This is probably addressed somewhere in this section, but I can't find it specifically. I traded for a supposedly new Sig 229 9mm but learned later that it was an earlier gun (early 2000's) and originally sold to a police organization. It has the rail, smaller slide serrations, and short external extractor. It takes only the older Sig 229 magazines; serial begins with AM 79 XXX. Was this model inferior in some way prompting the design change? Can these be had nowadays without the rail?

quote:

Originally posted by RomeoFoxtrot:
This is probably addressed somewhere in this section, but I can't find it specifically. I traded for a supposedly new Sig 229 9mm but learned later that it was an earlier gun (early 2000's) and originally sold to a police organization. It has the rail, smaller slide serrations, and short external extractor. It takes only the older Sig 229 magazines; serial begins with AM 79 XXX. Was this model inferior in some way prompting the design change? Can these be had nowadays without the rail?

What you have is commonly referred to as the Legacy slide P229. It is in no ways inferior to the newer version (with full height slide serrations and the long external extractor). In fact, many of us "purists" prefer the old style P229 that you have.

The design change came with the easier and cheaper to produce long external extractor.

You can still have the Legacy slide P229 without the rail from recent production. It's called the P229 Classic Carry. It was a limited production model. Pic (not mine):

I generally try not to post similar commments, but I think 12131 was a bit understated. You should be ecstatic you have that version over current production.
FWIW>

WOW! I had no idea. Thanks so much for the information.

Yeah, not only is the early Legacy slide P229 desirable, in 9mm, you can double or triple that desirability. Congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by SGT45:
Sorry a little off topic. I just bought a P229 Classic carry also. I would like to put wood grips on it. I am new to the P22X series and not quite sure which ones to get.

Go on Hogue website and choose. https://www.hogueinc.com/grips...sauer/p228/dasa/wood

quote:

I keep reading about P229-1, the frame is this or that between models, after 2010 etc. So do I get wood grips for the P228/P229?

The 229-1 frame has to do with the internal dimensions of the magwell, and nothing to do with external. So, grips for the P228, P229 (old), and P229 (229-1) are all the same.

quote:

Can I get 15 rd. mags for it? It came with 13 rd. mags. Are the 15 rd. mags from Mecgar ok to use. I apologize for the questions- Just not sure which way to go. (yes I did a google search- just made me more confused) Thanks All!

Do NOT get any mags designated 229-1 or 229 E2. They will not fit in your P229.

Everything else for the P228 or P229 (old) will. Like this, http://gregcotellc.com/cart/si...mgp22815b-p-619.html
Or this, http://gregcotellc.com/cart/si...mgp22815n-p-620.html

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by SGT45:
Sorry a little off topic. I just bought a P229 Classic carry also. I would like to put wood grips on it. I am new to the P22X series and not quite sure which ones to get.

Go on Hogue website and choose. https://www.hogueinc.com/grips...sauer/p228/dasa/wood

quote:

I keep reading about P229-1, the frame is this or that between models, after 2010 etc. So do I get wood grips for the P228/P229?

The 229-1 frame has to do with the internal dimensions of the magwell, and nothing to do with external. So, grips for the P228, P229 (old), and P229 (229-1) are all the same.

quote:

Can I get 15 rd. mags for it? It came with 13 rd. mags. Are the 15 rd. mags from Mecgar ok to use. I apologize for the questions- Just not sure which way to go. (yes I did a google search- just made me more confused) Thanks All!

Do NOT get any mags designated 229-1 or 229 E2. They will not fit in your P229.

Everything else for the P228 or P229 (old) will. Like this, http://gregcotellc.com/cart/si...mgp22815b-p-619.html
Or this, http://gregcotellc.com/cart/si...mgp22815n-p-620.html

Thank you so much!! I appreciate it!!

Shortly after I acquired the P229 mentioned, I also purchased an E2 grip. The choice was between that and the Hogue aluma grip, since the original grip was too large for my hand. Is the aluma grip smaller than the E2? I have aluma grips for my 226, and they are excellent but pricey. I don't particularly care for the E2 grip and would prefer a two piece grip on the 229.

AM was a funny year for the 229, I've got one from that year without a rail, and in 357.

Can't speak for the E2 grips on a P229. Most of my Sigs have the checkered aluminum grips. Thinking that they are easier to do maintenance and work on and having them screwed down won't allow them to slide around. Sometimes you can find them on sale.

