I bought a non-issued Sig P229 in .40 S&W several years ago. It was a great shooter, and I Legionized it by following a video on RUclips. My son has it now, and he loves it. He also loves that I gave him over 2,000 rounds of ammo with it. I really do regret letting it go, but it didn’t go real far. 👍👍
Thanks so much for the comment, Frank! That's really cool you Legionized your P229. Also cool you gave it to your son. As a Sig fan, I feel like it's kind of an obligatory gun to own. I honestly find I enjoy it more than the P226 I had a while back. And I kinda dig the old-school slide design. In any case... thanks so much for watching!
Hipster Tactical, I really appreciate the research you do for these videos on the history of the firearms in question. One small correction for you, not to quibble but the S&W 4006 did not come out "a few years later" after the Glock 23. It was more like days to weeks. Glock announced the G23 first, but the 4006 as a practical matter was in people's hands before we saw the .40 caliber Glock. I got my first S&W 4006 on January 28, 1990, ten days after it was announced, which came with two boxes of Winchester 180 grain JHP ammo in a promo deal. It was a great patrol officer's pistol and I had very high confidence in it. My first SIG P229 was in .357 SIG. Our city police and the State Police both adopted the .357 at the same time. Back then, patrol rifles were not common in my state, and SIG used the flat shooting characteristics of the .357 to suggest that if an agency adopted it, they could use it out to 100 yards with no need for a long gun. Having trained thousands of cops with handguns, I still have trouble mentioning that sales pitch with a straight face. But both our deparments had great sucess with the .357 SIG. It was so much more effective than the 9mm loads we had been stuck with, first generation 147 grain JHP's that our officers began to refer to their .357's as the "SIG Death Ray". Just about every shooting we had with the new cartridge resulted in a felon with his dick in the dirt, usually for the last time. Our State guys got the P229, and our department got the SIG Pro, because we wanted the then-new interchangeable backstraps on the polymer frame. I didn't particularly want to own the SIG Pro personally, and the SIG LE rep arranged for me to buy a SIG P229 off the State Police contract at an outstanding price. I found it to be a fine weapon and incredibly accurate. One weekend I took it to a police pistol match that was restricted to unmodified duty sidearms and decided to compete with it. The first stage was at 7 yards, and featured 6 shots, a reload, and 6 more under time pressure. I shot one ragged hole in the X-ring. But then the R.O. called a halt to the match and approached me. He stated that several shooters on the line had complained about the noise of my pistol "throwing them off", and asked if I'd mind waiting and shooting my remaining stages separately. I told him that yes, I did mind, and if any cop was freaked out by the sound of pistol fire, perhaps he should find another line of work. I went on to win the match and set a state record that stood for three years with a stock P229. I love the .357 SIG, but it is a noisy cartridge, which is part of its charm to me. I've owned a few P229's since then which were all .40's to start with, quickly joined by a .357 SIG barrel, and shot with 9mm by means of the now impossible to find SIG Caliber X-Change Kit. I now have a P226 similarly converted such that it shoots .40, .357, 9mm, and even .22 LR. I've never noticed much difference between the P226 and the P229, and just got a great price on the P226. But if a clean P229 presented itself at a good price, I'd buy it.
Tom... thank you so much for your insights and your informed perspective on this fascinating period in handgun history. Good call on the timeframe of the 4006; I honestly didn't have a specific timeframe in mind when I mentioned that... I'm not sure "years" is even what I meant :) But I appreciate that clarification. I want these reviews to help accurately depict the historical record. As for .357 SIG... I love it too. I have a P239 in .357 SIG and I also find it to be a tack driver. Very interesting to hear of your experience with the round as an LEO. And it's sooo interesting to hear how your department framed the .357 SIG as a stand-in for a long gun. Haha. I always love hearing from people who really experienced this stuff in the course of their careers. The "tactically woke" perspective on .357 SIG is that it's no better than a hot 9mm. I'm not gonna pretend to be a ballistics junky/expert, but, I remember watching one of Paul Herrell's videos where he tested .357 SIG against 10mm and some other hard-hitting handgun cartridges. It held its own with 10mm, as far as penetration. So... works for me. I also used my P239 / .357 in an IDPA match a few years ago. It was back when ammo was impossible to find, and all I had was a big pile of .357 SIG. The gun was accurate as hell. I hit what I was aiming at. But not all that fast... and of course, it was me shooting it. So... here we are. In any case... thanks so much for chiming in. Take care and all the best.
Thank you, sir! Yeah, I've never been a huge "capacity guy"--shooting dynamics are my priority. But the P229 is a nice option if one is looking for a bit more capacity vs. a P239 or a P225. Thanks for the comment!
