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GRAND PRIZE WINNER: SIG SAUER P229
Military.com ^

Posted on 11/30/2004 9:13:27 PM PST by Delta 21

Reliable and deadly accurate, it is the handgun of choice for the FBI, the DEA and the Secret Service.

Gun guru Col. Jeff Cooper (retired) used to say, "The best gun for a gunfight is the one you have with you." Law enforcement and military officials couldn't agree more. And recently the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the SIG SAUER P229 their "best gun" to have by awarding two pistol contracts to SIGARMS Inc.

In September, SIGARMS was awarded a $4.2 million pistol contract from the Coast Guard. Just a month prior, SIGARMS had been awarded a pistol contract valued at $23.7 million from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Coast Guard is hoping to replace their aging Beretta 9mm pistols with the P229, while DHS looks to supply itself with 65,000 new pistols, which includes the P229.

The selection process in awarding SIGARMS its contracts was grueling. DHS chose SIGARMS pistols after an extensive testing and evaluation process, which included pistols manufactured by several companies. The Coast Guard's decision to award a contract to SIGARMS was made on the recommendation of these tests. In the end, 690 handguns were tested and 2.9 million rounds of ammunition were expended; and the P229 was the big winner.

The SIG SAUER P299 has long been a mainstay of the law enforcement community. Extremely reliable, deadly accurate and packaged in one of three calibers (9mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 SW), the P229 meets the needs of both federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Moreover, the new DAK trigger system - introduced in 2003 -- for the P229 has helped increased SIGARMS' popularity among law enforcement by delivering a safe, reliable and consistent 6.5 pound double-action only trigger pull. The P229 also boasts a 12 round cartridge capacity created specifically for law enforcement use only (versus the normal 10 round capacity), giving law enforcement officers an additional advantage.

The SIG SAUER P299 has long been a mainstay of the law enforcement community.

During the contract selection process, DHS solicited vendors to provide sample handguns for testing. Handgun testing was then conducted at the Ice National Firearms Tactics and Training Unit in Altoona, PA, and FT. Benning, GA from March 22 to June 30, 2004. During those tests, personnel - including 22 members of the Coast Guard -- participated in reliability, durability, and performance testing that included six major vendors and 46 different handgun models.

For the Department of Homeland Security, receiving 65,000 new pistols to arm its Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement was of importance. After the testing process, the SIG SAUER P239, P226 and P229 pistols in the calibers of 9mm and 40S&W were all part of a major five-year contract signed in August 2004 with SIGARMS.

Upon being awarded the $23.7 million contract, Jim Pledger, SIGARMS Vice President for Law Enforcement and Military Sales said, "We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has recognized the superior performance of the SIG SAUER line of pistols with this award. SIGARMS has invested heavily in equipment and engineering resources to ensure that law enforcement has the best and most durable firearms to bring to bear in the war on terror and that those pistols are made right here in America."

For the Coast Guard, the need to replace its Beretta M9 9mm PDW was becoming paramount. After all, the Beretta was experiencing increased frame failure rates and unreliability issues. Additionally, 75% of the Coast Guard's M9s far exceeded their predicted 5,000-round service life (The Coast Guard fires an average of 500 9MM rounds annually, the majority of PDWs have been in service for approximately 16 years, well beyond their predicted life).

Moreover, with the increased ports, waterways and coastal security mission, the Coast Guard ammunition Non-Combat Expenditure Allocation (a.k.a. rounds used for training) has increased. Adding more wear and tear to the aging M9 9mm handguns, in FY02 the Coast Guard shot 2.9 million rounds of 9mm.

Through their contract with SIGARMS, the Coast Guard will receive 12,000 SIG Sauer P229 .40 Caliber compact handguns to replace the Beretta M9 9mm PDW. The Coast Guard has begun receiving its handguns since November 2004. They will be receiving 1000 handguns every month until the contract is met.

