Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns New pistol

Been thinking about getting a new handgun for daily carry.
I live in rural SE Colorado and usually have one handy but never carried daily. Re-thinking with all the crap going on in our country.
Have the paperwork ready to apply to local sheriff.

Looking at Sig P229 compact in .40. I like that caliber in an old Ruger I have that's too big to conceal for me.
Own a S&W 642 air weight but don't shoot it well. Several others that are too big to carry.

Would appreciate any thought/opinions

I have an old beater 'no rail' 229 in 40 that leaves nothing to be desired as an all around carry gun. We've had them with rail and E2 grips (my wife still has one of those) but if IWB carry is on your radar hold out for the no rail version and stock Sig grips.

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I have two S&W Shields, one in 9mm and one in .45 ACP, that I carry often. The Shield is also made in .40 cal., and if I were interested in a .40 for daily carry, the Shield would again be my choice.

While the P229 has a great reputation, I've never been a fan of DA/SA pistols (or Sigs high price). I would recommend the S&W M&P40 Compact 2.0. I have the 4" barrel version which is very close to the Glock 23 (but a better shooter IMO). About $350 $420 from Sportsmans Outdoor Super Store (SOSS).

If that's the gun you like you might want to look into the availability of holsters for that configuration for the way you intend to carry, before you take the leap. I imagine there are plenty of options for that gun but I don't know what your requirements are.

No real recommendation can be made without a little bit more information:

1. When you say "daily carry," what do you mean? How many hours/day will the gun be on your person, and what will you be doing when carrying?

2. Does the new gun have to be a .40 S&W, or is it just what you're used to? How opposed are you to a 9mm?

3. What is it that draws you to the P229? I'm not criticizing it, but I was wondering what features you like--it will help in recommending other options. (FWIW, the DA/SA doesn't bother me. If you aren't a fan, they make a SAO version).

4. Will the gun have any other purpose/application beyond EDC?

I think I’d go with this. As much as I like my G32 I always reach for the Shield for easy carry. With good ammunition the 9mm is sufficient. I find it easy to shoot well and function has been flawless.

dla, I prefer DA/SA & decocker. That's what I'm used to.
Looking at used for cost savings.




Rufus, I'm going to use a belly band since I wear nothing but bibs and my belly is larger than I like. Not many ways to conceal while wearing bibs.

Waders
I'm an old retired farmer and don't usually carry around the farm but always have one close. I'll carry when on trips to town or on the road somewhere. If a belly band is comfy I might carry around home also.

I like the .40, been shooting it for a long time. Also have plenty of ammo on hand. I just think the .40 is a bit better round.
My oldest son has a Sig P226 and strongly recommends them.

I handled a Sig quite a while back and it fit me very well. I travel to a larger city now and then and will visit gun stores to have another look.

What Old Rooster said re the Shield, Mine's also "easy to shoot well and function has been flawless." They're easy to conceal and not that expensive.

Im partial to Glock 23 for a compact 40. The Sig 229 should be just fine for a carry pistol and for your use. Sig quality has dropped in my experience but still decent firearms.

Another vote for the M&P 40 Shield. Mine is a joy to carry, accurate and reliable.

I would get the M&P Compact rather than the Shield. Spreads the recoil out in the web of your hand a bit and gives you a few more rounds.

sig 320 X carry in my hands is more accurate than most glocks unless they have had trigger work. The 320 compact is made in 40sw. The 320's are reasonably priced. Anyway good luck, and I agree with what is going on we never know what to expect.

Based on that: Get the Sig 229 .40 as planned! It's your money and you only have to please yourself!

How are you going to carry your pistol? IWB , OWB, open , or concealed? It makes a difference. I don't carry IWB and can carry a 1911, SIG P220, Browning HP, or S&W M65 4" open carry very comfortably. I carry a S&W Shield EZ 9 OWB concealed in a good fitting holster.

This looks like a pretty clean old no-rail 229, Dennis. They do run a tad higher than railed or DAK 229s.

https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/sig-sauer-p229-40-s-w-pr40850/

I sure like my S-W MP 40. (Shield). I just got it this Spring and really like carrying,
either shoulder holster or IWB.

I prefer the 40 to the 9 because of larger dia and enertia. Just my preference.
Hope I never have to shoot a person. But I would .....

Belly band carry I'd be looking for the slickest lines and still fit my needs. The fewer protruding levers and latches and rails the better. Belly Pain Matters. Just to keep it simple, and considering you have the admitted body type to hold a full size auto, I'd try to find a Glock 22 to run a box of rounds thru. Done considerable IWB carry with a mid sized 23 and a fair amount with a full size Model 19 9mm which is the same frame as the G22. Comfortable as your going to get and there's quite a few Police G22 trade ins for cheap now, or up till all the current crap anyway. Good luck

Having actually carried Glock 22s and 23s, IWB under a tail out T-shirt, I can tell you for a fact that a no-rail Sig 229 with OEM grips carries just as well as either Glock- in the same old Safariland 27 that toted the Glocks,