Hey Hipster Tactical. Once again I totally dig on how in depth and detailed you get on your reviews regarding various firearms. I also commented on your review for the S&W 4506. I was the one that had my house burglarized back in 2007 where my gun collection was stolen. Another one of those guns that was stolen was the old style Sig Sauer P229 in 40 S&W/357 Sig. That one I never got back. Oh well, I purchased a newer P229 in the same calibers and it shoots flawlessly. I've already subscribed to your channel and hit like on each and every one of your videos I watch. You're the man. Keep up the good work. Take care!😀
Thank you sooo much for the kind words and the support! Really appreciate the comments and the encouragement. It's things like this that really get me motivated to keep cranking these things out. Love your story about the 4506... sorry to hear you weren't able to get your P229 back, though. Like I said... I had a P229 in .357. I kinda miss it... but I think the P229 in 9mm is kind of a must-have. Glad I was able to pick one up. Again--thank you for the comment. I'm working on the FN HP-DA review now. Hoping to have that one up by Halloween. All the best to you...
Thanks so much! Sometimes I hope these things end up shorter... but, I feel like there's a lot to say--especially with a gun that's evolved as much the P229. Thanks for watching!
Your killing me. I thought I had enough and thinned my herd down to my best. But you've got me fascinated with Sig now. I love 5" and 6" barrel models. 4.5" is my minimum if I enter Sig world. I'm researching, reading, watching. I live about 1 hour drive from Sig here in New Hampshire. I hope you don't charge extra for rewatching your episodes over and over again. ✌️
I have one from the same vintage. West German frame and no rail on the dust cover. I live in Montana and I found mine in a gun store. It was a "Red Tag" trade in from Montana Highway Patrol, in 357 Sig. I put the piranha G10 grips on it with Trijicon HD night sights. I love it. All the noise and blast and fireballs make me smile
Nice! I love .357 SIG. I have a P239 in .357-had a 357/P229 for a minute, too. Kinda wish I still had it. I have this PPU “Defensive Line” stuff. It feels like a bomb going off in a P239. It’s awesome. Thanks for chiming in, man!
@@jugularSignal Thank you so much, my friend! Really glad you’re enjoying it. I do my best to keep the content flowing… but sometimes it’s a challenge with work and life. Working on a review of the Springfield mil-spec 1911, now. Should drop later this summer. Thanks again!
Excellent review! The legacy P229 in 9mm is really a great pistol. It's definitely a soft shooter in 9mm. The size of the pistol is perfect. I believe there weren't that many of the legacy 9mm 229 made compared to the 40/357.
Thanks, my friend! Yeah, I think you’re right-8/10 P229s from this era seem to be 40s and 357s. That’s why I jumped on this one. And I agree-it’s bulk makes it a great shooter. Just took it to the range recently… performed admirably. Thanks again!
Liked your video. You are spot on the history and development of the P229. I obtained a great concealed carry gun, in 2009. A Sig Sauer P229 SAS Gen 2, in .40 SW. Perfect carry pistol, with a legacy slide, short reset trigger, and had the "carry melt" treatment. Not a sharp edge anywhere on the pistol. weight is 29.5 oz. due to its aluminum frame. Never really liked the 40. Too snappy. The strange thing is, after dropping a factory. 357sig barrel, I shot my P229 a lot better. Recently, I got the conversion parts for 9mm. (Legion slide, recoil spring, guide rod, barrel, and magazine s) works great. Still shoot best in the .357sig configuration. After recoil, I get back on target immediately. When CC my P229, I wear a bullhide belt, with polymer stiffners, in the belt. Kydex holster, molded to the contours of the pistol, and snaps into place. It is OWB, worn at the 4 to 4:30 position. Sure, it is a challenge to conceal in warm weather, (live in Texas) but if can be done.
Nice! Thank you for the compliment. I happen to really like .357 SIG. I have a P239 in .357.... like you, I shoot it really, really well. Interesting to hear your method of carry. I think the P229 would make a great OWB CCW--it's grip is probably just short enough to conceal under most clothes... as opposed to the longer grip of the P226. Honestly, I've been carrying my P229 AIWB here and there; it's thick, but doable in the right clothes. I have fresh night sights on mine and G10 grips. So, it just handles and shoots very well. Dig it. Thanks for the comment!
We must be paralleling each other. I too just bought one a month ago. The P229 stainless elite version, also in 9 mm. Which then got me so excited about the Sig p2xx series, after I shot it, that I went ahead and bought the p226 legion SAO as well. and to pay for all that I sold some of my other guns. I am totally sold on the Sig p2xx series. And you are right, they are a joy to shoot. And they fit as conceal carry weapons no problem. I have your exact body type and waist size as well. And "Bore axis shmore axis" really made me laugh. So many people feel the need to mention that, especially the Glock types. But in reality I too don't feel it at all. It's steady, accurate, just unbelievable. For the first time for me 9mm's are now actually fun to shoot. Great video. And that FN gun looks beautiful. Can't wait for that review.
Thank you so much for the comment, as usual! Yeah, once you get into Sigs, they're kind of addictive... I've heard it called "The Signess." Seems about right. I have 6, currently. This P229 is a great all-arounder... though, for me the P239s will always (I think) be more of my go to. They carry a bit better than the P229 and they shoot incredibly well. Another classic Sig I love is the P245. It's sort of a compact P220... but it's different than the "P220 Compact" :) It's magically accurate, for me. And yeah... I never found the bore axis to be much of an issue when shooting Sigs. But thanks again for watching and for your support! I'm writing the FN HP-DA review now. I think it'll be the first official "review" of that gun on RUclips. So... looking forward to getting that one up. Thanks!
