Reggie T

I am about to pull the trigger on buying the P290 for the wife. I have been doing my research but there is not alot of current info from members who have bought the gun in recent months. I dont want to ruin her first sig experience with alot of problems like having to send the gun back to sig for updates, repairs, or finding ammo that will cycle through it because it's picky about what it eats. I would appreciate any help on this issue. Thanks in advance.

txshurricane

I don't have any experience with one, but there are a few here who do. Until they drop in and give you some good advice, keep this in mind: sometimes no news is good news. I haven't heard of any issues, either, aside from personal preference.

DanP_from_AZ

I bought one of the first ones out to retailers. I went to buy one of the first Ruger LC9's to replace my J-frame. I didn't like the trigger AT ALL. Or the gun, for that matter.
So, I came home with a much more expensive P290 "First Edition". With the six-round mag. Much later I finally got two eight-round mags from SIG. Almost $50 each.

I've never had any problems with it. It's eaten all the "stuff" I've fed it. Including the Rem. 124 grain Golden Sabers I use for SD.
So, knock on "metal", I've never had any of the reported "light-strike" problems. And, all I've seen about "current manufacture" says "no problems".

Back to the gun. Is your wife an experienced shooter ?
This is pretty small and lightweight. (uh, that is the reason for its pocket 9mm existence). It does feel "blocky". And, it barks pretty well, even with "standard" loads.

The gun grip's front and back straps are finished like coarse sandpaper. The front, back, and sides of the extended eight-round mag are finished with the same "sandpaper".
Makes for a GOOD hold, but when practicing with either 6 or 8 rd mags, it quickly "sandpapers" your skin. And, this is a gun that "demands" proficiency practice.

My CCW DeSantis "belt-pouch" method allows using an 8-rd mag, with 6-rd for reload. So far, never been "made", LEO or private citizen.
I wouldn't recommend the P290 for anyone who hasn't actually shot one before buying. On the other hand, I REALLY like mine. As always, YMMV .

maxndale

I own one also, have about 500 plus rounds thru it. Very nice little gun. But the trigger pull is long. My wife shot mine and did not like it at all. I feel this little gun is for someone with some trigger time.

I have fed the gun all types of ammo with only one light strike primer hit. Its a nice accurate little gun, but everything is tight, mag inserts hard, release can be hard etc.

What do you plan on using the firearm for?

Anyway unless she is experienced or plans on putting a lot of range time in, I would say there are better options.

my 2 cents.

Dale

Reggie T

Yes my wife is a experienced shooter and owns a ruger 380 lcp. She also has had some range time shooting my glock 27 sub compact 40 cal in my effort to prep her for the recoil I am expecting from the sig p290. I guess what I am trying to find out is if this is a gun that will have a lot of problems with light primer strikes and ammo selection that cycles. My wife had bad experiences with breaking in her ruger lcp 380 with what ammo it would shoot and recalls having to send it back to ruger being that she bought it when it first came out. The sand paper grips may or may not be a problem but nothing that cant be fixed with the addition of some hogue grips.

Reggie T

My wife plans on using the sig p290 for a CCW option and yes she plans on putting in alot of range time to become proficient with this weapon. It appears my bad habit and love for guns have spread to her, cant seem to go to the range without her.

Reggie T

Thanks.

SyberSig

You probably saw my post about all the trouble I had with mine. It is still at Sig getting issues fixed so I can't tell you how I like it just yet. I can say that when I got it back with the trigger upgrade the first time, it was very smooth and not excessively heavy. I still had 1 light strike on some Greek Olympic ammo out of 35 shots.
It is more accurate than the 380 it replaced and I personally don't have any problems when shooting a couple boxes thru it. You might consider one of those rubber band grip things if the sandpaper is too rough. Mine was one of the early ones I discovered after I bought it NIB from a dealer so they are still sitting on some shelves. Look at the label on the side of the case, it tells the date of Manuf. I read somewhere in one post that the ones after about Sept-Oct 2011 are the upgraded models.

I would try to find one to shoot before buying and also try out the Kimber Solo and Beretta Nano.

Reggie T

Thanks for the info and yes I had read your story of misfortune before. If I recall when I placed the p290 on layaway the tag on the side of the case had a born on date of Nov 2011. It had two mags one being the extended 8 shot and the other one the 6 which I was surprised to see. I also had my eye on the berretta nano but felt like the p290 at a sale price of $499 with night sights and extended mag was a better value if the kinks had already been worked out. I still have time to change my mind. Thats why I am looking for as much info as possible to make a good choice. I fell in love with the 2022 I purchased in Dec which was my first sig and was hoping to have the same results for the wife. If you happen to get yours back from sig anytime soon please keep me posted. Thanks.

cpallen

If you can't shoot it with her before you buy it at least have her rack the slide. It has a pretty stiff recoil spring.

