Sidearms & Scatterguns Checking: any problems with the Sig P229?

[carbonbased]

Strongly considering buying an Sig P229 M11 A1 for carrying in a chest rig by Hill People Gear when out alone hunting. It would have a tiny Gemtech Aurora II can on it. It’s obviously for backup/last resort. I’ll probably never need it.

So, I ask the collective hive mind; is there anything I should be aware of or worried about re: 229? Just got bit in the ass with the CZ P-01 Omega “walking decocker” retard design flaw.

Picked this one because no extended beavertail so it’ll fit in the HPG chest rig.

I’m buying new, and prefer hammer fired DA/SA.

 

[alamo5000]

It was released in 1992 so I figure if there was a problem we would know by now.

 

[Aftermath]

These are fine handguns.

I am not sure why you would want a suppressor on it in a chest rig as a back-up. Even that little suppressor you listed will make the overall length of that handgun about 10" long. That's pretty long. Especially if you gotta get it out fast...like in a back-up situation. The suppressor also will not reduce the noise very much, not enough, in my opinion to make it worth the longer draw.

 

[carbonbased]

These are fine handguns.

I am not sure why you would want a suppressor on it in a chest rig as a back-up. Even that little suppressor you listed will make the overall length of that handgun about 10" long. That's pretty long. Especially if you gotta get it out fast...like in a back-up situation. The suppressor also will not reduce the noise very much, not enough, in my opinion to make it worth the longer draw.

I’ve got a weird left ear, man. Weird. Won’t bore you.

I know it’ll fit because the CZ P01 + Aurora II fits (as does a Glock 19x + same…but barely & it’s too tight). And the P229 M11 A1 is basically the exact same length as the P01.

As to speed, there’s a technique the HPG boys have developed. Go to about 57sec in this vid to see:


It’s not Jerry Miculek speed, but it’s probably good enough.

 

[carbonbased]

I should note that the P01 + can fits in ONE of my SARS large kit bags. Doesn’t fit in another, identical model. Must be some variation. YMMV.

 

[rustyinbend]

I have three P229's, and they're all awesome. Best pistol in my arsenal.

 

[ironpony52]

great guns what else can you say........

 

[rustyinbend]

great guns what else can you say........

Give me a DA/SA trigger and a hammer, over any striker-fired pistol any day ... twice on the weekends. I use my P229's for range work, home and car defense. It's a little too big for my taste to carry, but I've loved my P938 for many years as a EDC. I like SIG's and have a bunch of them. That said, I wouldn't touch a P320 with a 100-foot pole.

 

[ironpony52]

Give me a DA/SA trigger and a hammer, over any striker-fired pistol any day ... twice on the weekends. I use my P229's for range work, home and car defense. It's a little too big for my taste to carry, but I've loved my P938 for many years as a EDC. I like SIG's and have a bunch of them. That said, I wouldn't touch a P320 with a 100-foot pole.

Me neither but I do have a M17 & M18 with the safety

 

[SRPowah]

Just got bit in the ass with the CZ P-01 Omega “walking decocker” retard design flaw.

Damn... had never heard of this before. I also have a CZ P01 Omega that is my main double stack gun, but was looking at a SIG P229 for another suppressor host.

I know the SIG P226 and P229 are well regarded. Im wondering if there are any differences between the ones that are 10-20 years old vs new manufactured.

 

[carbonbased]

Damn... had never heard of this before. I also have a CZ P01 Omega that is my main double stack gun, but was looking at a SIG P229 for another suppressor host.

Yeah, try this. Rack the slide. Then move the ejector up/down/around. Maybe even tilt the gun left. My left side slide release lever almost popped out. And as mainly a bolt gun guy, I’ve barely used the thing so wear isn’t the cause.

Make sure you don’t let it fall out or your finger might get slammed in the chamber.

The thing is held together only by weak friction! Jesus.

Some P01 Omegas are unaffected…with them, I guess the friction is enough, but it’s still a pretty boneheaded design. However, I guess the poly Omegas are gtg.

 

[rustyinbend]

Me neither but I do have a M17 & M18 with the safety

I have a few striker-fired pistols ... all of them with manual safety's. Wouldn't own a striker-fired pistol without it. But that's just me.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

First off all, thats not a M11. SIG is fucking retarded and slaps that on the side of a P229, which is NOT a M11. The M11 was a German made P228. Completely different gun. The M11 was a very popular pistol for pilots, SEALS , CID and other cool dudes who wanted something that concealed better than a M9. It should have won the M9 trials, but that's water under the bridge.

Questionable as to current quality.

Its a US made sig, so inferior in almost every way to the german and swiss guns. They used to use folded steel slides. Now they used billet.

You are at the mercy of SIG USA machinists, QC, and Indian subcomponets.

If you really want to buy a quality sig, Look out for a used West or German P226 or P228. The P228 is the smaller of the two, easier to carry and you can get 15 round mags for it now. Price will be similar to a new Sig P22X series gun, and quality will be light years better. I just sold my last one off otherwise I would have made you a good deal on it.

 

[padom]

I have many SIGs. P220, 2 x P226 40 and 9mm, P229 and P239. LOVE my sigs. Almost all of them have been sent to sig for upgrades like SRT, 11 Degree target crown, trigger enhancement package. They are my favorite and all I carried for many many years. My factory SIG threaded barrel P229 is an awesome suppressor host.

I wouldnt hesitate to buy a P229, its a very nice pistol, regardless of it being West German or USA made. I dont know of anyone that's had any issues with their USA P series sig. West Germans are very nice, I have 2, but again, zero issues with my USA P series either.

