i'm looking at getting a sig-sauer .40 (either the 229 or 226). all the data i've gotten ahold of shows them to be a reliable, quality firearm. are they really worth the price or are there comperable makes i should consider?

Welcome. Can't answer what something is worth to you, but they are very nice, accurate, well-made guns.

Hope you enjoy it.

Both of my sons received 9mm SIG 226s as college graduation gifts if that's any indication of what I think of the SIG. I shoot a P220 while my missus shoots the 9mm P228. Would suggest you note what features you like in a semi-auto and shop what's on the market. Get the feel of as many as you can. If it feels good in your hand, it will be much easier to learn to shoot with it. Some ranges have guns that you can rent while there. Try to shoot the guns that feel good in your hand before making the choice to buy. Price is certainly a consideration however, as Mr. Royce once said, "The quality remains long after the price has been forgotten."

to me...yes.


...as Mr. Royce once said, "The quality remains long after the price has been forgotten."


If you get a SIG you will be passing it down through the generations, so why skimp on the money now, just a thought. IF by chance you shoot so much that you wear the gun out, the gun would be the least amount of money you spent in that venture, even if you reload, so why skimp on the money now?

Sure if may seem like a lot compared to other brands out there but it will definitely serve you well, and you won't regret it. I am not knocking other brands that are cheaper but I do know from experience that SIG preform very well.

ALSO, if you are interested in SIGs but not wanting or can't spend the money for a NIB you might want to look into the CPOs (certified pre-owned) SIGs, you should be able to find those for about $400-$500 depending on which grade you get.

BTW I have a P226 9mm, and a W.German P220 .45acp, and my wife has the GOTM P239 40S&W/.357sig, and you can bet these will not be our last SIGs we buy.

I also think they are worth the money. See if this helps.

The SIG SAUER® P226 is the pistol that set the standard by which all other combat handguns are measured. In use by the US Navy SEALs, Federal agents, and numerous law enforcement agencies including the Texas Rangers, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Michigan State Police to name a few.

thanks, the CPO option will be something i'll look into. a friend has an HK, and loves it, but i like the look and feel of the SIG more.

The SIG SAUER® P226 is the pistol that set the standard by which all other combat handguns are measured. In use by the US Navy SEALs, Federal agents, and numerous law enforcement agencies including the Texas Rangers, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Michigan State Police to name a few.In addition, the SIG P228 is one of the undercover weapons issued to the Navel Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents.

The P226 took part in the military trials to find a replacement for the 1911. Even though not chosen by the military (IMHO a BIG mistake), it passed all tests with flying colors.

The SIG guns are well worth every penny, IMHO.
They have survived and thrived in every adverse condition trial they have been put through, that I can find information on.
They are stout, well fit and very smooth.
Any of them will outlast you, your children and likely your grandchildren. And shoot just as well if not better than when brand new.

Pick the one that fits your hand and be done with it. You won't ever regret it.

i've only bought one new SIG, and this was years ago...220 (45ap) that I really thought was a geat gun. Bought a slightly used 220 in .38Super that was just as good and became my favorite carry gun.

Bought a polcie trade in 226 9mm in very nice shape ($400), and I've nothing against the gun...shoot well, looked very good, nite-sites, but I just never got friendly with it. I simply liked the feel of the 220's better.

Are they "worth" it? Well...not from the view of fit and finish...or from method of construction....mostly it's reputation.

i've only bought one new SIG, and this was years ago...220 (45ap) that I really thought was a geat gun. Bought a slightly used 220 in .38Super that was just as good and became my favorite carry gun.

Bought a polcie trade in 226 9mm in very nice shape ($400), and I've nothing against the gun...shoot well, looked very good, nite-sites, but I just never got friendly with it. I simply liked the feel of the 220's better.

Are they "worth" it? Well...not from the view of fit and finish...or from method of construction....mostly it's reputation.


