View Full Version : SIG 228/229 differences?
Was shooting a FLETC SIG 228 the other day; it went down halfway into the course of fire and they handed me a 229 to shoot while they repaired mine.
Now, lots of us have been really disappointed with our 228s...the DA trigger is not only ultra-stiff, but very notchy; it's just about the least smooth-shooting weapon I've ever fired. (Then again, my experience is limited to Glocks, Berettas, revolvers, and 1911s...but I never thought I'd have a worse weapon than my Beretta M9.)
But the 229 shot like a dream. Much smoother trigger, little lighter pull, and the trigger itself was better-shaped; more of a 'hook' on the bottom. Unfortunately, I had to give it back. After letting a few others from my class dry-fire the 229, everyone agreed the 229 felt like a completely different weapon.
Is there a difference between the 228 and 229 of which I'm unaware, or is this the result of an optional trigger or something? Or are our 228s just old, beat up, and poorly-working? I've been told the only difference between the models is the slide, so what gives?
Searched the forum and found reference to a 'short trigger' for the 228/229. Is that some sort of option for SIGs, or model-specific? Is it what I encountered on the 229?
MD
Fedglock
01-15-2006, 12:21
Is it possible that you may have been shooting the 229R, with the DAK trigger? If so I really know what you're saying. My ofc should be getting them soon or so my "arms" guy says. I can't wait.---
Is there a difference between the 228 and 229 of which I'm unaware, or is this the result of an optional trigger or something? Or are our 228s just old, beat up, and poorly-working? I've been told the only difference between the models is the slide, so what gives?
Having carried both models during my career, there should be no real difference between how the weapons shoot. My guess is it had more to do with the particular guns you were shooting than the model. The 228's that FLETC uses for training face a lot of wear and tear because of the number of rounds fired, training environment, etc.
Is it possible that you may have been shooting the 229R, with the DAK trigger? If so I really know what you're saying. My ofc should be getting them soon or so my "arms" guy says. I can't wait.---
Nah, it was a normal DA/SA with an external hammer. I'd love to try the DAK, though...DAO just seems like a smart idea for a carry gun, and consistent trigger pull is kinda nice.
Thanks for all the feedback, gentlemen. I figured our weapons were just ridden hard and put away wet a few thousand times too many...
Thing is, I'm not even sure which model we'll be issued. Everyone I've spoken to from my agency has said it's the 228, but I've seen people posting on here that they have 229s, and that's what us new guys will be getting.
Either way, as long as it goes bang when I pull the trigger...
MD
UncleSugar
01-15-2006, 14:24
. . . there should be no real difference between how the weapons shoot.+1
In 9mm the frame and internals are exactly the same for the 228, and 229. Only the slide is different, and those differences have no practical affect on how the gun feels or shoots. As nsedet said, the differences you noticed were probably due to differences in wear and tear on the two individual guns, not the make and model.
Actually Sug, there is a pin in the 228 that breaks after about 5000 rds. and will start to work its way out of the slide.....That is one of the main differences! At DS, I started with the 228 and then migrated to the 229. There are some slight nomenclature differences, but not many!
Actually Sug, there is a pin in the 228 that breaks after about 5000 rds. and will start to work its way out of the slide.....That is one of the main differences! At DS, I started with the 228 and then migrated to the 229. There are some slight nomenclature differences, but not many!
Heh, I've already been bitten by said pin...
Are new DS agents all getting 229s, then? What's the general condition of the duty weapons? (Coming from the Marines, I'm used to getting the oldest-and-most-beaten weapons available...)
MD
Olive Drab
01-15-2006, 22:22
Do you get issued a brand new pistol or a "new to you" pistol?
UncleSugar
01-16-2006, 01:46
Actually Sug, there is a pin in the 228 that breaks after about 5000 rds. and will start to work its way out of the slide.....That is one of the main differences! At DS, I started with the 228 and then migrated to the 229. There are some slight nomenclature differences, but not many!
Huh? I've got about 5 or 6 thousand rounds through my personal 228. In the last year and a half I've put about 4thousand through my duty weapon, and someone had that gun for a few years before me, so I'm guessing it's got more than 5 thousand through it. I never er had any part fail on either one. Never had any parts fail, other than the plastic base plate on a heavily used mag, on any of the M11s I've used in OSI. I've never heard of this pin failure before you posted here. I'm not saying it didn't happen to you, but I have a hard time believing this is a common problem with the 228.
I'm not saying it didn't happen to you, but I have a hard time believing this is a common problem with the 228.
Although my own experience with a SIG of any kind is about 3 weeks old, the instructors did warn us about said pin either migrating to either side, or breaking and then beginning to slide out. (On the 228s...said the 229s had been improved.) Mine started offset to the right side...protruded just enough to cut my thumb a little when I slingshotted the slide. Took the armorer all of 3 seconds to fix, though.
MD
Are new DS agents all getting 229s, then? What's the general condition of the duty weapons?
MD
Brand new 229 out of the box straight from the armory.
Brand new 229 out of the box straight from the armory.
Unreal! Good to hear...
The older DS agents were issued the 228's..... My pin has broken twice and once it cut me. When it does, you won't forget it! You can tell when it has broken because it will start to inch it's way out and if you rack your slide quickly it will bite you.....UncleSugar, you are lucky if yours has gone that long without having a problem. Our armorers replace them all the time. The main reason I was issued a new 229 was because my front sight kept coming loose. Loose front sight and repeated broken pins leads to a new gun and I couldn't be happier........All new DS agents are getting 229's so hopefully the 228 will be weeded out in the near future......Just a personal preference I guess!
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