This is an article from "The Gun Nut Times" Newsletter I use to publish.
Out of all the choices out there why would I pick SIG SAUER for a top choice? Definitely not for the price, but then you pay for what you get. When choosing a defense pistol, I advise people in one direction. No, not brand. I tell them to look at what law enforcement, military, and government agencies carry. There is a lot of testing involved in making their choices. After all, those side arms are meant to protect the lives of those carrying them. That's the key we should look at. If those agencies trust a particular pistol to protect the people that protect us, there is a good reason for that trust.
Take for instance the D.E.A. When they went shopping for a new side arm for their agents they wanted a few key things. They wanted a mid sized pistol with a good grip and they wanted it in .40 cal because a lot of their women had trouble handling a .45ACP. That should be a simple request right? The problem was all the manufacturers they were familiar with at the time didn't make such a pistol. On top of that they weren't willing to make a .40 S&W just for them.
When they brought it up to the folks at SIG SAUER they got a different response. At that time Sig only made the Model P220 in .45 ACP but they took on the challenge. Because of that we now have the SIG P229. It is a fantastic mid sized pistol with a very comfortable grip and can be had in 9mm, 357 SIG, and .40 S&W. Both 375 SIG and .40 S&W calibers take the same magazines, so just swap out the barrel and either one can be shot.
SIG's motto is "To Hell and Back Reliability" and they mean it. Their frames are aircraft grade aluminum that has been anodized for strength. All their slides are now stainless steel, even the anodized slides. If the salesman tells you the only stainless steel on the gun is the one with the stainless finish, don't listen.
The SIG barrels have the most lock up points of any manufacturer. That does wonders for accuracy as well as their reputation. They have a well founded reputation when it comes to accuracy. I've shot their .45 ACP and was very impressed with it's accuracy and tame recoil for its lighter weight.
Let's talk safety for a minute. There are some guns out there that, with my small children in the house, I wouldn't have in my house. Typically I like to have an actual locking safety like on the Springfield 1911. SIG pistols are one of those exceptions to my rule. Here is how I got there. SIG engineered a four part layered approach to their safeties.
(#1) All semi autos have a disconnector. That assures that the gun can't be fired until the trigger is fully pulled.
(#2) Externally the SIG has a de-cocker. Most decockers cam the firing pin out of the way and let the hammer fall. Not SIG. Their
de-cocker is spring loaded to maintain hammer and sear contact. They do this because of another internal safety. Once the de-cocking lever is depressed the
sear is forced into a captive half notch, called a safety intercept notch
(#3), in the hammer. Once there the hammer has no way of reaching the firing pin. You would have to destroy the gun for the hammer to get any closer to the
firing pin.
(#4) Another layer of safety is the firing pin lock. Until the trigger is pulled fully to the rear, the firing pin is unable to move
because of the thick steel pin in the way.
So, you can start to see SIG's layered approach to safety. If one safety will do, think what two or three in a row will do. For concealed carry I think the
P229 is as close to double/single action perfection as one can get. The light yet strong frame cuts the carry weight down. The barrel is only 3.86 inches yet
still offers quality accuracy. The grip is shorter than its full size brother. Total height is only 5.35 inches. I am also impressed that it is offered in .40
S&W. If I strayed from my .45 ACP, it would be to the .40 cal. This is why I give the SIG SAUER P229 five out of five stars as a carry gun of
choice.