I got a kick out of the "Bore axis shmore axis" comment as well. I worked for a time for an agency that issued P220's in .45 ACP, and with 230 grain loads we used to lovingly call our pistols "that flippy bitch". There was a bit more muzzle rise than with a 9mm, but not enough to change anything in a police shooting. Unlike some other .45's of the day, the P220 was stone cold reliable, and incredibly accurate. You would never see a P220 at a speed shooting contest, but back in the day it was a cop's best friend. None of us complained about bore axis.
I have p229s in 4; calibers. 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w and 22 LR. The 22 LR conversion kits are not made any longer but are not difficult to find. Cheap practice and it lets you develop muscle memory with the trigger.
Cool, man. The P229 is dope in any caliber. I had one in .357 SIG--wouldn't mind getting one again in .357. That round is just kinda neat. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Cool! I’ve never tried the SAO P2XX Sigs. I’m sure they’re fantastic. I feel like “normal” SA triggers on DA/SA Sigs are pretty nice, as it is. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@HipsterTactical if you pull up the pics of each, you'll see that the SAO is a straight trigger, where your da/sa is curved. The Legions also are the SRT or short reset triggers.
@@agirlandherdad2483 Yeah, I’ve seen the straight trigger in those. I’ve contemplated putting an SRT in some my Sigs. Should probably try it one of these days.
Thanks, man! I appreciate the comment. Yeah, the 10mm story is fascinating-especially because it led to so many other ideas and innovations in the 90s. We just see it as a big old bad-ass bullet (which it is) but it think had a lot more influence than we give it credit for. Thanks again!
I have no interest in buying a vintage SIG P229, but your presentation style is very interesting and passionate. No 2A bullsheit, modest, soft delivery. You should change your channel name to Connoisseur Firearms 👍 72 & Living Free before Dying In New Hampshire ✌️
Haha! Thanks, dude! I appreciate it. I try to make it light and enjoyable--firearms are my happy place. Same for others, I think. There are plenty of outlets for 2A discussion. Which is important. But... trying to do something different. Thanks!
Yeah, there's definitely some parallels between Glocks and classic Sigs. Though I do feel the shooting experience, subjectively, is quite different. Thanks!
I own a few 9mm pistols being a p229 Legion, Beretta 92fs, Taurus TH9C, and a 3rd gen Smith & Wesson 908. They’re all da/sa hammer guns. The p229 is the chunkiest of them in width but it has the best trigger and shoots like a dream. Thanks for the excellent review and history. Very enjoyable. Oh yeah, the whole bore axis thing…. I agree with you 100%… bore axis smore axis. It’s a non issue made up by Sig haters. Maybe if you’re shooting full power 10mm it would matter but not when your shooting 9mm. Thanks again for the video.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Yeah, she's a girthy gal... but she can sure shoot. I actually just got some "Contour Classic" G10 grips for this P229. Really makes a nice addition. Thanks again for watching and for the comment!
Thanks, my friend! The P229's history and lineage... with all the different variations and names... is super confusing. One thing I don't think I really "crystallized" in the video...... is that, initially, the 9mm P229 and .40/.357 P229s were essentially different guns. The 9mm P229s were essentially just P228s with milled slides, whereas the .40/.357 P229s used different frames, different slides, different locking components, etc. Anyway... thanks so much for chiming in!
I think these videos are better the 3rd or 4th time I watch😅. And the dates on the 229 goes by serial number prefix. The first year was 1992 with an AB prefix, the 93 was AC and so on. Until the early 2000s they got screwed up around AM. And the date should be on the inside of the grip panels, if they're original
You're absolutely right. I was using "pressure" incorrectly. Clearly, Sig needed to beef up their guns to handle [some greater force] from .40 vs. 9mm... but... it's not "pressure." I guess it's just kinetic energy? I need to pin a comment correcting this. Thanks!
@@HipsterTactical I can't think of the right term either, the kinetic energy of a lot of .40 S&W isn't much higher than 9mm largely because velocity is the exponential component of caculating it. the recoil force of a 180 @ 950 will be a lot higher than a 115 @ 1200 even though they're both around 360 ft/lbs. I think that's why they removed the square component from the calculaion for power factor in sports and focus more on bullet mass.
I bought a Leo trade-in training p229....it's a blue narrow frame dak. called sig to ask what I needed to do to make it run live rounds. They wouldn't tell me. After more research I swapped in a 9mm barrel and now she breathes fire. But I'm still curious if there's any other parts that that may be different.
That’s cool. 40 cal frames and 9mm frames are different on the earlier P229s. Some internal parts are too. They standardized to the 40 frame size after 2009. Thanks for the comment!
Haha! Not yet. But if you run into DJ Paul or Juicy J, tell them I'm "available." :) But seriously, thanks--I was sooo into three 6 back in the day. Check my Soundcloud if you wanna bump more of my beats. Take care!
