My first foray into the world of both the 229, and .40. Display model, which is funny because I don't think Sig offers it anymore. Just sitting there looking like the dog at the pound no one adopts. Out the door for $855. Couple of very minor scuffs in the nitron. Finish slightly worn on the slide catch and decocker (expected). Zero wear on takedown lever or frame underneath. Fits like a glove, so much differently than my 220.

Box stickers say E29R-40-DSE. 11-May-2012. SN AJU113XX. Round pink sticker with printed #201210, handwritten underneath is the date 12-8-16. Perhaps not necessary, but I know y'all like details

For those of you who own one, and/or shoot .40, what brands/grain weight do you prefer, and what should I avoid? In particular any brand/weight that just does not feed whether it be ball or hollow point. I'm well aware White Box isn't in the same league as Gold Dots.

I'm going to get her to the range in the next couple of days, and plan to take several different brands/weights/types to see if there are any that this particular gun doesn't like.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Edited to add: short extractor, if that makes any difference.

The 180 grain Gold Dot is pretty much the gold standard. It has a great track record on the street.

Mine fed anything and everything, even White Box. It really liked the Browning 180grn. practice ammo. Carried the 165grn. HST's for SD ammo.

You're going to love it.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
The 180 grain Gold Dot is pretty much the gold standard. It has a great track record on the street.

I figured Speer would be on the list. Thank you, jones!

quote:

Originally posted by giz55792:
Mine fed anything and everything, even White Box. It really liked the Browning 180grn. practice ammo. Carried the 165grn. HST's for SD ammo.

You're going to love it.

Good to hear this. I haven't fired her yet. Too busy hugging her

Man, you've been on here long enough and still don't know the rule?

quote:

Originally posted by wildheartedson0105:
My first foray into the world of both the 229, and .40.

Btw, the .40 will snap your wrist off.

unlike some other calibers I have never met a round that my 229 (or for that matter 226 .40) didn't like. I've had Aquila have hard primers but it does in everything but any quality defense ammo never an issue. I personally like and use bonded stuff, either the Federal (165) or the Win Ranger (180), neither have had any issues and both are proven.
For training ammo it simply doesn't matter. I normally run Winclean or Lawman as my lead levels are always a challenge. but it won't matter.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Man, you've been on here long enough and still don't know the rule?

quote:

Originally posted by wildheartedson0105:
My first foray into the world of both the 229, and .40.

Btw, the .40 will snap your wrist off.

Easy now Gotta get some pics of acceptable quality with a cell phone, then re-learn posting from a new host.

My wrist is strong. One of my brothers, who is a member here, asked why I chose .40. My response was because I wanted to see what the hubbub was about regarding .40/.357 Sig.

I'm a bit of a .45ACP curmudgeon

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
unlike some other calibers I have never met a round that my 229 (or for that matter 226 .40) didn't like. I've had Aquila have hard primers but it does in everything but any quality defense ammo never an issue. I personally like and use bonded stuff, either the Federal (165) or the Win Ranger (180), neither have had any issues and both are proven.
For training ammo it simply doesn't matter. I normally run Winclean or Lawman as my lead levels are always a challenge. but it won't matter.

Thank you! So far, the consensus seems she will eat anything.

One additional question. I want to stock up on additional mags. Any particular flavor you prefer or avoid? The ones included are marked "made in Italy" with 5/10/12 round witness holes.

quote:

Originally posted by wildheartedson0105:
One additional question. I want to stock up on additional mags. Any particular flavor you prefer or avoid? The ones included are marked "made in Italy" with 5/10/12 round witness holes.

Stock up on those "Made In Italy" mags. They are Mec-Gar and worry-free.

Thanks, Q! Off I go to get some!

Elite Dark...beware the rear sight. It's no 700hp over-toed RWD Nissan, but it loves to drift anyways. I think SIG ceased Elite Dark production across all models when they finally ran out of those cursed rears.

The only problem ammo I had with my .40 229 DAK was Fiocchi remanufactured ammo. I bought a case to use in a class and had several light strikes in every box. They would always go off on the second strike later on. That was the only ammo I ever had that problem with.

Do yourself a favor and keep an eye on a 357 Sig barrel. Fun caliber in that frame. 165’s & 180’s progress well in that gun, enjoy!

Knock on wood, but I have never had a malfunction in my 229 .40 and I have put about 3000 rounds through her. Winchester white box, UMC, remington, PMC, reloads, anything and everything that I could get for relatively cheap. Not one malfunction that wasn't user generated. One time I pulled the trigger and she didnt go bang. Went to rack the slide and the magazine fell out. Mag wasnt fully seated.

The P229 and .40 is a match made in Heaven!

Mine have eaten any brand and weight without a hiccup. My preferred SD ammo is 165gr Gold Dots, but I'd be happy with 180gr too. I recommend against the 155gr HST and 165gr Critical Defense, as my backyard ballistics showed them fail to expand.

Crappy video here:
https://youtu.be/3UnOSut1B6I

quote:

Originally posted by soggy_spinout:
Elite Dark...beware the rear sight. It's no 700hp over-toed RWD Nissan, but it loves to drift anyways. I think SIG ceased Elite Dark production across all models when they finally ran out of those cursed rears.

Yeeeah. After reading this then doing a search, I see the rear sight, of all things, is the weak link. You have first hand experience with them. Fortunately, the windage lock screws are tight, though it's hard to tell if adequately enough using the worlds tiniest allen wrenches.

Like the drift analogy! Fitting, considering your CUT.

quote:

Originally posted by CQB60:
Do yourself a favor and keep an eye on a 357 Sig barrel. Fun caliber in that frame.

That was the plan, and I had a sinking feeling when I read "keep an eye on a .357 Sig barrel".

No one has them. Is this going to be like unicorn hunting?

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyChryst:
I recommend against the 165gr Critical Defense, as my backyard ballistics showed them fail to expand.

After watching you video, this is not comforting to read. I use Critical Defense .45ACP/185gr. Feeds fine, but the ultimate test is on the receiving end.