SIG Talk banner
  • Notice image

    SigTalk is a forum community dedicated to SIG Sauer enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Sig Sauer pistols and rifles, optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!

What’s the word on the M11-A!?

3K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  OlongJohnson 
#1 ·
Hello!
I have a P226 (1984/W.German) bought new back then. 06/2017 I’m back to shooting and picked up 5 pistols since, all DA/SA + paddle release.

I’m now looking for a P226 carry version, enter the M11-A1. Black (I think) but I actually like the Green/AGF and it’s my first colored gun. I need to read up more on Talo, (a.) Is the M11-AGF a real sig?
Reliability is job 1, anything I pick up nowadays requires CCW use. My Out of the Box (with factory lube/grease) gauntlet has me feeding 115gr steel Tula for its 50rds, then normally 124gr ball/practice and Std/+P Fed HST.
I’ve read about early production M11 FTExtract, my gauntlet (c.) Is the current production/assembly M11 (Out of the Box, no break-in) up to the task?
 
#5 ·
Far as I know. I see the description mentions 15 rounders but it has a -10 model#. I would call or to see if they were for a restricted state and if there are other specific features like mag safety (CA) etc. Or wait for Willard or bblr to get into the thread. They know all!
 
#6 ·
I have had a number of M11A-1s and I have never had a fail to anything, ever

IMO they are the best heavy carry gun one can buy today.
I carry a P239 but if I feel I need something stronger ai more ammo I carry a M11A-1

They can use 10 or 15 round factory mags but yes the PSA comes with 3 10 rounders which is fine for the range as it allows more mag changes which people don't practice enough.

But, the M11A-1 which is actually a P229 with no rail and anti-corrosion treatment is not a smaller P226.
Every dimension is different and very few parts are interchangeable.
They also use different holsters.
But they feel and shoot about the same with the M11A-1/P229 being easier to conceal.
 
#8 ·
^^^^
What those guys said! :)

And if you like 40, you might consider an ex-LEO P229. Especially those made from '92 - '05 (IMO). Good ones can be had in the $400 to $500 range - look for the decocker if you want DA/SA.

When thinking "colors" for a carry gun, be aware they don't seem to suffer holster and handling wear nearly as well as the standard "Nitron" black finish. All finish grumbles and complaints, if mentioned here, will elicit an immediate, "It's a tool - shoot it!" response - no sympathy will be forthcoming. If you want it to stay pretty and not rapidly develop more "character" than you'd like, you might want to shy away from SIG's PVD colors.
 
#10 ·
Yessir . . . and a funky loaded chamber indicator too. The mag safety is easy enough to remove, the chamber indicator, not. They'll also have 10 round mags . . . though I guess there's been a successful court decision banning the ban, I don't really know where that is.
 
#11 ·
First, let's get a few things straight...

1. The factory "lubrication" you reference is preservative more than lubricant because they have no idea how long it's going to be stored in some warehouse, who knows where... clean it, and the magazines and use quality grease where parts slide and oil where parts turn or rotate before shooting it.

2. The M11A1 isn't a "version" of a P226, it's newer version of the P228, which was the original "M11" used by the military. The M11 had phosphate coated internal parts, and a chrome lined barrel. The M11 had a standard 13 round magazine, which will fit an M11A1, but the M11A1 has a 15 round magazine that will not fit the older M11, as it has a different taper from double column storage to single column feed.

3. Your use of steel cased ammunition is your business, but it is normally lower powered, and will likely cause problems when the pistol is new. After broken in, it will probably function 100%, but when new doubtful... Sigs have fairly tight tolerances, and strong springs, so need quality "powered" ammunition when new.

4. If this is your version of "torture testing", it's your pistol to do with as you wish, so when it fails, you've been warned in advance...
 
#15 ·
There was no close second: the best gun I've ever carried was my Sig P229 .40 S&W that I bought around 1997.

My P229 has been 100% flawless. It's the most reliable I've carried and own/owned. It's more reliable than revolvers I've had to carry (old school law enforcement). I'd pit it against ANY revolver for reliability and durability.

My advice is to own a P229. You'll love it. Even better, it's easy to conceal for CCW application.
 
#20 ·
Thanks for the welcome.
I’m in CO, we have a pseudo commie 15rd mag limit but it cannot be enforced (15rd+ parts/maint loophole and sold openly) nor do LE care.
I am definitely picking up an M11-A1/P229 but I can wait, Palmetto will be back. What I can’t find is definite (official) reference the -10 has the mag safety, and so far I don’t think it does.
Will do the initial cleaning then 124gr NATO for its first outing, and succeeding. I’ll be doing either black/green, no I don’t care for holster wear (battle scars in my book).
Now I’m curious, is the FDE anodized or Cerakote?
 
#24 ·
If you haven't already picked one up, you'll enjoy owning an M11-A1. I recently purchased one because of my experience duty carrying a P229 in .40 cal. for 20-plus years. The 15-round Sig mags (17 in MecGar) give plenty of firepower, and the light recoil of the 9mm, teamed with the P229 slide, keep you on target with minimum recoil and muzzle flip. While the standard grips work well for me, the newer E-2 grips that fit the M11-A1 work even better in my hands. Be advised that unless Sig has made changes of which I'm unaware, the M11-A1 comes with one standard grip panel that is marked "P228," which is a holdover from the original M11 series.
 
#25 ·
I have a green one.

Winchester White Box cases are frequently defectively machined, and the long external extractor has some issues with them as a result. I still haven't solved the problem yet, but haven't given up.

I've never had a failure with a Federal case, and since I prefer to carry HST, I'm fairly comfortable with that.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top