We haven't had the opportunity to review too many products from Sig Sauer, but that's not to say that we haven't wanted to. If you remember our First Look at the Sig P220 in .45ACP, we had some good things to say for the build quality and reliability, but we didn't spend much quality time with the P220.
Since then, I've become rather fond of my Glock 22, given that it's been on my hip nearly every day for the past 5 years or so, and I've put thousands of rounds through the pipe. Recently, I had a chance to switch things up a bit, and purchased a Sig P229. It has a lower capacity (12+1 vs. 15+1 in my Glock), it's heavier (29.6 ounces empty with mag, the Glock is 4 ounces lighter at 25.6 ounces empty), and costs significantly more, but it's slightly smaller than the Glock, and seems a little easier to conceal, given the shorter grip. The P229 has an MSRP of $1,015, where the Glock 22 (Gen 4) has an MSRP of just $649. That said, MSRP is merely that; Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Glock, Sig, H&K, it doesn't really matter the make, the point is that deals can be found everywhere, and I paid a bit less for this particular firearm. I've always been fond of purchasing used firearms, as I've done for years, and I've never had a single issue with any of my pre-owned firearms; That, however, is another topic entirely.
I'm not saying the Glock is superior to the Sig in any way, merely mentioning the advantages of the Glock over the Sig. That said, the Sig just feels different. It has a balanced feel, and the quality is quite obviously top-notch. There is a slight chatter when shaking side-to-side, but in a firearm with an all-metal construction, this is to be expected. The noise was not noticeable in normal operation, or when holstered, only when the pistol was deliberately moved in a vigorous way. Despite the noise, the tolerances are tight, and our inspection revealed no manufacturing defects.
I've been carrying the Sig off-and-on for around a year now, and it's been a fantastic companion. It's heavy, but not obtrusively so; you'll know it's there, but it's not cumbersome in any way. This one lives in an OWB "paddle" holster most of the time, which isn't quite as easy to conceal as my IWB holster for the Glock, but it serves it's purpose. One point worth mentioning, holsters for the Sig aren't as common in many of the local shops I've been to, simply due to the fact that the Sigs aren't quite as plentiful as the Glocks, Springfield XDM's, and S&W M&P's. They are out there, but make sure you look online, as the selection is much better through online retailers.
At the range, the Sig is a solid performer. As I mentioned above, I've got a solid connection with my Glock, but the Sig felt just as natural, although I did have to compensate for the slight difference in grip angle between the two, as I tended to aim a bit high at first. After a few rounds, however, things started to really come together. Groupings at 25 yards were a bit tighter than the Glock, but both were acceptable for a sidearm. Mag changes weren't difficult, but I did find the magwell wasn't quite as "smooth" as on some other pistols - there were several ridges near the well opening that the mag could get caught. That said, the magwell opening is flared to prevent snags from happening while reloading, and I didn't notice any glaring difficulties.
Test ammunition was Remington "White Box" 165 grain FMJ, and I fed about 5 magazines through the Sig, around 60 rounds. The slight increase in weight, and more balanced feel when compared to most polymer frame pistols, help with managing recoil. No performance issues occurred, all rounds chambered, fired, and ejected properly. The Sig was a great performer, and an absolute pleasure to shoot. The model I purchased is SA/DA with an exposed hammer, and the trigger is even with a smooth break. Trigger pull weight is 10 pounds in single action, 4.4 pounds in double action.
Pros: Accuracy is as good as expected, fit and finish is superb, and operation is simple and intuitive for most enthusiasts.
Cons: Additional weight when compared to polymer frame pistols, cost is substantially higher.
The Final Word: There's not much bad to say about most of the offerings from Sig Sauer that I've personally handled. I find that I'm always more worried about damaging the finish when carrying the Sig, simply due to the cost and it's pristine condition (compared to my "beater" Glock). If you're looking for a solid mid-size pistol, and prefer an alloy or stainless steel construction over the polymer frames, look no further. Be warned, however, as Sigs seem to want company, and you'll likely start looking longingly at the P229's siblings through the glass at your next visit to the local gun shop.
