West German p228 and P225 questions

May 06, 2019, 03:32 PM

So one of my LGS has a few pistols they're selling. They have a NIB P228 and P225.

So which would you purchase of the two. It would be an occasional range toy.

I really like the feel of the single stack 225.

Which is the more rare. They have boxes targets and are still wrapped in the plastic bags.

Just asking (not price checking) what would be top dollar you would spend as the prices are on the high side. I checked GB and can't find any listed to make comparisons.

If I could afford it I'd buy both but I think I'd opt for a Legion over the 228.

May 06, 2019, 04:05 PM

taguin

Had a 225 didn’t feel right in my hand shooting it, sold it. Had a 228, grip seemed kinda/sorta short for my hand. Settled on a 226, never looked back.

May 06, 2019, 04:26 PM

elberettas

quote:
Originally posted by taguin:
Had a 225 didn’t feel right in my hand shooting it, sold it. Had a 228, grip seemed kinda/sorta short for my hand. Settled on a 226, never looked back.

Same here!

May 06, 2019, 05:29 PM

throwingdown

Buy both. Funny. I just purchased a W German P226 nickel from them a month ago. Same condition. I had a 228 and a P6 years ago and like a dummy sold them, but I did good on the sale.

As they say hindsight is 20/20.

May 06, 2019, 05:34 PM

CAR

I really like the P225 myself.

May 06, 2019, 05:44 PM

YooperSigs

Jump on both.

May 06, 2019, 05:50 PM

BuddyChryst

I own 3 single stack guns and they’re all just for range only (P7, 1911 ANVIII, P230 if you care). Everything for real use is double stack. There’s no reason, in my mind, to consider the P225.

To answer your other question, neither are rare. You’re not getting a collector here.

May 06, 2019, 05:59 PM

JBird679

The P228 is probably more collectible/desirable in NIB condition. The P225 is probably more rare, as in you don't see them NIB in the classifieds often... but that doesn't mean you'd get a better price for it.

Realistically, you said the prices are high and you're planning to shoot whichever one you get... so IMO you shouldn't buy either. You're going to immediately drop the value, so why not just buy a used one in really good condition from the Classifieds? Guns are cheap right now, there are good deals to be had. I wouldn't blow money on a NIB unless it was a good deal, or if I was planning to keep it NIB.

May 07, 2019, 12:22 PM

corsair

If you have a P226, get the 228 as mags are compatible.

I really like my 225, rides nicely and conceals well for me.

May 07, 2019, 05:07 PM

You said the prices are high. If you don’t mind sharing, what are they asking?

May 07, 2019, 07:55 PM

P-220

Having owned both, I am going to suggest which ever fits you best.

For me, it would be the P225, but that is just me.

May 07, 2019, 08:18 PM

throwingdown

225 900. 228 999.

I think the W German pistols had better QC. It's like traveling back to the past to buy them new. Since they are no longer made I feel that gives them a special quality.

If you look at current prices of new Sigs...

The thing about buying used is you just don't know how much they've been through. And the prices for descent clean ones is up there.

May 07, 2019, 08:38 PM

P-220

Woah!!!!!

Those seem to be a little................Ok, a lot high.

Where are you located?

May 07, 2019, 08:57 PM

12131

quote:
Originally posted by throwingdown:
225 900. 228 999.

I think the W German pistols had better QC. It's like traveling back to the past to buy them new. Since they are no longer made I feel that gives them a special quality.

If you look at current prices of new Sigs...

The thing about buying used is you just don't know how much they've been through. And the prices for descent clean ones is up there.

If they are truly NIB W. Germans, complete with all the original goodies, that's pretty much in line with GB pricing. Actually, on GB, the P228 would probably go for more, and the P225 a little less.

May 07, 2019, 11:35 PM

1lowlife

I've owned both and sold the P225, to thin for my grip.

As others have stated, the best WG Sig 'for me anyway" is the P226.

I only bought and kept the WG P228 to give to my daughter when she weds.
A rental WG P228 was the first firearm she ever shot over 10 years ago.

May 08, 2019, 03:26 PM

Broadside

quote:
Originally posted by throwingdown:
225 900. 228 999.

I'm offering my opinion. But if I had $900 to $1,000 to spend on a pistol I wouldn't be buying a Sig P225 or P228. They just aren't worth that much.

quote:
Originally posted by throwingdown:
I think the W German pistols had better QC.

The reason that people think that the West German marked Sigs had better QC is that the ones that didn't have already landed on the scrapheap. Have you seen the tread about the "Lysons Corner" P226's? Does that sound like good QC to you?

I've seen West German P228 slides with defective bluing. I've seen P225's marked as K-kote that were really blued.

May 08, 2019, 03:30 PM

Broadside

quote:
Originally posted by 1lowlife:
I've owned both and sold the P225, to thin for my grip.

Huh?! They are practially the same size.

The info below is from a thread from several years ago. Unfortunately I forgot to save the user name of the original author so I could give them credit.

quote:
225 vs. 228

My original post about thickness of the 225 and 228 pertained to the ability to conceal the two models.

Actual measurements from my guns:
Slide width (average): 225 - 1.006"; 228 - 1.005"; difference - 0.001" (in favor of the 228)
Grip thickness (centered between two grip screws): 225 - 1.256"; 228 - 1.251; difference - 0.005" (in favor of the 228)
Grip thickness (bottom): 225 - 1.254"; 228 - 1.276"; difference - 0.022"
Grip thickness (top, over decocker): 225 - 1.266"; 228 - 1.391"; difference 0.125"

The swell (or bump) at the top of the 228's left grip plate does add 1/8" to the gun's maximum width, but it's only in a very limited area. Because the bump tends to push in against a person's body, it has little, if any, effect on how the gun conceals when actually carried. But if anyone thinks it matters, by all means choose the 225.

As I mentioned above, the grips of the 225 and 228 don't feel the same because the 255's are shorter from front to back and because its trigger is placed in a different location relative to the shooter's hand. For that reason, many people with small hands prefer the 225.
________________________________________________________

The 225's grip has a smaller circumference than the 228's and the 225 trigger is closer to the rear of the gun. Also, the 225's grip puts the shooter's hand closer to the top of the gun, requiring the trigger finger to be angled down slightly to the trigger. These factors make the two guns feel distinctively different when handled. In short, the 225 is better for people with smaller hands, but describing the differences is about impossible. If possible, try before you buy.

Grip thickness (width) between the screws:
P225 - 1.256"
P228 - 1.251"

Slide width by ejection port:
P225 - 1.005"
P228 - 1.004"