SIG 226 Blackwater or Beretta M9 Marine Corps Edition?

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docnyt

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What to do? I saw local ads posted for both at about the same price - $950ish.

I've never shot either and would appreciate comments on pros and cons. I'm not looking to make a safe queen. If I end up buying one, it will go to the range.

And no, buying both is not an option at this time. Too many guns too little time...

EDIT; I belatedly realized there is a handgun forum so please feel free to move this, Mods
 
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For $950 I would go with the P226 if you are looking for a range toy and not a safe queen.

The Marine Corps Edition M9 is just a $450 M9 with some engraving and 1/1000 serial number on it.
 
I've never shot either
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First problem. Both pistols are pretty different in the way they shoot and the ergonomics. I would STRONGLY recommend you shoot each style (any 226 and 92/96FS will do) and see which you like. If this isn't possible, at least hold and dry fire (snap cap preferable) both guns. Triggers are a bid different on each and the grips are definitely different.

I'm not looking to make a safe queen.
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In this one, the Sig gets the upper hand. Granted, both are fantastic pistols but there's good reason the Sig P226 has replaced the M9 in many circles. They're damn near indestructible, accurate as can be, hold their resale value well, and reduce recoil down to almost nothing. Personally, I've had both styles of pistols. While I loved my Beretta, it didn't take me more than a box of ammo through each in a side by side comparison to realize that the Sig engineering was just plain better. Your mileage may vary, but I'd trust my life and the life of my family to the Sig...and in fact, I do.

-Marcos

P.S. Only bad side to Sigs is you'll have more than a few people coming after you drunk on hater-aide. They're not always cheap pistols so they tend to get the "Sigs aren't what they used to be!" beating every time the economy slumps. You'll get used to it.

Also, here's a couple of vids that have just about every data point possible covered on both pistols.

Sig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn613oejWHg

Beretta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmGz4P9Qyc
 
Great input guys. As I was researching these pistols, I realized these were the very 2 in contention during the XM9 trials.

@ speaksoftly. Unfortunately there are no ranges nearby that rent guns. Now I do have a SIG P220 Equinox and a 556 Patrol, so I am leaning towards the SIG. I was just curious about the Beretta. I love my CZ75 and had been stocking up on RWS ammo, so I was eyeing these 9 mm.
 
IMHO, the SIG Equinox is not only a good-looking pistol, it is one of the best pistols in the world. Definitely not a safe queen, the Equinox grips really set it apart from a base 226.

IIRC, the SIG actually outscored the Beretta in the Army trials, but the cost was too high.

BTW: I own three Beretta firearms and prefer them to most other guns but the SIG P226 is a class apart. I have fired them in multiple calibers (including the Texas DPS' .357 SIG issue pistol) and hope one of these days to bring one home for my very own.
 
As mentioned above, the Sig reduces recoil to practically nothing. The trigger is pretty good in double action and great in single action (for me, anyway). I have a P226 Combat (cerakoted frame) in 9mm and it is easily one of the most accurate and easy to shoot pistols I own.

Takedown/field stripping are about as simple as it gets. The grip is a little on the fat side but fits my hand very well.

I also have the Sig .22LR conversion for mine and it works well, too.

I keep looking at M9s just to expand my collection, but I can't come up with a good enough set of reasons to actually get one as I don't think I would shoot it much.
 
IIRC, the SIG actually outscored the Beretta in the Army trials, but the cost was too high.
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The US Military would be solely 226's but when Italy caught wind that there was change afoot, they threatened to remove all US embassies from Italian soil if the US didn't stick with the M9. RHI
 
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What do you sig guys think about the polymer framed sig 2022 pistols?
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I've toyed with them for a bit and they're nice. However, when I did I already had gotten used to the M&P line and will stick with that. I've heard nothing but good about Sig polymer though and the price sure can't be beat.
 
Personally, the I would take the SIG because of the extra mag and night sights, if you're paying around the same price. I own both guns, and actually find the handling characteristics similar. The Beretta takes up the recoil a little better.

The US Military would be solely 226's but when Italy caught wind that there was change afoot, they threatened to remove all US embassies from Italian soil if the US didn't stick with the M9.
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Is this ever going to fade away? I have asked for proof of this on multiple occasions, and it only comes from a friend of a friend who's 8th cousin was neighbors with a guy who did the testing. As far as everyone should be concerned, this is a BS rumor that won't die. I ask for a credible source that can be checked against.

The original statement was correct. The M9 actually did slightly better and out bid SIG. See this online version of the American Rifleman article on the Beretta and the military:
http://funreviews.net/publish/guns/25_Years_of_Service_-_The_Beretta_M9.php
 
speaksoftly said:
The US Military would be solely 226's but when Italy caught wind that there was change afoot, they threatened to remove all US embassies from Italian soil if the US didn't stick with the M9.
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:rolleyes: The GAO investigated this charge and found it literally baseless. Good job on fertilizing the disinformation cow path.

