First a short background. I hardly ever post and have been on the forum for a few years. I am ex military as a former crew chief on a Huey medivac helo.
It has been many years since I have fired a handgun and I am looking to start shooting again. I am kinda short at 5'3" and my hand size is between small and medium size. I have held but not fired a 229 and find my index finger is at a 45 degree angle and the first pad is not flat on the trigger. So my thinking has changed to maybe a P320 XCompact as it is between a 229 and a P365 which I really didn't care for when I looked at it. My local LGS has an XCompact coming in next week and I thought I would ask the experts here what their thoughts are. Thanks a million in advance!

I find the P320 to be very forgiving and flexible, as to grips. The gun comes with a medium, plus they sell small and large grip standard P320 grip modules for ~$40.

The X-compact grip has much flatter slides than the original/standard P320 grip. I would buy the X-compact because overall it is a more advanced design and is easier to clean.

If Sig does not yet make size small grips for the X-compact, they eventually will. You can buy the small grip modules and flatten them on a belt sander, and stipple the sides. I did this with the size large grips, it worked out well. Also you could flatten the sides of the X-compact to reduce the size slightly.

Steve that is great feedback and I very much appreciate it. This is a big decision for me as it has been many years since I have shot a handgun and I have spent many hours a week on this forum and I believe there are none better. I believe I will have a better understanding of my challenge next week when the 320 comes in.

I'm guessing the pandemic circus makes getting to a range with rental guns a challenge, but that might be a good first step. I'm generally going to point most new shooters to a striker fired gun (320, Glock, M&P, 509, etc.) for simplicity's sake. I enjoy the classic Sigs like the 229, but the action system options and manual of arms are slightly less user friendly.

The X Compact is an excellent 320 variant. Like the member above, I prefer the X grip. The gun also comes ready for optics if that becomes of interest.

I've got a 229 and an XCompactish (SC slide on an Xcompact frame and Pro Fire Control group).
Given your comments I'd go with the 320 X compact it's lighter and you can change grips until you find the one you like. If you can't get a small X-compact grip (if you need it, you may not) you can get a small standard frame for low cost. The 229 is a great pistol, but my 9mm 229 doesn't do anything the 320 can't do. YMMV. I recommend finding a friend who has one and shooting theirs first if possible.

I like the small SC frame, but I find the medium X-compact is fine. I put a pair of hogue extremes on my 229 to improve the grips.

I just went through this same decision process. I've had a 320 before not long after their first release and really liked everything about it. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the trigger felt a little slappy when firing. The new model seems much improved in that respect but still may eventually change it out. I knew that was a problem I could solve with aftermarket support now though.

Anyway, I like the 229 fine as it has a lot to offer. But to me, I appreciate the consistent trigger of a striker gun despite having a lot of experience with striker and SA/DA handguns. But the biggest reason I came back to the 320 was the versatility of grip frames to fit me personally. I already knew I shot it very well from my earlier experience with it.

I think the 320 has a lot to offer as well. I decided to go with the 320 instead of the 229.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Boxer9,

Gentlemen thank you so much for your advice and opinions. I am really excited to get back in to shooting and I have a better direction to go on now. I have always spent the extra money to buy higher quality things in life as they have lasted longer, performed better and brought more satisfaction. I will continue to do that as I go froward with my shooting.

I have a P229 DA/SA .40 I bought in 1996 and have over 47,000 rounds through it. I really love that gun. I also have a P320 9mm Compact I bought in 2015. All of my shooting is defensive with draw/fire shooting. I shoot them equally well.

Bottom line is I absolutely LOVE the P229 and I LIKE the P320. However, my recommendation to you would be the P320. Following reasons:

1) Unless you are already familiar with the DA/SA there is a learning curve. It's not that it's difficult, but there is a specific technique needed. Not many instructors nowadays are familiar with proper DA/SA technique.

2) The P320 is what I call a "natural shooter". Has no bad habits and is very tolerant of bad inputs. In other words, a very easy gun to shoot. Dedicated weekly shooters can eventually shoot anything well. However, many shooters have time allocation and ammo cost considerations.

3) P320 is Glock-like in that you can buy all kinds of mods/upgrades. Not so the P229.

