229 vs 239

[jamie]

I don't think you will notice the recoil difference between the two, and as far as which one, it all depends on you.  Are you willing to pay 200 extra for 3 more rounds and a bigger grip?  If yes then get the 229,  I took  the 239 in 357 sig.  It seems ....more natural to me.  Either one is an excellent choice.

[Chris]

:?

It all depends on what you want to do with it and how the firearm feels in your hand.  I bought the P239 when it first came out in 9mm.  It is small in size and lends itself well to concealed carry.  The women in my household can fire it comfortably, as the 9mm is easy on the hand....a big plus!  BTW, it eats anything you can feed it...ball and defense loads.  

Either way you will end up with a good gun...for me, the the P239 was a good choice.  Regardless, SIGS go off EVERYTIME you pull the trigger...and that is what really counts!  Good luck and...

Be Safe!   ...Chris  :grin:

[Ranger413]

I've owned both.  I bought a P229 in .40 S&W shortly after the 10-round ban went into effect so I was limited to the 10-round mags in my P229.  If I remember right it cost about $750 back then.  It was an ultra reliable gun and the only malfunction I had with it was some light reloads using cast bullets.  I suspect it was the load/bullet combo rather than the gun.  I reluctantly sold it off when I needed some fast cash.

I now have a P239 in .40 S&W.  I purchased it as a back-up weapon and off-duty carry gun.  I can shoot it better than my duty carry P220!  Accurate and smooth trigger.  Paid about $525.

I feel that the p239 is the better of the two because . . . you're only giving up three rounds, the grip is slimmer (more concealable and fits smaller hands - about like a 1911 style), and money left over for holster, night sights, an extra mag or two, and plenty of ammo to get you started.  The P229 was a bit chunky in my hands, now I'm a happy Sig owner again.  

Personally I'd go with the .40 S&W.  I've never shot the .357 Sig and don't feel I need such a beast.  I'm sure it recoils more and I believe it costs more to shoot.  

Ranger413

[Stan_TheGunNut]

I have a 229 in 357 sig, and a 239 in 9mm.  I love the feel of the 229, to me, it just feels more natural and fits in my hand better.  I also like the 239, but I have hogue grips on them.  My wife likes the 239 much better, for a copule of reasons.  She likes the lighter recoil of the 9mm, and her hands are quite a bit smaller than mine.  Both are excelent guns, and I've never had a problem of any kind with either, no malfunctions, no failure to feed...nothing.  The 239 was quite a bit cheaper, but my 229 also has tritium sights.  Anyway, it's hard to go wrong with either, in any of the available calibers...I guess it really comes down to how much you want to spend, and what you're going to use it for...

[mrmarklin]

and the guns are completely different.  The 229 is a fullsize frame gun with the potential for 12 rounds in .40 SW or .357 SIG.  Next year those magazines will again be legal.

Since the 239 is a smaller frame gun designed for concealed carry, I bought mine in 9mm.  The recoil of .357 Sig would be more than in the 229, and it's pretty sharp in that gun.  But far from uncomfortable.

So I would say it depends on your primary use, and whether or not you're going to carry concealed.

[BigDaddyB]

So I would say it depends on your primary use, and whether or not you're going to carry concealed.

This pretty much sums up my opinion.  My primary carry is a duo-tone P239.  I have both .357SIG and .40S&W barrels for it.  

You can't go wrong with a SIG.  We can get that point out of the way.  That being said, I'm a HUGE P239 fan.  Both .357 and .40 are both EXTREMELY manageable in this firearm.  Neither round causes me any grief.  The .40 has a nice smooth recoil, while the .357 has a strong snap at the front edge of the recoil.  That little round is a MONSTER.  I carry it in winter when folks are wearing thicker clothes and denim and leather jackets abound.  

The Hogue grips really complete the package nicely, but aren't a necessity.  

I've never found a small gun that was easier to shoot accuratly than my P239.

Hope all this helps.

[les hemby]

i am wanting to buy a duo-tone 239 from my brother in law. what kind of accuracy is the gun capable of it is 357 an how easy is cal change to probably 9mm. is 550 about right  he bought it new and has shot a  box of shells but it is absolutely perfect other than that

[jaberegg]

When I decided I wanted something for carrying when I was camping I looked at quite a few guns. Everyone said the 239 was the perfect gun for small hands ( women ), after I played with one I knew this was the gun for me. It's in 9mm an either jacketed or cast........ I can't complain! I figured if I wanted something bigger on my side or shoulder holster I'd carry a .357 mag. Love the 239, it's about perfect.

[Sig210-6]

Check out CDNN. & Download their catalog.
Great prices on new and trade in SIG's.
They offer a neat factory Custom 239 for $499.00
New 229 .40's for $599.00, and NIB 225's for $499.00
Thats the one to get! much better grip than a 239
and more compact than a 229.
I own both 225 and 229 great guns!
Hands are too big for the 239/245.

Also KY imports has police trade in 229's for $399.00
http://www.kyimports.com/tarus.htm#sig

[cbagman]

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE 229 UNTIL I FOUND OUT HOW MUCH THEY COSTED!!!!!!!!! THE 239 RUNS 200$ CHEAPER BUT IT SEEMS ALOT SMALLER . IS THE 229 WORTH THE EXTRA COST? ALSO HOW DOES RECOIL COMPARE BETWEEN THE 40 AND THE 357 SIG? I'VE SHOT A 40 BUT NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO SHOT A 357 SIG.

 My first Sig was a P239 in 9mm. The second a P220 in .45 ACP. But my favorite is a P239 in .40cal with the Hogue finger groove grip. It shoots great all the time.. I swapped a Model 23 Glock and $75 for it.. It shoots better than that Glock.  My latest Sig is a Trailsman .22. That thing is a primo plinker.. cbagman