SIG Sauer P229

The SIG Sauer P229 is a compact version of the SIG Sauer P226, like its predecessor: the SIG Sauer P228. It can be chambered for .22 LR, 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .357 SIG.

== Design and History == The P229 is a compact firearm often used for duty or concealed carry purposes. The standard version features a DA/SA trigger. The pistol has also been made available in a DAK (Double Action Kellermann) model, which is a DAO system with two trigger reset points, and a lighter, smoother pull than that of traditional DAO handguns.

The P229 differs from its cousin, the P226, in several respects, and was originally introduced to supplement and then replace the P228 by adding the .357 SIG and .40 S&W as available chamberings. The P229 was the first production handgun introduced that could chamber the .357 SIG round. The P226 and P228 were originally manufactured using a stamped-steel slide on an aluminum alloy frame. The P229 consists of a CNC-milled stainless steel slide, typically colored black with a Nitron finish. The P229's milled steel slide was introduced to handle the higher slide velocities created by the .357 SIG and .40 S&W loads, which the stamped slide of the P228 could not handle without the use of a much stiffer recoil spring. This would have made manual slide-retraction much more difficult and the use of a milled stainless slide (coupled with the new milling and stainless production capabilities found in the U.S. factory) with a standard weight recoil spring made more sense.

A standard weight recoil spring for the P229 is 71 N (16 lbf). A spring weight of 89 N (20 lbf) or higher would have been required if a stamped slide was used for the .40 S&W or .357 SIG chamberings. The SAAMI maximum chamber pressures of 9mm, 9mm +P, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG are as follows: 240 MPa (35,000 psi); 265 MPa (38,500 psi); 240 MPa (35,000 psi); and 280 MPa (40,000 psi). The slide on the P226 was redesigned in a similar fashion, and civilian sales of the P228 were discontinued in early 2005 due to declining sales and the advent of the P229 in 9mm. The P226 and P229 are both available with optional accessory rails and optional forged stainless steel frames. Additionally, the P229 is also available in many of the same factory varients as the P226, including the Equinox and Elite versions.

The P229 can be chambered in .22 LR, 9mm,.40 S&W or .357 SIG. Changing between .40 S&W and .357 SIG is as simple as switching out the barrel; both calibers use the same magazine. Conversion barrels also allow a P229 or P226 to change between a .40 S&W/.357 SIG to a 9mm caliber. The 9mm model (both railed and non-railed) can be converted to .22 LR, but in the past its receivers were not designed to provide the space needed for handling the larger rounds of .357 SIG and .40 S&W. In 2011, as SIG Sauer has slowly begun adopting the E2-style grip system across the P229 model range (a move similar to what is also happening to the larger P226), they have also begun using the .357 SIG/.40 S&W spec frame dimensions for their factory 9mm P229s, presumably to streamline the number of variations in parts needed to be kept in inventory. Although the manufacturer has announced that older-configuration magazines will continue to operate in the new receiver configuration, SIG Sauer nonetheless revised new P229 9mm factory magazines to a design that is specific to the resized magazine well of the newly reconfigured receiver/frame. As a consequence, the newer magazines are not back-compatible, due to their larger width. When the P229 was expanded to offer the 9mm as the standard calibre, it brought an end to the production of the P228.

The P229 chambered in .40 S&W is currently the standard issue firearm of the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard while the gun chambered in .357 SIG is used by the U.S. Secret Service. The latter calibre is also used by various police departments across the country.

Specs

 * Cartridge: .22 LR, 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .357 SIG
 * Action: Mechanically locked, recoil operated
 * Feed System: 13-20
 * Weight: 31.8 oz (0.9 kg)
 * Length: 7.1 in (180mm)
 * Barrel Length: 3.9 in (99mm)

On Criminal Minds
Former SSA Alex Blake carried a P229R during her time with the BAU, starting with The Silencer until her departure in Demons.