After seeing the negligible differences has helped me make the decision to move toward the P229. Calibers: 9mm Luger . The M11-A1 is, more or less, a replica of the original P228 which is no longer in production. I will take my p229 40 over any other then if you get into bigger handguns. mags. This pressure sets four things in motion at the same time (but because our human senses can only perceive too many things happening at once, we see it in this sequence): Because this pressure varies depending on a few things, let’s look at how each of the handgun calibers would recoil when fired from either handgun. Sig P229 E2 Grip Night Sights LER GI#: 101459360 This is a Sig Sauer P 229 in .40 S&W. [1]. And they both have the same accessory rail for laser and flash light attachments. My team and I conducted a series of testing, and we’ll tell you what that is in this Sig Sauer comparison. About Us | Write For Us | Advertise| Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure |. But the auction listing for this gun was titled “SIG Sauer Sig/Sauer P229 40 Cal made in germany. Really appreciate you reading through the entire article. mags as reloads. Both also have identical trigger pull weight and rifling twist length. There is a difference in the length of about .6 inches, and although this may appear rather small, it actually makes a big difference when we talk about easy concealment. I lived with the P229 in .40 for a house gun. SIG SAUER compact handguns chambered in 9mm, available in 40S&W with Legion options, Custom Works certifications and several variants to select from. This means there won’t be much difference in accuracy and sight re-acquisition when shooting any of the three handgun calibers using the same mid-size pistol. Being as I am a runt the non railed P228 is a Corvette under wraps as a carry weapon. Today we’re taking a look at two SIG Sauer pistols: the full-size SIG P226 and the compact SIG P229, both modular pistols that can be chambered for the same three handgun calibers 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W and popular among law enforcement officers, the military and civilians. In terms of ergonomics, the Sig P229 and P228 have always felt good in my hands. The P229 was the first production handgun introduced that could chamber the .357 SIG round. The P229 is a little heavier, especially when loaded. The P228 later developed into the P229, and the two guns are one and the same only with the P229 slide built out of stainless steel in contrast to the P228’s carbon. The only things different between them are their barrel and slide lengths and their magazine capacity.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'gunnewsdaily_com-box-3','ezslot_8',116,'0','0'])); Well, for this round, both SIG Sauer pistols being compared have the same magazine capacity despite one being a tad smaller than the other. It is used by the United States Military under the designation M11 and has also spawns a variant, the P229, which has been built with a slide designed to withstand higher pressures so it can chamber .357 SIG and .40 S&W. Hello. When it comes to accessories, both Sig pistols also have flashlight attachments and laser rail. Whether having both is practical or not totally depends on your situation. The glock 19 was simply a less expensive dust collector to keep on a shelf in an armory. What’s The Best 300 Winchester Magnum Muzzle Brake? From the table above, we can see that a bullet’s weight and velocity and the powder charge used are all directly proportional to both recoil. Addendum to my earlier comments about the Sig P226 vs. the Sig P320. I happen to own variants of both (226 Elite Enhanced & 229 Scorpion, in 9mm), and my experience with them MOSTLY mirrors the data presented. This means if you’re comfortable shooting a full-size 9mm pistol and you decided to try a mid-size .40 S&W, you might find it harder to shoot the mid-size pistol as fast and as accurate. Another option both of you might want to consider is getting an all-steel officer-size 1911 handgun — if she prefers a 9mm, the Colt Defender might be a great option (3.0-inch barrel with 8 rounds in the mag): https://www.usacarry.com/colt-defender-9mm-1911-review/. I appreciate your in depth review, but offer up that you didn’t consider the shooter with the lesser strength grip, i.e. So I may pass on purchasing the p226. The Swiss and German SIG-Sauer P228 was thought to be the first compact pistol. What this means is the difference in recoil velocity between the two handguns is negligible assuming both are chambered for the same caliber (unless you’re really having trouble aiming after a follow up shot). For self-defense and possible unexpected night threats, you’ll need a readily available flashlight attachment for your pistol. I am used to the DA/SA after years of practice and carrying. If by looking at the tables above you think to yourself that there’s not much difference between the P226 and the P229, you are probably correct. Both the SIG P226 and P229 will handle recoil well. We can also see that the .357 SIG and the .40 S&W have about the same recoil energy. Since the P229 has a smaller grip area, it is quite easier to conceal. As has been stated by other commenters, great job on the comparison. Dave, thanks for reading. When it comes to 9mm Sigs, there are two leading contenders, in our opinion. They just couldn’t keep replacing sigs every few months when seals lost their sidearms in the field during combat. One more thought…IMMHO, my perfect gun that would make the angels sing if I Sig ever made one would be a P229 Rx Legion, single stack with a SA triger….just sayin.. Two excellent pistols! Ample fire power and the Sig lites were awsome. Sig P226 "KD", P220 ST, P220 9mm, "KA" nickel P228 Beretta 92 Italian Husqavarna 30/06 Winchester Super X model 1 "indecision may, or may not, be my problem!" AFAIK, the 9mm magazines are interchangeable between the P228 and the P229. