought about your posting though...you're younger now, and as you age it might make more sense, but "when I am going to be around areas that I feel are threatening" is a very disturbing thought process. If you're going somewhere you feel is dangerous, why go at all? If I picked and chose when to carry based on situation, I'd just avoid all the places I'd think I'd be more likely to need it.

The thought process should never be (and sorry, not trying to accuse, just clarify my idea) "I'll take the shortcut down the dark lonely alley because I have a GUN!", or "This ATM has two broken lights around it, but I'll be ok since I'm armed", rather do every darn thing in your power to never have to use the darn thing, including avoiding dangerous areas.

+1 on this.

Also, can you move to somewhere safer? I remember being a poor college student. Luckily I found a decent neighborhood. One option might be to rent a room in a home in a slightly better neighborhood. Maybe not the freedom you would like but I myself would choose that over a crappy neighborhood.

There is also a bit of an apples to oranges comparison here. You've got 9 mm vs 45 ACP. I myself like 45 ACP but wouldn't feel under protected with a 9 mm as the most important thing is shot placement. A compromise would be a Sig 226 in .40 caliber. Of course there are lots of other options such as a high capacity 45 ACP via Springfield or Glock.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

... I have a 45 and love to shoot it, but may actually buy a 9mm for a second gun that isn't so expensive at the range. My 9mm will also be smaller for CCW.

I did the same thing and bought a 9 mm clone of my 45 ACP pistol. The calculation I did (prior to the Obama election and price increases) required me to shoot about 8,000 rounds through the 9 mm for the ammo savings to make it a free gun. I've got 5000 rounds through it. Given how much 45 ACP has gone up, I've probably paid for the gun off the gun at this point just in ammo savings along. I don't know if others have noticed, I find it fairly easy to find 9 mm at a number of places with prices similar to Wallmart ($20 for 100 rounds) even during the current ammo shortage. However, I really can't find anywhere in which I can purchase 45 ACP near the Wallmart price of about $30 for 100 rounds.

 

[Prion]

Take a look at post 45 and 46. He bought a shotgun.