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P226/P229 vs. P320 Login/Join 
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Just want to ask opinions, about the P320 vs. the older p226, and p229. Those who have shot them. What is your preferred carry? Thanks.
 
Posts: 188 | Registered: August 27, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Freethinker
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I carried a P229 for 20+ years, but a couple of months ago switched to carrying a P320 “Carry” model (both in 357 SIG). I had a better holster for the P229, and the same model isn’t available for the P320. In addition I felt that the P229 with its exposed double action hammer was safer for routine handling and concealed carry. I don’t believe “the P320 goes off by itself” claims, but there can be no doubt that the Classic line SIGs are more forgiving of careless handling mistakes.

I had owned a P320 for several years before making the switch but I resisted the change because of the reasons mentioned. Ultimately, however, I realized that as my hand strength declined with age and because I was shooting the P320 far more and therefore better than any of the Classics for that reason, it was only reasonable to start relying on the P320 for carry. I haven’t forgotten the fact that the P320 is less forgiving of handling errors, so in a way that’s good because it keeps me more focused on safety.

As somewhat of an aside, I always carried a P229 with a DAK trigger and therefore when I switched to the P320 there was no adjustment in going from the DA/SA thing to a consistent trigger action.




6.4/93.6
___________
“We are Americans …. Together we have resisted the trap of appeasement, cynicism, and isolation that gives temptation to tyrants.”
— George H. W. Bush
 
Posts: 47817 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Perpetual Student
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I've gone from P226 to a P320 to now a P320 AXG. I absolutely love how that module handles. Very shootable. My migration was inspired by my use of the P320 series in competion. I still like the P226, but the advantages of the P320 become obvious when I go back to the classic design.
 
Posts: 2463 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: May 14, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of Jerod
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carried 228,229,226 and 220 over the years. Still have them all. Carry a 320 carry now most often. Love them all but the 320 for me is the best choice. My IDPA scores have improved as well.


Sig 551
W. German P228
W. German P226
Spec. Conf.P220
Navy MK 25
Non rail P229
 
Posts: 168 | Registered: March 28, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Prepared for the Worst, Providing the Best
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I've kinda come full-circle. My old duty gun was a P229 in .40. It's bulky, heavy, and kind of like a boat anchor on the belt. About 5 years ago we switched to the P320 at work and I started carrying that. It is light and has a good trigger, but like Sigfreund said, it's not very forgiving of any kind of mishandling. I carry everywhere, including around the house, and I came to the realization that if something somehow tweaked the holster, or found its way inside the trigger guard when I flopped down on the couch or was out working in the yard, it wouldn't take much for that 320 to go bang.

I am in full agreement that the 320s aren't just going off on their own...but that trigger is stupid light and while I have confidence in my hard-sided duty holster to keep it from getting bumped, I'm less confident in my off-duty carry gear, especially considering many of the day-to-day activities I engage in off duty (yard work, crawling under cars, working on the house, etc.).

About 2 years ago I picked up a P245. It's got all the safety benefits of the old P229, with a long (but smooth) DA pull, and an exposed hammer that's not pre-cocked like the striker on the P320. It's also slimmer and lighter than the 229, and quite a bit more comfortable to carry. Add into the mix that I've started carrying and shooting a number of DA revolvers in recent years in certain evironments, and the trigger on the classic Sigs matches up with those very nicely. No manual safety, but a long, deliberate pull to make it go off.

These days, the 320 is my carry gun for work, where it rides on a duty belt in a triple retention safariland duty holster. Off duty, it's my P245 IWB, a J-Frame in the pocket, or a bigger revolver OWB depending upon what I'm doing.
 
Posts: 9429 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I like the P220/226/229/239 enough to own multiples of each, in .45, .40, .357 Sig, and 9mm. I also have a number of P320's from subcompact to full size in 9mm .40 and .357 Sig.

I like each. The P220 has some sentimental appeal. The P226 is an outstanding design, as is the P229. I have them in double action and double action only, standard and legion models. I carried the P239 personally, for several years.

The P320 is a great design not tolerant of careless handling. It's light, ergonomic, has a lot of support, options, and choices, and given it's presently in the hands of law enforcement and military, should be around and supported for some time to come.

My home defense pistol is a Glock. I'd consider any of the Sigs to be an acceptable choice for personal carry or home defense, and I pocket carry a P365.