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Glad I could help. Since both pistols come from the same manufacturer, the accessories that you can get for either handgun are primarily the same. Hope you find the best shooting platform for your wife. SIG Arms has restricted the P228 and small batches are only released to us peons once in a while. Required fields are marked *. Born and raised in Austin TX, Alfred has been shooting guns since he was 18. Thanks. I recently bought P226 Legion SAO and P320 X5. She was wondering about the 229 because of the praises she has heard about it. In this case, the extra length will only make the P226 harder to conceal than Sig Sauer P229. The P229 can easily conceal IWB with flush 15 rd. If you want to add a bit more muzzle weight to soften recoil more you can get a solid steel guide rod for $23 from Galloway Precision (https://gallowayprecision.com/sig-sauer/p229/solid-steel-guide-rod-for-sig-p229-pistols/). The only body parts that get punished a lot when shooting heavy-recoiling handguns are the strong hand (not so much the supporting hand) — specifically that web between the thumb and the index finger, and the wrist. Gun News Daily is the longest running gun news website in the US. I am really in love now, (not the puppy love as before). Definitely no practical reason to buy a P226 if you already have a P229. Mec-Gar now uses a newly designed follower and marks their adapter as being a +3 adapter. I think these guns may rise in value. On the fence on whether to get a 226 or 229 – was slightly leaning toward 229, thanks for making the decision easy. The P229 might be the winner of this showdown but that doesn’t mean the P226 is no good. We’ll not be including the .357 SIG this time because its recoil velocities are pretty much the same as the .40 S&W’s.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'gunnewsdaily_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',130,'0','0'])); If we compare recoil velocities between a SIG P229 chambered for the .40 S&W (17.29 fps) and the same SIG P229 chambered for the 9mm (14.32 fps), the difference is ~17.17% in recoil velocity. The handgun is then ready for another shot. Because we’re all differently built on a physiological level, we’ll all have varying levels of strength. As the bullet is pushed out of the cartridge and out of the muzzle, it pushes the slide in the opposite direction — towards the person holding the gun (take note of this part too). If you want check out some more pistol comparisons then we recommend. 6307 Arnold Dr, Austin, TX 78723 | Phone: +1 (512) 412-1014 | Email: What’s the Difference Between Sig P226 & Sig P229? This is exactly the debate I am having with myself right now. The heavier a bullet and the more powder charge used to send it flying at higher velocities, the more the gun recoils. Mike, congrats on a well written piece…physics don’t lie. The balance of facts (data) and personal insight is refreshing. I prefer 3 fingers around the grip than having 2. comfort relates to accuracy specifically on second and 3rd shots. I would love to see a comprehensive (all current production models) web-based application that allowed users to compare any two handguns, with guidance written in this style. Lile a 50 cal . If it’s a leather holster though, reshaping might be a bit more difficult. P229 Classic Carry (Talo) and the M11-A1 are the same money, the P226 is $100 more. Recommended article: Sig P938 vs P365: Which Sig Sauer Pistol is better for you? The prices can be high, although some deals can be had. There are a few ways to help your wife with recoil. It’s not the MK-25, but the standard California compliant Nitron model (so’s my 229.) Now you’re getting confused — which one would you buy if both are practically the same pistols, both have the same round count and both are priced the same? I went to that website and I can’t agree more. Thanks, Joe. In the accessories category, it’s a tie between the two Sig models. But we also know that a shorter grip won’t print easily, so guns with shorter grips will be easier to carry concealed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thanks for the info. Oh well, if that’s true, I can let my wife use one while I use the other. If the bottom part of it is sealed off, assuming it’s a Kydex holster it should be easy to reshape it with a heat gun. My wife prefers full size 9mm. What if we compare the recoil velocity between a SIG P226 chambered for the 9mm and a SIG P229 chambered for the .40 S&W? I can see the benefits of a single action handgun and wanted to get Your thoughts on making that switch? This means if you’re comfortable with a full-size 9mm and you’ve never fired a mid-size .40 S&W handgun before, you might hurt your hands if you decide to switch to the smaller handgun. This will not be a carry pistol for me–strictly for the range. Join 70,000 Readers For Our Weekly Discounts. Based on our testing, both the Sig P229 and P226 can handle recoil well. Great article! So it looks like the P226 has two things going for it, while the P229 only has one. Due to the fact that the relatively smaller SIG P229 has the same ammo capacity as the SIG P226, and there is very negligible difference between the two handguns as far as handling and recoil control, I don’t see the point in buying a SIG P226. Length: 7.1 in. ATN X Sight 2 HD Rifle Scope Review – Is It Worth Buying? With its longer barrel and slide, the Sig P226 is our choice