I saw an interesting Sig P229 and P226 today.

[CPshooter]

While at my local Cabelas store earlier today, I noticed a weird P229 variation that I didn't know existed. It had a regular P229R slide, with an aluminum beavertail frame. It was advertised as a "P229 Beavertail." It wasn't an Elite, as there were no front cocking serrations, and it definitely appeared to have an anodized aluminum frame. It actually looked very clean and nice. It was a NIB gun.

I also noticed on a regular P226R, the floor plate of the magazine appeared to be a little thicker than normal. It wasn't the typical flush-fitting thin steel floor plate that is usually found on them. It looked like the thick one found on the P226 SCT, but it was no more than 1/4" thick. A very nice-looking touch IMO and seems like it would help make reloads easier too. Are these something new?

 

[rellascout]

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=7&productid=202

The SCT has been around for a while.

The Beavertailed P229 sounds like and overrun gun. You see them from time to time. They call them specials. The ones I have seen where Elite frames without the SRT trigger, wood grips or front cocking serrations.

 

[CPshooter]

Thanks rellascout. That's what the P229 was then. I actually liked how it looked. Very clean. But are the beavertails even useful on Sigs? On 1911s they help prevent hammer bite and allow for a higher grip, but do they have a purpose on Sigs?

The 226R I saw was definitely not the SCT model. It had a floor plate/base pad that had a similar style to the SCT, but was clearly much thinner. It was still a 15-round 9mm magazine, but with a slightly more usable and better looking base pad than the older thinner steel one that you usually see.

 

[earlthegoat2]

But are the beavertails even useful on Sigs?

Not in the slightest. I think Sig is trying to capitalize on the 1911 craze by making their ponies look slightly more like them.

Oddly enough, Sig also makes 1911s. Go figure.

 

[Stinger]

I don't know that I would say the beavertails on ALL Sigs are useless. I have one on a SAO 220 Carry and although I am not concerned about hammerbite in the least it affords some protection to the hammer. Also, it allows for a higher grip and one that is slightly more familiar to 1911 shooters. Plus it looks cool!