For the Coast Guard, the handgun replacement ushers in a new era of ammunition available to the field commander. Ammunition selection will be based on operational mission, procuring .40 caliber ball ammunition for missions supporting DoD operations and .40 caliber hollow point (HP) ammunition for maritime law enforcement operations. .40 caliber frangible ammunition will also be procured to help meet Coast Guard environmental stewardship responsibilities. The variety of ammunition available will require more logistical oversight, but ultimately will provide the operational commander of the Coast Guard more flexibility in mission execution.

Before the recent contract awards granted to SIGARMS, the P229 handgun was the standard for law enforcement handguns throughout the nation. With the new contracts awarded from Homeland Security and the Coast Guard, the SIG SAUER P229 has made an even better statement by being recognized as the handgun chosen to fight the War on Terror.


TOPICS: Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; homelandsecurity; sigsauerp229; uscoastguard
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To: sig229

Yeah imagine that *LOL* nice freepname ;-)


161 posted on 12/05/2004 6:35:14 PM PST by cyborg ( Hy verkwik my siel; Hy lei my in die spore van geregtigheid, om sy Naam ontwil.)
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To: archy
I'd love one of those little .22 conversion gadgets. I thought they were only made for full size 1911s. At last count, I have about 5,000 rounds of rimfire stuff and only one rifle and one revolver to put them through.

I tend to lean towards the latter way of thinking. I think of my firearms as tools. Fun tools to be sure, but they're still tools. Therefore, I've got a couple of scatterguns for putting meat on the table, and one serious combat Mossberg.

As far as rifles go, I've got that Ishapore Enfield I 'sporterized' for putting venison and such in the freezer. Then I've got that AR I built to handle just about anything man sized out to 300 meters or so. Beyond that, there's the Springfield M1A. I know I can score hits out to 700 meters or so, but the rifles capable of 1,000 work.

For beyond that range, I'm saving my pennies for one of Mr. Barretts finest. Perhaps this time next year I'll be able to afford the rig I want.

Mrs. L has a couple of big bore (read .44 spcl and mag) revolvers she loves and her Mini-14. She's more than competent with her choice of hardware.

I figure that covers Clan Lurker pretty well so far, at least until I can figure out how to legally lay my mitts on some indirect fire stuff or a flamethrower. LOL.

Completely coincidentally, Lurker Jr. fired his first live rounds on vacation two weeks ago. Papa Jim put an old Savage .22 in his hands. After just a bit of coaching the boy is hell on bottles of Gatorade and 5 gallon bucket lids.

Glad to see you around again. You get healed up good now. I'd ask what happened to you, but I'm afraid you'd have to kill me.

Take care,

L

162 posted on 12/05/2004 6:46:18 PM PST by Lurker (No, I don't really serve satan. Doesn't anyone recognize sarcasm anymore?)
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To: cyborg

I have a Colt .45 Gold Cup myself. It was good enough for you know where.


163 posted on 12/05/2004 6:54:43 PM PST by Ironfocus
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To: Ironfocus

Ya don't say ;-) Fits nicely in a pillowcase too.


164 posted on 12/05/2004 6:56:58 PM PST by cyborg ( Hy verkwik my siel; Hy lei my in die spore van geregtigheid, om sy Naam ontwil.)
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To: RandallFlagg
I even kept hold of the 2 15-rounders for my Beretta.

Really? :D

Beretta is sending me two 15rd mags this month as a buyers promotional they did over the summer (when I got mine).

I think I'm up to ....7 of those 15-rounders, and have the additional two 10-rd'ers they gave me with the gun, lol.

(I wonder if, when Martin Riggs retired from the LAPD, he got a Sig? /grin )

165 posted on 12/05/2004 7:00:01 PM PST by kstewskis (Political correctness is intellectual terrorism.......M Gibson)
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To: cyborg

For home defense the Winchester Defender pump action had to do. The Gold Cup went everywhere with me. Wife had a .38 Special, that also went everywhere.

Love the SIGs though, great weapons.