Cool, man. I had a P229 in .357 for a minute. Now I've got a P239 in .357. I actually shot the P239 better, in .357--for whatever reason. That thing is a little cannon. I love .357 SIG--it was the only the only caliber I shot for about a year during COVID times... because it was the only ammo I could find in 2020. Thanks for the comment!
@@HipsterTactical I traded for mine from my cousin and he gave me 13 box of 357sig and 8 box of 40S&W to go with the gun. And since he already bought the reloading equipment for both he reloads for free for me. And I found a 239 SAS in 40S&W I want to get so I can buy 357sig barrel. Unfortunately need sell something to get it. Or might trade my S&W 442 DC v Heller 2A commemorative edition for it
@@jimchambers7548 Hell yes, we do! And thanks so much for watching. Appreciate the comments and support. And I’ll say the P239 is fun as hell in .357. Especially the hot stuff. Big fireballs. It’s awesome.
Matt, I'm 65 now and (thanks to arthritis in my hands) shooting my Legacy 40 S&W Sig P229 has become a painful experience. I could sell it, but I really love this gun. Do you think converting it to 9mm might produce a significant reduction in the snap and recoil? Also, is there a way I can modify the slide to make it easier to rack? Great review, BTW! 😎👍
Hey Bill... sorry for not responding sooner. I saw you left a comment on my blog as well... it's just been a crazy week. And thank you so much for the compliment! Glad you enjoyed the review. Changing your .40 P229 would definitely reduce recoil. However, it would be kind of an expensive, involved process to make the change. Since you have the Legacy P229, I THINK you would need to get: 1. a 9mm slide; 2. a 9mm locking insert (same as P228); 3. a 9mm barrel; 4. 9mm magazines. Sig also offered what's called an "X-Change Kit" for P229s which is supposed to provide everything you need to make the swap. BUT I think that might only work on the newer post-2009 P229s? But I'm not 100% sure. Here's a pretty informative thread on SigTalk about it: www.sigtalk.com/threads/for-those-looking-for-a-p228-p229-9-locking-insert.369174/ At the end of the day... you're probably not gonna spend a whole lot MORE just buying a 9mm P229. If you look around, you can find a used one for a good price. Just sell your .40... or keep it and have a P229 caliber smorgasbord! In any case, hope this helps. Thanks again for checking out my review!
My understanding is you can get a legacy 9mm slide (try Matrix Precision) and a 229-1 barrel (it uses the locking block you have) and 229-1 9mm magazines. Bar-sto (and someone else I'm forgetting) make conversion 9mm barrels that fit your 40 S&W slide and locking block but some consider this range only.
I know everyone says .357 SIG is no better than a 9mm +p+. But... I still feel like you get a bit more velocity with .357 SIG. Plus, guns chambered for .357 SIG are tougher and can handle it. Plus, plus... I think you get a feeding advantage with the bottlenecked cartridge. I'll say, though, that Tok is a great cartridge too. Thanks!
One of the best videos on the P229, thank you.
Wow, thanks! Really appreciate the kind words. The story of the p229 is complex… hopefully it helps clarify things.
I bought a non-issued Sig P229 in .40 S&W several years ago. It was a great shooter, and I Legionized it by following a video on RUclips. My son has it now, and he loves it. He also loves that I gave him over 2,000 rounds of ammo with it. I really do regret letting it go, but it didn’t go real far. 👍👍
Thanks so much for the comment, Frank! That's really cool you Legionized your P229. Also cool you gave it to your son. As a Sig fan, I feel like it's kind of an obligatory gun to own. I honestly find I enjoy it more than the P226 I had a while back. And I kinda dig the old-school slide design. In any case... thanks so much for watching!
Hipster Tactical, I really appreciate the research you do for these videos on the history of the firearms in question. One small correction for you, not to quibble but the S&W 4006 did not come out "a few years later" after the Glock 23. It was more like days to weeks. Glock announced the G23 first, but the 4006 as a practical matter was in people's hands before we saw the .40 caliber Glock. I got my first S&W 4006 on January 28, 1990, ten days after it was announced, which came with two boxes of Winchester 180 grain JHP ammo in a promo deal. It was a great patrol officer's pistol and I had very high confidence in it.
My first SIG P229 was in .357 SIG. Our city police and the State Police both adopted the .357 at the same time. Back then, patrol rifles were not common in my state, and SIG used the flat shooting characteristics of the .357 to suggest that if an agency adopted it, they could use it out to 100 yards with no need for a long gun. Having trained thousands of cops with handguns, I still have trouble mentioning that sales pitch with a straight face. But both our deparments had great sucess with the .357 SIG. It was so much more effective than the 9mm loads we had been stuck with, first generation 147 grain JHP's that our officers began to refer to their .357's as the "SIG Death Ray". Just about every shooting we had with the new cartridge resulted in a felon with his dick in the dirt, usually for the last time. Our State guys got the P229, and our department got the SIG Pro, because we wanted the then-new interchangeable backstraps on the polymer frame.
