Picking up a new to me P228

[iWander]

I'm looking forward to having one again. I've stupidly let two go over the years... Now I'm at the point where I want to have one each of the "ones that got away". The 228 is one of the last ones.

It has a blue box and I think a CPO. Matching serial numbers on frame and barrel only, factory night sights, at least 7 mags (most factory 13 rounders), and 3 holsters.

Buying it from a co-worker who's had it for at least ten years, and he's put less than 300 rounds through it. Can't wait to put an SRT in it!

[Inspector71]

Congrats on a solid choice. If memory serves me, the Vermont State Police had the P228 as their general issue pistol in the early 90’s. I don’t know what they carry today. I departed that state a long, long time ago.

[jnc36rcpd]

Excellent choice as you certainly know. While I prefer the 226 due to my hand size, the 228 is an excellent pistol. As you also likely know, the 228 was issue to USSS, FAMS, Navy SWCC, and I believe the Delaware State Police. I have one in th gun locker behind me (hard chromed, no less).

[Jason M]

I let one go a long time ago. It was from their 1st production year and had a trigger smoothed over by one of Sig's very experienced armorers. I've often wished for a do-over on that sale. But...I recently traded into a NIB version from the same year. I think I'll hang on to this one.

[taadski]

I went through the academy with a 228 and carried it for the first 6 or 7 years of my career. They’re great pistols and the only reason I switched was to carry its big brother. In fact I’d still be carrying a 226 on duty today if not for being forced, kicking and screaming, into the modern striker fired world earlier this year. A P-series pistol IS still my daily off duty choice.

[Brian T]

I bought a beat up one at the local pawn shop a few years ago. I always liked those P228SN (satin nickel), but they command huge bucks now. A buddy of mine carried a P228TT (tu-tone satin nickel slide, controls) while with Dallas PD's Metro Squad before he retired. I loved that gun. I found out that Klein Plating, who did the nickeling for SIG back in the day, doesnt offer the service, so I might send it to APW.

[MK11]

Used P228 I picked up several years ago with a Gun Kote finish from CCR (http://www.ccrrefinishing.com/information.html). Looks darker in person.



65027

[Borderland]

Sounds like a nice acquisition.

Not familiar with P-228. What's the difference between P-228 and P-226? I don't think I've ever seen a P-228 but I had a P-229 that I sold. I've shot my neighbors P-226's which I like for full size 9 mm. I think I have some 13 rd 228/229 magazines buried in my safe someplace. Of course once I get interested in something everyone else wants one also so I'm always late to the party.

[BehindBlueI's]

Sounds like a nice acquisition.

Not familiar with P-228. What's the difference between P-228 and P-226? I don't think I've ever seen a P-228 but I had a P-229 that I sold.

The P228 and P229 are the same size. The P228 is the older folded slide version.

[fatdog]

I was into the P228 as my primary "full size gun" meaning not a J frame in my case from about '87 to '99 then wandered into Glock land. Sold those long ago but want to find one as well as sort of reclaiming history. Congrats on finding a nice one with a low round count.

[Suvorov]

Big fan of the 228 here! It is more elegant than the 229 IMHO and wins points for being a US military sidearm.

Congrats- it will serve you well!

[Jason M]

I'm fighting a completely irrational urge to have my 228 MP3ed...

[jeep45238]

That's the one Sig pistol I desperately want.

[NavyEngineer]

They are great pistols. I bought my first one (upper left) new in 1993, then picked up a P228R (with U.S. and M11 markings engraved over by SIG) more recently. The pistol on the bottom is one of the Air Force contract overrun M11s SIG released for sale a few years ago. They added a "B" after the M11 to comply with DOD contract requirements, but didn't change the label on the box. I fired a few Army CID M11s while on active duty, so was happy to add an M11 to my collection. Unfortunately, it was unfired when I purchased it, and I haven't yet been able to bring myself to fire it.

65082

[fatdog]

I am seeing a batch of CAI imported "West Germany" P228's for sale, they must have imported a batch of late 80's made surplus/retired guns from some place.

[David S.]

I miss my SIGs. I could have saved a ton of time and money if I'd have stuck with a P226/229 several years ago, instead of chasing the P-F DA/SA hotness.

[fatdog]

duplicate post, sorry

[DMCutter]

One just came up for sale on hkpro.com for those who desperately want one.

[TOTS]

I'm looking forward to having one again. I've stupidly let two go over the years... Now I'm at the point where I want to have one each of the "ones that got away". The 228 is one of the last ones.

