View Full Version : New To Me SIG P229 E2
So Wednesday my LGS called to tell me my M18 was in, while we were talking I asked him if he had any TDA SIG's ? he told me he had an M11A1. I really didn't want a M11. From my research and breakingtime91's 229 thread I had decided on a P229 E2 if possible as the originals had the Short Trigger as well as the SRT parts and the E2 Grip. i stopped on my way home from work and while the 4473 was going thru I was looking thru the glass case and spotted a pristine P229. I asked to see it and when I turned it over it was an E2. The price was $200 less than the M11. I asked the owner if he would hold it for me and I picked it up today. I took both pistols to the range today to get some rounds thru them. The target photo with the P229 is 21rds. of 147gr. HST's at 20 yards. Those were the first rounds I fired through the pistol. I put 100 rds. through it to test it with my reloads. I likes 147 gr. better than 115gr. Not an exhaustive test by any means, but the range was busy. When I got home I stripped the pistol and discovered the original grease under the grip panel but the rest of the pistol was bone dry. I don't think it was fired very much if any as there was no wear in any of the usual spots. A bonus is that it fits my Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 Holster and Palmetto Leatherworks Magazine pouches that I had bought for my M18. The M18 worked great also. We all need to start our posts with.
"Hi I'm_________ And I'm A Ballistic Enabler".....:cool:
8050680507
Thanks breakingtime91:)
Thy.Will.Be.Done
11-26-2021, 07:03 PM
But how do you shoot those things with such a high bore-axis?
But how do you shoot those things with such a high bore-axis?
Hopefully well enough to get the job done...:cool:
David S.
11-26-2021, 09:03 PM
Classic SIGs. 2022’s gun of the year???
HeavyDuty
11-26-2021, 09:19 PM
Classic SIGs. 2022’s gun of the year???
No, a 2022 is different.
David S.
11-26-2021, 09:28 PM
Buh. dump. . . Tsssshhhh.
breakingtime91
11-27-2021, 12:23 AM
So Wednesday my LGS called to tell me my M18 was in, while we were talking I asked him if he had any TDA SIG's ? he told me he had an M11A1. I really didn't want a M11. From my research and breakingtime91's 229 thread I had decided on a P229 E2 if possible as the originals had the Short Trigger as well as the SRT parts and the E2 Grip. i stopped on my way home from work and while the 4473 was going thru I was looking thru the glass case and spotted a pristine P229. I asked to see it and when I turned it over it was an E2. The price was $200 less than the M11. I asked the owner if he would hold it for me and I picked it up today. I took both pistols to the range today to get some rounds thru them. The target photo with the P229 is 21rds. of 147gr. HST's at 20 yards. Those were the first rounds I fired through the pistol. I put 100 rds. through it to test it with my reloads. I likes 147 gr. better than 115gr. Not an exhaustive test by any means, but the range was busy. When I got home I stripped the pistol and discovered the original grease under the grip panel but the rest of the pistol was bone dry. I don't think it was fired very much if any as there was no wear in any of the usual spots. A bonus is that it fits my Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 Holster and Palmetto Leatherworks Magazine pouches that I had bought for my M18. The M18 worked great also. We all need to start our posts with.
"Hi I'm_________ And I'm A Ballistic Enabler".....:cool:
8050680507
Thanks breakingtime91:)
My pleasure! I am planning on grabbing a long extractor version in the future when I find one used.. it has been the happiest I've been with a carry gun and I've tried almost all of them at this point
Rock185
11-27-2021, 02:08 AM
Very nice pistol! I may be a bit biased though. I bought a new 229 soon after they were introduced, and have owned a few since. I currently have a couple 229s. Can't defend the high bore axis. I never noticed it one way or the other. Oh my, how did any of us ever manage to survive training, or qualify using DA/SA SIGs, with that high bore axis:rolleyes:
Very nice pistol! I may be a bit biased though. I bought a new 229 soon after they were introduced, and have owned a few since. I currently have a couple 229s. Can't defend the high bore axis. I never noticed it one way or the other. Oh my, how did any of us ever manage to survive training, or qualify using DA/SA SIGs, with that high bore axis:rolleyes:
High bore axis may be overblown but IME the E2 grip sucks in actual use. It feels good in the hand but gives very poor results when actually shooting.
