Sig 239 vs. Glock 19 for CCW IWB

[rogerjames]

My only gun at present is Ruger SP101 3 inch .357. I just recently got CCW. I have carried the Ruger a few times in a Smart Carry, not bad but not appropriate for all attire. I will eventually add S&W 642 but I also want semi-auto. I've shot G19 at range and shot it very well despite my reservations about its rather bulky feel in my small hands. My number 1 reason for choosing the G19 would be Glock's reputation for reliability as I've held other guns such as S&W M&P that feel more comfortable in my hand. I've heard good things about the SIG 239 but never shot it. It's single stack and thinner than the glock with fewer round capacity. I'm new to CCW and have never carried but plan to carry IWB or Smart Carry. Do these fractions of an inch in gun dimensions (especially width) significantly affect comfort and concealability? Of course my number one issue is reliability. I would appreciate any experiences from those of you who carry primarily IWB with both casual loose fitting clothes and dressy tighter fitting clothes. I don't want to spend $500-600 then discover that I don't want to carry it because I can't comfortably or effectively conceal it.

 

[Katana8869]

I have owned both. Carried IWB, there is not much noticable difference between the two. If you are looking for a gun that you can mix up with your Smart Carry, the 239 will be safer and probably more comfortable in that mode of carry. I trust the safety features of my Glocks, but the thought of a chambered glock in the smart carry position makes me a little uneasy!

 

[possum]

with the right holster either one would be comfortable to carry. my personal prefeference between the two would be the glock 19. i just love the whole aspect of draw and shoot.

sigs are great high quality guns though, so either way you go performance wise neither one can be beat.

 

[Chem Geek]

i just love the whole aspect of draw and shoot.

That works with the Sig as well.

I'd say try and find a 239 to try out, see which one fits you best. Either is a great gun.

If you are looking for a gun that you can mix up with your Smart Carry, the 239 will be safer and probably more comfortable in that mode of carry. I trust the safety features of my Glocks, but the thought of a chambered glock in the smart carry position makes me a little uneasy!

What makes the Sig safer with one in the chamber? Neither should be able to fire unless the trigger is pulled, and neither are cocked and locked (not that there's anything wrong with that).

 

[possum]

That works with the Sig as well.

yes of course, but i like the fact of drawing and shooting the pistol with the same triiger pull everytime. makes things easier for me and less that i have to think about.

 

[RP86]

Either one has a great track record, so basically just what fits you the best. Sigs are used by just as many LEO's as Glocks. The 239 is issued for undercover and some female officers as duty weapons due to it's smaller size, vs. the 226 as the primary duty weapon.

 

[Chem Geek]

yes of course, but i like the fact of drawing and shooting the pistol with the same triiger pull everytime. makes things easier for me and less that i have to think about.

I would assume that's exactly why many agencies issue DAK Sigs to their employees. Also I suspect it's the reason Sig's SAS (marketed as CCW) come with DAK triggers.

 

[PhillyGlocker]

As a Glocker, I'd recommend the 19. '

But as it's been said here, try both and see what you like better. It will all boil down to what you think, not us.

Either choice would be a good one, for they are both top of the line handguns.

 

[10-Ring]

Me, I really like the G19 -- simple, accurate & reliable.

 

[rogerjames]

O.K., so I just printed out the specs for both from manufacturer's sites. Glock is a little longer 6.85 inch compared to 6.60 for SIG, however the surprising info is... width... Glock is 1.18 in and SIG 1.20. I realize some rounding of numbers may account for difference but it's surprising that SIG being single stack is not appreciably thinner! Weight is essentially the same. Can anyone whose handled both attest to width comparisons or grip feel. For the difference in price I could buy the glock and pay for a grip reduction if there's no significant difference in overall gun width that would enhance CCW.

 

[The Amigo]

Had both

Had both and ended up choosing the glock more for ergonomics felt the sigs grips were small and awkward for me as well as glock had tighter groups along with more ammo capacity. Sigs are good guns but for some reason feel weird in my hands my Sig is in good hands with my niece she likes it but then again its the only gun she has had.

 

[Katana8869]

What makes the Sig safer with one in the chamber? Neither should be able to fire unless the trigger is pulled, and neither are cocked and locked (not that there's anything wrong with that).

What makes it safer is the 10lb or so loooong trigger pull on the Sig -vs- the very short 5 1/2 lb pull on the Glock. But in my case I do carry my guns cocked and locked. One of the few exceptions would be a Glock in a Smart Carry.

Yes both are safe unless the trigger is pulled, but if I'm carrying something chambered and pointed across the top of my 'nads, the longer heavier trigger pull is more appealing to me than a lighter, shorter one.

