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P228 vs P229

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155K views 48 replies 30 participants last post by  Rock185  
#1 ·
I've never seen a P228. and the "facts" I know are not complete.

I have read in a few places that the 228 and 229 are fairly identical.

Would someone knowledgable school me in the differences?
 
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#2 ·
My understanding:
The 228 is a compact version of the 226.
It comes only in 9mm, so for people who like the 228 but wanted the option of .40 S&W or .357 SIG, the 229 was born.

Because of the higher calibers, the 229 has a milled stainless steel slide; whereas the 228 has a folded carbon steel slide, which is sufficient for a pistol that only uses 9mm.

Oh . . . one more difference - they're not making any more 228s.
 
#3 · (Edited)
the last new ones with rail/228R, came out in '09 & to me, not the same as the older 228's, without the rail.
the old ones had matching s/n's on frame/slide/barrel & box & test target & today bring in some big bucks. one just sold on gb for over $1300 but generally fall in the $550 to $800+ if s/n's match, more if nib/unfired.

with the milled slide, the 229 is nose heavy & doesn't balance as well as the 228 in the propaganda pic.
Image
 
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#4 · (Edited)
228 - Folded carbon steel slide that it viewed to give better balance by some because it is lighter. Available in 9mm only

229 - Stainless steel slide that is machined. The extra strength of the milled slide allows for the 229 to also handle .40 S&W and .357 Sig chamberings.

Frames - Pre E2 era, the 9mm 229 and 228 frames were essentially the same and the 229 .40 S&W and .357 Sig frames were slightly different in the magazine well area due to magazine dimensions
- Post E2, the frames on the 229 are all the same regardless of caliber and the 9mm magazines are different "Enhanced" 9mm's require the 229-1 magazine which is dimensionally the same as the .40 and .357. I believe now all the 229 frames are the same.

Note: by dimensionally the same, I am refering to being able to fit and function in the same magwell.
 
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#5 ·
thanks for the info.. so if i see a 228 in the 5-700 range i should try to grab it.
 
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#6 ·
Yep, just need to know what to look for. Matching numbers of course if that matters to you. Wear on frame rails things like that.

I don't have a 228 yet, but I do have a W German 226. I just inspected it good before purchasing it, and then replaced all springs before firing. Couldn't be happier.
 
#8 ·
what are west german 226's going for? I know a guy that has one.
 
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#9 · (Edited)
I don't know what the rules are for links to other sites, but I guess the worst that can happen is this gets edited.

Here's a link to a bunch - I mean a lot - of 228s for sale, and based on their age and condition, cost anywhere from $450 to $800. Plenty of pictures for each one, so you can judge how much wear you'll put up with at whatever price. Plinkers and collectibles - they're all represented. Last time I viewed that page they had 86 P228s for sale.

Naturally, you can get a P229 anywhere with very little research.
 
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#12 ·
Are the p228 and 229 magazines compatible?
Specifically my brother has a 9mm and wanted a p229RE2 15 round magazine as a gift. Cheaper than dirt sent me a "sig sauer P.228" 15 round clip.
Will he be happy happy happy or crabby crabby crabby?
 
#13 ·
In the stickys there is an inspection guide that is well worth reviewing before you jump on one. Keep in mind, if you go 40 in a 229 or 239, you can adapt it to 357sig, and 9mm and have miltiple choice for a little more money. Works great
Check out the 239, is a winner also.
Good luck and got Sig
 
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#19 ·
To be clear, the govt mil-spec M11 is (was) a P228. The 229 (originally in .40) was modified to include a 9mm version. This made the P228 unnecessary and was discontinued.

Changing a mil-spec weapon requires govt approval, so to sell a civil version of the M11 (Without restarting the P228 line) Sig put P228-labeled grips on a non-railed P229 and called it an M11-A1.

Don't get me wrong, I have one and love it.
 
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#21 ·
Marketing...trying to duplicate the original as much as they could.
 
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#22 ·
The biggest attraction (to me) for the M11A-1 is the anti-corrosion coating applied to the Mk25 and original P228 M11A-1 used by the military.
In truth that will likely never matter but I like having a gun (or 2) with that extra protection

I don't actually care it is a P229 with P228 labeled grips. I can't understand how that is at all relevant

A P229 is a great gun and while most of my pistols have rails I prefer a few to not have them.

I understand making a gun that has ties it to a real military sidearm even if it is a mimic version is just good marketing so why wouldn't Sig tap into this desire.
 
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#24 ·
Wulfmann said:
The biggest attraction (to me) for the M11A-1 is the anti-corrosion coating applied to the Mk25 and original P228 M11A-1 used by the military.

In truth that will likely never matter but I like having a gun (or 2) with that extra protection



I don't actually care it is a P229 with P228 labeled grips. I can't understand how that is at all relevant



A P229 is a great gun and while most of my pistols have rails I prefer a few to not have them.



I understand making a gun that has ties it to a real military sidearm even if it is a mimic version is just good marketing so why wouldn't Sig tap into this desire.
Click to expand...


I'm with you Wulfmann. The M11 is great in its own right. Having a nostalgic connection to the original 228 is neat but not critical in making it function as well as it does. It stands alone as a great firearm.

The grips with 228 markings were easily resolved when I replaced them with G10s :)
 
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#27 ·
The differences are pretty well covered here, primarily the slide material. With that said, after acquiring my M11-A1 followed shortly by a P229r I quickly sold my P228's. My M11-A1 with some G10 grips is amazing and lest we forget the P229 Sport I picked up is about the best SIG I've ever laid hands on.
 
#28 ·
The 228, 226, 225 & 220 are THE iconic, old time triple serial/test target Sig pistols. It does not make them the "best" but....IMHO....they are from an earlier and special era. They are unique and worth owning/shooting.

History going boom in your hand. Every true Sigaholic has a 228....period.
 
#30 ·
While it is not a big deal I feel the P228 on the M11A-1 grips are confusing and misleading.

IMO the grips should just say "Sig Sauer" so they can keep the M11 aspect separated but not infer it is a P228 which it falsely does.

Once one understands the logic in the why or perhaps the lack of logic as to why making a misleading badge it simply comes down to the M11A-1 being a excellent pistol and that makes it worth having above any other consideration
 
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#46 ·
I have 30+yo P228s and have never had a problem with rust or corrosion.



.
 
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#39 ·
Just bought a M11-A1 in Army Green for my wife (who loves it except for the DA trigger pull), and it says P228 on the grips.
 
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#41 ·
They all do...homage to the original
 
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#40 ·
Whoops, went to wrong thread! Sorry
 
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#42 ·
Just bought a new Taco Army Green M11-A1 for my wife (who loves it except for the DA trigger pull), and it says P228 on the grips!
 
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