 

[carbonbased]

First off all, thats not a M11.

Yeah, I was just using the model name. I know it’s retarded.

Are they for sure using MIM parts in the P229/P226 now?!

 

[TriggerJerk!]

My P229 (west german: 40 s&w) is my favorite pistol, shoots very accurately, and carries in a Galaco OWB holster at 4 o’clock just fine. I do have the Houge grips on it , but YMMV.

 

[wvfarrier]

I swapped back to a 229 from a Staccato CS if that helps

 

[carbonbased]

All right. Since MIM parts can be good, I’m taking a chance and ordered a P229 M11 A1 + a Sig threaded barrel. The Aurora II has both 13.5x1LH and 1/2x18 threads, so it’ll fit the Sig barrel.

Gotta get a 13.5x1LH piston for my Rugged Obsidian…I sure wish the Fly9 was out when I was looking at the Obsidian.

 

[SRPowah]

I sure wish the Fly9 was out when I was looking at the Obsidian.

I went with the CGS Mod9 when it was highly regarded for a handgun specific can... I have a feeling I am still going to end up with the Fly9 long term. I can see myself buying one anyways in a year or two with some really stupid justification.

I expect a follow-up suppressed P229 review so you can help me spend my money.

 

[carbonbased]

I expect a follow-up suppressed P229 review so you can help me spend my money.

Sir yes sir!

Or maybe you’ll read about a dumbass that died in a P229 MIM parts explosion

Lol hope not

Hopefully it’ll be in this week. Got a Rugged 13.5x1LH piston on the way as well.

 

[strikeeagle1]

The 4" P229R (rail) and particularly the P229C(compact / carry with 3.5" barrel, same as P224 barrel on the full size 229 frame) is my favorite. Available in 9 mm, .40 and .357 Sig. All use same 229 mags. Not MIM.

The .357 Sig is nice. All in SAS (Sig Anti-Snag) profiles and added TFX tru-glo front sights.
Have not used them suppressed.

Not much to hate.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Yeah, I was just using the model name. I know it’s retarded.

Are they for sure using MIM parts in the P229/P226 now?!

Yes. Been verified Indian MIM and other country sources. Anyone trusting sigusa to not fuck up anything is crazy. They are going to be lucky to survive the coming lawsuits. You think quality will go up? Hahahahah.

 

[carbonbased]

Yes. Been verified Indian MIM and other country sources. Anyone trusting sigusa to not fuck up anything is crazy. They are going to be lucky to survive the coming lawsuits. You think quality will go up? Hahahahah.

You’re probably right. Ah well. My incoming P229 will (probably) not shoot me. I think?

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I mean odds are it will be fine. Most sig owners I know aren't shooters. What I mean is if they shoot A LOT they tend not to run sigs. Wheat separates from the chaff. For an occasional shooter you will probably be fine. I just can't support bad companies and won't reward their treachery with my money. Even if I liked the product.

 

[carbonbased]

I mean odds are it will be fine. Most sig owners I know aren't shooters. What I mean is if they shoot A LOT they tend not to run sigs. Wheat separates from the chaff. For an occasional shooter you will probably be fine. I just can't support bad companies and won't reward their treachery with my money. Even if I liked the product.

Yeah, I appreciate the input man. I’m definitely the “occasional pistol shooter”. Bolt guns rock harder! lol

I hemmed and hawed on this one. Ultimately I decided to avoid CZ due to the Omega experience (even though the current P01’s are not omegas) and went with the gun that I liked the feel of. Definitely didn’t want to reward asshats, but…I dunno. I guess I did.

Even setting aside the Omega issue, I like the P226/P229 the best. I just had never had one in my hand when I had bought the CZ some years ago.

The design of the P320 is obviously dumb. At least the P229’s design seems sound and time has apparently born that out. Didn’t find any P229 recent problems, but they’re probably out there. Just not in volume.

I wanted a metal hammer-fired DA/SA and almost went to the non-Omega P01, but I have a bad taste in my mouth after witnessing the design of the Omega decocker lever’s retaining method (and subsequent popping out).

Just wasn’t feeling it for the Beretta. Had an M9A3 that I couldn’t shoot worth a darn. I am guessing it was the grip. Weirdest thing. If I had liked it I would’ve sought out the compact version. It was an amazingly well-constructed firearm.

Also tried a Dan Wesson threaded from the factory Vigil. Awesome, but too long for what I want it for, and I wasn’t a fan of the manual of arms (again, for what I want it for). I know I could’ve gotten a Commander-size 1911, but see above. If the gun was just for the range, 1911/2011 all day, I think.

Not a lot of new options out there, and I wanted new because I’m impatient and am trading in a couple pistols.

Hopefully I’m not jumping from the frying pan into the fire!

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

The Dan Wesson DWX and alot of the budget 2011 are really nice now. I am a striker fired guy. I sold almost all of my DA/SA triggers. Just shoot strikers SOOO much better. Sold off the Sigs, Berettas, CZs, Non VP9 HK's, 3rd gen smiths and just about everything except some old collectable stuff. 1911's are an exception.

Glock and HK VP9s for hard use and carry guns for me. Have a few smiths once custom M&P for wife and a shield i carry sometimes. Shadow systems 920 is a hell of a little carry pistol. Not fun to shoot but very easy to carry. I shot them against the 365 and similar and ended up with it. 2011s in 9mm are a blast to shoot as well. Thats probally my next handgun. I keep trying to thin out the herd and then something catches my eye.