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