There are many (hundreds… of thousands…) like it, but this one is mine.
My 2014 gun, the SIG P229R-9.
It’s already on its way to a shop for some minor tuning. But right out of the box, no cleaning no lube, the double action was smooth at nine pounds six ounces and the single action was acceptable and just four pounds six ounces.
I’ve also already had my first SIG Quality Control issue: the gun came with a SIG P2022 manual instead of a P229R manual. 😎 Luckily, I think my five years as Federal/Military Projects Manager at SIG was long enough to help me remember how to get it working properly.
Details to follow.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
Todd:
Nice pistol. I have a couple of (hopefully not too nosy) questions.
First, is there a reason you got a 229 instead of a 228? I ask because I was able to pick up a SIG recondition 228 within the last year and it is a very fine pistol (though the double action pull was over 12 pounds before I put lighter spring in). I was wondering whether the 229 had any advantages (besides the rail).
Second, you’ve said before that you have relatively small hands. I see you have E2 grips (or at least that is what they look like). Have you thought about getting the short reach trigger also?
Anyway, have fun with that gun. I must admit a mild disappointment that you didn’t even look at the rainbow models–but it is a nice looking pistol.
SteveJ — I’ve never used the E2 grips before. When I worked at SIG I always ran regular grips or Lasergrips with a short trigger. These E2 grips feel great but their thinness might actually be a hindrance given my hands at the moment. I’m hoping to get a set of Lasergrips for the gun Soon(TM).
The gun is having a SIG standard short trigger and a SIG SRT (short reset trigger) installed.
Are you counting the manual thing as a parts breakage? I probably would, just on principle.
Todd: I installed the SRT (and the short trigger) on my 228 and I love the SRT, perhaps because I grew up with 1911s. I am sure that with adequate practice one can get very good splits without it, but in my view a SIG with an SRT is probably the best DA/SA trigger around.
Steve — I was actually one of the original testers of the SRT and somewhere around the house I still have that original hand made SRT kit. Agree it totally transforms how the gun can be shot and is one of the two main reasons I decided to use the SIG rather than an HK for my re-introduction into TDA shooting this year.
The SigPro cannot use the SRT, correct? I’m guessing that’s the reason you chose the 229 instead?
Tyler — I’ve got nothing against the 2022, but the Classic guns are just more refined, have more sights, holsters, and accessories available, and have better triggers (plus SRT option).
Cool and interesting…
When I decided that polymer was not for me I almost bought a 229. The reported QC issues scared me away, though.
I ended up going with a CZ Compact instead, mainly on the strength of Cajun Gun Works – David there does some wonderful trigger work!
Short or long extractor?
Jody — Long, very much on purpose. The short ones are legacy and use a different slide contour. That means going forward, holsters, etc. will be built around the current long extractor.
I spoke to someone at SIG whom I trust and suffice to say I’m comfortable enough to try it. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Bruce Gray comes out with a tool steel replacement for the factory MIM part, and I’d go that route in a heartbeat just for the peace of mind.
I was hoping you’d run the new P227 through it’s paces. but this should be interesting… My very first cop gun was a P229 (well before guns had rails on them) in .40cal, however the first gun I ever bought was a “Made in West Germany P220 (I still have it and that thing has never failed me). My next cop gun was a P226, then a P220R. In about 2007 I jumped ship to the HK45, as my issued P220R, as well as just about everyone’s I worked with, were wrot with malfunctions, parts failures, and just generally not realiable.
with all that I am curious about the P227, as well as if Sig (USA) has corrected some of their issues. I’ll be following your test/evaluation.
Thank you
I applaud you for the variety!
I would suggest using the stock extractor until it breaks. Having bought a new 226R 9, I would like to see if the issue has been resolved.
Todd;
Why?
I remember the time when Sig was the Cadillac of LE/CCW…the reputation has slipped; is it to show more than just anecdotal/subjective internet ramblings just what the pistol IS, or ISN”T..
or
To see if TDA is still relevant in a world dominated by striker fired and C/L.
And how much do you plan to shoot it this year…
Thanks
Matt — I’d really love to hit 50k before year’s end, but that is subject to a lot variables.
Todd,
Never mind..I just saw you novel on PF.COM 🙂
Will you alter the double action pull from the 9.6 lbs. ?
