Posted: 10/16/2005 7:25:27 PM EDT
|
I am wanting to get a SIG P229 in 40 S&W. It would be for self defense and possible CC. As such, the pistol might find itself in situations where high humidty, sweat, etc. could contact it for extended lengths of time. So, is rust enough of an issue to where I should pay more and get the stainless steel model? |
| For CC you may not want a stainless model, ie weight. I packed my ol' 228 around in this sweaty Fl. weather without a problem. The slide used to show tiny signs of rust; who cares, it will fire if you pull the trigger. Cosmetic issues should'nt keep you from what you purchase. Hope this helps. |
You have a point there with the weight issue. From the SIG website: P229 SS Weight w/ Mag - 40.9 oz P229R DAK Weight w/o Mag - 28.1 oz P229 Weight w/o Mag - 28.1 oz P229 SAS Weight w/ Mag - 32.0 oz It does not say how much the P229 SS weighs without a mag, but it looks to be about 9 ounces more than the non-stainless. Standard P229's have stainless slides anyhow. Did you ever have a problem with the "sharp edges" on your P228? Would it be worthwhile to get the SAS model to have a "slicker" CC weapon? |
|
The P229 has a blackened stainless slide and an aluminum frame, both of which are about as corrosion resistant as you can get. You have no worries. I don't see why anyone would want the all stainless (stainless framed) version. Get it if it fits your hand. My used CDNN P229 in 0.40 with Houge grip is about my favorite packin peice 'cause it fits my hand like no other and feels so robust to me. I have long fingers. I think I even prefer it to my Colt 1991A1 full house Yost-Bonitz. |
|
Yes, they rust rather easily if you get the non SS ones, even those carbonless wonders give into corrosion easier than some Austrian weapon I know. Not to mention that the mags of the friggin things (sigs that is) turn to orange powder at the first glimpse of water. +1 on get a Glock |
|
Its no more a problem that it is with any other blued handgun. If you're acidic like I am, just keep up wiping it and the mags down daily and you'll be fine. Mine hasnt seen a spot of rust in years since I started using a Sentry Solutions Tuff-Cloth on it at the end of a day of carrying. |
So you know this from experience? |
Do you see a need for the "SAS" model with the corners knocked off, or is that just a gimmick? |
I dont care for the looks of it, and I dont find my P226 to be particularly sharp ANYWHERE other than the edges of the baseplate of the magazine carried as a spare. |
I own a Glock 19,23,22,35 and every single one has jamed on me many times. I would never trust my life on any of my Glocks. My Sig 229,225, 239,220 all have been 100% reliable out of the box. What are my chances of buying 4 Glocks that are lemons? I'm selling them off because of the bad luck I have with them. SIG is the superior firearm no doubt. None of mine have ever had any rust but I live in dry Colorado. Get the 229, you won't be sorry! |
| I carry sigs at work, I was the weps rep in my first platoon and the slides would get rust on them alot. My second platoon we switched to the SS slides, knocked the rust problem down a bit but would still crop up now and again. True my guys probably didn't lather them in oil enough, but the mag issue is a bit different. After a day on the range, even if they were smothered in oil, by the time we got back home there would be rust pits on them, the same with the HK mags. My apologies Twonami for sidetracking the post. |
Over 2000 rounds through mine... and not a single failure. 
|
|
Some of the advice you're getting here is moot since the stock P229 comes with a blackened STAINLESS slide. Sigs have an aluminum frame which sets up a galvanic cell in contact with steel. This means that all the charge that gets on the Al goes to the steel and causes accelerated corrosion on the steel. It happens to ARs too. In dry climates (like where I live) there is no problem because there is no rust without water. In humidity, rust can be a problem with the non stainless framed Sigs (e.g. P226, P228). But the stock P229 has a blackened STAINLESS slide, so you should be OK. Go to a shop and try the P229. You'll see that it is stamped STAINLESS on the slide. I say get it if it fits your hand. Try the Glock too. |
I have not had any problems with my 228 at all (sharp edges, etc.) other than it's not as easy to conceal as my G27. The grip of the medium framed pistols can be hidden, but your daily wear will be dictated by the weapon. I did not qualify with the 228 this year so carrying it off duty is not an issue; I am not technically allowed to, I did qual. with the G27 and its so much easier to hide. A plus with the 27 is that I dont care what gets on it like sweat, rain, etc. because it's just not an issue with a Glock. My duty gun is a 226 which I am on my second one because my first 226's barrel corroded near the chamber causing major elongated pitting. I didnt stripe it down after a couple evenings of being the in rain and the moisture between the copper bullet and barrel corroded. When I first noticed it I thought it would clean off but after further examination with a pick tool it was determined that there was more than just corrosion. These "cracks" ran full circle around the barrel just in front of the camber where the rifling starts. Dont mean to get off topic, just thought a throw this out because you seemed to be concerned about rust, etc. |
I have seen reliable Glocks. I just don't get it why mine give me so much greef! I'm very careful with my grip. Just my luck I guess. At least I still have my SIG the run. I probibly sell my Glocks if I can't get them to run and use the $$ for a couple S&W wheel guns. |
| You know, if people did their laundry at the same frequency that they perform weapons maintenance we would have a lot of dirty fuckers posting in this thread. Why do people have such a problem with a weapon that rusts if its not cleaned after being through hell and back for a year? What do you expect, take care of your crap and you wont be forced to use something like a glock. |
|
| Unfortunately, as much as I love and praise Sigs, I have to put out its "dirty laundry". My department transitioned to Sig 229 in 40 Cal. We were using S & W 6946's with stainless steel slide and aluminum frame. We just got the sigs a year ago and the rangemaster had to put out memoranda advising guys to oil there weapons because of multiple incidents in which guys that were sent to the range to qualify had developed rust on their pistols. I have not had the problem yet. I try to lube and clean it monthly, so far so good. Im not sure if we have that "nitrolon" finish but I doubt it. |
| If someone's getting stainless (229) to rust, they deserve it. Stainless is not rust proof, but any person who's competent in firearm maintenance will not have a problem. I don't mean to be offensive, but it's not a worry unless you plan on abusing it intentionally. |
+1 I treat all my guns with care. I mean, your trusting your life to them, why would you treat them any other way? I have a sig p229, I shoot .40 at the rage, and change the barrel out for .357sig for carry. I keep it clean, lubed and wipe it down frequently. A good coat or remoil on the slide let to set and then wipe it off. I have never seen rust on any of my guns. EDIT: Here is a good example of the quality of the Sigs. This one looks to be a 226. www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152672 |