Since the P228 and P229 are practically the same, except for the folded and welded slide vs the machined slide, why would you choose a 228 over a 229?
The reason I ask this is because I’ve owned three P228s now, and have ended up selling each and every one. My P229s on the other hand have been “keepers” as they are practically the same, and give me the choice of three different calibers!
So I’m curious, why choose the 228 over the 229?
_____________________________ Bill R. North Alabama
Posts: 4837 | Location: Madison, AL | Registered: December 06, 2009
Originally posted by hrcjon: At this point the 229 has a parts supply chain and the 228 does not. But if you could get rid of that issue the 228 is a better gun.
This is why I voted 229.
________________ tempus edax rerum
Posts: 1251 | Location: Oregon | Registered: March 18, 2014
I have both, like both. My 228s never get shot because I want to 'save' them. One of them I have only shot once because I got it from a member on here and if I'm going to shoot one, I shoot the one I have less connection to. Plus the one I got from 12131 has the better trigger of the two, so anther reason it's the keeper of the two.
For the poll I selected 229 since it's the one I shoot more and it's a little more robust.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis
Posts: 21276 | Location: Loudoun County, Virginia | Registered: December 27, 2014
I oversaw a transition from P228s to P229s and view the P229 as essentially a product improvement. I've never bought into the mystique of the folded slide guns, even though I've been through a number of them.
One reason to choose the 228 is the balance. Some people don't feel a difference, and some do. I am one who do. The 228 has perfect balance. The 229 is slightly nose-heavy. Again some people feel it, and some do not.
The slight nose-heaviness is not necessarily a bad thing. While it makes the gun a little less "pointable", it also makes rapid fire more controlled (the gun bucks less). Your're on the target a little sooner for your second shot.
When my former agency went from .38 caliber revolvers to semiautos in 1989, I carried a P226 I was already using for a backup/off duty weapon. When the P228 came along, I changed to it because it was a better size for my hand. When we got authorized to carry the .357 Sig caliber, I sold the P228 and bought a P229. The two felt practically identical, give or take a couple of ounces.
A few years ago I bought a Bar-Sto 9mm conversion barrel for the P229 along with several 9mm magazines. As far as I'm concerned, this is the perfect DA/SA pistol. It shoots .357 Sig, .40, and 9mm---all by changing out just the barrels.
As much as I loved the P228---and my heart still flutters a little whenever I see one---my P229 is the one I would keep.This message has been edited. Last edited by: snoris,
I know the P229 is the better built handgun, with access to spare parts and CS, but I voted P228 for silly reasons:
1. Nostalgia. 2. My P228s are W. German and no longer in production. 3. My P228s have better stock triggers than my P229. 4. Trust, because I've shot P228s much more than my P229. 5. Sig irritates me with the P229 and its -1 magazine crap while my P228 takes my P226 mags with zero problems.
P229 is a fine handgun, but I just can't get past the classic P228, so I prefer it.
Posts: 1125 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: September 25, 2008
Voted P228 for a number of reasons. I lived with the P229 in .40 for a house gun. Ample fire power and the Sig lites were awsome. When it comes to carry, and I dont carry yet, I love the full size yet trim slide of the non railed P226 better than any pistol. Being as I am a runt the non railed P228 is a Corvette under wraps as a carry weapon. I ever get the funds aside I will try and buy one of Qs stainless framed P228s. I do like the early non railed P229 and M11 pistols. Just cant see me ever dealing with the width of a tac rail for a carry gun.
Posts: 17999 | Location: The Bluegrass State! | Registered: December 23, 2008
I own both a 229 and a WG 228. I picked up the 228 in the late 90s early 2000s. I liked the 228 better because of the balance that KKina mentioned. However, the 228 is now a safe queen. I picked up a 229R in 2009/2010 and the balance difference is no longer as noticeable to me and the 229 works very well and shoots accurately.
Posts: 4796 | Location: Where ever Uncle Sam Sends Me | Registered: March 05, 2007
Originally posted by kkina: One reason to choose the 228 is the balance. Some people don't feel a difference, and some do. I am one who do. The 228 has perfect balance. The 229 is slightly nose-heavy.
IMO, this is why the P228 has a slight edge over the 229. I shoot the 228 more than my 229.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 17468 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003