I have a question for you Ribbonstone. I have not handled both, but just from looking at both they seem to be the same or very similar frame. Just curious what makes the 220 feel better than the 226?? The grip area looks identical in the picks. The one store that had the 226 didn't have a 220 for me to look at.

I have a question for you Ribbonstone. I have not handled both, but just from looking at both they seem to be the same or very similar frame. Just curious what makes the 220 feel better than the 226?? The grip area looks identical in the picks. The one store that had the 226 didn't have a 220 for me to look at.


220 was a single stack mag...lower cround count...but it made the grip feel thinner to me. Never measured the difference, but that's how it felt.

Probably the lack of a hi-cap. mag. is what makes the old 220's less popular...but they came in .45 (and .38super).

To be even more honest, doubt I'll replace the lost SIGs. For whatever reason, the comparative prices (meaning the $ in comparison to other guns that perform the same duties) has gone up over the years....and I doubt I'll pay the $ for a SIG today...But i might hunt up a used 220 in .45.

In your opinion, what would be worth the money today? What lower priced pistol would be the better choice?

Probably the lack of a hi-cap. mag. is what makes the old 220's less popular...but they came in .45 (and .38super).


don't forget the 9mm which was the original cartridge the gun was designed for, and which SIG first imported into the USA ;)

I am still hunting for a 9mm P220, thing is though, it comes with the european magazine release :D

it comes with the european magazine release :D


Is that so you can release the magazine while european? :D

Is that so you can release the magazine while european? :D
let's just say you can release the magazine while you are in the house behind the house ;)

let's just say you can release the magazine while you are in the house behind the house ;)


Bottom mag. release ever really bothered me, have never had one release the mag. unexpectedly.

Bottom mag. release ever really bothered me, have never had one release the mag. unexpectedly.

I have never shot a gun with a bottom magazine release, but I have never heard any stories of the magazine falling out unexpectedly either, unless the magazine wasn't fully inserted into the pistol to begin with.

I do know alot of people don't like it, probably only because they are used to the thumb release, especially in the competition circuit.

Have had problems with a magazine releasing on a thumb release catch. Was an after market (no name) mag. When miked, found it was narrower than the factory mag. That mag was returned for a refund.

Believe a bottom release would be very reliable. Lots of room to install a strong spring, more so than on a thumb release. We are just used to the thumb release. Wasn't the early Ruger .22 semi-autos bottom release?

Mostly a concelaed carry issue. When you HAVE to take the gun off...put it on...take it off..etc. during the day (becasue some places reallly frown on taking a gun in with you...post offices, court rooms, hospitals, etc.). With an inside the waist holster, will find that it's not uncommon for that mag. release to have been activated someplace along the line. Becames second nature to check it each time you take it off/put it on...but the truth is that the only times I've found the mag. release to have dropped the mag. is with a side-button release.

Helps to install a heavier spring to run the release, avoid extended mag. release buttons like the plague, and to select only mags. that are a very good fit. Not really an issue with non-concealed holster use...just buy a good stiff holster.

Guess the heel release could do it...just hasn't yet...and a glance is enough to confirm the mag. is still locked in place.
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As you can tell, don't care one bit about fast mag. changes on a real-world concealed carry guy...good on the game-toys, but it's not something I bother about on a real world conceal carry gun.

A P220 is my bedside HD weapon and has never had a FTF at the range. I love the gun and will never part with it.

At one point I was going to sell my P229 in .357 SIG with a .40 caliber barrel. I'm glad now that I didn't.

SIG-Sauer firearms are state of the art.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j61/catman253/P229750x.jpg

I really dislike both my 229 and 2340 and hope my children get good money for them after my passing. :)

They are great guns. One deserves something of such qualiy a few times in life. ;)

Give a rental a try to see if you like it first.

IF a NIC classic is too costly, look for NIB sig pro's, specifically the 2022. Should be well under $600 new, comes with night sights, 2 grips, 2 mags, in 9mm, .357 or .40...your choice.

SigPro is Sig's polymer frame model. every bit sig quality, but cheaper due to polymer construction, and a little lighter.