I didn't particularly want to own the SIG Pro personally, and the SIG LE rep arranged for me to buy a SIG P229 off the State Police contract at an outstanding price. I found it to be a fine weapon and incredibly accurate. One weekend I took it to a police pistol match that was restricted to unmodified duty sidearms and decided to compete with it. The first stage was at 7 yards, and featured 6 shots, a reload, and 6 more under time pressure. I shot one ragged hole in the X-ring. But then the R.O. called a halt to the match and approached me. He stated that several shooters on the line had complained about the noise of my pistol "throwing them off", and asked if I'd mind waiting and shooting my remaining stages separately. I told him that yes, I did mind, and if any cop was freaked out by the sound of pistol fire, perhaps he should find another line of work. I went on to win the match and set a state record that stood for three years with a stock P229. I love the .357 SIG, but it is a noisy cartridge, which is part of its charm to me.
I've owned a few P229's since then which were all .40's to start with, quickly joined by a .357 SIG barrel, and shot with 9mm by means of the now impossible to find SIG Caliber X-Change Kit. I now have a P226 similarly converted such that it shoots .40, .357, 9mm, and even .22 LR. I've never noticed much difference between the P226 and the P229, and just got a great price on the P226. But if a clean P229 presented itself at a good price, I'd buy it.
Tom... thank you so much for your insights and your informed perspective on this fascinating period in handgun history. Good call on the timeframe of the 4006; I honestly didn't have a specific timeframe in mind when I mentioned that... I'm not sure "years" is even what I meant :) But I appreciate that clarification. I want these reviews to help accurately depict the historical record.
As for .357 SIG... I love it too. I have a P239 in .357 SIG and I also find it to be a tack driver. Very interesting to hear of your experience with the round as an LEO. And it's sooo interesting to hear how your department framed the .357 SIG as a stand-in for a long gun. Haha. I always love hearing from people who really experienced this stuff in the course of their careers.
The "tactically woke" perspective on .357 SIG is that it's no better than a hot 9mm. I'm not gonna pretend to be a ballistics junky/expert, but, I remember watching one of Paul Herrell's videos where he tested .357 SIG against 10mm and some other hard-hitting handgun cartridges. It held its own with 10mm, as far as penetration. So... works for me.
I also used my P239 / .357 in an IDPA match a few years ago. It was back when ammo was impossible to find, and all I had was a big pile of .357 SIG. The gun was accurate as hell. I hit what I was aiming at. But not all that fast... and of course, it was me shooting it. So... here we are.
In any case... thanks so much for chiming in. Take care and all the best.
Loved your video! Thanks for your great info. Subscribed !
Good video. I find it refreshing that the P220, P225, P6, P239 were not criticized for having a single stack capacity.
Thank you, sir! Yeah, I've never been a huge "capacity guy"--shooting dynamics are my priority. But the P229 is a nice option if one is looking for a bit more capacity vs. a P239 or a P225. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you for the review.. I was thinking about getting this gun but after seeing your post I will buy the 229
Good choice, my friend. The P229 is a great all-around option. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Hey Hipster Tactical. Once again I totally dig on how in depth and detailed you get on your reviews regarding various firearms.
I also commented on your review for the S&W 4506. I was the one that had my house burglarized back in 2007 where my gun collection was stolen.
Another one of those guns that was stolen was the old style Sig Sauer P229 in 40 S&W/357 Sig. That one I never got back. Oh well, I purchased a newer P229 in the same calibers and it shoots flawlessly.
I've already subscribed to your channel and hit like on each and every one of your videos I watch. You're the man.
Keep up the good work.
Take care!😀
Thank you sooo much for the kind words and the support! Really appreciate the comments and the encouragement. It's things like this that really get me motivated to keep cranking these things out. Love your story about the 4506... sorry to hear you weren't able to get your P229 back, though. Like I said... I had a P229 in .357. I kinda miss it... but I think the P229 in 9mm is kind of a must-have. Glad I was able to pick one up. Again--thank you for the comment. I'm working on the FN HP-DA review now. Hoping to have that one up by Halloween. All the best to you...
This video is 30 minutes long but I enjoyed all of it. Thanks for a nice review.
Thanks so much! Sometimes I hope these things end up shorter... but, I feel like there's a lot to say--especially with a gun that's evolved as much the P229. Thanks for watching!
You own some fine old school firearms that tug at my old heart strings. Nice review/video.
Thanks, my friend! Glad you enjoyed it. I've got more, too--just need time to make the content. Take care!
Nice rundown on the p229.
Well done.
Thank you!
Thank you, my friend! Appreciate the kind words and appreciate you watching.
Your killing me.
I thought I had enough and thinned my herd down to my best. But you've got me fascinated with Sig now. I love 5" and 6" barrel models. 4.5" is my minimum if I enter Sig world. I'm researching, reading, watching. I live about 1 hour drive from Sig here in New Hampshire. I hope you don't charge extra for rewatching your episodes over and over again. ✌️
Well, sorry to infect you with the "Sig-ness." :) But also glad. Cool to hear you've acquired so many classics. Thanks again for all the comments!
