comments?

[anotherted]

hey there,

I held off on buying a 92 because when it came time to close the deal i got cold feet -- i wasnt positive that it was 100% what i wanted. Im now looking at a P229 in .357 SIG. Ive heard great things about this caliber and now that im going to start hand loading im not too worried about the cost v. 9mm. I know the P229 is an excellent handgun but id like to know your thoughts on this caliber. First hand experience would be great. Oh yeah, this gun would perform multiple roles -- defense gun around the house / target shooting / backpacking sidearm.

Thanks again,

Ted

[JPN6336]

.357 is a little snappy but I've heard the penetration is much better than 9mm.

[luvtolean]

It's a bit snappy, shoots a big fireball, and is noisy. Like any bottleneck pistol round. My GF loves to shoot it, so recoil isn't too bad.

I enjoy the round, and am actually looking at getting myself a P226 in it.

In most guns .40S&W is just a barrel swap away too.

In case you don't know, you have to buy/scrounge .357 Sig brass, you can't use the .40S&W stuff.

[grammaton76]

Ah, very good choice. I definitely would recommend going for the 40 S&W barrel for the inexpensive ammo.

Crimson Trace grips are a very nice add-on for 'em.

[EBWhite]

Go with a m9 or a BHP. I really recommend a BHP.

[IGOTDIRT4U]

Consider the 96 over the 92, as well. The Beretta is a VERY, VERY easy gun to field strip, and is real reliable. To get a bit more punch than the 92 and not deal with the boom of .357, the .40 S&W is a good load.

[f4tweet]

357 Sig

I hope you are reloading, because 357 Sig is $$. A 40 barrel is the way to go. BTW I DO like 357 Sig.

[hoffmang]

I own a 92, a 226 and a 229. I'll trade you cash and a 92 for a 226 or a 229. That would tell you what I think firing them all together. Now I will say that my major complaint on the 92 is that it just doesn't fit my hand well. I won it in an NRA fund raising auction so...

-Gene

[C.G.]

The .357 SIG round is extremely effective for defense purposes. The 229 is a great all around kind of gun too.

+1. I consider the .40SW snappy, but I can shoot the .357 Sig just fine. Right now the P229 Sig in .357 is my favorite handgun, in spite of expensive ammo.

[Cardinal Sin]

357 Sig ammo is not common and is pricey. You could go with the 40 cal and swap a 357 Sig barrel. Honestly though 9mm ammo has gotten much better over the years and the ammo is relatively cheap and plentiful. With 357 Sig you have to search to see who carries it and then you usually pay much more $$$ than more common calibers. In the end what really matters is that the gun you purchase instills confidence, works reliably and gives you satisfaction, (mind out of gutter ). If it is the P229 that does these things for you then go for it!!!

[anotherted]

Very nice. Thanks for all of the feedback. For the most part,you all have just confirmed what i suspected. Cant wait to get one.

[Gnote]

If you do decide to get the 40 barrel later, just keep in mind that it will raise (or was it lower) your point of impact an inch or two at 25 yards. I think it is riase though.

[icormba]

hmmm...
A Sig in .357 SIG just sounds a little better than a Sig in .40 Smith&Wesson

The .357 SIG has a bigger kick & bigger flash than the .40 (I have both barrels in a Glock 23) but the 357 SIG round in my Glock is more accurate and is all around more fun for me.

By the way... the guys on the SIG forum say you can put a 9mm barrel in the Sig .40 & .357 guns.

[C.G.]

hmmm...
A Sig in .357 SIG just sounds a little better than a Sig in .40 Smith&Wesson

The .357 SIG has a bigger kick & bigger flash than the .40 (I have both barrels in a Glock 23) but the 357 SIG round in my Glock is more accurate and is all around more fun for me.

By the way... the guys on the SIG forum say you can put a 9mm barrel in the Sig .40 & .357 guns.

I guess kick is relative, I consider the .40SW to kick more.

Yes, you can put a Barsto 9mm conversion barrel on .40/357Sig Sigs, but not the other way around (9mm magwell will not accept .40/.357 mags).

[Gnote]

...
By the way... the guys on the SIG forum say you can put a 9mm barrel in the Sig .40 & .357 guns.

Yes and no. You can put a 9mm CONVERSION barrel in a 40/357. Barsto makes them and they run around $200. Sig does not make conversion barrels.

You canNOT put a standard 229 9mm barrel into a 229 with a 40/357 slide.