You won't be underserved regardless of which you choose.
 
Posts: 6650 | Registered: September 13, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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P229 was my duty gun for years. My current carry is a P320 Compact .45ACP. It is a manual safety model which makes everyday handling much safer. I carried a cocked and locked 1911 for years so releasing the safety on the draw is second nature.


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
 
Posts: 16466 | Location: Marquette MI | Registered: July 08, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by 92fstech:
I've kinda come full-circle. My old duty gun was a P229 in .40. It's bulky, heavy, and kind of like a boat anchor on the belt. About 5 years ago we switched to the P320 at work and I started carrying that. It is light and has a good trigger, but like Sigfreund said, it's not very forgiving of any kind of mishandling. I carry everywhere, including around the house, and I came to the realization that if something somehow tweaked the holster, or found its way inside the trigger guard when I flopped down on the couch or was out working in the yard, it wouldn't take much for that 320 to go bang.

I am in full agreement that the 320s aren't just going off on their own...but that trigger is stupid light and while I have confidence in my hard-sided duty holster to keep it from getting bumped, I'm less confident in my off-duty carry gear, especially considering many of the day-to-day activities I engage in off duty (yard work, crawling under cars, working on the house, etc.).

About 2 years ago I picked up a P245. It's got all the safety benefits of the old P229, with a long (but smooth) DA pull, and an exposed hammer that's not pre-cocked like the striker on the P320. It's also slimmer and lighter than the 229, and quite a bit more comfortable to carry. Add into the mix that I've started carrying and shooting a number of DA revolvers in recent years in certain evironments, and the trigger on the classic Sigs matches up with those very nicely. No manual safety, but a long, deliberate pull to make it go off.

These days, the 320 is my carry gun for work, where it rides on a duty belt in a triple retention safariland duty holster. Off duty, it's my P245 IWB, a J-Frame in the pocket, or a bigger revolver OWB depending upon what I'm doing.

Sig sp2022, would then be the best of all world's for you.
 
Posts: 638 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 18, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I have a number of hammer-fired Sigs, my favorite is a P229 40SW. I purchased a P320 Carry a few years ago and shot the heck out of it. Liked it, but didn't love it. Kept pulling the P229 out of the safe and CCWing it. I just didn't like the 'feel' of the striker fired firearm (which is odd since my BUG is a P365 - which I love), just my opinion. Traded the P320 Carry for a BNIB P226 SAO Elite. Another way to look at it is, the P320 are (excluding the C-19 BS) are relatively easy to find and try - the hammer-fired, not so much. Obviously, if you can, try both platforms and make a decision based on your needs. I suppose I'll pick up another P320 someday, but for now it's the 220/226/229 platform.
 
Posts: 100 | Location: NC | Registered: March 21, 2020Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Prepared for the Worst, Providing the Best
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quote:
Sig sp2022, would then be the best of all world's for you.


Honestly, the P245 is the best of all worlds. It's absolutely perfect...not too big, not too small...a "goldilocks" fit. I love that gun. I also have a P225 that is a close second. I've shot the SP2022...it's larger and girthier than the single-stacks...makes it harder to carry concealed on a day-to-day basis.
 
Posts: 9429 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Wish I could give you some good advice since I’ve shot all three. I prefer the 229 over the 226 and the 320 X-Compact over the 229. But my primary carry these days is the 365X. If weight is a concern, then try the 320. If safety is a concern then the 229 probably, although I personally thought the 229 to be too heavy for extended carry. IMO. THE 365 is small, light weight and holds 12 rounds plus it shoots great. Good luck.
 
Posts: 658 | Location: Houston, Texas | Registered: February 25, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I own a 220 (.45),226,228,229, 239, 320FS, 320 SC,Xcompact/XCarry (Same FCS, different slides and grips) and a P365 (all in 9mm). I've carried the 239,228, 229, 320SC, Xcompact and 365. I found the 239, 228 and 229 preferable to the 220 and 226 for carry. the lighter weight and smaller size was easy to carry OWB under a cover garment (golf shirt, button down shirt, fleece). I prefer the 365 and 320 Xcompact over the 229 due to weight. My 229 has been relegated to my "home on leave bedside pistol", I have total confidence in it, just no longer prefer it.


