Re: Sig P229 SA/DA or DAO
I have owned both in a P226.
I thought DAK would be great because it allows you to carry hammer down, but gives one consistent trigger pull. I thought it'd be like a Glock or M&P.
It wasn't, so I sold it. 6 pounds is generous. It's more like 8 pounds if it's "set" and 10-12 on the second strike if the round doesn't go off.
I wish I knew why police agencies insist on issuing guns that are very difficult to train on and shoot well. DAO, DAK, and DA/SA are all less than ideal.
To the original poster:
I think the reason this is a difficult decision is that none of these trigger systems are ideal. All of them have caveats that a striker fired or single action gun does not have.
My suggestion is that you find another gun, comparable in size to the P229, that has a more ergonomic trigger system. The compact Glocks (19/23) come to mind first, as well as the M&P, XD, XD(m), etc. To add insult to injury, they are less expensive, just as reliable if not more so, and I guarantee that you will shoot them better.
If you look at the guns shot in USPSA Production and IDPA at the nationals, you certainly will see the occasional HK, Beretta, Sig, etc. But there's a reason why these guns--while perfectly capable in the correct hands--are not the norm. Specifically speaking with respect to this class of guns, striker fired offers a shorter, lighter trigger pull that is consistent from shot to shot, with a comparable reset to the DA/SA gun.
I really think you'd be better off choosing a striker-fired gun over the P229.