Sig Sauer

Sig makes a near flawless weapon. I have a 229 .40. a 239 9mm and my favorite is actually my Sig Pro 2340 also a .40. You can find a CPO as mentioned in the $500 range but I highly recommend looking for a polymer framed Pro model, if it fits your hand you wont be disapointed and I found mine last year for $399 + tax.
IMHO the only .45 is a 1911 in your favorite flavor which for me put's it in a whole diffrent price range $$$$.
 
My $0.02 would be take a look a P239 (9mm or 40S&W).

I've owned owned most of the Sig lineup (220, 225, 226, 228, 229, 239) and shot the remaining...All top notch but the little 239 shoots as well as any, so you get the size of a small pistol with the performance of a full size. I've owned the P239 in 40S&W (jumped a bit much for quick follow up's) so I currently carry a 239 in 9mm....outstanding.
 
If money is tight, Sig may not be the ideal gun. I work at a gun shop/shooting range and our factory refurbs still range $550-900 depending on the model, and that is cheapest price in town. Consignments aren't much less... Mind you, the quality of Sig Sauer is impressive, and many of the guys I work with swear by them. The 226 in .40 is also the duty weapon for the local police officers here.

Let me ask first why you would want to avoid 9mm if money is tight? If you are plinking, 9 is much cheaper. I am assuming it is because you want a home defense weapon in which .40 has really proven itself to be the practical ideal, readily available and affordable cartridge. In terms of reliability as a defensive weapon, I recommend Glock to anyone and everyone who can understand and follow gun safety, and does not mind the lack of an external hammer.

Now don't get me wrong...I love the 9mm and it is indeed a good defensive round when chambered up with a winning hollow point, such as the Golden Saber Bonded +p, Federal Tactical HydraShock +p, Hornady XTP, Corbon Powerball, Winchester Black Talon/SXT/Ranger, all usually in 124 grain as it gives good muzzle velocity and force, but does not over penetrate too badly. Mind you, my shop carry has recently changed from a G19 (9mm) to a G23 (.40) chambered in 180 grain Federal Tactical HydraShok simply because the ballistic performance of a .40 is superior to a 9mm, .45 ACP, .357 SIG. .357 Magnum, .38 Special, 380 auto, etc which is partially why it is the number one law enforcement cartridge by a landslide.
 
Both of my sigs are chambered for 357 sig/ 40 S&W (I have 2 barrels for each). I have got my handloaded 357 sigs to push a 125 grn gold dot at 1500-1600 fps (625-710 ft lbs of energy) depending on whether I shoot it out of a 226 or a 229. This is 357 mag performance so it is very hard to beat as a defensive round. I own Sig's, Taurus's, H&K's, Glock's, CZ's, S&W's, Ruger's, Springfield's, and several others. The sigs are the best out of all of these. Highly accurate and dependable/reliable. My only dislike is I wished they had a little higher mag capacity. I also wished they made a 10mm.
 
Went to a few shops over the weekend, and I like the Sigs. They're damn pretty! But i've had alot of recommendations for Ruger's. Few people have told me they can be made VERY accurate, and I think we're gonna go out and he's gonna let me put a few rounds through his 9mm. Then, there's a gunshow on the 16-18, so i'm gonna keep my eyes open there.

Any opinions on the Ruger? Obviously i'll form my own here in a few days (Or something, no idea), but information is always helpful.

I still think i'm hard-set on a Sig, but if the Ruger price is a bit better, it may just have to do... Assuming it's still a quality firearm.
 
The new S&W M&P is a pretty nice gun. I just picked up the 17 shot 9mm for 385.00. For a S&W auto I'm impressed. You also might want to check out the new Taurus 24/7 line. All the calibers, decent controls, a really cool trigger reset thing, Heinie sights stock, and best of all, CHEAP!
 
rugers are excellent pistols, but are, imho, more of a duty pistol to be worn not concealed ie a uniformed LEO's pistol. they are just (for me anyway) way too thick and bulky to edc concealed. but as far as accuracy, reliablility they are top notch, i dont think they are any better than SIG, glock, or kahr though in that regard, they are all plenty accurate and reliable also.

if the price of SIGs is putting ya off try something like a glock 17 or 19 i have seen them at shows used for ~$340-$400. when i got my wife her P225 SIG i found one at the gun show, right when SIG had 1st disco'd them, $350 LNIB. also a used SIG would be cheaper.
 