As other have mentioned, The P320 is safe, but due to it's trigger design, you have to take more care to keep things out of the the trigger guard and have good trigger discipline.
 
Posts: 4791 | Location: Where ever Uncle Sam Sends Me | Registered: March 05, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I much prefer the p226/229 to the p320. In fact, I prefer a glock 17/19 to the p320 also. The only striker fired sig I like is the P365.

That is all personal preference. The p320 is a fine pistol, just not one that I would choose to carry.
 
Posts: 553 | Location: Ohio | Registered: April 13, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by Cous2492:
I much prefer the p226/229 to the p320. In fact, I prefer a glock 17/19 to the p320 also. The only striker fired sig I like is the P365.

That is all personal preference. The p320 is a fine pistol, just not one that I would choose to carry.

My man, I am w/ you! [High five] Big Grin
 
Posts: 3316 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 17, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Diablo Blanco
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I’ve been shooting two different P320s and a P226 MK25 more than any other guns I own. I love the P320s and will most likely start carrying one and using one for HD. The MK25 however has been a real surprise. I am shooting as good as anything I own since I dropped in a GGI SRT kit and some springs. I would have zero problem choosing the P226 as my only gun.


_________________________
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last” - Winston Churchil
 
Posts: 3044 | Location: Middle-TN | Registered: November 05, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Honestly, the only polymer framed handgun I really have any true desire to own is a Glock. I have a G19 and a G48, both of which I carry and shoot regularly. For whatever reason, I haven’t found another polymer/striker-fired handgun I’ve bothered to keep or find myself really wanting. I’ve tried XDs/XDMs, HKs, S&Ws, FNs, and the P365. I mean, I’d own a few if money grew on trees, but since it doesn’t, I’m more discerning in how I spend my money.

Hammer-fired guns is a different story. I own and enjoy 1911s, Sigs, Berettas, and I intend to add a few CZs in the next little while as well. I dunno, I’m just old-fashioned like that I guess.

So for me, I’d go P226/229.
 
Posts: 50 | Location: Northern Indiana | Registered: September 30, 2021Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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While I still own a P229 (1990’s model) I’m not in love with it. With those three I think the P320 is the best option. I’ve owned three…. I love the concept and look if that pistol - I just can’t shoot it worth a you-know-what. I’m too engrained into Glocks snd their grip angle after 30 years.



 
Posts: 1977 | Location: Southern CA | Registered: July 27, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I've had both the P229 and P226, in all calibers over the years but now prefer the striker fired Sigs. After shooting mostly striker fired guns for the past couple years exclusively, shooting a da/sa gun of any sort now is not as easy and converting from da/sa has been harder and I find I am not very accurate with the first shot,which is the one that counts most. My last metal P series Sig was a MK25 and I sold it to get a M18/P320. The grips on the striker fired guns also feel better to me,especially the "X" series grips for the 320.
 
Posts: 7161 | Location: Treasure Coast,Fl. | Registered: July 04, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I carried a .40 P229 for a long time. When I did 3-gun, I decided to move to 9mm for capacity. Eventually ended up with the P320 Carry. It’s lighter than the P229, 5 more capacity (.40 to 9 and carry length grip), plus in faster to the first shot (splits the same).

A line up of sizes:

L to R
226, 2022, 320CA, 228, 229, 230



Dress appropriately and concealing any of them is no issue.


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Charter member of the vast, right-wing conspiracy
 
Posts: 1870 | Registered: June 25, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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To answer your question... I prefer DA/SA for carry but am leaning more and more toward striker fired for the little bit of competition and training I do. And specifically Sig's striker fired... at least from he factory it is a much better trigger than the Glocks I own (but have shot very little) To be up front I only own and shoot a Sig P320 compact with the Romeo sights ..... I did put a Grey Guns flat trigger on it to help with finger placement....

but like I said, for cary my personal choice is still DA/SA. So, I'd lean toward the P229... but then I'd really suggest you look into finding a P239. All this talk of extra rounds I think is over done with carry.... the reality is an extra magazine in case of a malfunction is probably more likely than needing 5 or 8 extra shots super fast. Unless you are going after some Russian Crime czar's son who killed your dog and has 75 heavily armed body guards....


My Native American Name:
"Runs with Scissors"
 
Posts: 4441 | Location: Greenville, SC | Registered: January 30, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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