Firstly, should i consider new or used?

An agency trade-in or CPO is a good choice if you don’t mind .40. Usually they’re carried a lot but shot just enough to smooth out the trigger.

Agree used 40s are cheap. Picked up a
40 with Legacy slide for $450, added SRT kit, Hogue G10 grips.

The P229 is one of my favorite pistols and is my go to gun for about everything.

Whether you buy new or used is your personal choice.
All of mine are CPO's(red box) and they were like new. It seems though that within the last couple of years, Sig CPO's have went up in price.

There are a ton of companies that are selling Police trade ins at some really good prices.

I have no problems with used guns if they are in good shape.

The real dilemma with the 229 is which one to get first.
So many flavors to choose from.

what should be examined if the gun is used?

A worn finish from holsters and such.
How much finish is left if it is worn.
All that is cosmetic, if the frame rails have a significant amount of wear that is a problem.
But if it was lubed properly then that shouldn't be an issue.

My P220 had quite a bit of finish wear on it but the rails on the frame still had all the anodizing and didn't have any aluminum showing.

What to look for one a used P229? Nothing different than any other pistol I guess. Do the NS work (though not important if you're changing anyway), is everything factory or did they bubba things up, any signs it was dropped, either on hammer or muzzle. You can try to get a basic idea of how much it's been fired by the amount of smilies on the outside of the barrel, but they're no guarantee of anything.

If you're getting a PD trade in, you're not gonna be able to look before you buy, but that wouldn't bother me anyway. With those, I'd just expect to change the grips, they tend to get worn rubbing and bumping into everything sticking out of the holster.

Either way, if it's a range toy, just clean and lube and shoot the snot out of it. If it's to be used for defense, get a parts kit to give it a tune up, clean, lube, test fire for reliable function and go.

To me, the P229 is the pistol for .40. My wife actually prefers the recoil out of my .40 P229 than my 9mm P228. So anytime I hear someone say .40 is snappy, I assume they've only fired Glocks. And if .40 in a P229 is mild, how do you think 9mm is? IMO, if you think bore axis is a concern, you'll forget about it after shooting a P229.

Nothing wrong with used. I have a P228 & P229 in 9MM and really like them. I did recently realize my trigger finger is a bit short to reach the trigger correctly. So, if you have stubby fingers, it might be worth checking out before you buy.

The 229 is an excellent choice. I recently picked up a nice one for $400. I am quite pleased with it.

P229 in .357 is my favorite pistol. I carry a P365 as well when a smaller footprint is preferred.

well this is what i did when i was looking....i knew i wanted a early one...really wanted to find a german made one...they are harder than hens teeth to find...so i found a triple serial number one from 1994 and what i think was a NOS condition with box and two 12 rd mags and case and box with paperwork..and got it for a song just under 500 usd ...and i got it around Christmas time too..so they just wanted to move it along..i personally love the older stuff...it will all depends on your budget...i find lots of great deals online..as i live in a small town where there is very few Sig Sauers...and they get a pretty premium if they do sell...
Merry Christmas...God Bless,John

A P229 in your choice of caliber is a great pistol! Used or new it will shoot and be reliable with a little TLC.I prefer one in .357Sig, But be careful, they do tend to multiply!

I have an SAS, frame made in Germany. It's my desk gun and I am replacing it with an 40 cal Elite all stainless one (bought from member here) because I like the heft of an all steel gun. Also, it will become a Sig 357.

That said, I won't get rid of the SAS it's just too damn good of a pistol and my last 9MM. I suggest that you buy new if the model you want available. That way you actually know its history.

If you know what to look for on them, I'd suggest finding an older version.

While I'll probably eventually let my .40 go, I'll most likely keep the .357 SIG:



I bought these while I was stationed in Germany during the early/mid '90s.

I've got one of each flavor..the 9mm handles like a souped up .22, the 229 in .40 is the only pistol in .40 that I've ever enjoyed and the .357sig seems like it was made for the 229. As others mentioned, the "snappy" .40 is for Glocks/etc...in a .229, it's just solid and very controllable. The .357Sig version is hands down my favorite. I carried a newer version with a light attached as my duty gun for years. I've got a 94 year model in .357sig as well. If you end up with a used one, just install new springs, buy a pile of mags, get a quality holster or three and off you go. You won't be disappointed.

I've got a circa 2010 9MM P229. It's been great, lots of rounds through it, no mods required, but I made a few just because. It has done multiple courses with only one noticeable magazine caused issue.

I'd look for a 229-1 so you could interchange slides and calibers if you chose. You also get a 15 round vs 13 round magazine. You can get them new or used. If you go used, I'd drop a sig parts kit in to refresh the springs.

I just bought a CPO 229 from an SF member. Older gun with no rail. I could not tell it from a new gun and it shoots that way. I try to send any used Sig I buy back to Sig for the $150 tune up, which will bring the gun to factory specs and include fresh night sights. I don't much care what a used Sig looks like, as long as there is no sign of gross abuse or a cracked frame. I can always turn it around.

On the police trade in's look it over good and make sure it wasn't carried by Officer Sweaty in a leather holster.
I seen a couple that looked like parts gun candidates.

New, clean used, rail/no rail. Don't think you can go wrong. Within my humble experience,they all work. Just get what appeals to you most, at a price you're willing to pay. I've had several variations. I will confess my preference is for the earlier "Legacy" type slides, with the 13-shot type frames (if in 9mm), and no rail.....ymmv