Purchased my first Sig a while back ( P220 in .45 ACP with 1911 style mag release) and have about 1,000 rounds through it. Full power loads worked without a flaw, but found it to be a bit fussy with my lower power handloads. A lighter recoil spring fixed it right up.

The pistol is quite accurate. Use it now as my carry piece when I want a .45. Planning on trying it in IDPA competition when it cools off a tad here in Texas.

Full power loads worked without a flaw, but found it to be a bit fussy with my lower power handloads. A lighter recoil spring fixed it right up. Installing a lighter recoil spring in my P220 allows me to shoot midrange 185 gr. target loads reliably too. Without it, it would occasionally short cycle and fail to pick up a round. Restore the original recoil spring and it's ready for standard velocity again. Have put thousands of rounds of standard velocity through this gun without so much as a hitch.

All I can add is, as a S&W fan all my auto's are Smith. On an impulse buy, I purchased a used LE Sig P229 (9mm). Now, all my S&W auto's have been traded away. I'm keeping the Sig. IMO, they are simply built tougher. Are they more accurate? Maybe, maybe not.

don't forget the 9mm which was the original cartridge the gun was designed for, and which SIG first imported into the USA ;)

I am still hunting for a 9mm P220, thing is though, it comes with the european magazine release :D

Well here is you an unfired P220 in 9mm for $595
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976785402.htm

and here are ya some mags for it http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=59433004


Just picked up a Sig 229 .40 myself. Got Nightsights, three 12 round mags, and a .357 SIG barrel. I paid upwards of $1k for mine. I sure hope it turns out to be worth it, and I dont miss my Glocks too bad....lol

i had a 229 40 S&W for a few years.... FIRST rate gun in terms of quality, fit, finish, operation.... only downfall was the pricetag... 22,000 handloads (mild to wild) and not a single FTF or FTE... and i have no idea how much factory ammo i put through it... maybe another 3000 or so? they are built like tanks.... added some MMC adjustable sights and Hogue rubber grips and it was good to go... accuracy was better than i could shoot it... even out to 20 yds or so...

the only negative i had was that the gun HATED Remingtion UCM.... i put one box through it when brand new and it had FTF issues on a couple of shells... never shot that stuff again and never had another issue...

only reason i got rid of the gun was because #1 i hate pickin up all that brass and #2 it made a LOT of brass Really fast.... and #3 it was just a wee bit too large for my frame as a carry gun...

I have had other Sigs, in 45 and 9mm. About 3 years ago, I spotted a P239 in 40 cal. Bought it without doing any real research on it.

It is a single stack, 7+1 autoloader. Fits great in a front pocket if needed.

I have two things that I would comment on this oparticular handgun. First the grips as built, are a little small for me. Top to bottom. But this is a compact. Second, is the 357 conversion barrel I bought for the handgun. It was not a sucessful venture. Shoots in an entirely different realm, compared to the 40.

I would rate all the Sig's I have had, as some of the best overall prodution firearms on the market. And no, I do not believe they are not overpriced!
Regards
Bestboss

Hi, I am new to the forums but feel I should add my two cents here. I am a member of the Michigan State Police and we are issued the SIG P 226 in .40 cal. I feel it is a very good firearm and would strongly suggest it to anyone. I was so impressed with the gun I was issued I went and bought a 9mm of my own. I have never had any type of malfunction with either of the SIGS i shoot and I have been shooting them for over five years now.

Since the post listed above, I have once again taken my Sig to the range for some quality shoooting time. Having owned other Sigs, I have made a decision.

This is the last Sig I will ever purchase. I mean that in a good way. It shoots better than I can and does so with all the qualities I could ask for in a mid-sized autoloader. The only thing I might do, is get some night sights to install.

I am at that point though, where I am looking more at the hunting and target shooting end of the sport and I know without a doubt, that this most recent Sig will outlast me and the grandchildren. I will never wear this thing out!
Regards
Bestboss