The factory slim grips on the top gun in your photo is much better. Unfortunately they require use of the P239 grip screws.
As much as I hate the E2 grip it was designed to address a real issue with P229’s constantly losing grip screws and frames being ruined by aluminum threads being stripped by steel steel screws.
Evil_Ed
11-27-2021, 09:07 AM
High bore axis may be overblown but IME the E2 grip sucks in actual use. It feels good in the hand but gives very poor results when actually shooting.
The factory slim grips on the top gun in your photo is much better. Unfortunately they require use of the P239 grip screws.
As much as I hate the E2 grip it was designed to address a real issue with P229’s constantly losing grip screws and frames being ruined by aluminum threads being stripped by steel steel screws.
The problem I ran into the E2 grip was it is very vertical. Probably wouldn't be an issue on a short pull gun in SA mode, a 1911, like that...but a DA gun with that grip angle does NOT work for me, at all. Which is a shame because I actually really like the grip texture...
Rock185
11-27-2021, 12:11 PM
Whether very thick like the Hogue rubber and some wood grips, or very thin like the E2s, and everything in between, I figure grips are a very personal choice. The "thin" grips on my 229 use the same grip screws as the standard factory grips. The longer factory and aftermarket 239 grip screws I have protrude into the mag well on 229s. And in 30+ years of using various alloy framed SIGs, I've never lost a SIG grip screw, or had one strip out, etc.....YMMV
The problem I ran into the E2 grip was it is very vertical. Probably wouldn't be an issue on a short pull gun in SA mode, a 1911, like that...but a DA gun with that grip angle does NOT work for me, at all. Which is a shame because I actually really like the grip texture...
IME the grip texture is ok when new but smooths out and looses texture making the grip shape issue worse.
Whether very thick like the Hogue rubber and some wood grips, or very thin like the E2s, and everything in between, I figure grips are a very personal choice. The "thin" grips on my 229 use the same grip screws as the standard factory grips. The longer factory and aftermarket 239 grip screws I have protrude into the mag well on 229s. And in 30+ years of using various alloy framed SIGs, I've never lost a SIG grip screw, or had one strip out, etc.....YMMV
If the 229 has a weakness it’s the grip screws. IME the P220/226/239 do not share the issue.
My agency issued P229s for 10 years. We went through grip screws like shot through a goose. We had a few frames deadlined due to stripped screw holes. We allowed any alternative grips which were used on SIG factory guns including the hogue rubber and G10. My sample size being are 15k sworn and i both taught firearms at our academy for in service from all over the country and then ran firearms for an office of 700.
A buddy ran firearms for a state police agency of about 1600 sworn which also issued P229s. They had the same issues with grip screws and a much higher rate of deadlined frames due to stripped screw holes. This was a significant factor in them switching to a striker fired duty pistol. The E2 appeared soon after.
I’m not a P229 hater but it behooves users to:
Use blue loctite and witness mark grip screws
Have spare grip screws on hand
Be cautious when installing or tightening grip screws.
stippling the old-school plastic thin panels is the absolute best! I used a soldering iron and tried to stick to a hip hexagonal pattern. Two lessons learned. 1) don’t, for the love of God, stipple the area where the web of your hand rests, and b) you can use some sandpaper to relieve the inside panel to be less abrasive to the skin or undershirt for carrying. Otherwise, I love this for locking the grip in when shooting in 100% humidity in August in the coastal south.
80542
IME the grip texture is ok when new but smooths out and looses texture making the grip shape issue worse.
Evil_Ed
11-27-2021, 02:26 PM
IME the grip texture is ok when new but smooths out and looses texture making the grip shape issue worse.
I never ran into that problem because between the verticality of it (and pushing every DA shot low, badly) and the weird/unsettling flex/squish I would get when clamping down to try to prevent that low push; the gun would squirm in the grip a bit...I don't think I ever put more than 500 or so rounds through one before yanking the E2 off and going back to normal grips. I tried it on 2 different guns and it wasn't just the gun. Switching to grips with a more pronounced rear hump eliminated the pushing low on DA issue for me, but on one set of grips, not the squish/movement inside the grips...Hogue G10s pretty much did fix that issue though.
