P229 Durability

[Noreaster]

I have owned a P229 in 357 Sig, (some say this round wears out a gun more then others,) for over ten years now. I have shot in excess of 10,000 rounds through it. All factory high end stuff.  I know the actually number of rounds is above that but I don't keep count past a certain point. About six years ago I sent it back to the factory for refurb, it cost about $60.00. There was nothing wrong with it but I had been through many courses with it and shot over 5,000 rounds and the factory is close by anyway. I have carried this firearm in all weather conditions day in and day out. The finish shows slight wearing on the edges where it goes into my duty holster, but not bad at all and no rust. I wish my hunting rifles held up this well. The gun works great. I can't believe how well it's held up. The only real problem I have had with it was early on when I used WD40 and it dried the gun out and caused a stove pipe. Never use WD40 on a working gun! I'm looking at another purchase and found myself looking at prices rather then the guns. You can't put a price on reliability, espicially a defense weapon. The P229 has a high price tag but you get what you pay for.

[rockbilly]

I have also put a "TON" of ammo thru my 229, it has never failed me.  It has always been my opinion that "if and when" my bacon is on the line I want a 229 in my hand.

[HAMMERHEAD]

Glad to hear they hold up so well.
I'm hoping my new P220 ST will last a good long time.
If an alloy .357 can do as well as yours has done, I think a stainless .45 shooting low pressure rounds should do at least as well.

[Noreaster]

I believe the 45 acp is about half the pressure (21,000 vs 40,000.) Must be allot less stress on the frame. I'm looking at a 45 acp right now. The 357 sig is great but I get headaches shooting on the indoor range, I use double ear protection. Good luck with the 220ST.

[sybo]

  All the Sigs like to run wet, I use Slide Glide on all my rails and Break-free every where else. Never WD-40.

[mnmw]

I love my 229 and the 357 is great round just a little more care to reload. I picked mine up used took it home gave it a good cleaning and lube and has yet to fail me. I spoke with my neighbor who knows one of the men who helped design the 357sig round and he says there should be no problems with it if the gun is taken care of properly.

[nasem]

I have owned a P229 in 357 Sig, (some say this round wears out a gun more then others,) for over ten years now. I have shot in excess of 10,000 rounds through it. All factory high end stuff.  I know the actually number of rounds is above that but I don't keep count past a certain point. About six years ago I sent it back to the factory for refurb, it cost about $60.00. There was nothing wrong with it but I had been through many courses with it and shot over 5,000 rounds and the factory is close by anyway. I have carried this firearm in all weather conditions day in and day out. The finish shows slight wearing on the edges where it goes into my duty holster, but not bad at all and no rust. I wish my hunting rifles held up this well. The gun works great. I can't believe how well it's held up. The only real problem I have had with it was early on when I used WD40 and it dried the gun out and caused a stove pipe. Never use WD40 on a working gun! I'm looking at another purchase and found myself looking at prices rather then the guns. You can't put a price on reliability, espicially a defense weapon. The P229 has a high price tag but you get what you pay for.

I love my 229 40 s&w, I bought it back in '08 cause I heard similar stories from a few police officers who have put thousands upon thousands of rounds through their sigs.

Its a little stocky and heavy (especially when the 10 & 12 round mags are full) but, it fits so well in my medium-sized hand, I can shoot the 229 more accurately than any other hand gun me and my brother own....

[Empty Quiver]

I have owned a P229 in 357 Sig, (some say this round wears out a gun more then others,) for over ten years now. I have shot in excess of 10,000 rounds through it. All factory high end stuff.  I know the actually number of rounds is above that but I don't keep count past a certain point. About six years ago I sent it back to the factory for refurb, it cost about $60.00. There was nothing wrong with it but I had been through many courses with it and shot over 5,000 rounds and the factory is close by anyway. I have carried this firearm in all weather conditions day in and day out. The finish shows slight wearing on the edges where it goes into my duty holster, but not bad at all and no rust. I wish my hunting rifles held up this well. The gun works great. I can't believe how well it's held up. The only real problem I have had with it was early on when I used WD40 and it dried the gun out and caused a stove pipe. Never use WD40 on a working gun! I'm looking at another purchase and found myself looking at prices rather then the guns. You can't put a price on reliability, espicially a defense weapon. The P229 has a high price tag but you get what you pay for.

The price of a gun is nothing compared to the cost of running it. It took me a while to understand that bit of wisdom. Having been around guns as hunting weapons ammo really wasn't a cost consideration. A pistol just sucks ammo right outta the box. It is both fun and requires constant practice to keep what meager skills I have accumulated.

Your experience with the P229 is what drew me to my SIGS.

[Mike in Virginia]

I was issued a 229.  When I retired, they let me keep it.  I carried it to work for about 12 years and fired it routinely at the range, as required.  When I first got it, I tested it off sandbags for accuracy and to see where the bullets were hittinhg at 25 yards.  It was dead on and groups were under 2 inches.  Now, although it's never failed to feed or fire, the groups have opened to about 5 inches.  The night sights that came on it are now only a glimmer.  It's just plain worn out, but still, with never changing a spring or anything else, it functions as it always did.  You can't beat a Sig for reliability.