Sig 225 or 229...which to hip?

[WoodchuckAssassin]

With all the different offerings from Sig these days, there's comparison videos/articles for just about any pairing you can put together...but I'm having trouble seeing these two beauties side by side.

The 225 fits my hand like God made it for my fingers...but the 229 (I'm looking at the SAS model) also fits my hand well, just not that same feeling as the 225. With one being 8+1 and the other being 15+1, it definitely leaves something to consider. It will be carried OWB.

In the end, I'm the one with the thing on my hip...I was just curious what some of you ladies and gents have decided for yourselves and some possible reasons why.

As always, I appreciate your opinions.

 

[Balrog]

I own both and carry neither. Both are bigger than I want for daily carry.

 

[Telekinesis]

Well, I own a 228 and a 239 which is a pretty similar comparison... if you like both, eventually you'll get both. It just depends on what your main reason for getting the gun is as to which one is bought first. Do you already have a defensive firearm in the size range/capacity of either of these?

In general I'd lean towards the 229, just due to the added capacity for only a little extra width (and almost no other significant dimensional changes). For me the 239 serves a very niche roll of being a gun I can easily hide in a belly band but which has more ammo on tap and faster reloads than a snub revolver. If I was only going with one carry gun and carrying it OWB, it would be the double stack.

 

[bannockburn]

Liked the P226 though it was a bit big overall in the grip area. Really liked my brother's P228 and my own P229 with the E2 grip. The P225 also feels great in my hand but I prefer the greater mag capacity of the guns that I have already mentioned.

As far as carrying the P229 there's really nothing to it with the right holster and belt combination.

 

[jonnyc]

I really love my IDF surplus 228, but for size, weight, and comfort I'd go with the 225. Do you really think you're going to need those extra rounds? Carry a spare mag.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I need a thicker grip so 229 for me.

 

[golden]

I have an original 225, not the 225A1 clone that SIG is now selling and should be ashamed of themselves. To me, the best feature of the 225 was the grip shape. It fits my hand better than just about any other pistol and is a favorite for the range. Both the 225 and 228/9 are too large for my concealed carry which is usually a pocket carry, but both make fine guns for hip carry in a pancake holster or a house gun or even a car gun. I had a 229 and used to carry a 226 for work, but were great guns, but my BERETTA 96D Brigadier had such a better trigger, I sold the 229 to a friend and parted with the 226 to empty out my safe of guns I rarely shot anymore.

Jim

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

To clarify, I already carry a CZ Rami (10 rounds) as my primary CC gun, so my purchase would be exclusively HD/OWB carry. Since my CC gun can also hold a 14 round mag and give me a full purchase, it seems silly to buy another "full" size gun with only an 8 round mag. Still, the feel of that d@mn 225 is difficult to ignore. I have owned the old-school German P6, and loved the hell out of it (only wish it could cycle HP rounds), so my choice is still keeping me up at night.

Johnnyc said something similar to what my dad told me once..."If I'm somewhere where I need more than 8 rounds, then I made several other bad choices to get there." Haha!

Keep the opinions coming!

 

[9mmepiphany]

The 225 fits my hand like God made it for my fingers...but the 229 (I'm looking at the SAS model) also fits my hand well, just not that same feeling as the 225.

The reason they feel so similar is because they are the same width...which could be charged to very thick grip panels on the 225 or very thin ones on the 229. The biggest difference is the contour of the backstrap, which helps some folks index the 225 better.

I'm not a huge fan of the 229, as I just shot the 226 and 220 better. I liked the SAS Gen1 better than the Gen2, but I'm a fan of the DAK trigger. I liked the 228 better than the 229 mostly because of the balance of the folded/stamped slide as opposed to the milled one. In my mind, the nicest 229 was the first Gen 9mm models, before the 229-1

 

[guyfromohio]

I have an original 225, not the 225A1 clone that SIG is now selling and should be ashamed of themselves. To me, the best feature of the 225 was the grip shape. It fits my hand better than just about any other pistol and is a favorite for the range. Both the 225 and 228/9 are too large for my concealed carry which is usually a pocket carry, but both make fine guns for hip carry in a pancake holster or a house gun or even a car gun. I had a 229 and used to carry a 226 for work, but were great guns, but my BERETTA 96D Brigadier had such a better trigger, I sold the 229 to a friend and parted with the 226 to empty out my safe of guns I rarely shot anymore.