I have one from the same vintage. West German frame and no rail on the dust cover. I live in Montana and I found mine in a gun store. It was a "Red Tag" trade in from Montana Highway Patrol, in 357 Sig. I put the piranha G10 grips on it with Trijicon HD night sights. I love it. All the noise and blast and fireballs make me smile
Nice! I love .357 SIG. I have a P239 in .357-had a 357/P229 for a minute, too. Kinda wish I still had it. I have this PPU “Defensive Line” stuff. It feels like a bomb going off in a P239. It’s awesome. Thanks for chiming in, man!
The "reinforcing band" made the P229 so sexy to childhood me. i love the mid 90s Sig designs
Totally. I love the look of the OG P229 and the P239. Sig was in their element back then. Thanks for the comment!
@@HipsterTactical I just recently found your channel. Love your content!
@@jugularSignal Thank you so much, my friend! Really glad you’re enjoying it. I do my best to keep the content flowing… but sometimes it’s a challenge with work and life. Working on a review of the Springfield mil-spec 1911, now. Should drop later this summer. Thanks again!
Excellent review! The legacy P229 in 9mm is really a great pistol. It's definitely a soft shooter in 9mm. The size of the pistol is perfect. I believe there weren't that many of the legacy 9mm 229 made compared to the 40/357.
Thanks, my friend! Yeah, I think you’re right-8/10 P229s from this era seem to be 40s and 357s. That’s why I jumped on this one. And I agree-it’s bulk makes it a great shooter. Just took it to the range recently… performed admirably. Thanks again!
Liked your video. You are spot on the history and development of the P229. I obtained a great concealed carry gun, in 2009. A Sig Sauer P229 SAS Gen 2, in .40 SW. Perfect carry pistol, with a legacy slide, short reset trigger, and had the "carry melt" treatment. Not a sharp edge anywhere on the pistol. weight is 29.5 oz. due to its aluminum frame. Never really liked the 40. Too snappy. The strange thing is, after dropping a factory. 357sig barrel, I shot my P229 a lot better. Recently, I got the conversion parts for 9mm. (Legion slide, recoil spring, guide rod, barrel, and magazine s) works great. Still shoot best in the .357sig configuration. After recoil, I get back on target immediately. When CC my P229, I wear a bullhide belt, with polymer stiffners, in the belt. Kydex holster, molded to the contours of the pistol, and snaps into place. It is OWB, worn at the 4 to 4:30 position. Sure, it is a challenge to conceal in warm weather, (live in Texas) but if can be done.
Nice! Thank you for the compliment. I happen to really like .357 SIG. I have a P239 in .357.... like you, I shoot it really, really well. Interesting to hear your method of carry. I think the P229 would make a great OWB CCW--it's grip is probably just short enough to conceal under most clothes... as opposed to the longer grip of the P226. Honestly, I've been carrying my P229 AIWB here and there; it's thick, but doable in the right clothes. I have fresh night sights on mine and G10 grips. So, it just handles and shoots very well. Dig it. Thanks for the comment!
We must be paralleling each other. I too just bought one a month ago. The P229 stainless elite version, also in 9 mm. Which then got me so excited about the Sig p2xx series, after I shot it, that I went ahead and bought the p226 legion SAO as well. and to pay for all that I sold some of my other guns. I am totally sold on the Sig p2xx series. And you are right, they are a joy to shoot. And they fit as conceal carry weapons no problem. I have your exact body type and waist size as well.
And "Bore axis shmore axis" really made me laugh. So many people feel the need to mention that, especially the Glock types. But in reality I too don't feel it at all. It's steady, accurate, just unbelievable. For the first time for me 9mm's are now actually fun to shoot.
Great video.
And that FN gun looks beautiful. Can't wait for that review.
Thank you so much for the comment, as usual! Yeah, once you get into Sigs, they're kind of addictive... I've heard it called "The Signess." Seems about right. I have 6, currently. This P229 is a great all-arounder... though, for me the P239s will always (I think) be more of my go to. They carry a bit better than the P229 and they shoot incredibly well. Another classic Sig I love is the P245. It's sort of a compact P220... but it's different than the "P220 Compact" :) It's magically accurate, for me. And yeah... I never found the bore axis to be much of an issue when shooting Sigs. But thanks again for watching and for your support! I'm writing the FN HP-DA review now. I think it'll be the first official "review" of that gun on RUclips. So... looking forward to getting that one up. Thanks!
I got a kick out of the "Bore axis shmore axis" comment as well. I worked for a time for an agency that issued P220's in .45 ACP, and with 230 grain loads we used to lovingly call our pistols "that flippy bitch". There was a bit more muzzle rise than with a 9mm, but not enough to change anything in a police shooting. Unlike some other .45's of the day, the P220 was stone cold reliable, and incredibly accurate. You would never see a P220 at a speed shooting contest, but back in the day it was a cop's best friend. None of us complained about bore axis.
I have p229s in 4; calibers. 9mm, 357sig, 40s&w and 22 LR. The 22 LR conversion kits are not made any longer but are not difficult to find. Cheap practice and it lets you develop muscle memory with the trigger.
Cool, man. The P229 is dope in any caliber. I had one in .357 SIG--wouldn't mind getting one again in .357. That round is just kinda neat. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Your video is full of good information.Thank you.
