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Terrific gun, but...

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p229 ase
3K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  UncleDave 
#1 ·
I really hate having stubs where my fingers should be.

With the big, fat walnut grips on my P229 ASE, I need to shift the pistol into a non-optimal position to comfortably reach the trigger in DA mode. SA is no problem. So I have a conundrum for which I request some guidance.

My options, as I see them, are:

A. Get some G10 grips and see how much the reach improves;
B. Get a Short-Reach Trigger;
C. Both A and B
D. Finger-lengthening surgery

Regarding the serious options, I have a couple of questions:

Question 1: Would the G10 grips make a huge difference over the wood, or is it minimal? I'm assuming there are differences in shape, not just circumference.

Question 2: From what I can find, the Short-Reach Trigger is just the trigger "handle." Can this be used with the Short Reset Trigger, or will it impede against the frame at the break?

I know many of you normal-fingered folks HATE the Short-Reach Trigger as it tends to pinch at the break point. Maybe that's not such a problem for us finger-length-impaired folks?
 
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#2 ·
You can use the reduced reach SIG trigger shoe with the short reset trigger kit sear and safety lever. Some models of SIG pistols came with this combo stock. I used this combo on one P229. Although I never really got pinched by the trigger shoe, I always felt as if I might and I later swapped it for a Grayguns P-SAIT trigger with an intermediate trigger reach.

In general, wooden grip panels do increase grip circumference in comparison to grips made of polymer or other materials to a significant degree. The G10 grips would be thinner. Another option would be the E2 grip which many feel offers the smallest grip circumference for the P229. I assume these would fit on the ASE model but I could be wrong.
 
#4 ·
Question #1: I don't have the P229 ASE, but have the M11a1 which is a P229. I have same issue with short fingers. I originally replaced the stock grips with the E2 grips, I have been told that they are thinner than others. Were OK but they loosened up over time, E2 grips are not attached with screws. Since I bought Hogue aluminum and they work for me.


Question #2: The M11A1 version of P229 comes with both the short reset trigger and the short reach trigger, so they should work in your P229. Go to a gun store and handle a M11A1 this would give you an idea if adding a short reach trigger helps you.
 
#12 ·
Te7as has it right Uncle Dave. Although I kinda like option D if you are up for it - before and after photos if you please lol :D
 
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#6 ·
Start with Short-Reach Trigger as it's about the most cost effective "test" to see how it changes the finger reach.

My P220 had short-reach while P226 had stock thus I changed the P226 short-reach as well, the difference to me is enough to prefer short-reach.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks for the replies everyone. Since I really like the look and feel of the walnut grips, I might be inclined to try the short reach trigger first. How much does that actually reduce the reach?

If that turns out to be a dud then I'll try the G10 grips. I did hold a P229 Legion only briefly, but I recall the grips felt very nice.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for the replies everyone. Since I really like the look and feel of the walnut grips, I might be inclined to try the short reach trigger first. How much does that actually reduce the reach?

If that turns out to be a dud then I'll try the G10 grips. I did hold a P229 Legion only briefly, but I recall the grips felt very nice. I couldn't stand the E2, to me they looked and felt cheap.
The short reach trigger does indeed reduce the reach and you can feel the difference. The problem with that trigger is certain people with long index fingers (me included) get their finger pinched. The Legion grips are basically G10 checkered with the Legion logos.

My personal problem with the walnut grips or wood grips in general is they are slippery from my sweaty hands in the summer. And they are pretty thick.
 
#10 ·
Uncle Dave, I agree the Short Reach Trigger, known as Trigger-7, https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/TRIGGER-7 will be the least costly experiment, it's unfortunate Sig has dropped the 2 piece Polymer grips. Depending on the age of your pistol, to get the E2 grips, you may need the whole "kit" to replace your strut and mainspring seat also https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/GRIPKIT-229-E2. When you compare the price of the "kit", it's almost worth the cost of the G-10s, such as these Sig Sauer P228, P229 & M11-A1 DA/SA black checkered G-10 28179 [28179] - $93.46 : Greg Cote, LLC
 
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#11 ·
I love the Wood Grips.
I've changed the grips on almost every one of My Sig pistols that do not have them.
Rosewood Diamondwood Blackwood or Walnut,'
I have four Equinoxes a Lipsey P220 10 MM A P238 HD that came with Wood grips plus a P229 Classic carry with thick Hogue G10 grips. I've switched the Rubber grips on My DAK P239 for Rosewoods. Still need to swap out the grips on My P239 Scorpion
By no means do I have large hands or long fingers.
I wear size 8 or Medium gloves depending on how they are sized.
Also I have no problem reaching the trigger DA/SA DAK or SAO
 
#13 · (Edited)
My wood grip Sigs (Elite and Equinox) all have the short reach trigger installed. Makes the gun fit my hands perfect..