Admittedly I did NOT spend a whole lot of time trying to train into the issue with E2s and DA pushing low...it was pretty much a "The other grips work, why bother with this" thing.
IME the grip texture is ok when new but smooths out and looses texture making the grip shape issue worse.
I agree that the standard E2 Grip Texture is somewhat smooth, and I can see where it would smooth out more over time. I noticed yesterday in live fire and today in dry fire, that it was a bit smooth. However I do like the 1911 like grip angle. I stippled my grips today, and my Horsehide with Shark Milt Sparks 55BN arrived today. Wilson Combat has them in stock for the P320C, which I discovered fits the 229E2 perfectly.
80568
Super77
11-27-2021, 07:19 PM
Nice score! I always really liked the P229. Back when I thought .40 was the thing I ran a P229 for quite awhile because I thought it handled that round very well. I imagine with 9mm it’s even better.?
breakingtime91
11-27-2021, 07:51 PM
Nice score! I always really liked the P229. Back when I thought .40 was the thing I ran a P229 for quite awhile because I thought it handled that round very well. I imagine with 9mm it’s even better.?
Very little recoil. Straight back.
Nice score! I always really liked the P229. Back when I thought .40 was the thing I ran a P229 for quite awhile because I thought it handled that round very well. I imagine with 9mm it’s even better.?
IME the only gun that handles .40 wear and tear better than the 226/229 is the HK USPC, assuming you do the necessary preventative maintenance.
breakingtime91
11-27-2021, 09:38 PM
IME the only gun that handles .40 wear and tear better than the 226/229 is the HK USPC, assuming you do the necessary preventative maintenance.
Is that because their recoil system? I always thought they had the best designed for punishment.
Is that because their recoil system? I always thought they had the best designed for punishment.
Yes, the HK’s are like tanks, Russian tanks.
The SIG is good too, they can go over 100k rounds in both 40 and 357 with regular spring changes.
jnc36rcpd
11-28-2021, 02:15 AM
We actually had multiple cracked frames in my former agency's .40 226's and one 239. These were first discovered during an annual detail cleaning and inspection by agency armorers. Oddly, the problem surfaced like covid 19 (Sorry. Too soon?) We had never had an issue before and suddenly issues arose with multiple guns. We never did determine a commonality with the cracked frames which generally occurred under the grips. I considered the usage of the weapon, but milage didn't seem to be a factor.
I felt SigSauer did right by us, replacing multiples frames and pistols. While they might not have been completely truthful with us or even their local reps, they could offer no explanation.
Meanwhile the "leadership" of the firearms training unit had decided we needed to go to the FNS-9. That gun made a cracked frame 226 look like a good steak and a cold beer.
Nice score! I always really liked the P229. Back when I thought .40 was the thing I ran a P229 for quite awhile because I thought it handled that round very well. I imagine with 9mm it’s even better.?
While I agree that advancements in ballistic technology have closed any gap that existed between 9mm and .40 in the 80's and 90's, those same advancements have been applied to the .40 as well.
As an Instructor I saw first hand that if I could teach you to be a good shooter with .40, I could teach you to be a better shooter with a 9mm. And 9mm is much easier on the pistol and the shooter. That being said, if the pistol and the shooter can handle it, I think .40 shouldn't be dismissed as a option. ( That being said, I once fired 2500 .40 rounds in 5 days at an Instructor class through my issue Glock 22, not something I wanted to repeat soon).
Never shot a Sig in .40, but I can say that the 229 is very easy to shoot in 9mm. I put a few Federal 9BPLE 115gr. +P+ through it as well as 147gr. Federal HST and my reloads, and recoil was very manageable.
The above is not intended to start a caliber war/debate. I was just responding to Super 77's post, with my observations and experience. YMMV...
My 229 Romeo 1 Pro slide arrived today. Hard to resist when the optic alone is $439 and the complete slide sights and optic are on sale for $479. I added the shroud as it's not included in the package. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The dot is 6 MOA which in dry fire seems to work better for my eyes. Add some lube and install the barrel and recoil guide rod and spring and you're in business.
