First Gun Purchase - Update

[Wordupmybrotha]

Oh the dilemma. I could get the 2022 for 500 OTD, or the 226 for 950 OTD. That is almost double the price for the 226, is it really that much better?

No.

[solidfreshdope]

[Nephthys]

Question to those who may know better, and maybe a little suggestion for the OP - can the 2022 take the Sig short reset and short reach trigger upgrades? I was in the same boat sometime last year as OP, looking to get a 2022, and while I was tire kicking one at an LGS, they showed me a 226 Extreme. Cost twice as much, but holy hell did that trigger sell me. If it can, I may just go out and buy a 2022 and have the trigger work done on it.

[theLBC]

well i am glad yoshi was able to enlighten you a bit before you made your decision.

[Tennessean #45]

Deephouse, that is an insane deal, thanks for the link.

Someone PM'd me earlier another link for a special on the p226 mk25 new for 799. I've been seriously considering going all in and getting the p226, as that price is about 200 lower than anywhere else. But now with this price on the 2022 it makes it harder to justify.

Oh the dilemma. I could get the 2022 for 500 OTD, or the 226 for 950 OTD. That is almost double the price for the 226, is it really that much better?

Mea culpa...first time buyer too and have been free riding on this thread. I thought I'd chime in and give some props (and Congrats!) to the OP for articulating the same question I've been pondering. Also, thanks deephouse for the heads up on the Quantico deal (steal) and in turn got me to, err, pull the trigger.

While I'm feeling gratitude, thanks to the whole CGN community for the valuable info, advice and welcoming, enthusiastic attitude toward noobs here. I moved (back) to SoCal after 17 years in New York City. As most of you probably know, legal gun ownership by private citizens is next to impossible there, so it has never really been on my radar. This forum has been a fantastic (and time consuming) resource for the last few weeks.

I just ordered the SP2022 after handling it a few times...I'll admit I haven't shot one (range I took lesson at didn't have one), but decided to take a chance the DA/SA trigger, more comfortable grip and better sights vs. the Glock 17 (can't fit my hands on the smaller G19 grip, at least Gen 3 w/finger grooves). Toyed briefly with a P239 or P226, and have a feeling I will eventually own one or both when I'm more experienced and ready to commit more $$$ to shooting. I'm sure there will be a Glock on the horizon too at some point. I also figured if I end up not liking the gun, I at least have a piece that will let me get on a range alone and allow me to rent some other models, and I won't be out too much if I end up selling the Sig.

Quantico was very prompt with processing, easy to deal with and had my chosen FFL on file (Aces Jewelry, thanks again CGN!). I did consider the $799 deal on the MK 25 as well, but some quick research on the vendor did not give me the warm and fuzzies about ordering from them, and I ultimately appreciated the entry price point of the SP2022.

Thanks all!

[code_blue]

Looks like I've stumbled upon the conclusion thread. Congrats, buddy. You have another hurdle to clear, but that'll clear up soon. I'll check on the SP2022 tonight. Remember that ordering online and shipping to an FFL, you will incur the FFL transfer fee and CA tax (if not charged by the vendor). You need to calculate and determine if you're still saving money.

OP has large sized hands, but narrow palms and slim and long fingers. His length of pull is greater than mine. On the Shield (we tested for giggles), his natural finger placement was hooking at the 2nd flange. Oddly, he preferred the P226 E2 grip (smallest) over the G-10 Piranha with thin trigger.

I prefer the G-10 with standard trigger. My hands are small with thin palms and thin, medium length fingers. I prefer the G17 to the G19 (in Gen3), the P229 to the P226, the P320c to FS, the HK P2000 to the other HK's, and I prefer the M&P FS to the M&Pc. It varies depending on the pistols and intended use.

I recommended that he opt for a non-CA Sig, since our two range P226's have had repeated failures specifically due to the LCI and MDC as well as the other user reports found in this forum. Our range weapons are probably the best examples of "well-worn" pistols and malfunctions. Our Shields have never had malfunctions resulting from the LCI and/or MDC. It's a design issue by Sig and they are aware of it.

We pretty much went through the entire archive of semi-autos in the FS category for his purposes and yes, we did compare against the compact sized counterparts.

The SP2022 seemed to fit him the best. No matter which pistol I had him compare against, he gravitated back to the SP2022. It was the only pistol where there wasn't something that he didn't like about it.

To the question of comparison to the P226... I explained that the SP2022 is a fine pistol, but it should not be compared to a classic P-Series Sig. They were designed different with different ideals. The SP2022 was intended to be the lightweight, polymer military pistol replacement. It was (probably still is) used by the French police (it's predecessor anyways).

The P226 is a durable, beat-em-up, tank in DA/SA. The trigger is definitely heavier from factory, but it was designed that way to eat any form of ammo available. Is it worth the price difference? To me it is, but to him and anyone else, maybe or maybe not. It's up to him and you to determine. That and because the SP2022 doesn't fit my hands as well as the P226 or P229.

