whats the difference between sig 226 and 229?

Answer 1

When S&W came out with the 40 cal, sig wasnt sure the 226 could operate at the high pressures of the 40. They designed the 229 around the 40 cal. It is slightly smaller then the 226, and the slide is milled from one piece of steel, rather than stampings or investment casting. Sig released the 226 in 40 cal years later when police depts showed a entrust in the large model.

Answer 2

The P-226 is a high-capacity version of the old P-220 9mm (the original Sig-Sauer, the .45ACP version came later). The P-229 was the first Sig-Sauer to have a barstock steel slide that was made in the USA. Below is a ahort chronoligal list, although I do not have the dates.

SigSauer P-220 (9mm 9-shot)-discontinued
SigSauer P-225 (9mm/compact version of P-220)
SigSauer P-220 (45ACP)-also imported by Browning as BDA .45
SigSauer P-226 (9mm/high-cap version of P-220 9mm)
SigSauer P-228 (9mm/compact version of P-226)-govt. sales only now
SigSauer P-229 (solid-state steel slide version of P-228/available in 9mm/.40/.357)

SigArms is a multinational company and I left out the "Sig" guns that are either entirely made in Switzerland or hybrids that are Swiss-American (SigPro). The best guns for service are the SigSauers that are made in Germany based on Swiss ideas. There are some newer models as well.
I used to have a P-225 and wish that I still had it!

Answer 3

They both can be chambered in the same calibers--9 mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W. Many accessories and even some holsters can be used for either model, except the 226 is a full size service pistol, while the 229 has a shorter slide and more compact grip to make it better for concealed carry.

Answer 4

Every gun manufacturer that produces handguns for the public produces three usual sizes named generally "Duty/Full Sized," "Compact," and "Sub-Compact." The full or duty sized Sig (that is commonly used by the Navy Seals and Law Enforcement agencies world wide) is the 226, which can come in 9mm, .40S&W and .357 Sig. The "compact" version of this VERY popular platform is the 229 which can come in all of those calibers as well.

There are truly no serious differences between the two, other than overall gun length and a little bit longer barrel length.

I own a Sig 229 Enhanced Elite chambered in .40, and use it in my Police Academy. The compact sizes and especially the sub-compact sizes are used by civilians and operators as concealed carry weapons as they tend to lend themselves to IWB or Inside the Wasteband carry.

To a competent shooter, truly, there will be no difference. Choose the one that feels the best for you, and, if you want my two cents, CHUCK that plastic grip that comes with it from the factory and stick on a set of sticky rubber Hogue grips IMMEDIATELY!

Answer 5

I think the 226 is the larger version and the 229 is the compact

Answer 6

Slight difference in size. 226 is slightly more full sized. It boils down to which one feels better in your hand. Both, each, whatever...SIG makes one of the best pistols in the world.