Posted: 1/30/2004 4:38:08 AM EDT
| I am looking for a quality handgun to carry concealed and I'm leaning toward the SIG family (unless someone can sell me on a GLOCK -I can pick up the GLOCK about $200 less-). I'm wanting a 9mm caliber. I have not been able to find a P228 (in my area) but the P229 I can purchase nib for $730. Is there any difference between the 228 & 229? Is the 226 much larger than the smaller models? And then after deciding I will need ideas for an IWB holster. |
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The slides are different but not so that you would notice. The 229 was built for the 40 S & W, the 228 for the 9mm. All three are a tad bulky for concealed wear. You may want to consider the 225 (a single stack 228) or the 239. 225's are pretty hard to find. I have enough trouble getting me inside my waist band, let alone a pistol. Can't help you on holsters. |
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The 225 is a great option. In 9mm there is also the very small 239, and the super accurate, single stack 9mm 220. The SiGs are very accurate and reliable. There is the 2009 in the SiGPro series that is also a great shooter and, because it uses the Polymer frame, considerably less expensive. When it comes time for the holster, first. invest in a good gun belt. Try Lou Alessi and High Noon Holsters for your leather. |
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The 228 is a bit thinner and lighter than the 229, otherwise they are virtually the same. The 226 is slightly longer in the barrel and the grip, about the same weight. 226 mags will work in the 228, but I can't say for sure about a 229 in 9mm. For a 9mm, I think the 228 is better than packing the extra bulk of the 229. I also agree that the 225 is a much nicer package for CCW, but they can be a little hard to find, and, of course, use only the 225 mags. Never have particularly cared for the 239's but that's just me...they are excellent little guns. All sorts of nice holsters out there...try Milt Sparks Holsters for a start...but be sure to also get a good belt designed for CCW use...money very well spent. |
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i would suggest a 239 , here is why 239- single stack nie fit , easy ccw wep. it's the one i use can find them really agreeable price. I use a Galco holster the cconcelable one they offer black leather , hard to spot it no profile 226-nice gun but way too expensive also a bit big for ccw 229 see above discription of 226 minus the comment about size 225, nice pistol but mags are hard to find since no longer made 228- no civilian sales (too bad) 245 -this is the one sig i have heard alot of complaints about , too small , too heavy etc. |
From a P229/9 owner operator...yes they will.
Actually the size difference is hardly noticable. 228/9 mags will work in a 229/9 but going in they have a little wobble in them. Real 229/9 mags have 4 raised "pimples" on each side to take up the extra space. 229/9 mags will not fit in a 228/9 though. |
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Could well be but it is still being made and many folk have bought ones made as recently as 2003. The reason some of the models don't appear on the pages is that most of the sales go to LE. It's the same for the 228 that is also often said to be discontinued. But as Mark Twain said, "rumors of its demise were exagerated." The 225 is still alive and well and still a great gun. |
| I agree the 225 are still in production/ warehouses etc, but from what i read the 225 is only available to LE outlets, so some people can gt them through cop friends etc. all the crap that goes iunto buying a police issue wep, the whole letter from the department and all that .I have a friend with his ffl and when he tried to order one the place said that he would have to provide a letter with local agency seal on it etc. and i agree I would love to find a 225 , I'm beggining to really enjoy Sig's between my 239 and my sig pro, next will be a 225 if i can find one for a decent price |
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Sig40Fan: My newest CDNN Investments catalog shows blued P225s for $499. Also, check AuctionArms.com, where I found mine. There were 2 other blued P225s for sale at the same time as mine. Again, I only paid $560 for my nickel model in 99% mint condition... http://hstrial-caigner.homestead.com/files/MY_SIG_P225.jpg |
I think you'll like it. They are there and not just LE. One of the availability problems is that it is a very popular LE CCW and so supply gets spotty at times, just as it does for the 228 and when the Pro's first came out, the 2340s. |
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The frames on the 228 and 229 are the same. The 228 uses the "stamped" slide, the 229 uses a machined slide and can handle the .40 cal. You have to look hard to tell 'em apart, unless you already know what to look for. The 226 is considered a full sized model. I wasn't even looking for a 228 when mine came along, very cheap, LN w/4 mags & night sights, box, booklet & test target...I never looked back! |
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OK, here's more input from a sigophile. I have a P220 (full size .45) and the P228 (semi-compact 9mm). Holsters: Galco Miami Classic, fits both. Galco SOB, fits both. Galco Side Snap Scabbard, fits the P220 great, the P228 is a little short for the holster, but still works. You will need a good belt. I don't have one yet, and I can tell that it will be a necessity. P228's and P225's can be found at www.kyimports.com These are usually LE trade ins, This is where I got my P228, and it was in perfect shape. I am 6', 175, and I can conceal either pistol pretty easily. What you wear makes the most difference. Between a 228 and a 226, get the 228 first, better for CCW. I will have a 226 also someday, but it will get a tactical finish put on it. The .45 is getting re-blued and some walnut, the 228 is staying just that way she is. Sigs are phenomenal guns. Glocks are great in that total reliability sense, yet a Sig is also probably as likely to jam as an AK-47. Check out cdnn and ky imports, go to barnes and noble and get a copy of Shotgun News, go to Tulsa in April, don't pay new prices for a Sig, they are very high. Good luck, remember life is too short to shoot an ugly gun. 
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| i don't know if they still have any in stock, but www.cdnninvestments.com/ has NIB P225's for $499 |