Thank you, my friend! The P229 and all its variations can be kinda mind-numbing--hopefully it helps clear things up.
I have the legion and a select. They shoot well, are reliable, and when empty make a great club so I carry mine all the time
Haha. Yeah, man. The P229 is dense little beast. I love it. It's a little tank. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
My p229 Legion SAO is one of my favorite guns. Has a phenomenal trigger.
Cool! I’ve never tried the SAO P2XX Sigs. I’m sure they’re fantastic. I feel like “normal” SA triggers on DA/SA Sigs are pretty nice, as it is. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@HipsterTactical if you pull up the pics of each, you'll see that the SAO is a straight trigger, where your da/sa is curved. The Legions also are the SRT or short reset triggers.
@@agirlandherdad2483 Yeah, I’ve seen the straight trigger in those. I’ve contemplated putting an SRT in some my Sigs. Should probably try it one of these days.
Good job, Hipster. I lived through the development of the 10mm, 40 S&W, and357 Sig. Good re-hash of history.
Thanks, man! I appreciate the comment. Yeah, the 10mm story is fascinating-especially because it led to so many other ideas and innovations in the 90s. We just see it as a big old bad-ass bullet (which it is) but it think had a lot more influence than we give it credit for. Thanks again!
Excellent review.
Thank you so much! And thanks a lot for watching.
I have no interest in buying a vintage SIG P229, but your presentation style is very interesting and passionate. No 2A bullsheit, modest, soft delivery. You should change your channel name to Connoisseur Firearms 👍
72 & Living Free before Dying
In New Hampshire ✌️
Haha! Thanks, dude! I appreciate it. I try to make it light and enjoyable--firearms are my happy place. Same for others, I think. There are plenty of outlets for 2A discussion. Which is important. But... trying to do something different. Thanks!
P229 is essentially a Glock 19 but with more weight and recoil manageable
Yeah, there's definitely some parallels between Glocks and classic Sigs. Though I do feel the shooting experience, subjectively, is quite different. Thanks!
Excellent. I really enjoyed your perspective. Thank you
Thank you for watching! Appreciate your support.
Mine is in 357 sig. love it.
Nice. I had a P229 in .357. And there's another one sitting at my LGS, currently. I want it. But I don't need it. Thanks!
I own a few 9mm pistols being a p229 Legion, Beretta 92fs, Taurus TH9C, and a 3rd gen Smith & Wesson 908. They’re all da/sa hammer guns. The p229 is the chunkiest of them in width but it has the best trigger and shoots like a dream. Thanks for the excellent review and history. Very enjoyable.
Oh yeah, the whole bore axis thing…. I agree with you 100%… bore axis smore axis. It’s a non issue made up by Sig haters. Maybe if you’re shooting full power 10mm it would matter but not when your shooting 9mm. Thanks again for the video.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Yeah, she's a girthy gal... but she can sure shoot. I actually just got some "Contour Classic" G10 grips for this P229. Really makes a nice addition. Thanks again for watching and for the comment!
Being originally designed for .40SW it is overbuilt for the 9mm. It is old school cool and a top tier combat handgun. I love it, and the P226.
Yeah, I dig it too. That heavy slide makes it feel great in 9mm. Appreciate the comment, my friend!
I have 229 in .357 Sig, 2006 stainless slide with rail
Nice! .357 SIG is just... neat. Especially out of a two-tone P229. Thanks for the comment!
great review.... I have a 99 P229 and you schooled me on it...
Thanks, my friend! The P229's history and lineage... with all the different variations and names... is super confusing. One thing I don't think I really "crystallized" in the video...... is that, initially, the 9mm P229 and .40/.357 P229s were essentially different guns. The 9mm P229s were essentially just P228s with milled slides, whereas the .40/.357 P229s used different frames, different slides, different locking components, etc. Anyway... thanks so much for chiming in!
I think these videos are better the 3rd or 4th time I watch😅. And the dates on the 229 goes by serial number prefix. The first year was 1992 with an AB prefix, the 93 was AC and so on. Until the early 2000s they got screwed up around AM. And the date should be on the inside of the grip panels, if they're original
40 S&W and 9mm are the same pressure, both 35k psi MAP
.357 Sig is 40k and 10mm is 37.5k
You're absolutely right. I was using "pressure" incorrectly. Clearly, Sig needed to beef up their guns to handle [some greater force] from .40 vs. 9mm... but... it's not "pressure." I guess it's just kinetic energy? I need to pin a comment correcting this. Thanks!
@@HipsterTactical I can't think of the right term either, the kinetic energy of a lot of .40 S&W isn't much higher than 9mm largely because velocity is the exponential component of caculating it. the recoil force of a 180 @ 950 will be a lot higher than a 115 @ 1200 even though they're both around 360 ft/lbs.
I think that's why they removed the square component from the calculaion for power factor in sports and focus more on bullet mass.
Great video. You are knowledgeable and speak well.
Thank you, sir! I try to bring something... of substance... to the table. And some goofiness. Thank you so much for the comment!
It has the same vibe as a Volkswagen Country Buggy. So boxy/bulky/blocky. 😝 If only they made it look like a P227 sas, it would be neat.