166 posted on 12/05/2004 7:00:30 PM PST by Ironfocus
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To: archy

I don't have a p229. I have a p239, but more to the point there have been problems at one point or another with everything manufactured by human hands, everything of course except the mighty 45 Colt automatic. None of us, I am sure, have ever heard of one failing to feed for example. :^)


167 posted on 12/05/2004 8:32:21 PM PST by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
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To: broadsword

>>9 sillymeter is for people who are not serious.<<

OK, I've sat through 3 9 bashing posts, and I'm gonna call BS on this. With the right load, 9 is every bit as effective as others. I feel perfectly safe and assured that 3 well placed shots from my USP 9C will take down just about anyone.

If you don't believe me, check out http://www.sportshooter.com/gear/tlg_9mmadvocacy.htm.

I don't know how much of a cost difference there is between the premium 9 loads and loads from the others. But I can buy target ammo real cheap, and practice with a 9 beats inactivity with anything supposedly more powerful.


168 posted on 12/05/2004 8:42:24 PM PST by 1L
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To: 1L

I used to be a 45 person, but now I really don't see the point in having anything larger than 9mm for personal self-defense. If I want something larger I've got a S&W 357 Mag and a S&W 44 Mag. In the woods I'll carry one of those loaded with heavy hard cast bullets for bear protection. The 357 is a 686+ stainless steel 4 in barrel 7 shooter. I carry it in bad weather. The 44 is a 6in blue model 29. Either one I carry in a nylon shoulder holster.

I wouldn't want to carry anything larger or heavier than my p239 9mm when going about regular business. It's loaded with 115gr Gold Dots and will take care of business. And that's all I have to say about that.


169 posted on 12/05/2004 9:05:03 PM PST by claudiustg (Go Sharon! Go Bush!)
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To: 1L
I feel perfectly safe and assured that 3 well placed shots from my USP 9C will take down just about anyone.

LOL! OK, friend. You take your bad guys down with your three mini-shots and I'll take my bad guys down with one serious slug.

To each his own.
170 posted on 12/05/2004 11:16:57 PM PST by broadsword (When Islam creeps into a human society, oppression, misogyny and terror come hard on its heels.)
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To: Squantos
My Commander passed my personal 500 round test.

I put the most 'eclectic' collection of ammo through it that I could find. She's fired everything from 185 grain hollowpoints from 3 manufacturers to 230 grain hardball.

The only thing I had some FTF from was those plastic bird shot thingies. There wasn't enough energy to reliably cycle the slide.

Oh, I've had the odd stovepipe, that's for sure. But if you know the drill those aren't a problem. Tap, rack, BANG!

The only time I had a click instead of a bang was when my firing pin was worn out. Ten minutes later, I was back in the game. That's what I love about the 1911 platform. You can rip the whole thing down to its most basic parts with a pocket knife.

Folks around here must get tired of me singing the praises of John Moses, but I don't really care. To my mind, he designed and built the finest combat pistol in the world.

I've owned several auto loaders in my life. I've fired a bunch more. But if the Almighty himself decreed that I could only own one sidearm, it would without doubt be a 1911.

It won't do everything, but it for darned sure will do most things, most times.

Now, I'll get off my soapbox.

Nice to chat with you again.

Take care,

L

171 posted on 12/05/2004 11:23:42 PM PST by Lurker (Beware of the man who only has one gun. He most likely knows how to use it.)
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To: Lurker
I agree that J.M. Browning was without doubt the greatest firearms inventor of all time, heck although I like 9mm's, if put under torture I probably would admit the 1911 is my favorite gun.

That doesn't mean it is perfect tho. I have had several in which the safety/slide stop plunger loosened and had to be re-staked, also the extractor, which works perfectly when perfectly fitted and manufactured, is often a source of trouble.

The Ballester Molina and the Star model B actually improve on it. I also prefer the Browning HP's barrel locking/unlocking system which is simpler, and I have heard stronger than the swinging link.

Also that barrel bushing can be a pain to remove when field stripping, and even worse when putting it back together. Also getting that link just right when reassembling can be a little time consuming. I can field stip a Browning HP in just a few seconds.

I will say the 1911 is the easiest gun I have ever seen to completely detail strip.