It has a blue box and I think a CPO. Matching serial numbers on frame and barrel only, factory night sights, at least 7 mags (most factory 13 rounders), and 3 holsters.

Buying it from a co-worker who's had it for at least ten years, and he's put less than 300 rounds through it. Can't wait to put an SRT in it!

Awesome. I love my 229. The SRT is a cheap, easy to do, and very worthwhile addition. Not very often does a mod meet all three criteria!!

[iWander]

I am seeing a batch of CAI imported "West Germany" P228's for sale, they must have imported a batch of late 80's made surplus/retired guns from some place.Where do you see them?

[fatdog]

Here (https://www.gunbroker.com/item/887477804)

Here (https://www.gunbroker.com/item/880784101) different importer

The imports have been popping up on GB

[Squib308]

The P228 and P229 are the same size. The P228 is the older folded slide version.

A P228 is the same size as a “P229 legacy” but may be different depending on other P229 models.
The P229 in 40 has a thicker slide than 9mm.
The P229-1 has a thicker magazine and IIRC the grip is slightly thicker as well.

The P226s have not changed in size over all the years.

[NPV]

I miss my SIGs. I could have saved a ton of time and money if I'd have stuck with a P226/229 several years ago, instead of chasing the P-F DA/SA hotness.

I dumped mine and went to 1911s cause I’m in a restricted state. I don’t want to even try to imagine the money I could have saved, ugh. My first handgun was a P228r (P228 slide on a P229 frame) I wish I never sold it like an idiot.

[Greg]

I foolishly sold one years ago and I was very happy to fix that mistake in 2019.

65194

My first 14 rounds through the 228, all DA from 10 yards. The first 3 DA. shots were touching and hit 1 o’clock on the Xring border. Then I got excited.... Great pistols.

FWIW I noticed that Sig’s parts kits for the P226 and 228 have jumped in price from 30 to 50 bucks. Don’t delay if you want a real Sig.

[David S.]

My biggest frustration with DA SIGs is that mags and holsters aren’t interchangeable across the different models. If the P224 was a mini P226 instead of mini P229, I think I’d still be shooting them.

Also, my strong side thumb naturally depressed the slide catch lever so the slide never locked back.

Both are relatively minor, but enough excuse to move on.

[TheNewbie]

My biggest frustration with DA SIGs is that mags and holsters aren’t interchangeable across the different models. If the P224 was a mini P226 instead of mini P229, I think I’d still be shooting them.

Also, my strong side thumb naturally depressed the slide catch lever so the slide never locked back.

Both are relatively minor, but enough excuse to move on.


I kind of wish Sig would have combined the slide release and decocking lever. Seems like the practical and user friendly thing to do.

[ccmdfd]

I had a two-toned 228 many years ago that I had to sell during a difficult time. It had the best DA trigger on any SIG that I have handled.

How easy is it to find replacement parts these days? I believe the roll pins have to be replaced at a certain round count.

[HCM]

Awesome. I love my 229. The SRT is a cheap, easy to do, and very worthwhile addition. Not very often does a mod meet all three criteria!!


The P228 and P229 are the same size. The P228 is the older folded slide version.


A P228 is the same size as a “P229 legacy” but may be different depending on other P229 models.
The P229 in 40 has a thicker slide than 9mm.
The P229-1 has a thicker magazine and IIRC the grip is slightly thicker as well.

The P226s have not changed in size over all the years.

When the P228 was phased out SIG made 229's in 40/357 and a 229 in 9mm with a thinner slide which used the P228's 13 round magazine. They eventually replaced the 229 9mm with the 229-1 which is simply a 9mm version of the .40 cal 229. The 229-1 uses the same frame and as the .40 cal 229. The 229-1 slide is simply a .40 slide forging cut to 9mm instead.

229 while similar, does not precisely equal the 228. The lighter slide of the 228 makes for a much better handling pistol. Carried a 229 for years but never really warmed up to them. They handle like bricks. It's less noticeable on the P226s but still there.

I understand the durability issues but the folded slide guns are still my favorite SIGs.

[OlongJohnson]

When the P228 was phased out SIG made 229's in 40/357 and a 229 in 9mm with a thinner slide which used the P228's 13 round magazine. They eventually replaced the 229 9mm with the 229-1 which is simply a 9mm version of the .40 cal 229. The 229-1 uses the same frame and as the .40 cal 229. The 229-1 slide is simply a .40 slide forging cut to 9mm instead.

229 while similar, does not precisely equal the 228. The lighter slide of the 228 makes for a much better handling pistol. Carried a 229 for years but never really warmed up to them. They handle like bricks. It's less noticeable on the P226s but still there.

