why does sig not sell the p228 to civilians?

[Ridgeway]

Just finished looking @ sigs website, and couldn't find the 228 until I looked under the military/leo section.

What reason is the p228 not sold new to civilians?
Yet it can be found used...?



I just returned from my gun shop and they have a NIB w/papers p228 w/2 10 rd and 2 13rd mags for ~$575...it feels so much better than my glock. I hope I can swing buying another pistol much earlier than I anticipated...

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Simple answer is that they don't want the competition with the 229. I think Sig feels that their LEO/military orders will be sufficient to sustain production of the 228 while the more expensive to manufacture 229 is marketed to the American civilian market. I looked for one for a long time (brand new) and finally ended up with a 229 in 9mm.

 

[B27]

The short answer is, they do. Any guns left over after the military M11 contracts have been filled go into the civilian market.
If tomorrow were not Sunday I bet you I could find you a dozen NIB ones for sale here in Atlanta with just three or four calls.
Richardson's Gun Shop currently has 14 in stock...

http://www.rgunsonline.com/Richardsons_Storefront/asp_StoreFront/

Southpaw-
I wish you had visited us at www.sigforum.com when you were in the market. Somebody there always knows where they can be had at a decent price.

 

[Lightsped]

What is a "decent price"? Any leads in the ATL area?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I wish you had visited us at www.sigforum.com when you were in the market. Somebody there always knows where they can be had at a decent price.

Unfortunately, I didn't find www.sigforum.com until after I purchased my 229. I ask two local dealers who came through for me before to special order a 228 for me. Neither was able to locate one immediately, so they continued to check periodically. After about 3 months, one of these got a 229 in, so I bought that (at $575 new, I didn't think I'd be able to find a 228 at a better price). They now have a 228 in the shop, while I'm chewing on the prospect of buying it, I probably won't get the 228 since the 229 is pretty much the same size. I'm aware the 228 periodically turn up as production overruns for mil/LE contracts, but they seem to be exceptionally hard to find in this area. Thanks.

 

[B27]

Lightsped-
Give them a call at www.bernies-sports.com
If they don't have any on hand, they usually have a good idea of when they will.

 

[B27]

Here's a little 228 v. 229 discussion....

http://sigforum.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=674608412&f=430601935&m=45460152

 

[caz223]

The 228 is cheaper, better balanced, more accurate (not scientific, but I owned both in all calibers offered), and I *disagree* that the frames are the same, they're not, they fit totally differently in my hand.
My 228 (I still own one, BTW, but sold my 229s) feels like it was made by an ergonomics expert for me, at significant expense.

 

[Ala Dan]

caz223 said:

"The 228 is cheaper"

Where ? What condition? Magazine capacity?


True, some police trade-in's can be found at
bargain basement price's; but NIB P228's
are actually MORE EXPENSIVE in my neck of the
ole' wood's. Add hi-cap's, and the price goes out
of sight! Perspective buyer's might have to sell
the car, mortage the house, or trade in their
wives gold to own one here in DixieLand!

Plenty of P229's with 10 rounder's, in the old
neighborhood of $550 for .40 S&W or .357 SIG
caliber's. 9m/m is more scarce, and NIB would
demand a slight premium.

But like caz 223, the P228 is my favorite 9m/m!


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A, Life Member

 

[Newton]

HAve you considered the P239 in 9mm. It's easier to carry, easier to find, cheaper to buy, and in my opinion, a more practical, if not better, pistol.

Nothing wrong with the P228 though, and I still see them for sale NIB.

 

[pistolwhipped]

228's for 555.00
www.onpointfirearms.com

 

[B27]

That link from pistolwhipped may be about the best price around. Even with paying a transfer fee to your FFL and taxes you should still escape for not a whole lot more than $600.

 

[Berg01]

My 228 ...... feels like it was made by an ergonomics expert for me, at significant expense.

But like caz 223, the P228 is my favorite 9mm!

...agree 100% with the above quotes!

 

[Ridgeway]

That link from pistolwhipped may be about the best price around. Even with paying a transfer fee to your FFL and taxes you should still escape for not a whole lot more than $600.

I got my 228 w/hogue grips(& the original grips), 4 mags(2 high cap), papers etc NIB for $604 out the door- not too bad considering I did not shop around at all I think lol

 

[JeepDriver]

I just paid $7-something for a NIB 228 here in MD about 1 1/2 months ago.

Be glad you live in free states, cause there ain't no more NIB Sig's for us Marylanders!