The grips are within 1/8 inch of each other in diameter.

I guess I'll have to be the dessenting vote here. I have had an early P229 9mm and a more current P229R-A1. Other than the clean dust cover I could see no advantage nor extra desirability of the older P229 9mm.

I preferred the feel of the full slide serrations of the newer gun over the half height serrations of the older gun. The newer gun holds 2 more rounds of ammo in the same footprint.

I prefer the E2 grips for shooting but the 2 piece older grips are much better for carrying but I can put 2 piece grips on my A1 (I have a set for it but don't leave them on).

The only advantage of the slick dust cover over the newer rail is that it works with my older holsters.

I could even use the older mags in my P229-A1 if need be but not the other way around.

I still have an older P229 in 357 SIG but traded off my old P229 in 9mm (over a year ago and I think it's still sitting on that dealers shelve.)

Now, I realize that some people place a sentimental value on old stuff but as far as a practical matter there's no advantage of the old gun over the new.

"Yeah, not only is the early Legacy slide P229 desirable, in 9mm, you can double or triple that desirability. Congrats!" Well, Oriental Digits, just when did the "Legacy" 229 slide disappear?

I have a 229 SAS GEN II that has a short extractor, no rail and short serrations in the rear only. My records show that I purchased it new in 2011.

quote:

Originally posted by ACP1:
"Yeah, not only is the early Legacy slide P229 desirable, in 9mm, you can double or triple that desirability. Congrats!" Well, Oriental Digits, just when did the "Legacy" 229 slide disappear?

I have a 229 SAS GEN II that has a short extractor, no rail and short serrations in the rear only. My records show that I purchased it new in 2011.

Nowhere did I say it disappeared. In fact, my other post pointed to the Classic Carry P229, which came out last year.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
AM was a funny year for the 229, I've got one from that year without a rail, and in 357.

Actually the "AM" prefix spanned several years, and there were two sets, one with 5-numeral serial numbers, and a second with 6-numerals. At least that is what the serial number list shows.

quote:

Originally posted by ACP1:
"Yeah, not only is the early Legacy slide P229 desirable, in 9mm, you can double or triple that desirability. Congrats!" Well, Oriental Digits, just when did the "Legacy" 229 slide disappear?

I have a 229 SAS GEN II that has a short extractor, no rail and short serrations in the rear only. My records show that I purchased it new in 2011.

As I recall the Legacy slide did disappear for a time although I can't remember exactly when. SIG began transitioning to the long extractor/full height serration slide beginning in late 2010. It took most of 2011, if not longer, to complete the transition and P229s with both slides and 9mm frames were released. I recall seeing several discussions as to which slide/frame Dark Elite buyers were going to receive because they were stressing over which mags to buy.

After the transition was complete, there was a period of time that you could not purchase a new P229 with the short extractor/half-height serration slide. However, some time later (I want to say 2014 or 2015 but that would just be a guess), SIG released a batch of P229s with the old style slides and for the first time officially used the term "Legacy" slide to describe the old slide. Top Gun Supply was the first place I saw these P229s with "Legacy" slides for sale. That is what I remember.

In my last Sig Armory class the instructor advised the Legacy slides were still being made for law enforcement purposes. Not any better or worse but because of the newer triple retention holsters that lock on to the ejection port area of the pistol.

We carry the ALS holster with a hood type top
Strap and locks into the ejection port area.

The newer long extractor will not work on this type of holster.

The instructor advised when ordering new firearms be sure to request the Legacy slides for this reason.


Type of holster I spoke of
https://www.safariland.com/als...176kfi9y9n17anz2p21a

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Yeah, not only is the early Legacy slide P229 desirable, in 9mm, you can double or triple that desirability. Congrats!

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your meaning of doubling tripling desireability...but if you are referring to changing calibers using conversion barrels I don't think that is possible if you are starting with a 9mm base model. Or am I missing something?

quote:

Originally posted by wgsigs:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
AM was a funny year for the 229, I've got one from that year without a rail, and in 357.

Actually the "AM" prefix spanned several years, and there were two sets, one with 5-numeral serial numbers, and a second with 6-numerals. At least that is what the serial number list shows.

Correct. The AM frames marked the introduction of the first railed frames, BUT this was a transitional period in which SIG offered both non-rail and railed models. Later years in the AM series became railed. The Gen 1 SAS first appeared in the AM frames. The DAK modified frames had only recently appeared prior to AM and continued thru AM.