82142
My 229 Romeo 1 Pro slide arrived today. Hard to resist when the optic alone is $439 and the complete slide sights and optic are on sale for $479. I added the shroud as it's not included in the package. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The dot is 6 MOA which in dry fire seems to work better for my eyes. Add some lube and install the barrel and recoil guide rod and spring and you're in business.
82142
82268
I made a Kydex OWB holster to get by with until my JMCK AIWB and Palmetto Leatherworks holsters arrive.
Evil_Ed
01-03-2022, 07:35 AM
I have a P229 (-G suffix, gov't contract) in 357Sig, originally a DAK gun. I converted it to DA/SA, and actually had it up for sale for ages...no bites. I picked up that same 229/R1P upper from Sig on sale a couple of weeks ago.
So, protip - while 40/357 Sigs need their own holster...9mm 229s will fit in P226 holsters. I have a JMCK 226 kydix AIWB holster, set up for an optic with tall sights, and the 229 with the R1P slide drops right into it as if it were made for it.
I need to buy some more mags for it in 9mm and find some time to get it to the range. I always wanted to love this 229 but couldn't; it always hit really low even from a rest, 40 or 357, at 50 feet. Like, aim at the top (that is, bisect the top of the card with the front dot, sights aligned normally) of a 3x5 and it'll just barely crease the bottom of the card, low. With the red dot on it now, that shouldn't be an issue. I have a 228 that I really like, but no optics...folded steel slide, not so easy to do. If this 229 shakes out I might wind up moving that 228 since I'll never use it at that point.
David S.
01-13-2022, 06:42 AM
Heads up for all you P229 guys.
There's a guy over in the SIGForum classifieds selling a Pro Cut slide for $300.
I don't know anything about the seller.
My 229 Romeo 1 Pro slide arrived today. Hard to resist when the optic alone is $439 and the complete slide sights and optic are on sale for $479. I added the shroud as it's not included in the package. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The dot is 6 MOA which in dry fire seems to work better for my eyes. Add some lube and install the barrel and recoil guide rod and spring and you're in business.
82142
My new addition to the Sig Family. 229 in .40 German Frame and Sigarms Exeter NH Slide. 2 magazines, one is a zipper mag. She's seen a few miles in a Patrolman's Holster. Won it on GB. I checked with the distributor but they didn't know what agency had it before it was traded. I'll start giving her some TLC tomorrow.
84107
My new addition to the Sig Family. 229 in .40 German Frame and Sigarms Exeter NH Slide. 2 magazines, one is a zipper mag. She's seen a few miles in a Patrolman's Holster. Won it on GB. I checked with the distributor but they didn't know what agency had it before it was traded. I'll start giving her some TLC tomorrow.
84107
After some TLC.
84142
I replaced the factory Nite Sites with Ameriglo Tritium Front with Orange Ring and plain Black Rear. Installed the E2 grip system and stripped it down for a cleaning, inspection and lube. No real wear from firing, just typical wear and tear from being in a Patrolman's holster. 8.14 lbs. Double Action and 4.3 lbs. Single Action. I may install the SRT Trigger and SRT parts at some point to make the pull and reset the same as my E2. Slides interchange without issue. Range trip tomorrow for some live fire testing.
kjr_29
03-07-2022, 10:17 PM
After some TLC.
84142
I replaced the factory Nite Sites with Ameriglo Tritium Front with Orange Ring and plain Black Rear. Installed the E2 grip system and stripped it down for a cleaning, inspection and lube. No real wear from firing, just typical wear and tear from being in a Patrolman's holster. 8.14 lbs. Double Action and 4.3 lbs. Single Action. I may install the SRT Trigger and SRT parts at some point to make the pull and reset the same as my E2. Slides interchange without issue. Range trip tomorrow for some live fire testing.
I love the patina on the second 229. I recently picked up a P239 with similar origins, between ‘98 and ‘02 manufacture, looks very similar.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My 229 Romeo 1 Pro slide arrived today. Hard to resist when the optic alone is $439 and the complete slide sights and optic are on sale for $479.
Where did you find that deal?
Where did you find that deal?
They were on sale on SIG's website at Christmas for $479, they're $649.99 there now.