in this aspect. Calibers: 9mm Luger . FYI Air Marshalls use the P226 in 357 sig. We may earn a commission when you purchase through one of our links. Great article. For the best deal find a local FFL who'll do the transfer and then locate the pistol yourself. Comparing two SIG P229s, one chambered for .40 S&W and the other chambered for 9mm, we get a difference of 31.39% in recoil energy. Anew a very accurate article. David, thanks for reading through the article. When it comes to pricing, both the Sig Sauer P229 and P226 are within the same price range. after reading the whole article (very well done and easy to follow) I’ve made up my mind. Currenlty I have the P239 DA/SA and this switch to a single action, is another decision consideration when I make my new purchase. However, the numbers only present half of the equation – there is no substitute for hands-on experience. 40 S&W . I own 6 P229s,2 in 9mm and the other 4 with the convertible 357sig/.40cal option,The 229 is my everything pistol-conceal carry,home protection,and whatever else comes along.Never have I been disappointed with a failure to fire.Mine are all German framed(early model)229s,I believe that the German framed models were the crest of quality.I practice regularly with the 229s,finding Sellier and Bellot the best practice ammo,cleaner and more consistent than other ammo.The 229s prefer a slightly hotter than normal load ammo,+P ammo for defensive purposes.Like I stated-never a failure in years,I will have my 229s for a long time to come. Sponsored Links Remove Advertisements. My wife has a 226 MK25 and absolutely loves it and does very well shooting it. I don’t see the benefit out weighing the cost to switch myself. It has the same magazine capacity and is within the same price range as the 226 and other handguns of the same caliber. Thanks Joe. The P226 is a full-sized pistol, while the Sig P229 is a compact, mid-sized pistol. Great article! Sig Sauer Grip Set, Black Polymer, P228 / P229 (Standard Model Two-Piece Grip). Reviews & Guide. Thanks for making it easy to understand. Looking at a P226 extreme or a P229 Classic Carry (Talo) or an M11-A1. I would appreciate any advice you may have as i really enjoyed this article and would love to read more articles by you. GND is community supported. Instead of the squared, front hook-style guard on SIG Sauer's classics, the curved contour given to the P228 and the M11 continues with the SIG Sauer M11-A1. From your article, it sounds like I may have. The P226 is now my nightstand gun with rail light and 20 rd. I really appreciated your thoroughness. Glaser Safety Slugs and 75-gr. Sig Sauer Romeo 5 Red Dot Sight Review – Should You Buy One? This is an OEM Sig Sauer P228 / P229 9mm DLC-coated replacement barrel. In round 1, we discussed the differences between the Glock 22 and the Glock 23. mags and use the P226 20rd. Both modular pistols are popular among civilians and law enforcement officers due to their reliability and accuracy. 357 Sig . The only other P229 currently featuring this rounded triggerguard is the SAS model. Based on the tests we’ve conducted on both pistols, we find the Sig Sauer P229 to have an edge over its brother, the Sig P226. The longer barrel and slide of the P226 makes it slightly more accurate, but it won’t really matter, considering that the calibers these pistols can chamber are mainly used in self-defense settings. SIG SAUR P229 9mm. Being an engineer I followed the math easily but also really appreciated the common language descriptions too. SRT vs no SRT). To aid in concealment of the P228, SIG Sauer broke P-Series tradition and reshaped the triggerguard. This may be obvious, but of the three pistols the P229 is the Goldilocks model; not too big to carry IWB and not too small to comfortably handle recoil. The Glock 19 is a striker-fired pistol, with no external hammer. Since you didn’t specify the caliber she’s interested in, it’ll be hard to make recommendations for her. We take a look at Sig's full-size 9mm the P226 and it's compact little brother the P229. Great artical! Can’t argue with you on the cool factor of the MK25. ... glock 22 vs sig sauer p229, glock 23 vs sig p229, p229 vs glock, sig p226 vs glock 22, sig p229 vs glock 22, And can see the value of the X-Carry. Voted P228 for a number of reasons. For one thing, you can have her shoot lighter 9mm loads, e.g. Glad you liked this article. Truly a work of art, smooth as silk to fire and deadly accurate. (Like my first red headed girl friend ). P228 and P229 The P229 DA/SA is one of the most popular SIG SAUER ® pistols and carried by thousands of law enforcement professionals throughout the country. Now you know how I can carry a heavy Sig P226 comfortably, and concealed. The Sig Sauer P226 is a semi-automatic 9mm pistol that has been in use with the US Navy SEALs since the early 1980s.. Let’s say you’re a first time buyer, and you’ve read somewhere on the Interwebz that these SIG pistols (particularly the full-size P226) used to be the standard sidearm for the Navy SEALs and you decided you want one (even when you know that for some odd reason, the Navy SEALs replaced them with the Glock 19). After reading a bunch of articles about the two pistols, yours is definately the “cherry on the cake”, considering there are some really tiny specs differences between the two when shooting and carrying, my choice goes to the P229 Legion model. -Mike, I read the article even though I already own or have owned both of these. Both have practically the same frame dimensions, the same exact magazine capacity, the same frame and slide material, the same SA/DA trigger pull weight, and the same number of rifling grooves and rifling length of twist.