DCIS switches to Sig P229

[watercop]

I was just visiting the local DCIS office the other day, and found out they switched to the Sig P229 in .40cal. The office here has turned all of their 9mm 228's in, and everyone has their 229's. CGIS is also going with the P229 DAK, as is the rest of the Coast Guard. We are scheduled to get them FY 07. Any insight on CID, OSI, or NCIS switching to the .40 instead of the 9mm 228?

[kennethm3]

A lot of it may have to do with SIG discontinuing production of the P228 a couple of years back. They maintained an inventory for existing agency customers but I imagine those supplies are about exhausted.

[Eaglearm]

I was just visiting the local DCIS office the other day, and found out they switched to the Sig P229 in .40cal. The office here has turned all of their 9mm 228's in, and everyone has their 229's. CGIS is also going with the P229 DAK, as is the rest of the Coast Guard. We are scheduled to get them FY 07. Any insight on CID, OSI, or NCIS switching to the .40 instead of the 9mm 228?

Hold on here cowboy. There is DCIS Office in the midwest that is issued Glock 22s. Maybe that was just a local thing.

[UncleSugar]

A lot of it may have to do with SIG discontinuing production of the P228 a couple of years back. Sig did not quit making the 228.

[kennethm3]

Uncle Sugar,

Au contraire mon frere. SIG discontinued the P228. I was told by the SIG federal sales guy in VA when I bought my P229 that it made no sense for them (SIG) to continue to produce a P228 (9mm only) slide in steel and a P229 (stainless steel) in two other calibres and 9mm. SIG was stuck will a few government contracts and manufactured enough P228s to backfill those contracts and maintain enough spares. As I said those spares should be exhauasted by now. Those P228 still floating around were manufactured 2-3 years ago. Ask a civilian dealer to order a P228 and see what kind of response you'll get.

Ken

[Reservoir Dog]

I was also not aware that SIG stopped making the P228. They still advertise them on their website. Interesting. Since the P229 is practically identical, it would make sense to stop production of the 228. Is SIG no longer providing the P228 to the military as the M11? I guess that is why some of the military investigative units are going to the P229.

[nsedet]

I guess that is why some of the military investigative units are going to the P229.

The shift by DCIS had to do with increasing the caliber of their duty weapon, not the unavailability of the P228. Have not heard any proposed changes from the MCIO's, but they deal with a lot more OCONUS work than DCIS and seem less likely to abandon the 9mm as a result.

Sig has not discontinued the P228, rather they have stopped taking civilian orders for it and restricted it mainly to LE and military. I am sure they would like to replace it with the P229 across the board, but have too many LE and military contracts in place at this time.

[TheGreatGonzo]

Sig has not discontinued the P228, rather they have stopped taking civilian orders for it and restricted it mainly to LE and military. I am sure they would like to replace it with the P229 across the board, but have too many LE and military contracts in place at this time.

100% correct! Kennethm3, somebody was apparently yanking your chain. I was at SigArms in Exeter, NH just a few months ago, and they are still happily churning out P228's. But not for general civilian sales.
Gonzo

[UncleSugar]

Those P228 still floating around were manufactured 2-3 years ago. Ask a civilian dealer to order a P228 and see what kind of response you'll get. On Point Firearms has tons of NIB 228s at low prices. One of SigArms new "Gun of the Month" promotions was a two tone 228, new this year.

As nsedet said civilian sales are a low priority, but they are available. Some dealers don't want to carry the extra inventory so it's convenient to tell a customer they are unavailable to shut them up.