Is the P229 viable as a carry gun in 2024?

[EVP]

Of course it is a viable carry gun. I prefer 226s


Only you will be able to judge if it will work for you weight and size wise. Are there smaller lighter options, yea but that will always be the case. Like KevH said, don’t go down the rabbit hole.

Carry what works for you and don’t worry about seeking validation from the internet.

More importantly is the time you put into training with it.

[breakingtime91]

The trend is slimmer, easier to shoot triggers, and red dots.


I think people should shoot what they want. I tried a Sig macro with red dot vs my p2000. The p2000 was much more enjoyable for me and I feel safer with it. Does it make any sense on paper? None. It holds less ammo, has iron sights, and is bigger than the Macro width wise.


But I still chose it. Now, my wife who has smaller hands, absolutely loves the Macro, it's a great gun.

[Borderland]

Sure it's not the most modern gun out there....but this discussion will be had about the glock 43, when Sig releases the next p365ventiXLmacchiato, Smith and Wesson releases the Shield Viagra in .28 hyper carry, and the Glock 65 hits the shelves...

If it works, is reliable, and you can shoot it well...it's a semi automatic pistol. It's more than fine.

Any word on when they will release the Shield Viagra?

[echo5charlie]

Obviously, the gun is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate.

But does it make good sense as a carry gun in 2024? Is it too heavy? Is the capacity to size ratio wildly inefficient?

I’ve been eyeing one for a bit, but I’m curious what people think.

Thanks!

Any gun that is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate makes sense as a carry gun in 2024. It is the user that determines, individually, how viable it actually is.

As a Glock guy, if I were to find myself forced to use a P229 for EDC exclusively, the only issue I would hate would be the cost of ammo to break my Glock familiarity. Oh, and training to throw my thumb way to the left to not ride the slide stop - IYKYK.

[TOTS]

Obviously, the gun is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate.

But does it make good sense as a carry gun in 2024? Is it too heavy? Is the capacity to size ratio wildly inefficient?

I’ve been eyeing one for a bit, but I’m curious what people think.

Thanks!

No, it doesn’t make sense in 2024 unless there’s context that tips the scales. It’s too heavy and the ratio is wildly inefficient (in 24)

That said - the gun is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate. Like you stated. If you have enough time behind one to know you like it, nobody can fault you for carrying it. I carried mine for a decade and kept coming back to it after trying to leave it for choices that looked better on paper (G19 and MP 2.0). The Macro is the only gun that has permanently taken its place. I compare these three as the barrels are all within .25 inches of each other.

Since you asked for thoughts…Although the weight is heavier on paper- it’s not apparent in hand when compared to the 19 or 2.0. And this leads to a beautiful recoil impulse. Night and day difference in felt weight btw the Macro. It’s thicc. That’s why Macro; could care less about “17 rounds”. The trigger gets smooth and nice in DA but amazing in SA. But the Langdon TJIB makes me super jealous of what’s possible with a B92. I have the OG size and 13 rnd mags and had never felt under-ammo’d. But with the 229 and a spare mag behind my belt, I felt like I was wearing batmans belt. I can carry my Macro with any/no belt.

I love my 229. But won’t carry it now that I have a Macro. But if I had to (in the winter) I would still be happy.

[HCM]

Obviously, the gun is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate.

But does it make good sense as a carry gun in 2024? Is it too heavy? Is the capacity to size ratio wildly inefficient?

I’ve been eyeing one for a bit, but I’m curious what people think.

Thanks!

I don’t think anyone asked you yet, but are you asking about carrying a P229 in 9 mm or in another caliber such as 40 or 357 SIG ?

In 9 mm I would probably say it is viable but not optimal given the other 9 mm carry gun choices in 2024.

If for some reason you want to carry 40 or 357, then the 229 is both viable and optimal.

The only other guns in the same size that are durable and reliable in those caliber would be the HK USPC / P2000 and the Gen 5 Glock 23/27. But in my experience, these guns are more challenging to shoot well than a 229 in these calibers.

[BCG]

It worked for Jack Wilson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5NzuGSkL2E

NO POLITICS Initial Analysis of Murders in White Settlement TX Church

Active Self Protection - December 29, 2019

PF thread about that incident : Thread: Multiple people shot at White Settlement, Texas church

[HCM]

It worked for Jack Wilson.



PF thread about that incident : Thread: Multiple people shot at White Settlement, Texas church

229s have worked for a lot of people if they put the work in. That particular 229 was in .357 Sig.

With appropriate preventative maintenance a 229 in 40/357 will go 75-100k rounds.

Jack Wilson is a hell of a guy, but there is, through no fault of his own a false narrative associated with this incident. That being that Jack Wilson is a “regular dude” who just happened to be volunteering in church security.

Although he had a little bit of time as a reserve, law-enforcement officer, Jack Wilson was a dedicated shooter for decades prior to the incident. It’s my understanding that he shot various forms of competition for decades and after retiring from his job with a large defense contractor, he owned and operated a gun store with indoor range for many years.

My point being that he was not Joe six pack who shoots once or twice a year, decades of work when into him making that shot.

The same with our other Texas defender Stephen Williford. He was an avid hunter and competition shooter who coached youth competition shooting leagues for decades. Again a shooter in the PF sense of the word rather than your typical gun owner /CCW.

[Stephanie B]

Obviously, the gun is effective, reliable, durable, and accurate.

But does it make good sense as a carry gun in 2024?

I'll let you know in a few weeks, give or take. (One is on the way to my LGS, mags should be here Wednesday, and, after I shoot it some, I'll get a holster.)

[TheNewbie]

229s have worked for a lot of people if they put the work in. That particular 229 was in .357 Sig.

With appropriate preventative maintenance a 229 in 40/357 will go 75-100k rounds.

Jack Wilson is a hell of a guy, but there is, through no fault of his own a false narrative associated with this incident. That being that Jack Wilson is a “regular dude” who just happened to be volunteering in church security.

Although he had a little bit of time as a reserve, law-enforcement officer, Jack Wilson was a dedicated shooter for decades prior to the incident. It’s my understanding that he shot various forms of competition for decades and after retiring from his job with a large defense contractor, he owned and operated a gun store with indoor range for many years.

My point being that he was not Joe six pack who shoots once or twice a year, decades of work when into him making that shot.

The same with our other Texas defender Stephen Williford. He was an avid hunter and competition shooter who coached youth competition shooting leagues for decades. Again a shooter in the PF sense of the word rather than your typical gun owner /CCW.

How did the P229 in your agency hold up?

I know you don’t like the DAK, but I do. Though my experience with it was mostly in the P226 platform. There are good condition DAK P229s out there.