As to the width issue, the slimmer Sig would probably be a little more comfortable in the Smart Carry, but it is no big difference IWB. I have carried a G27 in a smart carry (unchambered ) and I didn't really like it. YMMV.

Just to give myself credit as far as my Glock experience, I started CCW'ing a Glock in 1993 and have owned 1 G17, 1 G19, 1 G22, 2 G27's, 2 G26's and 1 G30. The majority of that time was spent with one chambered in either a IWB or OWB holster.

I have also owned and carried a Sig 239 and a Sig 245.

I trust the safety of both brands but I also know what I consider the reasonable limitations by which I am willing to trust that safety.

As to the Sig, I would have no more worry about it in the Smart Carry than I would a revolver.

 

[CountGlockula]

Go Glock.

 

[michiganfan]

Had both liked the Glock better. Got rid of both to get a G23.

 

[cvb]

try a 225

or a G36-not a 9 though.

 

[ugaarguy]

Can anyone whose handled both attest to width comparisons or grip feel. For the difference in price I could buy the glock and pay for a grip reduction if there's no significant difference in overall gun width that would enhance CCW

.

Disclaimer - I own neither.

However, I've handled both extensively at work. The Glock grip feels more like a block with rounded edges and finger grooves. The SIG has a more oval grip. Both are actually pretty comfortable in my hands. Even with Glock's grip angle that doesn't really agree with me the G19/23 feel best and point most naturally for me compared to other Glocks. The SIG fits my hand a little better and points more naturally for me. Counter point is that the Glock has a very neutral balance while the SIG in question feels a bit top and front heavy. The SIG feels narrower in the grip to me than the Glock, and their slides feel equally wide - though I've yet to take the calipers to either and get definite numbers. The best advice is to handle both and see which one fits your hand and feels best to you.

 

[Katana8869]

Glock is a little longer 6.85 inch compared to 6.60 for SIG, however the surprising info is... width... Glock is 1.18 in and SIG 1.20. I realize some rounding of numbers may account for difference but it's surprising that SIG being single stack is not appreciably thinner!

I wonder if that was measured across the back of the frame or, especially in the Sig's case, across the grip. I know that essentially it doesn't matter, but it surprises me too!

 

[briansp82593]

sigs never fitted me... not a single one, but hell they look nice and from what i hear are reliable doesnt mean i will buy one... that 239 felt fat and awkward to me but so do 19's because my top finger doesnt have enough room unlike on the full size glocks

 

[kerank]

O.K., so I just printed out the specs for both from manufacturer's sites. Glock is a little longer 6.85 inch compared to 6.60 for SIG, however the surprising info is... width... Glock is 1.18 in and SIG 1.20. I realize some rounding of numbers may account for difference but it's surprising that SIG being single stack is not appreciably thinner! Weight is essentially the same. Can anyone whose handled both attest to width comparisons or grip feel. For the difference in price I could buy the glock and pay for a grip reduction if there's no significant difference in overall gun width that would enhance CCW.

I have both. I just recently got the SIG 239 (now I want more ). I can vouch that the entire length of the slide on the 239 is significantly more narrow than the G19. All I can figure is that the measurement is at the widest point of the pistol...which is the decocking lever. The G19 "carries" it's width throughout the whole pistol (slide, frame and grip). While I haven't carried either extensively, IMO the 239 would be easier to conceal, and more comfortable IWB. It is about 1/4 inch thinner everywhere but the area around the decocker and slide-release. Take a look at the holsters for each, and you will see that the 239 holsters are a good bit thinner than those for the G19.

I've only had a couple of range sessions with the 239, but can already tell how accurate this thing is. No problems with either, and don't expect any with either (both have a great reputation for reliability). I can shoot the G19 faster than the 239 because of the shorter/lighter trigger pull and short reset. However the 239 is a little more accurate. Like some others, I feel a little safer with the longer, heavier first pull of the 239 while still maintaining simplicity of a revolver (the pull is much slicker, easier than that of my SP101). I gravitate toward the SIG, although the G19 is a great, great pistol. In fact I like the 239 so much, I'm trying to decide between a P239 SAS and a used P228 for my next purchase.

If capacity bothers you, one thing to note...carrying an extra 239 mag in the back pocket is no problem at all (they are very thin).

 

[rogerjames]

Kerank, that helps a lot. Thanks for the insight. - Roger

 

[bob40caliber]

One seems to have a history of KB's and the same one does not have a fully supported barrel chamber.....

I feel much better with the P239.