P220 or P226 - AR15.COM

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2024's Favorite CCW? | PSA Micro Dagger

Posted: 3/17/2001 4:40:06 PM EDT

So my buddy's looking for his first pistol. Which should it be.
All your P220 are belong to us.

or:

All your P226 are belong to us.

Which is it? He's a big guy who, for his first time out, can handle my 1911 .45ACP well. No concerns about recoil management. He can nail clay pigeons from 7 yards no problem with .45 or 9mm. And he wants to stay away from .40 cal.

So, weigh in on this topic if you will. He may even introduce himself to you (when he gets home).

Actually, JacRyan is posting this, only under dude's name.

Hey, everyone, this is fresh meat, come and get it!! DFTFT!!

Posted: 3/17/2001 5:15:42 PM EDT

[#1]

Really he just needs to decide if he wants a 9mm or a .45. Other than that, there's not much difference in the guns. I own both, and they're pretty much the same. The P226 has a slightly fatter grip, but not enough to matter any.

So really the question is, does he want 9mm with more rounds? Or does he want .45 with less rounds? That's pretty much the deciding factor there.

Ross

Posted: 3/17/2001 6:07:31 PM EDT

[#2]

Come on! Sound off! I don't want my shooting partner ragging about wanting a .45 when he bought a 9mm!

Convince him the .45 is the only way to go!

(He's new here, so show him the usual "newby" AR15.com courtesies.)

Posted: 3/17/2001 6:49:07 PM EDT

[#3]

The correct answer is "both" [BD]

Posted: 3/17/2001 7:43:28 PM EDT

[#4]

So far not may responses. Please weigh in when you have time.

Posted: 3/17/2001 7:52:31 PM EDT

[#5]

I have a P226 in 9mm, and another in .40.

The 9mm has the advantage of standard capacity mags still available (15 rounds), but the .40 certainly has the edge on firepower. Being a large-framed gun, both are a pleasure to shoot.

The 226 is accurate and reliable regardless of caliber. I guess it depends on what the actual intended use of the gun is. For range plinking, I'd take the 9mm. For self-defense, the .45 any day.

All my 226s are belong to me.

Posted: 3/17/2001 9:47:11 PM EDT

[#6]

Too bad he's not interested in the .40- I've owned a 220, a 226 in 9 and a 226 in .40. Of the three, the 226 in .40 is by far my favorite. I've seen lots of 220's crack the slide or otherwise fail, whereas the new 226's with the stainless slide are tops. The 220's seem to be the most finicky reliability-wise. I'm sure someone will disagree, but I'd stay away from the 220 based on my experiences with them.

Posted: 3/17/2001 9:56:50 PM EDT

[#7]

I have both. If I had to keep just one it would have to be the 226. I have a dozen mags for it.

Posted: 3/17/2001 10:11:18 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
...I've seen lots of 220's crack the slide or otherwise fail...The 220's seem to be the most finicky reliability-wise. I'm sure someone will disagree, but I'd stay away from the 220 based on my experiences with them.

View Quote

What? This is the 1st bad thing I've ever heard about a Sig P220. I have no problems with mine.

Go with a .45 for defence and a 9mm for target practice.

Posted: 3/18/2001 3:17:00 AM EDT

[#9]

I don't see the purpose of this thread. It's just like any other 9mm vs .45 thread no matter what the mfg. You're comparing apples to oranges.
If your friend is limited to one gun, he should go to a range where he can shoot both guns and see which one fits him best.
Some people can control a 9 better than a .45, some people can't handle the long reach to get to the 226's trigger.
Having said this, I still like having both, but I can't say which one I like better.

Posted: 3/18/2001 3:33:07 AM EDT

[#10]

If he's not le/military, I'd rather have a 45 w/7 rounds than a 9mm w/10.

Posted: 3/18/2001 5:26:30 AM EDT

[#11]

I own the P226 in 9mm with 15rds magazines. I don't have the "new" one with stainless slide and had never problems. I have never heard of a Sig slide breaking?! I guess the ammo was reloaded to hot when the slide breaks (or the gun has fired over 500 thousend rds!). Not having the biggest hands I can reach the trigger w/o problems.

By the way: which mags would you prefer? USA or MecGar? And what do you think about pistols with plastic frame like USP or Glock?

Posted: 3/18/2001 5:43:20 AM EDT

[#12]

The P220. I have carried a 220 for 14 years. Also have a 226 but I trust the .45!

Posted: 3/18/2001 6:07:03 AM EDT

[#13]

I have had a Sig 228,220 and 229 at different times over the years, along with a Beretta 92fs, Taurus pt92 and pt100 and I liked them all. I don't think the features on the 220 justify the cost of it over some of the other 45's out there. I currently have a 228 because of the size and capacity. If I was to buy a new Sig it would be the 226. If only because of the ability to get mags easily.(or a new Beretta 92 they have the smoothest slide out there) Either one your friend won't be disappointed.
Cazio

Posted: 3/18/2001 8:23:38 AM EDT

[#14]

The 220's whose slides cracked were fired using only standard Blazer ammo and the occasional magazine of Hydra-shok or Gold Dot ammo, and they weren't fired for hundreds of thousands of rounds. Several thousand, yes, but they died long before they should have. Have never seen this with a Sig 9mm or .40, just the .45.

BTW, Mec-Gar makes the Sig and Beretta 'factory' mags. Stay away from USA, they are absolute crap.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - P220 or P226

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