I’m looking at a nice Sig 229 Elite in 9mm

It is in really nice shape but has no box

The serial number starts with AM

It has a Megar magazine in black color. I think the correct magazine would be silver, right?

What is everyone’s thoughts on this pistol. What is a fair price? Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: usmc-nav,

Just make sure it's SSE (stainless steel elite) and not ASE (alloy frame stainless slide elite). They both look almost alike.

Can you tell by serial number? If not, with no box how ?

Visually, although they tried to make it look stainless, the ASE frame looks a touch darker than the stainless slide because it's aluminum alloy. The all stainless gun looks more uniform throughout, because it's all steel.

Physically,
SSE weight = 40+ oz (w/ empty mag)
ASE weight = less than 32 oz (typical of alloy frame SIG)

Holding them, you'd know instantly.

Or, magnetically, stick a magnet to the the front strap (w/o the mag in the gun). It will stick, if the frame is steel, but it will fall off, if alloy frame.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Q

Ah, the old Legacy slide. Even better. Does look like SSE (not ASE). Have you weighed it, yet?

Great gun if it is the SSE. I have the P226 version and will eventually add a P229 SSE.

If you care about magazine color, go visit our friend Greg Cote (online). https://gregcotellc.com/cart/s...mgp22815n-p-620.html

My personal experience with the mags shipped with E29R-9-SSE date 2007 is this:

AM812xx Shipped with two 13 round mags "black" in color, blued finish.
AM813xx Shipped with two 13 round mags "black" in color, blued finish.

The left side has "SIG SAUER" over "9 mm"
The right side has three witness holes, bottom hole "13", and "MEC-GAR MADE IN ITALY"

As Q eluded to, the short extractor legacy seems to be more sought after compared to the later P229-1 with wide magwell.

Another observation I just made:
OP, your picture shows the "short reach trigger". Both specimens I have came with SRT (short reset trigger) but not the "short reach trigger" as shown in your pic.

Knowing that the fair price is dependent on how badly someone wants the SSE, P229 SSE models, excellent to LNIB with the matching box have been bringing $1500 or more on the GB auction site.