When I have a gun with G-10 grips, I use a standard trigger.

I would say start with the trigger and the grips if you need more.

<——The Equinox in my avatar pic has been modified with the short reach since that picture was taken.
 
#14 ·
That's my problem with the wooden grips on on my SSEs. I have to loosen my grip on the gun too much just to press the mag release. So all my Rosewood grips are wrapped up and safely stored.

G10s are the best for me.
 
#16 ·
I like the short reach trigger. :D

The only gun I have that l still like with the standard reach (thick) trigger is my P239.
 
#17 ·
I love the Standard "fat" trigger on my SIG's.....G10s are close to perfect, but I may be Old School, but still like the Standard SIG, 2 piece polymer grips, as well....never had an issue with the grip, plus look pretty cool.....
 
#18 · (Edited)
OK, so... I went back to the LGS and handled a Nitron P229 with E2 grips and, although I like the looks of the classic grips better, it felt great in my hand. Dare I say better than the G10. This particular gun had the reduced-reach trigger also, which didn't bother me at all, but I'm not sure I need it along with the E2.

Since grips are easy to change and the kit is relatively inexpensive, I could always try the E2's and if I don't like them just swap them for something else. Also it allows me to preserve the walnut grips and not risk destroying them. I just worry that my poor gun would get teased by the other SIGs saying he's ugly and his owner dresses him funny. Question: Since this is a new gun, I assume it has the newer style mainsping and short seat and wouldn't need those parts. Do I still need the decocking lever that comes in the kit? Do they sell the grips by themselves without the other parts?
 
#19 ·
I decided to try the reduced reach trigger first. If that works, then I can keep the walnut grips on there. It seems as though Nature intended the wood to complement the stainless finish, and nothing else would look right. I also worry about the flexing of the E2's as some people have mentioned they may loosen up over time. I'd be interested in how common that is.

My only other complaint with the wood grips is that the right-hand side grip seems to have a bit of flex to it that is noticeable when exerting a strong combat grip on the pistol. The flexing is in the very bottom rear of the grip where there is a very small gap between the grips and the mag well. Has anyone else noticed this? I'd be a bit concerned about wood flexing like that repeatedly and the possibility of stress cracks over time.
 
#21 ·
I'd personally go for C.

I never liked the stock wood grips, they were a little bit slippery and too thick for my liking. I like the thickness of the standard polymer grips. G10's are slightly thinner but should provide a lesser thickness while being more grippy.

As for the reduced reach trigger (that's the proper nomenclature given by SIG to lessen the confusion of it and the actual SRT (short reset trigger), I'd say it's worth a try. But if you plan on having some action work done, might as well get an adjustable trigger you like as that should also reduce the reach by some.
 
#23 ·
Well, I ordered the TRIGGER-7 and GRIPKIT-229-E2 from Top Gun and they came in today. Installation was extremely simple.

The most difficult part was finagling the trigger bar back in place, but I quickly discovered the right choreography it went together easy. This gun has the SRT, and I recall reading somewhere that the sear spring tension might need to be relieved, but fortunately that wasn't the case. For the grips I placed a business card over the trigger return spring to keep it in place until the grip was past it. Couldn't have been easier, both together took about 5-10 minutes tops.

Both the thin trigger and E2 grips together are exactly what I needed! The reach in DA mode is almost exactly the same as my G23 and now I can pull nice and straight. The E2 grip is nicely contoured, allowing me to get my hand higher against the beaver tail, and texture is almost as aggressive as my M&P2.0, I'm really digging it, can't wait to try it out at the range.

Here are a couple of hasty, phone-quality pictures:
 

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