iirc the M11 were Military P228

is the M11A1 a P228 or P229?

It's a P229.
Great pistol with stupid marketing.

It is a 9mm P229 using the larger frame from the earlier 229/40S&W(hence the 15 rd magazine vs 13 rd mag of the original 228- assuming original factory magazines), and does not have the accessory rail. Really love mine.

quote:

stupid marketing

It's indeed a sterling example of bogus SIG NH marketing. 'Fake news' at its most disingenuous. A rail-free P229-1 in every way except name, but at least it's proven to be a pretty darn good handgun.

At least the newer ones have 229 grips on them.
Looks like black is all you can get now.
FDE along with blue and green anodized frames used to be offered.

I was kinda looking for a 228 when I got mine.
I popped into the LGS where I had picked up a P220 and P225 Police trade in to see if they had any 228's left.
None of those but they did have a FDE M11-A1 for a decent price so I picked it up.
I sorta scratched the 228 itch by getting a German 228 slide assy to go with it.
But I don't care for the 2 tone look and the M11-A1 slide has Trijicon HD XR sights that I like much better than the regular Siglights so it's just stored away with the rest of the 229 slides that I have.

I had a M11-A1, definitely a 229. Good gun, but I didn't keep it. I guess I just preferred the actual 228s and older 229s I was used to.

M11-A1 has rust proofing of internal parts and a ridiculously over powered hammer spring.

The two things that would make the m11a1 a perfect gun would be checkering on the front strap and the little extra trigger guard removal where the middle finger rests. Like the legion and the 225a1 has.

I have an original P228, a M11A1, and a P229-.357/.40. So, I find myself needing to inventory 3 different magazines.

(I know the 228 mags can fit in my M11A1 and just rattle around a bit, but that doesn't jive with my OCD).

I have been M 11-A1 and and love the pistol but I consider it to be a rail less 229. Either an M 11-A1 or a P229 are great purchases.