The gun is off at a shop for trigger and other work now. I don’t worry too much about the weight, especially DA, but smoother is always better.
Speaking of Bruce Gray extractors!!
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/3660014343
Those are for the old style short extractors. I’m hoping he’ll come out with a comparable version for the new long extractor.
Scroll down my friend.
The second ones, I believe, are internal P220 extractors, not external long extractors.
Oh. My bad. Sorry.
Actually the SP2022 does have a Short Reset Trigger available. I just installed it on mine.
This is wonderful! What a superb choice for this year. I’ve been looking very seriously at the P229 Elite Stainless with the works, but I think I’m just going to hang on to my money until I see how this plays out. If it plays out well, which I am strangely optimistic it will, I will buy a P229 by the fall. I’m looking forward to this!
there are 5 types of extractors used on SIG Sauer pistols:
1) old style long bar 1-piece internal prevalent on all the old school stamped slide guns
2) short bar 3-piece external machined type with crescent notches to indicate caliber. First appeared on P229 in early 1990s and then onto P226 etc.
3) MIM version of #2 above. No notches.
4) MIM long bar external type aka ‘E2’ style that is being phased in across the product line
5) Long bar internal 1-piece utilized on most X5/X6 type guns, earlier SIG Pro guns and early milled slide P220’s.
#1 and #2 are far and away the most durable and reliable of SIG extractors
The 229 in 9mm was my first major caliber pistol and after thousands of rounds I still love shooting it. I often bring new shooters to the range and the 229 in 9mm is always they’re favorite. I had some light primer strikes a year ago but I’m almost certain its because I was over due on a spring change. Otherwise this pistol has been flawless for me even after services through sig like action job, srt work, & E2 conversion (didnt start out E2). My one and only complaint is that I had to give up my crimson trace grips. Hopefully the comment you made about acquiring a set means we will see something for the E2 line of pistols from Crimson trace.
Really looking forward to seeing how this will compare to pistols like the m&p and the hkp30. Sig nation is watching closely lol.
Given the variety of grip shapes and angles in your guns of choice, I have a couple of questions:
* How much does the grip angle & shape (relative to your preferred grip angle & shape) affect your choice of gun for that year?
* How much time does it take for you to get used to that grip angle & shape?
For me, Glocks point very naturally. Something like the CZ-ish grip shape on the gun pictured in this article would force me to spend a lot of time training some extra motion into my presentation to get the sights up and on target when I draw. I would guess that your experience might make the training transition easier; but is that the case?
How much does grip angle and shape affect your speed and accuracy when you (temporarily) switch to a gun you haven’t been training with recently?
Redchrome — I’ve jumped around so much in terms of grip angle that I can’t say it’s a big deal but it does require thought until I get used to it. The two areas where I see the biggest differences are in terms of exactly where I put the gun to begin the forward movement in my press-out and reloads. Getting the grip in the right position for a quick insertion is all muscle memory and changing that angle by 10 degrees can make for fumbles.
But in the end, grip angle is just a matter of what you’re used to and wouldn’t ever keep me from choosing a particular gun.
Thanks for the feedback Todd, I really appreciate it!
I suspect we will see this in action at the next KSTG? 🙂 I just recently bought a new P226R and am also curious to see how this test will go.
I had a 229 in .40 that never let me down. Always wanted one in 9mm. Nice gun, good luck happy 100,000 rounds.
I’m really pleased to see you testing a new production P229R. It will definitely give a very reputable data point in the whole argument over whether new SIG P-Series Pistols are as reliable and accurate as the tried and true ’90s vintage SIGs. I’m currently issued an M9, but was issued an M11 for four years. I loved carrying the P228, but have been hesitant to purchase a new SIG as a personal handgun due to all of the bad hype over new production guns.
Todd, Great to see a Sig being put through its paces. I hope it holds up and shows that Sigs QC is improving. I have had a chance to shoot several of the newer 229’s that my agency is getting and DAM they are Rough.. Some of the triggers are Gritty with 16+ pound double action pull and single action that feel like two rocks grinding together. Oh yea what holster will you be using?
Be Safe!
I have two Sig 226 in 9mm. One is an 80s production and the second is a 90s gun. I have had an excellent experience with both guns. What are the QC problems of the new Sigs? Are the 2014 guns doing well now?