4) The P229 is a FAT pistol. I overcame that grip fit issue and adapted because I shot the gun so much. Mine is now fitted with G10 grips and a GrayGuns Intermediate length trigger. Fits much better than stock, but still not perfect. With the P320 you can get a Small, Medium or Large grip module. Also modules from non-OEM sources. Being polymer, it can also be modified easily.

This is great input from those who've commented. I think that they are giving you great advice.

Here is my .02...
I love the P229...BUT, I am would recommend the P320 X-Compact. In fact, I am moving towards the P320 because of it's ease of use and the ease of customization if that is desired. The P320 is a great gun to use to get back to shooting.

This is one of the great things about this forum.There is so much great advice and most people on the forum have a genuine desire to help. I appreciate this very much! I spend a hour or two each day and now finally getting back to enjoying one of the things I did in my youth.

Just to add some additional information. I have a P229R-9mm, which I carry while off duty. My department issued handgun is a P226R-9mm. I've logged 16 years of training on the platform and it makes the most sense for ME to carry the P229R.

However, I own several other handguns and recently purchased a P320 Compact (9mm, came with a Medium size grip module). I purchased a Medium X-Compact grip module and immediately noticed that it appears to be slightly smaller than the Medium regular grip module. You'll certainly have a large variety of grip sizes/options to try should you go with the P320.

It happens to be an excellent time to pick up a factory certified (red box) used P229. With police depts dumping the 40 / 357 229 to go to 9mm, I have seen the CPO 229s going for 400 - 450 bucks.
Vendors for these have been CDNN and Osage County Guns.
I dont know what your budget may be, but its possible now to buy a 320 X Compact and a CPO 229 for damn near what a new 229 goes for.

While I am not rich, I can spend what I want and had a thought about a P229 Legion which it seems I could buy both with a CPO 229 for the same money as a Legion. The shop I was at had a nearly new 229 and they wanted 900.00 for it. It was perfect but that is new money for a used gun.

Did the 229 you handled have the "standard" regular-width trigger or the short/thin trigger? For smaller hands the thin trigger may make a big difference, if you are inclined to go with the 229.

I have larger hands and prefer the standard-width trigger on the classic P-series Sigs. The thin or short ones don't work at all for me.

If you can, it may be worth checking out- if you haven't seen one yet in this configuration.

And then there is the E2 grip option. Again, it doesn't work for me but it may for you.

The 229 did not have the short trigger. I know that is something that can be done and smaller grips as well. So, maybe a CPO 229 and a new 320 XCompact might be the ticket.

Police trade-in .40 P229's and P226's can be had all day long right now, in the 400 dollar range. CPO P320 compacts, about 450.

Add choice of grip modules, and sights, and you're up to the price of a new pistol, but with extra stuff.

The P320 is a pretty good choice for a carry pistol. The P229 is an outstanding handgun. The P320 is probably simpler to learn, no safety, great trigger, and is getting more and more options as time goes on.

quote:

Originally posted by NaploleonSolo:
The 229 did not have the short trigger. I know that is something that can be done and smaller grips as well. So, maybe a CPO 229 and a new 320 XCompact might be the ticket.

THIS sounds like a plan!! Best of both worlds.

I recently bought a DA/SA 229 from CDNN. It was worth every penny and looked great for a EX/LN gun at 400 ish. The 229 is a great gun. I have put thousands of rounds through another one, but the trade off is actually carrying it. The gun is heavy, so if you are going to wear it all day/every day just know that going in. I have an Xcarry 320 too, but haven't played with the xcompact. If you can afford it, buy both, those PD trade 229s won't last forever on the market with the likes of this forum buying them up at every turn.

I have decided to buy both. I have never bought a gun online and will need some guidance on that.

I should have mentioned mine was not the CPO, it was just used. Buying online is easy. Hardest part is figuring out where to send your gun. Personally I use small FFLs as opposed to larger retail stores, but that's just my preference. If you are buying from CDNN they have pretty specific instructions to make it easy. Luckily for me my normal FFL was a preferred dealer or whatever CDNN calls it. If you pick one of those dealers you don't even need them to send their FFL since its already on file at CDNN. Double check with a friend in the local area to make sure no one has horror stories from the FFL you want to use.