226 vs. 229 as .357 SIG launcher

[Sero Sed Serio]

I've been tossing around the idea of a .357 SIG for long-distance shooting and all-around wantism. I'm pretty heavily invested in SIGs in general, and everything I've heard says that the 226 and 229 are the best guns for .357. Is there a preference one way or the other between the 226 and 229 for this round? On one hand, the 226 has a longer barrel, sight radius, and grip, and is an easier gun to shoot. On the other hand, the 229 was designed for the .40/.357 rounds, is an easier gun to conceal, and Mec-Gar unmarked "OEM" mags are available for cheap, while I don't see these mags for the 226. Or are things pretty much equal, reliability and longevity wise?

I have the chance to buy a pretty much identical version of either gun at almost the same price (NIB, 2009 manufacture date, short external extractor, German frame). The decision will mostly come down to which is a better gun for the caliber.

Also, these guns are dead in the middle of the generally accepted "dark days" for SIG QC (08-12 I've heard). Is that enough of an issue that I should keep looking? I'm not really looking at current manufacture because I'm not a big fan of the long external extractor.

Thanks!

[Kyle Reese]

I'm thinking of picking up one of the LE trade in 229 DAKs in .40 right now, just to have something in that caliber.

[GJM]

I wish TLG could answer this. SLG can probably say, but I think Todd thought the .357 Sig cartridge was designed for the 229.

[BehindBlueI's]

I've got .357 barrels for both. I didn't have a preference either way for .357. It really boils down to which size pistol you want to do...whatever it is you want to do with it.

[Dismas316]

Can't really go wrong with either. I have both, I think the 229 is a bit more versatile and a little easier to carry. I've been a big fan of the 229 but once I got my 226 tacops it has become a much more difficult choice for me. Really comes down to which you feel better with.

[Chef]

Isn't the magazine capacity the same for that caliber in 357 and 40? I tend to lean on size efficiency when all else equal.


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[spinmove_]

I've got a .357SIG barrel for my SP2022. It is the same capacity between .40 and .357. I also used to have an E2 P229. While I liked it, I could never really fully get over the exaggerated bump on the left side. I find the P226 far less offensive. So that'd be my personal pick for a classic P series, 226.

That being said, the SP2022 in .40/.357 isn't bad at all. It might be a bit flippy in those calibers, but it could be far worse.

[Jeep]

There is a lot to be said in getting a pistol designed for a cartridge. The 226 (which is a great pistol), was designed for the 9. The 229 was designed for the .40 and 357 SIG.

[TCinVA]

I wish TLG could answer this. SLG can probably say, but I think Todd thought the .357 Sig cartridge was designed for the 229.

Todd did prefer the Sig P229 in .357 sig to the P226, both in terms of performance and track record.