They've had SAS P229s. I kinda like the boxy look... it's the original. But, yeah, the P227 is a nice looking pistol. Thanks for the comment!
I bought a Leo trade-in training p229....it's a blue narrow frame dak. called sig to ask what I needed to do to make it run live rounds. They wouldn't tell me. After more research I swapped in a 9mm barrel and now she breathes fire. But I'm still curious if there's any other parts that that may be different.
That’s cool. 40 cal frames and 9mm frames are different on the earlier P229s. Some internal parts are too. They standardized to the 40 frame size after 2009. Thanks for the comment!
did that dope beat make it onto the new three 6 mafia cd thats dropping soon? or not and thats why you're using it here. thanks in advance.
Haha! Not yet. But if you run into DJ Paul or Juicy J, tell them I'm "available." :) But seriously, thanks--I was sooo into three 6 back in the day. Check my Soundcloud if you wanna bump more of my beats. Take care!
My 229 is in 40S&W and of course have a 357sig barrel, but it's my favorite pistol. Mine a 95 model
Cool, man. I had a P229 in .357 for a minute. Now I've got a P239 in .357. I actually shot the P239 better, in .357--for whatever reason. That thing is a little cannon. I love .357 SIG--it was the only the only caliber I shot for about a year during COVID times... because it was the only ammo I could find in 2020. Thanks for the comment!
@@HipsterTactical I traded for mine from my cousin and he gave me 13 box of 357sig and 8 box of 40S&W to go with the gun. And since he already bought the reloading equipment for both he reloads for free for me. And I found a 239 SAS in 40S&W I want to get so I can buy 357sig barrel. Unfortunately need sell something to get it. Or might trade my S&W 442 DC v Heller 2A commemorative edition for it
@@HipsterTactical I really enjoy the videos, we both like old guns built like tanks😅
@@jimchambers7548 Hell yes, we do! And thanks so much for watching. Appreciate the comments and support. And I’ll say the P239 is fun as hell in .357. Especially the hot stuff. Big fireballs. It’s awesome.
@@HipsterTactical can't wait to find out
You could if you had a 40 to purchase from Sig a 357 barrel n now you have 2 guns or a 9mm then you might have to swap the spring n rod
Matt, I'm 65 now and (thanks to arthritis in my hands) shooting my Legacy 40 S&W Sig P229 has become a painful experience. I could sell it, but I really love this gun. Do you think converting it to 9mm might produce a significant reduction in the snap and recoil? Also, is there a way I can modify the slide to make it easier to rack? Great review, BTW! 😎👍
Hey Bill... sorry for not responding sooner. I saw you left a comment on my blog as well... it's just been a crazy week. And thank you so much for the compliment! Glad you enjoyed the review. Changing your .40 P229 would definitely reduce recoil. However, it would be kind of an expensive, involved process to make the change. Since you have the Legacy P229, I THINK you would need to get: 1. a 9mm slide; 2. a 9mm locking insert (same as P228); 3. a 9mm barrel; 4. 9mm magazines. Sig also offered what's called an "X-Change Kit" for P229s which is supposed to provide everything you need to make the swap. BUT I think that might only work on the newer post-2009 P229s? But I'm not 100% sure. Here's a pretty informative thread on SigTalk about it: www.sigtalk.com/threads/for-those-looking-for-a-p228-p229-9-locking-insert.369174/
At the end of the day... you're probably not gonna spend a whole lot MORE just buying a 9mm P229. If you look around, you can find a used one for a good price. Just sell your .40... or keep it and have a P229 caliber smorgasbord! In any case, hope this helps. Thanks again for checking out my review!
@@HipsterTactical Thanks, Matt! That’s great information! 😎👍🏻
My understanding is you can get a legacy 9mm slide (try Matrix Precision) and a 229-1 barrel (it uses the locking block you have) and 229-1 9mm magazines. Bar-sto (and someone else I'm forgetting) make conversion 9mm barrels that fit your 40 S&W slide and locking block but some consider this range only.
Good review.
Thanks, man! I appreciate the comment and support!
People that like Sig P229s normally like Beretta PX4s and alloy framed Rugers. It's proven by science..
Yes. I am living proof of this great, cosmic scientific truth of which you speak. :) Thanks for the comment, my friend!
10mm sucks also
I like it.
Too many unobtainable expensive cartridges that don't fill a need
357 sig is basically a 7.62x25 tokarev
I know everyone says .357 SIG is no better than a 9mm +p+. But... I still feel like you get a bit more velocity with .357 SIG. Plus, guns chambered for .357 SIG are tougher and can handle it. Plus, plus... I think you get a feeding advantage with the bottlenecked cartridge. I'll say, though, that Tok is a great cartridge too. Thanks!
Unfortunately they fucked up with this one and it's proprietary magazine. Lacking the ability to use p228 & p226 mags killed it.
If you think the p229 is blocky you should see the walter pdp.
You think the PDP is thicker than a PPQ/P99? All the same guns, really.
@@HipsterTactical It's way to fat to ccw but they make really good range guns.