I’m confused about the “standard” capacity of P228 magazines. I always thought they were 13 rounds, but in browsing various sources online, I see some listed as 15-round capacity also, then of course the 17-round “extended capacity” MecGar mags like the one that came with my pistol!

So, what IS considered STANDARD for a P228? 13 or 15?

Thanks!

13rds on a 228. Mecgar makes a 15 rd mag that flush fits. It has a different follower. The 17 rd mags are longer. You could use 226 9mm mags, although they will also stick out.

New 229 9mm’s use a 229-1 mag which holds 15 rds. The 229-1 mags won’t fit a 228, it has a wider mag body.

Yep, the original P228 and P229 utilize the same 13 round factory magazines. The later 229-1 guns utilize the same, internally wider, mag well as the .357 SIG and .40 cal. P229s, thus able to utilize 9MM 15 round factory magazines. Then when you factor in the aftermarket, increased capacity MecGars, it further adds to the confusion....

P228s were shipped with 13-rd mags as standard, discounting the commie states, with one exception, and that is the stainless frame P228s of July 2012 and March 2013. They were shipped with the 15-rounders (non 229-1, although their frame were designed for the 229-1 mag).

Cool. Thanks!

Q, so did the stainless frame P228s have the original 13-rd. type mag well, but a special non 229-1 magazine or Mecgar 15 rd. or ?

quote:

Originally posted by rock185:
Q, so did the stainless frame P228s have the original 13-rd. type mag well, but a special non 229-1 magazine or Mecgar 15 rd. or ?

Just added some more info in my post above.
The 15-rounders are indeed Mec-Gar made, with the SIG SAUER rollmark.

Ok, Thanks Q.

How do you tell if you have a 229-1? I purchased a 9mm 229R around 2010 and I'm wondering if it's a 229-1.

^^^^ 2010 is when SIG standardized the P229 (9) frame with the .40/.357. Yours should take the 229-1 mag.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
^^^^ 2010 is when SIG standardized the P229 (9) frame with the .40/.357. Yours should take the 229-1 mag.

Thank You. would it be marked on the box?

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
^^^^ 2010 is when SIG standardized the P229 (9) frame with the .40/.357. Yours should take the 229-1 mag.

Thank You. would it be marked on the box?

No. But, your mags should be the "229-1" marked.

Won't the barrel also be marked "P229-1"?

Also, I thought I remembered SIG started transitioning to the P229-1 frame for the 9mm P229 in late 2010 so there was a period when both frames were available. However, I believe the early P229-1s came standard with E2 grips which is why the frame and mags are sometimes referred to as "E2" and causes confusion with the discontinued E2 (E-squared) model.

quote:

...and causes confusion with the discontinued E2 (E-squared) model.

Ah confusion, I know it well. Happens to me all of the time. I seem to remember that the name stood for 'Enhanced Squared', but I could easily be mistaken about that. It's that confusion thing again.

After all of these years, I still haven't figured out what technical differences if any there were between the original E² and the subsequent P229-1 that has been in production now since the E² was discontinued. Seemed to me that the E² was the initial proof of concept surrounding the magwell change and SIG just decided that "E²" name was too confusing and/or burdensome from a identity/marketing standpoint, and that simply calling the changes "P229-1" just apparently made more sense. Though in the intervening years it's been shown that this still confuses. Tacking on a letter 'B' to the revamped P229 model name might've worked better as a clearer declaration of difference, but no one ever asked me. Oh well...

As for the 13 vs 15 thing: what the others have said. I have a few of the pre-dash 15 rounders; SIG sold these Mec-Gar sourced, SIG-rollmarked mags separately for a while, and Mec-Gar continues to market them under their own banner. They work perfectly fine in the P228 and pre-dash P229s.

Didn’t realize my simple question would bring about such a firestorm of knowledge, but then, this IS Sig Forum, and I’m learning a lot, so I’m glad I asked!!! LOL

E² = Enhanced Ergonomics = E2 grips, Short (reduced reach) Trigger, and SRT to fit the P229 to a wider range of hand sizes

I believe the only difference between the E² model and the P229-1 model was the E² model came standard with the SRT.

Also, as I recall, besides being first with the E2 grips and the P229-1 frame with the 15rd P229-1 mags, the E² was the first P229 to have the slide with the long external extractor and the full-height serrations. ... but I digress