Jim

Why are you saying Sig should be ashamed? I had one for about a minute...never put a round through it. I felt that it wasn't better than my 239 and served the same role. Trigger was not as smooth in my opinion, but it did feel great in the hand...better than the 239 due to the undercut trigger guard. However, three years later and I'm looking at them again. What is your issue with the A1?

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, my P229 is a fabulous shooter. It's bigger than I would prefer for CC, but to each his own.

 

[FL-NC]

I prefer the 228/229 in 9mm (essentially the same gun). For a time, the 228 (M11) was my issued sidearm (I don't mess with hammer guns any more). The compact profile with 13 shot mag made it satisfactory for concealed carry as well.

 

[L-2]

I've got, both, a P225 and a P229R (also 9mm). If carrying a SIG, which is rare for me as I'm usually carrying a Glock or 1911, I'll likely be carrying the P229R.

Also, I noticed parts availability is getting hard-to-find for my P225 (not a P225A1) should anything break.

Really, I'd probably carry either of the two based on my mood, if those were my only choices, just for some variety.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 225 fits my hand like God made it for my fingers...

As you probably know, the gun you like most will be shot more in practice and in turn you will shoot it best.

it seems silly to buy another "full" size gun with only an 8 round mag.

Only 8 rounds? Really? For a century the 1911 with its 7+1 capacity was the standard in SD and no one ever thought they were under-gunned. Now 8+1 is not well armed, really?

 

[JR24]

My standard answer is whichever one you shoot best. 8 rounds is likely gonna be enough anyway.

I have owned both (though sadly no longer the 225) and the 225 felt better in my hands for sure.

For me? 226. That's the one I settled on and carry daily.

 

[pblanc]

I have moderately large hands and my two SIG P229s fit me perfectly. One wears Hogue G10 Piranha grips and the other Hogue checkered aluminum grips. But we are all different.

 

[Old Dog]

Side by side, you ask? The 225 is my California and New York carry pistol ... with nine rounds, I'm okay with it I practice mag changes/reloads religiously ... the 225 feels great in my hand, and is lighter. The 229 of course, is my free state carry pistol. Both conceal fine in a Kramer Belt Scabbard (moderate high rise pancake OWB in horsehide).

not the 225A1 clone that SIG is now selling and should be ashamed of themselves.

Really? The 225-A1 is simply a far superior pistol in every way to the old P-225/P-6 (which is a classic itself, of course) and those of us who took the plunge, actually own and shoot this pistol, clearly understand this.

 

[JR24]

Really? The 225-A1 is simply a far superior pistol in every way to the old P-225/P-6 (which is a classic itself, of course) and those of us who took the plunge, actually own and shoot this pistol, clearly understand this.

Might I ask why you believe this? I ask because I only had the older P6/225 and found it excellent and have not yet shot the new A1

 

[Old Dog]

Doesn't have the hooked trigger guard (cleaner look and fits more holsters); grip shape fits my hand better than my original P-225 so better ergos for me, far superior sights (SIGLite night sights), but the kicker is the SRT trigger, which is so much better (both DA and most especially, SA) than the old models it's not funny. My P-225 A1 feeds every type of ammo I've tried in, and the difference in accuracy between my old 225 and the A1 is quite noticeable.

Look, I'm a huge fan of the older, W. German classic P-series pistols and have almost every one I want for my collection, but the P-225 A1 and the two Legions I own (226, 229) feel great, shoot great, look great and do everything I need a modern firearm to do, and frankly, better than the old guns.

 

[JR24]

Doesn't have the hooked trigger guard (cleaner look and fits more holsters); grip shape fits my hand better than my original P-225 so better ergos for me, far superior sights (SIGLite night sights), but the kicker is the SRT trigger, which is so much better (both DA and most especially, SA) than the old models it's not funny. My P-225 A1 feeds every type of ammo I've tried in, and the difference in accuracy between my old 225 and the A1 is quite noticeable.