They were on sale on SIG's website at Christmas for $479, they're $649.99 there now.
* sigh * I guess I'll wait until the next sale.
Thanks for the info.
rathos
03-25-2022, 12:50 PM
while not quite as good as the holiday deal, Matrix precision has the slide and optic for $549. If you get a barrel, recoil spring and guide rod it goes up to $670. I just got my slide, barrel and guide rod assembly in about 3 days from them. I needed the barrel and guide rod stuff because I was converting and old 40 S&W/357 sig that I don't shoot that often.
https://www.matrixprecisionparts.com/sigparts/p229-9mm-slide-with-romeo-1-pro-preorder
86489
* sigh * I guess I'll wait until the next sale.
Thanks for the info.
HeavyDuty
03-25-2022, 05:01 PM
This is making me want to look for a 226, 228 or 229 to go with my 220…
This is making me want to look for a 226, 228 or 229 to go with my 220…
It's futile to resist... P239 9mm, M11-A1 (228) 9mm. P229 .40 S&W.
86596
If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be the P239. It carries like a dream in a JMCK AIWB.
shootist26
03-27-2022, 07:32 PM
It's futile to resist... P239 9mm, M11-A1 (228) 9mm. P229 .40 S&W.
86596
If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be the P239. It carries like a dream in a JMCK AIWB.I couldn't find any JM holster for the 239 on their website. Did they stop making them for it? I agree that the 239 carries very well and I'd love to get a JM for it
I couldn't find any JM holster for the 239 on their website. Did they stop making them for it? I agree that the 239 carries very well and I'd love to get a JM for it
I use my 228/229 AIWB and tighten the retention screw a bit. I do need to check with Tony to see if they can still make one specific to the P239.
kjr_29
03-31-2022, 07:33 AM
I use my 228/229 AIWB and tighten the retention screw a bit. I do need to check with Tony to see if they can still make one specific to the P239.
Interested to hear what he says. I love my P239 in .40.
JMCK and classic Sigs go together well.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220331/c98845acf1bf08656d43e76c737654ff.jpg
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
FreedomFries
06-14-2022, 12:17 AM
90155
Hadn't owned P229s for about a decade. Previously all .40. I found I like them a lot better in 9mm. The Legion controls work fine but suck with the Legion grips which block access to the slide catch. Much better with the stock polymer grips which unfortunately needed some texture. The factory mounted optic shot loose within 3 magazines and would not hold zero. I don't recommend trusting the factory optic mounting job.
rathos
06-16-2022, 11:08 PM
weird. I put about 350 through mine, roughly 300 115, 124 and 147 grain (just tried every weight until I got to 300 rounds) 25 rounds of 124 +p gold dot and 25 rounds of 147 grain gold dot G2. Optic is still tight. Maybe they forgot the loctite on yours.
90155
Hadn't owned P229s for about a decade. Previously all .40. I found I like them a lot better in 9mm. The Legion controls work fine but suck with the Legion grips which block access to the slide catch. Much better with the stock polymer grips which unfortunately needed some texture. The factory mounted optic shot loose within 3 magazines and would not hold zero. I don't recommend trusting the factory optic mounting job.
FreedomFries
06-21-2022, 11:57 AM
I think they did not use sufficient torque. Even 10 in-lbs I assume would have held up to the 30-40 rounds it took to loosen it. I'm pretty sure I recall seeing Nylok or some other type of thread locker on the screws when I removed them. I just degreased the screws and holes, applied blue Loctite stick and retorqued. They seem be holding fine now, but I don't have that many rounds through them yet.
Back to the topic of grips... does anyone here think Sig would be willing to make an E3 grip if enough people asked for it? For normal sized hands with a coarse texture that is compatible with both standard and P224 style levers? I'm honestly surprised they haven't already made different sizes of the E2 style grips. I stippled the standard plastic screw on grip panels like someone else suggested in order to get normal sized grips, but the fact that the grip screws only engage about 2 turns deep is a bit concerning.
rathos
06-24-2022, 08:08 PM
The red dot slides with the optic are on sale again at sig
https://www.sigsauer.com/rx-slide-assembly-p229-romeo1pro.html?utm_campaign=Sale_Top-Rated&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
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