SIG P229 or P239 Comparisons

[ghost58]

Greeting to All: I'm looking to buy in 9mm. The difference in magazine capacity is not important, and I am not interested in the option of the 22 conversion kit for the P229 (since it seems to be plagued with problems). With that background, does anyone have any suggestions for a newbie between the P229 and P239. Anybody have both? All comments appreciated. Thanks.

[M. Sage]

229 is bigger by a little bit. The 239 should be more concealable than the 229 because of the smaller dimensions and thinner grip (single stack mag in the 239).

ETA: I guess the first question would be "what do you plan on using this pistol for?" A small pistol is great if you're going to carry concealed (not much chance of that on Contra Costa County, though...?), but bad at almost everything else.

[Heatseeker]

I picked up a 239 in .40 last Dec. I pack it around at home and plan to use it for out of state ccw carry. It's great shooter and is easily concealed using a holster that a calguns member made custom for me.

I couldn't be happier with it.

Not exactly a comparison, more of a positive review .

[aca72]

Choose the one that best fits the "feel" of your hand.

Both are champs.

[Miltiades]

Different missions

I have the P239 in 9mm and the P229 in .40. The P239 is thinner, lighter weight and more streamlined, making it easier to carry concealed. The P229 is an excellent gun for range and home defense, and can be carried concealed if you don't mind the weight and thickness. The triggers feel similar on both, and the grip of the P229 fills my hand better.

[aplinker]

I'm a huge P228/229 lover. It's one of my favorite pistols. In fact, I just ran a couple hundred through her. Such a pleasure to shoot.

The P239 is really a bit too small to shoot "right" in my opinion. It's much more of a carry piece.

[dchang0]

I was torn between the two for a while before finally buying the P229.

1) The P229 has a 10rnd to 13rnd capacity (15rnd with P226 mags), while the P239 has only 8rnd max.
2) The P229 comes standard with a rail for mounting lights/lasers.
3) Bigger/fatter grip on the P229, making for better grip/control and more comfortable recoil (slightly higher weight = lower velocity dispersed over wider area of your hand).
4) More choices in holsters for the P229 than the P239.

I also felt that the P239 was too heavy for its size--if concealability is important to you, the gun should be light and easy to carry inconspicuously. For this purpose, polymer frame guns are a better choice.

[hkusp9c]

yeah like others said. you should feel both pistols first and decide which feels better if they both don't feel right. Then try something else.

[ghost58]

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply. Its for range use, not CCW. Have held P239 at Bullseye in San Rafael, but they did not have a P229 for comparison. Sounds like it comes down to what feels better -- which is exactly what I wanted to know. Appreciate your comments. Regards to all!

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I shoot my 239 and P6 best of all my Sigs, I have small hands. My 229 comes 3rd.

Best thing about the 239 other than its size is its trigger.

[MrClamperSir]

Its for range use, not CCW.

I have both and the p229, IMHO, is more accurately controlled for combat/defensive shooting. Regardless of CCW or home/range the p229 is better. Both mine are .40's but my buddy has the p229 in 9mm and I couldn't tell the difference.

[CnCFunFactory]

The United States Secret Service can't be wrong....

Go with the 229. I own both, the 239 in 9mm and the 229 in .40. I prefer the 229.

I will say given a choice though mine would be the sig 220 in good ole' .45.

[blackfalcon]

For target shooting, the P229 is a much better choice. I have both (229 in .40 and the 239 in .357 sig) and the P229 is better for target shooting. It is heavier than the P239, but for CCW, the P239 with it's slim build definitely has the advantage.

[MrClamperSir]

but for CCW, the P239 with it's slim build definitely has the advantage.

It is a little better concealed but the 229 was a more consistently accurate under pressure (for me anyways).

[TZL]

I prefer the double stack 228/229 series...especially using the 15 round pre-bans i have...nice capacity advantage over the 239...almost double the rounds for not that much bigger package

of course I have pre-bans, so if you are currently getting into it, your advantage is smaller, 8 rounds in the 239 vs 10 rounds in the CA-neutered 229....