Crunch time: Pistol buying advice

[HardDrive]

I am getting a Sig, that part I have settled.

Choices in order of preference:

1) 226 rail .40
2) 220 rail .45
3) 226 rail 9mm

I am very tempted by the 9mm just because of ammo cost. This gun is not for home defense, its strictly for target shooting. I'm not exactly going broke, so I can't decide if ammo cost is a legitimate factor....

The other issue is the grip. The 226s have big fat grips because they hold 15 round clips (approx...not sure actually...). I don't like it. The 220 has a slim grip like a 1911 because it only holds 8 rounds.

Any opinions welcome and appreciated.

[RANDY P]

Wonderful guns, all of 'em. Only gripe is that they aren't abmi...

Not a big deal unless you're either absolutely paranoid or LH. I'm the latter of the two.

rjp

[2.7RACER]

I am average size, 5'10" with average size hands. I found that I prefer the larger fat grips found on the double stack pistols, like Para-Ordinance, Glock and my STI.
When I first started shooting pistols, the smaller grips seemed better, but after shooting for awhile, especially my STI, I just found the fatter grips more comfortable.
I used to shoot several hundred rounds per week and maybe a hundred rounds at a time in various competitions, steel plates, run and shoot kind of stuff.
As for caliber, if you are shooting paper 9mm is fine. For steel that must be knocked down 45acp is better.
If you think you might shoot a couple hundred rounds per week, consider reloading. 100 45acp cost me about 5 cents a round.
The Sig's are all fine pistols out of the box. I shoot 1911's and they have all been worked on by me or my gunsmith.

[red-beard]

Get the 40 S&W. Once you have that pistol, you can purchase .357sig and 9mm barrels to fit. The 9mm pistol is different and cannot accept the larger barrels.

OTOH, if all you want to do is target shooting, get a .22LR. The Ammo is dirt cheap.

[red-beard]

40 S&W costs about the same as 45 ACP. If you don't like the fat grip of the 226, look at the 239. I just bought a 239 and it along with my Springfield 1911A1, are my favorite pistols to shoot.

Something else you might consider, a used Browning High Power. 9mm, 13 rounds, feels more like the 1911 in your hands, and will be a bit cheaper than a SIG.

I'll bet you are asleep, but if you're up...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=39371686

[targa911S]

Originally posted by red-beard
Get the 40 S&W. Once you have that pistol, you can purchase .357sig and 9mm barrels to fit. The 9mm pistol is different and cannot accept the larger barrels.

OTOH, if all you want to do is target shooting, get a .22LR. The Ammo is dirt cheap.

I totally agree...and I'm a Colt guy. Could not have said more, this is good advice.

[jyl]

Originally posted by 2.7RACER
I am average size, 5'10" with average size hands. I found that I prefer the larger fat grips found on the double stack pistols, like Para-Ordinance, Glock and my STI.
When I first started shooting pistols, the smaller grips seemed better, but after shooting for awhile, especially my STI, I just found the fatter grips more comfortable.
I used to shoot several hundred rounds per week and maybe a hundred rounds at a time in various competitions, steel plates, run and shoot kind of stuff.
As for caliber, if you are shooting paper 9mm is fine. For steel that must be knocked down 45acp is better.
If you think you might shoot a couple hundred rounds per week, consider reloading. 100 45acp cost me about 5 cents a round.
The Sig's are all fine pistols out of the box. I shoot 1911's and they have all been worked on by me or my gunsmith.

Which STI do you have? How do you like it, especially for accuracy?

I am trying to figure out which 1911 to get. (Still trying - head spinning - too many choices.) The STI wide frames look really interesting, although there's the issue of them not selling to California . . . I'd have to get a SV, very spendy.

I have largish hands with long fingers so fat grips are fine, though with the 10-round limit here, I would get no capacity benefit from double-stack, 9mm, or .40. Anyway I usually only shoot groups of 5.

Edit: Oops! Sorry, HardDrive, I hijacked without thinking.

[2.7RACER]

John L,

This is my STI. .45ACP, 13 rounds standard, 17 rounds extended.
Les Baer slide and compensator, Barstow barrel, Titanium hammer and sear, Ed brown grip safety, 15 pound spring.
The optical site is a PDP-4 held in place by a Alfaro composite mount.
Trigger set at 2 pounds.
Will shoot well inside 3" groups at 25 yards. It is designed for action shooting, steel plates.
I reload lower power loads pushing 180 grain semi-wadcutters.
The compensator works OK with .45ACP. Really works well with 38 Super.
If I build another, it will be a fully supported .38 Super.
Shooting this handgun is like a video game, the bullet goes where the dot is. Great for old men like me with old eyes. I shoot this both eyes open.
After original tuning by my gunsmith, it is very reliable. Not for everyone.
My favorite pistol is still my Colt Gold Cup series 70. Reliable and very accurate. Swallows up all kinds of ammo.

[nostatic]

Saturday I went and shot my 226 9mm along with a rented 220 45ACP. Originally I liked the slimmer 220 grip profile, but I think now I like the slightly fatter 226.

I've read too many "stopping power" articles. Seems that the non-dogmatic opinion is that for most applications 9mm JHP works fine as a defensive round...and if you want to go +p the 226 will handle that fine.

There is the argument about going 40SW, and then getting the 357 (direct drop in) and 9mm (Barsto aftermarket) barrel. But that ain't cheap, and I'm officially on a budget now. I'd also rather just worry about having one type of ammo on hand (and plenty of it). 40SW is getting cheaper, but you can get 9mm for about $5/box, which is still way cheaper. I've got a mix of FMJ for range and JHP for "defensive" (both 124g).

And if you're interested in saving some money, check out the CPO Sigs from James at OrdnanceOutsellers. Mine looks brand new, even though it is an '89 build date.

[jyl]

Doug, that is an impressive-looking STI. I was looking at the STI Edge w/ full-length dustcover. If I could find one used in CA or if STI would resume selling here, I'd be a customer.

[sluk]

I have owned and shot all the models. I carry the 220 in .45ACP. My favorite round. Other options would be the 229 - smaller grip profile than the 226 with barrel change options. If you want an even more compact 9mm try using a 228 again slightly different grip feel. All excellent choices. Shoot and choose what feels best in your hands.