172 posted on 12/06/2004 5:17:40 AM PST by yarddog
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To: Lurker

Careful as ya post stuff about the 1911A1 or someone will figure out we are the same poster with different freeper names........:o)

My 1911A1's have saved my bacon in peril and play thus they'll remain my first choice unless I'm forced by work to carry a mandated carry this or starve rule. When I was a reserve deputy I was "allowed" to carry my personal 1911A1 yet as a full time deputy with "official, proper, academy and FTO training" I was forced to carry a Glock......go figure what kind of mush is swimming in a risk managers noggin these days.

I believe that rounds on target , fast , accurate and center mass are all that count and the 1911A1 platform delivers such results for me.

Stay safe !


173 posted on 12/06/2004 8:34:31 AM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: paul51
If anyone has a 229 (or any classic style Sig for that matter), and they are worried about the reliability or safety of it, I'd be happy to take it off their hands. One of the best, if not the best, firearms made.

The SIG *certified pre-owned* warranty program sounds like it's just up your alley. Many are police trade-ins, returned to SIG as more departments go for double-action-only versions. The prices are right, the guns are fully inspected and guaranteed by SIG, and those I've seen had very minimal wear to their finish.

Used Model 229s were going for around $400 last I noticed, but I know where some used police model 228/M11 versions might be had for around $300. Freepmail if interested.

The only real downside to SIGs in recent times was the cost and availability of full-capacity magazines. Happily, with the end of the *Assault Weapons Ban* that's now MUCH less of a consideration.

174 posted on 12/07/2004 12:20:57 PM PST by archy (The darkness will come. It will find you,and it will scare you like you've never been scared before.)
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To: 1L; Squantos; Eaker; Travis McGee
With the right load, 9 is every bit as effective as others. I feel perfectly safe and assured that 3 well placed shots from my USP 9C will take down just about anyone.

I have no concern about the use of a 9mm, particularly if it happens to be loaded with the ammo I prefer in it. But the last time I was shot, it was by a fella who nailed me twice with his cutdown .30 carbine, after I'd placed 4 rounds of 9mm JHP rather carefully into his head. I saw scalp fly, but he was a big 'ol boy.

The lesson? Since then, I'd be more inclined to use a shotgun, or engage from beyond handgun range with a rifle, both of which were available to me at the time but weren't employed for a couple of reasons. My bad, and I survived to learn from my mistake.

The point of using a .45 is that with ANY load, including military-issue ball, it's likely to be both reliable and effective. With some 9mm loads, in some designs, those results may vary to a degree more than embarrasing.

The 95-year reputation and example set by the M1911 pistol and its .45 ACP ammunition remains the standard to which others must equal, or exceed.

175 posted on 12/07/2004 12:30:22 PM PST by archy (The darkness will come. It will find you,and it will scare you like you've never been scared before.)
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To: archy

Hear hear.


176 posted on 12/07/2004 12:45:55 PM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: toupsie; TheMom
that would have meant parking the M1A1 in the driveway and the wife hates to start up a cold tank in the morning.

This is my wife's biggest gripe!!!

177 posted on 12/07/2004 12:49:22 PM PST by Eaker ("He's the kind of guy who would fight a rattlesnake and give the snake a two-bite head start.")
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To: archy

Rule one ......handgun is a "defensive" tool.
Rule two ......rifle or shotgun is an "offensive" tool.

But scientists, who ought to know
Assure us that it must be so.
Oh, let us never, never doubt
What nobody is sure about........


178 posted on 12/07/2004 12:52:24 PM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: archy
Archy, my comment was in response to the suggestion that a Sig may blow up. I'm familiar with Sig and the program you mentioned. I'd go for it except I'm pretty well Sig'd up with a 225, 226, 228 229, 245 and 220(2)which were all bought new. Collectively I have over 100K rounds through them and they are all incredibly reliable. Now that you have me thinking, I suppose one or two more wouldn't hurt. I could always fill in some gaps with a 239 or 232. Actually, I think I really should have another 226. LOL
179 posted on 12/07/2004 12:56:21 PM PST by paul51 (11 September 2001 - Never forget)
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To: Eaker

Riiiiight.......like anything gets cold in Houston......:o)

Can ya'll even spell ice ? (yep I'm bitter)


180 posted on 12/07/2004 12:56:25 PM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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