If anyone else wishes to go through this, PM me. We'll schedule it. I have appointments tonight and tomorrow for two other newbies, but will be available this weekend. Pro-bono and no cost to you other than what you personally decide to acquire or FSC fees (if needed).

Trust your gut instinct and stick to the SP2022. That is why I went through the lengths that I did to help you make an informed decision. You can ignore comments and criticisms from folks who question your decision. It is YOU'RE decision after all. We can look at other options after you've developed your preferences and skill.

CZ folks, he didn't like the CZ's either.

[hambam105]

Good thing this Yoshi person wasn't around when I received all the 1st pistol buying advise I needed from the 1974 movie, Magnum Force.

Four Hundred bucks for a brand new Colt Python a few years later. Bad Boy me paying full retail after watching Inspector Calahan eradicating a couple rouge fellers touting identical revolvers around San Francisco.

[OCEquestrian]

Good thing this Yoshi person wasn't around when I received all the 1st pistol buying advise I needed from the 1974 movie, Magnum Force.

Four Hundred bucks for a brand new Colt Python a few years later. Bad Boy me paying full retail after watching Inspector Calahan eradicating a couple rouge fellers touting identical revolvers around San Francisco.

Still have that gun? Ill give ya $500 for it!

[OCEquestrian]

Take a training class. Do not spread all your gun learning over different guns, become master of the one you have. Become master of one....

More excellent advice....

[tbc]

CZ folks, he didn't like the CZ's either.

OP, I forgive you this time

[hambam105]

Someone already saw your offer and raised you ten bucks.

[rodralig]

My advice is to not rent a Glock 17 for comparison. Forget all other guns. Do not look at or lust after, or plan to buy another gun for at least a year. Instead, get a few spare magazines and lots of ammo. Take a training class. Do not spread all your gun learning over different guns, become master of the one you have. I have dozens of guns (Mostly Glocks, 1911s and CZs) and I think that "Pick one and stick to it" has huge value. Become master of one, not jack of all trades. After you've become one with the gun, THEN start looking around. Now you know everything about your one gun, and what you like and hate about it. Then the quest begins.

I can attest to that...!!!

First was a G22, then a few months later the PX4 Storm. Rented a 1911 in an indoor range, fell in love with the trigger, the weight, the form factor, and the history. So got myself the MCO.

But when I started into classes and action shooting - the differences between the pistols was becoming a pain. I took myself to just become a Glock guy. Focussed on my G22 (with an NY2 trigger) for dry practice, and a G34 for competition. The PX4 and the 1911 became safe queens! But even then, I feel that my fundamentals are way way stronger, which can be transferable to any gun.


_

[tomrkba]

Have fun with it once it is out of jail. Master that double action trigger and the transition to single action. Buy additional six mags when you get the gun. Acquire a Lula loader and 2,000 rounds of practice ammo.

Mastering the DA trigger will make you a better shooter. Your standard is five rounds in a 4” group at 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Start close and do not get frustrated. If your groups open up at five yards, then focus upon your grip. Something you are not doing with the grip is allowing movement during the pull. If you are vertically stringing, then focus upon grip and let the recoil happen. Too many people will tell you to focus upon sight picture and trigger pull when the grip is the problem.


The following describes how you should be holding the gun regardless of rate of fire.


Paul Sharp's "Recoil Mitigation"

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtbs7wd5C-URhwiK2-y0Qn1ZED9qL9Ifj

Training points:

Mitigating muzzle rise from the wrist (Videos 1-4):

1) Lock wrist on each hand that is touching the gun
2) Hard pinky finger pressure
3) Push thumbs forward hard
4) Proper grip: High in the tang, high under the trigger guard. Forward thumb on support hand. Check by placing trigger finger and support hand thumb on frame. They should be equal on the frame (point up to check).

Test by attempting to bend the wrist upward. Instructor places finger on wrist tendon to verify (Video 5). The shooter will tighten up and prevent as much movement as possible.

Mitigating side to side muzzle movement (Videos 6-7):

1) Tighten the elbow of each hand on the gun
2) Tighten the shoulder of each hand on the gun

Test by attempting to move the gun in a circle.

Mitigating gun push backwards (Videos 8-13) :

1) Use hard push-pull.
2) Push from the primary hand shoulder.
3) If support hand is on the gun, pull back into the primary hand.
4) Nose over toes. Stance is aggressive and nose should be over or slightly past the forward toe. There are no stances in a fight, but this is the optimal case.

Instructor tests by pressing with continuous pressure against the shooter's hand. Their head should not move very much. The instructor should watch for head movement by comparing to a static item in the background. Properly done, the shooter's head will barely move during recoil. Watch the shooter's toes. They should not rise.

Video 14 is a summary of training points.