I know it's already been suggested but you sound like a Sig is what you really want so your best bet is to buy a certified pre-owned SIG. If you buy a SIG CPO in .357 SIG many gunshops around here throw in a .40 S&W barrel for free, but that may or may not be true in your area. I personally would stick to a .45 and I don't own one but have always liked the SIG P220 but I tend to stick with Smith revolvers and Colt autos:D

Regarding Smith and Wesson autos, most of them are great, their autos are very underrated. Especially the TSW (3rd generation pistols). With new metal Smiths the way you can tell the generation is the model # a 3 digit number means it's a 2nd-gen gun and a 4-digit means it's a 3rd generation I believe those now ALL come with a rail and are called TSW (and yes the t is for "tactical" that often overthrown around word). Unless you are going into combat a 2nd gen gun should be more than adequate but the 3rd gen is more on par of the quatliy of a SIG, no joke. If you get a plastic Smith the Sigmas are good if you get a new one they had problems with some of the early ones. Also I know is hasn't been around long but the new M&P looks awesome and is getting great reviews.
 
I own several 1911's and a nice Smith Model 25 (revolver for those who may not be familiar). All of them are dependable and accurate. I like .45 ACP and have sent thousands of rounds down range. Some even hit the target:)

But my bedside gun is a P220 with Trijcon sights.
TSIA

--Mike L.
 
i love S&W revolvers but i dont really care for the autos, i have tried some of the performance center autos (ie a shorty forty) and it was a good one but was high $$, the S&W autos are a lot better now than 10 yrs ago imho.

but i pretty much prefer kahr/glock & SIG to S&W.
 
This will be white-noise at this point, but I just wanted to add more praise for Sigs. They just work, and they look pretty good doing it. The P220 is IMO the finest double-action .45 autoloader that has ever been made. They're hugely pleasant to shoot, and Sig ergonomics make it easy to hit what you aim at.

It sounds like you're on a budget, which is the only reason I would hesitate to reccomend the .357 Sig. It's an excellent caliber, but a little pricey to shoot regularly unless you reload. It does a great job on steel poppers, too.
 
If you dont get a sig I also recommend the Springfield XD's. 45 acp XD's hold 13 rounds comfortably.
 
SpookyPistolero said:
This will be white-noise at this point, but I just wanted to add more praise for Sigs. They just work, and they look pretty good doing it. The P220 is IMO the finest double-action .45 autoloader that has ever been made. They're hugely pleasant to shoot, and Sig ergonomics make it easy to hit what you aim at.

It sounds like you're on a budget, which is the only reason I would hesitate to reccomend the .357 Sig. It's an excellent caliber, but a little pricey to shoot regularly unless you reload. It does a great job on steel poppers, too.
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true, but the 357SIG ammo is cheaper now than it was a few yrs ago, back in the mid '90s it was high $$, now about like .45 probably. if ya wanna shoot something cheap get either a .38 special or 9MM.

the SA XD .45 is another good one.
 
I really like my Sig P220 and can honestly say it shot better than a lot of 1911s I built. You had mentioned money being a bit tight and ive seen some of the rugers at least be very reliable. I also cant imagine not having a 22 to practice with even though I reload. Shooting is fun but I dont like to have too much money to have fun and having fun is mostly what its about for me.
 
Hi Taigrr-

I am fortunate to own a matched pair of SIG SAUER P229 pistols in .40 S&W and I love them both. They have great ergonomics with comfortable grips and a decent factory finish. Maybe you could coordinate the purchase with an incoming tax refund.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I have been in this same situation before. You will not be happy with anything else.

There are a lot of good guns out there, really. They wouldn't be selling them if they weren't...but I must reiterate, get what you want. Save your money...for a Sig. It will be worth it in the long run to you.

Buy quality, cry only once.

Craig
 
I'm a little late to the party, but my department recently starting trading out all of their 220's. They all went to one local gunshop, and if you are interested, I'll send you the contact information. I don't know what he is asking, but some of them are in excellent, excellent shape.
 
Well I personally love the sigs, talk about kickass. Try northwest armory on mcloughlin blvd, 99E. They have used and news sigs there and they have good prices. They are great people to deal with, I am sure they could set you up with something, good luck, and congatulations on your choice.
 
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