Reggie T

I went to cabelas today and got the sig p290 out the layaway. My wife couldnt take it anymore she had to have it. Since sunday is a gunday at our house I wiil let you guys in on the good, the bad and the ugly. Wish me luck.

Reggie T

In the begining before buying the p290 I had my concerns due to earlyer reports of the troubles this gun was having. I trusted in sig that these concerns had been worked out of the later production guns. I found my wife a later model with a born on date of Nov 2011. We went to the range today to test the gun more for its reliability then accuracy. 200 rds later shooting federal 9mm 115 grain fmj the gun shot flawless. My wife and I loved the gun. The recoil was not to bad for her shooting the 6 rd mag and the 8 rd extended mag was even better. The sand paper grip did irritate her and myself shooting one handed but was no issue shooting with both. I must admit I was expecting something to go wrong but to our surprise the gun was reliable. Thanks, to anyone who gave me input and advice on helping in the research process. I will keep you guys posted on future visits to the range. Maybe now I can get back to shooting my sig 2022.

SyberSig

Glad you got a good one. Mine came back yesterday and is going back again today - dead sights again. Also what finish is on the top of your barrel hood? I sent in a black one and got back a polished one.

yogiboobooranger

I would have chosen the Ruger LC9 for her over the Sig for a couple of reasons. The most important one being she is familiar with the Ruger Platform and the LC9 is exactly like the LCP in every way. And number two, as many of do, we carry a pocket gun along with one on the belt/waist. If she did this or you, the platforms for both guns would be the same, and operation of each the same as well. Anyway, good luck with the Sig P290.

Reggie T

I own two Ruger LCP guns I purchased when they first hit the market. Both have been back to Ruger for recalls and both continue to be unreliable. In my experience they have FTF and FTE issues, which is one of the main reasons I bought the wife this gun. The LCP is very picky about the ammo it eats, not to mention the cost of the various 380rds I have tested to find out what it will cycle. I just couldn't sleep at night sending my wife out in the streets knowing her gun might jam in an emergency situation. Don't get me wrong, I think Ruger makes other reliable models of firearms. However, I strongly believe with this new market in pocket handguns for 380cal and 9mm, all of the firearm companys are using the public as lab rats to test them. In their efforts to quickly get into the market of pocket handguns, they are overlooking details that are important. I am very glad I waited until a lot of the kinks were revealed and resolved before I purchased a Sig P290.

Reggie T

The finish is polished on the top of the barrel hood, but the sides are black. I am sorry you aren't having much luck with your gun. Did you get a chance to even shoot it before sending it back?

SyberSig

I took it to the gravel pit and fired 10 rounds just hear her sing. LOL
Mine is an early one that had the black finish on all sides of the barrel hood. Its obvious to me they just replaced the whole slide & barrel assembly with another one that happened to have the same dead tritium problem, with out actually checking it in a dark room. I don't like the new style shiny polished reflective top hood surface directly in my sight line. I liked the black better and asked then to put it back on. We'll see what I get back this time.

yogiboobooranger

I own both the LCP and the LC9. I have had no issues with any type of ammo used in either gun but..I do a fluff and buff on all of my guns and these were no exception. My primary complaint with the LC9 was the loaded chamber indicator sticking miles out of the top of the barrel shroud. I quickly removed the flag, ground it down from the bottom and re-installed it. It only protrudes ever so slightly now. And for what it is worth, I have and do carry my LCP daily in my right front pocket..I have over 700 rounds fired through it and have had only one FTF and that was a reload with a faulty primer. And I only carry factory ammo in the gun when carried for self preservation. Again, good luck with the Sig 290.

Reggie T

The sand paper grips on the Sig290 is ruff on the wifes hand between thumb and index finger. She needs a holster to carry ccw also, any suggestions?

Pepprdog

You made a good choice going with the P290. I have a LC9 and a P290 and have compared the two side by side. Both shoot very good but the Ruger bites your hand considerably more after shooting a while. The trigger of the Ruger is also longer enough to make a difference in accuracy, I really don't like it compared to the Sig. I feel the Sig will be easier and quicker to learn proficiently.
You can use a fine sandpaper to smooth the grip slightly just like it will with use.
The holster will depend on how/where she intends to carry it.