The SIG outperformed the Beretta on certain tests and in others the Beretta outpointed the SIG. The "dried mud test" had to be thrown out of the XM9 trial altogether to keep SIG in the hunt and prevent Beretta from being the sole bidder.

Both were the only pistols to finish as "technically acceptable." Three times no less. That Beretta submitted the better bid has also been borne out in the marketplace, where SIG charges nearly $800 on the street for a plain Jane P226 and the Model 92 has held the line at under $600 despite both being totally or substantially made in America.

You could confirm all of this, but that takes more work than just making things up.

BTW, to the OP, $950 is too much for a "Blackwater," a "collectible" with the moniker of a business that no longer exists. An inscribed Beretta, OTOH, is pretty much ridiculous looking anywhere but a display case.
 
The GAO investigated this charge and found it literally baseless. Good job on fertilizing the disinformation cow path.
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My apologies...I honestly meant to add "rumor has it" at the end of that statement but distraction led me to forget. Either way it's off topic and completely irrelevant to whether or not the OP will prefer one or the other.
 
The Blackwater btw comes with 5 magazines, 2 sets of grips, upgraded sights, and front slide serrations if I remember correctly. You may not need the rest but the mags are going to save you money for sure.
 
@ C-grunt: You do have a point. I just figured might as well get a fancy one.

blackwater_grip_hk.jpg

Seriously though, I appreciate the replies, even the off-topic ones. As far as price, a quick glance at gunbroker and retail sites show the Blackwater to be more in line with current prices.
 
TexasBill said:
IMHO, the SIG Equinox is not only a good-looking pistol, it is one of the best pistols in the world. Definitely not a safe queen, the Equinox grips really set it apart from a base 226.

IIRC, the SIG actually outscored the Beretta in the Army trials, but the cost was too high.

BTW: I own three Beretta firearms and prefer them to most other guns but the SIG P226 is a class apart. I have fired them in multiple calibers (including the Texas DPS' .357 SIG issue pistol) and hope one of these days to bring one home for my very own.
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Both are great guns. My personal preference is for the Sigs. If you already have and like Sigs, then this is the direction I'd lean towards.
 
im trying to find the Marine Corps Edition M9... all I found so far is some fancy gold engraved commemorative pistol. Got any pics?

If you are going to pay for a premium...

the premium you are paying for the 226 is for some nice upgrades which make it a very desirable pistol.

the premium on the m9 is for ?
 
In a Nutshell

For $950 I would go with the P226 if you are looking for a range toy and not a safe queen.

The Marine Corps Edition M9 is just a $450 M9 with some engraving and 1/1000 serial number on it.
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...

+1

what he said ^^


Ls
 
speaksoftly, just my humble opinion on the Tac Ops' grips, not that you asked. ;)

I have a 226 Blackwater Tac with the magwell grips and I don't like them. They don't help much, as the mags can still catch on the frame, and they are flared, making them wider at the bottom. If you want to carry that thing, you will have trouble unless you have regular grips. Even with my biggest t shirt, it prints. SIG made the grips compatible with regular flush-fitting mag baseplates, so they don't "flow" into the magwell (which is why they catch). Besides that, you can't use them in some competitions. One day, I'm getting regular grips for it. This is really my only gripe with the gun, but you may end up loving them.

Other than that, the gun is fine. It has the SRT (I'm still getting used to it) and the fiber optic front sight. The beavertail was something I never wanted, but it really does help in gripping the gun. With my other plain SIGs, I would sometimes grab partway up on the tail and have to adjust down. Impossible with the extended tail. You also can't beat 20-round mags in a pistol.

Some folks like to say the SCT is the same as the Tac Ops without the magwell grips, but it's not. It doesn't have the SRT or the tail. SRT is another $100 installed on a SCT.
 
$950 Budget?

Get both.

92FS Police Trade VG+: $375
Used P226: $450 all day long

Add a bit for ship+transfer.

YMMV. It is your money.

Lumbergh
 
speaksoftly, just my humble opinion on the Tac Ops' grips, not that you asked.

I have a 226 Blackwater Tac with the magwell grips and I don't like them. They don't help much, as the mags can still catch on the frame, and they are flared, making them wider at the bottom. If you want to carry that thing, you will have trouble unless you have regular grips. Even with my biggest t shirt, it prints. SIG made the grips compatible with regular flush-fitting mag baseplates, so they don't "flow" into the magwell (which is why they catch). Besides that, you can't use them in some competitions. One day, I'm getting regular grips for it. This is really my only gripe with the gun, but you may end up loving them.
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Very good points...I'll have to think about that. I rarely carry my 226 but like the option.
 
I agree the Beretta does not have any upgrades to justify the emblellished slide.

@ AtticUm: hard to post pics from iPhone but there are some on gunbroker and google. It just has different markings.

@ Lumburgh: I concede your point. It will probably be cheaper to buy a basic 226 and upgrade it.
 
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