Sig Sauer P229

bigdaddy10493 · 03-30-2011, 23:39

Gentlemen,
I've been looking for a good, mid-size handgun for concealed carry and I stumbled upon the Sig Sauer P229. Now I'm a big fan of the 226 platform so the 229 really sparked my interest. It's compact, reliable, and chambered for .40 S&W. Pretty ideal for concealed carry. It almost sounds too good to be true though. So is it? Have any of you gentlemen who've had time on the 229 encountered any problems or had any kinds of issues with it? I've only heard good things about it so far but I thought I'd get some advice from the pros. Thanks

Combat Diver · 03-31-2011, 01:19

The 229 is a 228 with a milled slide instead of a stamping. The 228 was adopted by the US military as the M11 in 9x19mm. I've carried both the 226 and M11 in Iraq without issues.

CD

bigdaddy10493 · 03-31-2011, 01:52

Glad to hear it. Thanks

mdpatterson · 03-31-2011, 03:02

Not exactly ideal for CCW in all weather conditions. It's a double stack and fairly wide frame. I live in AZ so I'm speaking from a warm weather point of view.....you live in Florida so I'm guessing shorts and T-shirt most of the year for you too. I've owned many pistols I thought would be great for CCW, and almost all of them ended up being a hassle to carry daily.

This is just my opinion, but any weapon you intend on being a primary CCW should be something that you can throw in a pair of cargo shorts and forget it's there. I personally carry a S&W 360 PD. It's only 5 shots of .357 in a 12 oz frame, but I carry it everywhere. With that, I don't get in many gun fights and am fairly confident that those 5 shots will do the trick if I can't avoid the confrontation (It does require a little range time to feel the power of a .357 in such a light pistol.....but any firearm you carry should be taken to the range as often as possible to stay proficient).

Again, this is just my opinion and I do carry various pistols depending on the weather and clothing I'm wearing.......I just think you may find the 229 (Even the SAS version) a bit bulky for everyday carry.

P.S. If you can afford it, buy one anyway because they really are great pistols.......just don't get the Equinox or other crazy configuration lol.

Mike

RichL025 · 03-31-2011, 07:55

I'm a big Sig fan - I have a 226, 228 and a 229 (in .40)

The 228 is the only one I would carry concealed with any reasonable expectation of keeping it hidden. The 229 is a great gun, I love the hell out of it, but it's a bit thicker than the 228. With a light mounted to it, it is my bedside gun. I also infrequently use it for IDPA matches.

If you're interested in the Sig platform for a full-sie concealed pistol, look at buying a used 225 - it's basically a single-stack (thinner) 228...

Or if you're dead set on .40, consider a Kahr P40. I have a P9 as my every-day carry, it feels and shoots like a big pistol, but conceals like a small one. The P40 is only the tiniest bit bigger than the P9 (if I had to do it all over again, I might have gotten the P40 instead)

BingoBango · 03-31-2011, 08:20

Agreed with all sentiments above as I carry a departmentally issued P229R. Have you considered the revised P229 E2? My armorer recently got a few in and allowed me to plink a few rounds off at our range.

Sig claims a 60% reduction trigger reset, it's definitely shorter but I don't know that I'd say 60%. That said, the trigger on the E2 is leaps and bounds above the standard P229.

Looking on paper, the dimensions and weight are identical. However being that I carry the P229R almost every day, the E2 felt somewhat lighter, the backstrap fit my hand much better and the E2 felt like the P229 just came back from a 6 month diet with all the unnecessary pork trimmed off.

Overall, I believe Sig took the few mediocre parts of the P229 and improved them all.

YMMV

**The Reaper** · 03-31-2011, 08:37

I like the P229 and it feels really good in my hand, but it is a bit "clunky" and top heavy.

Shoots well, eventually, you have to replace springs.

TR

rocknrolla · 03-31-2011, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdpatterson

Not exactly ideal for CCW in all weather conditions. It's a double stack and fairly wide frame. I live in AZ so I'm speaking from a warm weather point of view.....you live in Florida so I'm guessing shorts and T-shirt most of the year for you too. I've owned many pistols I thought would be great for CCW, and almost all of them ended up being a hassle to carry daily.

This is just my opinion, but any weapon you intend on being a primary CCW should be something that you can throw in a pair of cargo shorts and forget it's there. I personally carry a S&W 360 PD. It's only 5 shots of .357 in a 12 oz frame, but I carry it everywhere. With that, I don't get in many gun fights and am fairly confident that those 5 shots will do the trick if I can't avoid the confrontation (It does require a little range time to feel the power of a .357 in such a light pistol.....but any firearm you carry should be taken to the range as often as possible to stay proficient).

Again, this is just my opinion and I do carry various pistols depending on the weather and clothing I'm wearing.......I just think you may find the 229 (Even the SAS version) a bit bulky for everyday carry.

P.S. If you can afford it, buy one anyway because they really are great pistols.......just don't get the Equinox or other crazy configuration lol.