I understand the durability issues but the folded slide guns are still my favorite SIGs.

The 229-1 mags in 9mm hold 15 rounds, not 13. 226 mags will work in the guns, but they rattle.

[MGW]

I use to be a huge Sig fan but never owned a true 228. I made a 229 work for a couple years but much prefer the 226. Now I’m back to icky striker guns.

[HCM]

The 229-1 mags in 9mm hold 15 rounds, not 13. 226 mags will work in the guns, but they rattle.

I think you are conflating the original 9mm 229 with the 229–1. SIG was making the original 13 round 229 for over a decade before the switch to the 229-1. They’re not the same gun.

The 229-1 mags do indeed hold 15 rounds, because they were made to fit the increased internal volume of the 229-1 frame, which is really the .40 cal frame.

However, the original 9mm 229 which replaced the 228 used a 9mm specific frame which used the 13 round P228 magazines. Hence the “-1”

229-1 mags won’t fit in the original 229 9mm frame (or the P228 frame).

Yes 13 rounder rattle around in the 229-1/40 frame but IME they work, at least well enough for range use. Same with shooing 9mm out of the cheaper and plentiful 40/357 mags.

The real motivation behind the -1 was streamlining production to a single frame for all calibers to save money at a time SIG was trying desperately to find ways to cut production costs on the classic P series guns.

[OlongJohnson]

I think you are conflating the original 9mm 229 with the 229–1. SIG was making the original 13 round 229 for over a decade before the switch to the 229-1. They’re not the same gun.

The 229-1 mags do indeed hold 15 rounds, because they were made to fit the increased internal volume of the 229-1 frame, which is really the .40 cal frame.

However, the original 9mm 229 which replaced the 228 used a 9mm specific frame which used the 13 round P228 magazines. Hence the “-1”

229-1 mags won’t fit in the original 229 9mm frame (or the P228 frame).

Yes 13 rounder rattle around in the 229-1/40 frame but IME they work, at least well enough for range use. Same with shooing 9mm out of the cheaper and plentiful 40/357 mags.

The real motivation behind the -1 was streamlining production to a single frame for all calibers to save money at a time SIG was trying desperately to find ways to cut production costs on the classic P series guns.

Not conflating anything, and I understand they're not the same gun. There was discussion of 229-1 vs 229 mags in the posts before my prior post, but no one had mentioned the fact that 229-1 mags hold 15 rounds. Two more rounds might be valuable information to some.

And 226 mags do work in my M11-A1 (which is basically a rail-less current-era 229 and comes with 229-1 mags), they just rattle. I haven't reliability tested them, but I can't recall reading of any issues using the older skinny mags in 229-1 guns.

I didn't say anything about the 229 or 228.

[iWander]

Finally picked it up today. The marks show it as a 1996, with a "Made In Germany" mark on the slide. It came with a Short Reset Trigger installed, two 10rd factory mags and three 13rd mags, what appears to be the original manual with a "PRE-OWNED" stamp on it, blue factory case with a partial label, and two High Noon holsters. I'm at least the third owner and very happy!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210105/394f56fa558af115b740453ea6386c4a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210105/8f2f69fe51386c915b529bcc4e36db78.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210105/4c1e1a0c6f7378951dece04a7585022e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210105/6a01a4daf5dbd28bc72095fd05fd7635.jpg

[Arbninftry]

65781

KG is a 96 year model.

65782

Looks like your barrel was proofed in Keil Germany, also

[SouthNarc]

Damn good looking gun!

[iWander]

Researching the serial number, it should have a grey plastic box and a different manual. I've never heard of a pre-owned stamped manual either. Anyone ever heard of a CPO with a blue box?

[Brian T]

The first few weeks or months of the CPO program, the boxes were blue, then they went to red.

[CSW]

I've had my West German P228 since 1992, and a P6 from their first importation. Possibly the 2 best guns [old] Sig ever built.

[VT1032]

Congrats on a solid choice. If memory serves me, the Vermont State Police had the P228 as their general issue pistol in the early 90’s. I don’t know what they carry today. I departed that state a long, long time ago.

After the 228's, VSP switched to P229 DAK's in .40, and then in 2011 or so switched to M&P40's. I think they are on their second batch of those now. On the theme of guns you regret selling, I had one of the first batch of VSP stamped M&Ps, but sold it a few years ago like an idiot. Definitely wouldn't mind having that back.

[RAM Engineer]

I've had my West German P228 since 1992, and a P6 from their first importation. Possibly the 2 best guns [old] Sig ever built.

100% agree with that assessment.