Look, I'm a huge fan of the older, W. German classic P-series pistols and have almost every one I want for my collection, but the P-225 A1 and the two Legions I own (226, 229) feel great, shoot great, look great and do everything I need a modern firearm to do, and frankly, better than the old guns.

Thank you, I agree the SRT is a huge upgrade and pretty much mandatory for me at this point.

I've been contemplating looking at one as a smaller carry option for summer when my 226 is too heavy (Glock 26 serves that role now) or maybe going much lighter with a 938

 

[JDR]

I have a P228, an M11-A1, a P6, and a P239 SAS Gen2. So that’s 2 “old” production W.German guns vs 2 “new” U.S. production guns. I can’t really say which one is best, they all work great for their intended purpose.

To the poster who says that the new P225-A1 is far superior to the original P225/P6, I have to argue that my P6 is a better gun for the money than a newer P225-A1. Paid $319.00 for it when they were cheap & easy to find almost 10 years ago, and I wish I’d bought a second one at that time. In fact, the A1 gun is actually based on the P239 (the A1 and the P239 share mags, whereas the mags for the P6 and P239 are incompatible). Personally I’d rather have my P239 than a P225-A1, but YMMV and that’s OK!

 

[Plan2Live]

I almost bought a 225-A1 a few months ago but delayed then had a hiccup in my job/income so that purchase is on hold for now. I carried a 239 for over 5 years and while I liked the way the gun shot and handled I found it impossible to find a leather, vertical draw (no cant), outside the waistband holster made for that gun. I had a Galco Avenger that was designed for another gun and it worked so that's what I carried it in but would have preferred something made for that gun. My oldest son graduated college with an engineering degree and wanted the 239 so I gave it to him. Now I see that parts and magazines are nearly impossible to find. Sorry son.

Back to the 225-A1. I've handled several but never fired one. The 225-A1 fits my hand much better than a 229. I have to stretch my trigger finger to get purchase on the trigger on the 229. I don't worry about round count because I doubt I will ever run into 27 Ninjas looking to take me out. I've handled several older 225s and found the triggers to be awfully stiff in DA and I'm familiar with Sig DA. As soon as the funds are available I will be buying a 225-A1 and about 8 magazines. That should last me the rest of my shooting life.

 

[golden]

To those who question my statement that SIG should be ashamed of themselves for selling the 225A1. Well they should. The REAL 225 grip fits my hand better than any other pistol I have tried. I checked out the 225A1 when it was announced and it is INFERIOR for me. It is not as comfortable or ergonomic. If it fits you, fine, but it is a step down for me and I will not buy one. I am looking at picking up another 225 for that reason. I found that the 225 action is fine, not as good as my BERETTA Brigadier, but neither was my 220, 226, 228 or 229..
I used to own a 220, 226, 228 and 229. I may pick up another 225. Of all the range guns I have, I like the 225 the most. It has the best fit to my hand of any SIG pistol, with the base model 232 grip the only SIG coming close.

So now you know why I think SIG should be ashamed of called the 225A1 a new 225. It is not and never can be.

Jim

 

[Old Dog]

I'll be sure to let the SIG reps know, the next time I see them, what an egregious error the company made by designing and producing the 225A1 ... I'm sure they will cringe in pure embarrassment and utter shame when they realize how the company has befouled the stellar reputation of the "classic" 225 as well as hurting the feelings of all the owners of the original 225/P6, and production of the A1 will immediately cease, with an apology to follow from the company president to all the SIG dinosaurs and snobs out there.

After all, issues of ergonomics, consistent reliability with jacketed hollow-points, superior sights and a splendid trigger are no reason to even consider up-dating a "classic" that cannot possibly be improved upon ... oh -- wait! Never mind ...

 

[9mmepiphany]

Much of the objection to the 225A-1 are the same leveled at the M11A-1...and to a lessor extent before that to the 9mm 229.

The 225A-1 is a redressed 239 just as the M11A-1, which was originally based on the 228, is a redressed 229 (to add insult to injury, it is a redressed 229-1)

Folks liked the uniqueness of the original folded/stamped slide models...slide-twist be dammed