Download This Issue - US Concealed Carry

SIG SAUER 229
AMMUNITION
Rounds Fired
Errors / Practical Accuracy*
Malfunctions @ 10 yds.
Hornady 124 gr. TAP FPD 40 0 2
Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr. FTX 40 0 2
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. GDHP +P 40 0 2
Commercial Reloads 115 gr. FMJ 80 0 3
* Note: “Practical accuracy” means the reviewer fired the gun while standing, and then placed a circle of a known size around the resulting
group using the USCCA Official Gun Review Excellence target.
The Galco Concealable holds the gun
close and tight, allowing for easy
concealment under a loose fitting shirt.
moderate and the gun is easy to control.
Even the 9mm +P loads seem very mild.
Undoubtedly, the rather large grip on
the gun and the heavier weight of the
pistol help tame the recoil. Even in .40
S&W or .357 Sig, I believe this P229 will
be very manageable. Quick follow-up
shots are very easy to deliver with the
mild recoil and the very smooth single
action trigger.
My only complaint with this gun is
one that applies to Sig Sauer pistols in
general. The slide release lever is toward
the rear of the slide, behind the
decocking lever. This is nearly the same
position that other guns have a thumb
safety lever. If you generally use a high
thumb position, such as commonly
used in shooting a 1911 type pistol, you
will likely be riding the slide stop lever
and preventing the gun from locking
open on the last round. This is primarily
a training issue, but it’s something to
be aware of if you plan to transition between
gun types.
Final thoughts
There is no question that Sig Sauer
builds a high quality pistol. The Sig P229
is already a nicely sized gun for carry, and
the SAS version adds the “carry melt” that
makes the gun much more functional in
a concealment holster. When you consider
the accuracy and ease of handling
of this gun, there is no question it is an
excellent choice for concealed carry. The
thick grip of the P229 may be too large for
some people with small hands, but if the
gun fits your hand, you will not be disappointed
with its performance.
Some buyers will balk at the price of
the P229 SAS, which was retailing for
$1,108 at press time. Actual street prices
are somewhat less, and the gun can
be purchased for under $1,000 in many
places. While it is certainly true that a
Glock 19 can be purchased for several
hundred dollars less, and provide very
similar functionality, that represents one
of the classic conundrums over “value.”
A Chevy and a Cadillac will both get you
where you want to go, but a Cadillac will
get you there in style. The Sig P229 SAS
Gen 2 is definitely the Cadillac of carry
guns. H
Duane A. Daiker is a contributing editor
for CCM, but is otherwise a regular
guy—not much different from you.
Duane has been a lifelong shooter and
goes about his life as an armed, responsible,
and somewhat opinionated citizen.
Duane can be contacted at Daiker@
RealWorldCarryGear.com, or through
his fan page on Facebook, and welcomes
your comments and suggestions.
CONTACTS:
Hogue, Inc.
www.getgrip.com
(800) 438-4747
Hornady Ammunition
www.hornady.com
(800) 338-3220
Sig Sauer, Inc.
www.sigsauer.com
(603) 772-2302
Speer Ammunition
www.speer-ammo.com
(800) 627-3640
Galco Gunleather
www.usgalco.com
(800) 874-2526
The SC2 is Galco’s version of the classic
“Summer Special” inside the waistband
holster with a thumb-break retention
strap.
**The Sig P229 SAS was provided by the manufacturer, and was later purchased at a discounted price. The
holster pictured was provided by Galco Gunleather at no charge. Some of the ammo for testing was provided
at no charge by Hornady and Winchester. Prices as of March 2011.
28
USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n MAY/JUNE 2011