SigSauer P228 and P229 (Switzerland)
SigSauer P228
SigSauer P229
SigSauer P228 cutout view
Trigger: Double-Action or Double-Action Only
| Type: | P228 | P229 |
| Caliber: | 9 mm Luger | 9mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 SW |
| Length, overall: | 180 mm | 180 mm |
| Barrel length: | 99 mm | 99 mm |
| Weight, w/o magazine: | 730 g | 770 g |
| Capacity: | 13 rds | 12 rds |
SigSauer P228 was introduced in 1989 as a compact companion to full-sized P226 (much like the P225 was a compact variant of the P220). P228 featured same design characteristics as a P226, but is somewhat more smaller, with more "rounded" shape and with smaller capacity magazines. Technically, P228 is similar to other P220-series guns: it is a blowback-operated, locked breech design, with modified Browning-style linkless locking via slide ejection port. It has same DA or DAO trigger mechanism with striker pin safety, manual decocker (lever on the left side of the frame), slide stop. Slide is manufactured from stamped steel, with locking block insert. Frame is made from aluminium alloy.
In April, 1992, US Army officially adopted P228 as a M11 US Army pistol, a compact sidearm for aircraft crews, Military police officers and other personnel who needed a handgun, more compact than full-sized M9 (aka Beretta 92).
Externally, P229 is very similar to P228. In fact, P229 is built on P228 frame, with all trigger and other internals of P228, too. The main difference is in calibers and slide design.
P229was designed as a first SIG-Sauer gun to handle then-new .40SW cartridges and as a platform for SIG proprietary .357SIG cartridge (defeloped as a necked-down .40SW cartridge). Higher pressures of the .40SW and .357SIG loads commanded new slide design - the slide of the P229 is machined from one piece of high-quality steel, not stamped. The main visual difference between P228 and P229 slides is in groove sizes and top slide appearance^ P229 groves are hal-height of P228 ones. Barrels in .40SW and .357SIG versions are intechangeable, so one handgun may be converted to fire both calibers. Also, .40 or .357 version may be converted to fire 9x19 luger, but not vice versa.
As a note - while P228 was (and is) manufactured in Germany by Sig-Sauer, P229 is manufactured in USA by Sig-Sauer subsidiary - SIGArms company. Early P229s were assembled in USA with USA-made slides and Germany-made P228 frames.
Both P228 and P229 are extremely reliable, deadly accurate and, by many opinions, more comfortable than Glocks. Both are popular Law Enforcement handguns and used by many Police depts acxross USA, as well as by FBI, Secret Service, DEA.