Mike

Ever considered using a fanny pack to carry concealed? I know they're not very fashionable, but they're extremely functional. In the summer months, i use a CAA covert fanny pack. It carries two spare mags, can be drawn from quickly, and there is little chance of any 'printing' or accidental exposure. Best part is, i don't have to adjust from shorts and a t-shirt to something more bulky and less comfortable just to conceal.

Side note - anyone carrying a fanny pack who still uses his pockets for wallet, keys, phone, etc. should not be messed with!

Tress · 03-31-2011, 09:21

Quote:

Originally posted by RichL025:

If you're interested in the Sig platform for a full-sie concealed pistol, look at buying a used 225 - it's basically a single-stack (thinner) 228...

Do you mean the 225 - P6? I picked one up about 3 years or so ago because I love Sigs, it was offered to me at a great price, was in fantastic condition and thought that it would make a good concealed weapon. It is about and inch or so shorter than the P226 and obviously more slender since it is a single stack magazine. I carried it for a while and then just went back to the P226. It holds more than twice the rounds and the reprobates that move here to the mountains from the city tend to travel in packs. I guess they are afraid of the woods and the bears, but not afraid break into your house or do a hold-up in the Walmart parking lot.

The 225-P6 is still a great little handgun. Just be real careful buying one on-line. Some of the ones that I saw had barrels where the lands and grooves were almost non-existent, forcing you to immediately buy a replacement barrel. Must have once been issued to a member of the Deutsche Polizei that actually took his marksmanship seriously.

But I am still thinking hard about the 228.

Thomas

blue02hd · 03-31-2011, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrolla

Ever considered using a fanny pack to carry concealed?

Fanny packs: "I'm carrying a gun."

WholeManin2010 · 03-31-2011, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue02hd

Fanny packs: "I'm carrying a gun."

Also, "I do not care if I look like a nerd, and hope to never get laid."

jbour13 · 03-31-2011, 10:05

I fought with the wife over pretty vs. functional.

I carried a M-11/228 in Iraq. Between training and test firing, it never had an issue. She wanted a carry gun, was sold on a .38 revolver or a .40 auto. We shopped a bit and she got hung up on one of those damn rainbow finished Taurus revolvers. I had to explain the issues with the gun like the cylinder not being timed right. But noooooooo, it's pretty. Thankfully an indoor range not too far away had both on hand.

3 shots....3 total out of the Wizard of Oz shooter and she opens the cylinder, lays it down and says, show me a Sig.

I have Glocks, HKs, 1911s, M4geries, shotguns etc that could be used for comfort when I'm gone. It was nice to see that two-tone .40 cal on the nightstand again when I got home.

Bottom line, find an indoor range, shoot an assortment of guns. You won't be sorry with a Sig. You can train, and train hard with them and they are most likely gonna go bang when you want. Maintain it, take care of it and it'll return the favor.

**The Reaper** · 03-31-2011, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrolla

Ever considered using a fanny pack to carry concealed? I know they're not very fashionable, but they're extremely functional. In the summer months, i use a CAA covert fanny pack. It carries two spare mags, can be drawn from quickly, and there is little chance of any 'printing' or accidental exposure. Best part is, i don't have to adjust from shorts and a t-shirt to something more bulky and less comfortable just to conceal.

Side note - anyone carrying a fanny pack who still uses his pockets for wallet, keys, phone, etc. should not be messed with!

Aha! The "shoot me first" bag. Most of the cops I know carry off-duty in fanny packs. Big, tactical black ones. Very low profile.

Goes well with the "I'm packing!" photojournalist vest.

It is an option. May or may not be the best one.

TR

perdurabo · 03-31-2011, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue02hd

Fanny packs: "I'm carrying a gun."

+1. Fanny pack isn't "concealed" in my book.

And if you're going to use a fanny pack anyway, get a nice built one from REI or similar, instead of the tactical-looking stuff. A CAA Covert, isn't.

rocknrolla · 03-31-2011, 16:34

My defense for the fanny pack:
1. Before using one, i found myself carrying less because it was just too hot to bulk up on clothing.
2. It is my opinion that the average criminal is not nearly as well informed or educated as most members on this board. Thus, many may not recognize a fanny pack for what it is. I do realize that it's not intelligent to underestimate one's opponent. That being said, the practicality of being able to grab this thing on my way out the door every day without having to think too much about it outweighs the negatives, IMO.
3. If a criminal does, in fact, recognize a fanny pack as a method to conceal, would this not act as a deterrent? If i were a criminal and looking at two people to mug or harm, and thought one had a gun, that would be an easy choice for me to make.

I've tried wearing bigger, longer shirts over a hip holster on an everyday basis. It doesn't work well for me. For starters, I like having a couple of extra magazines handy. More importantly, I find myself worrying more about the gun printing or poking through on the bottom than i do paying attention to possible threats around me. For me, being able to concentrate on the task at hand and being able to keep a good eye on those around me is most important. That being said, everyone having bashed the fanny pack idea, what are some good alternatives during the summer months? I'm always open to suggestions and trying something new out.