1911’s in general, 9mm versions specifically

[Gribley]

how would a SAO 9mm p229 compare to a 9mm 1911? 18 degree grip angle. Possible less finicky? Just as shootable?

 

[FOS373]

how would a SAO 9mm p229 compare to a 9mm 1911? 18 degree grip angle. Possible less finicky? Just as shootable?

Are you saying your 229 is finicky? While I don’t have a SAO 229, I have DA/SA’s (229s, 220, 226s, etc) and never found them finicky. They’ve always just run.

Since getting 1911s, I noticed that when I switch back to the Sig P22_ variants, I have to drive / push the front of the barrel down to get on target. The 1911s seem (to me) more natural to aim.

 

[Gribley]

No I was pondering the opposite. If a p229 might be less finicky than a 1911. I realize Form and others are saying theirs re reliable. Just seems like there’s a learning curve that the p229 might not have. The other thing I hadn’t considered is that the 1911 has a lower bore height.

 

[RockAndSage]

how would a SAO 9mm p229 compare to a 9mm 1911? 18 degree grip angle. Possible less finicky? Just as shootable?

Different ballparks, not just as shootable.

But...still very shootable.

The newest variant in that category, the Sig 226 X-Carry Legion, is probably the best all-around EDC gun Sig's ever made. It's almost a modernized and updated blend of the best features of several of their best guns. They trimmed it down to somewhere around the footprint of a 228, so it's not as long as the normal 226s, and not as fat, chonky, and top-heavy as the 229s. Plus a bunch of modernization and general ergonomics updates in terms of being optics-ready, light rail, front-slide serrations, beavertail, excellent grips, etc. It's a genuinely outstanding gun. About the only criticism I'd have of it, generally speaking, is the higher bore-axis that comes with that family of guns.

Last year I was in the market again for a handgun, and gave a lot of consideration to the 229 Legion SAO in 9mm. I passed because of how top-heavy it still was. The 226 X-Carry Legion trimmed off all that 229 fat, and had it been out last year there's a high likelihood I would have gone with it.

The gun I did choose was the Dan Wesson DWX Compact - it's another genuinely outstanding gun. Mine has over 18,000 rounds on it, and the only problems have been a weakening extractor spring.

About 6 months later I picked up a Staccato C, based on the recommendation of this thread's OP, Form. Had I done that first, I wouldn't have ever gotten the DWXc, and I genuinely love that gun. But the Staccato C's a better EDC/all-around gun, with the same overall footprint.

All that said, if I were to get a new EDC 9mm to try out, the 226 X-Carry Legion is absolutely at the top of the list for anything less than $1500. The next step up in cost would be one of the commander-sized Kimber 2k11 variants. Beyond that, an Ed Brown Evo, which is about the only single-stack that's really interesting to me at the moment.

If you're wanting a super reliable, no-fuss EDC gun with no learning curve, a cheap 1911 isn't it. If you're ready to up your handgunning game though, and put a lot of rounds on one, nothing's going to shoot better for you. But that doesn't mean other options are "bad" - you just need to know their limitations, and your own.

 

[Lonewolf72]

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I couldn't resist the prices on these Springfield Armory "Vault" (demo) guns, and was able to snag this Emissary 9mm 1911 for $599! So my urge to pickup a 1911/2011 should be quelled for now. Anyone interested in the vault guns should check them out at Florida Gun Exchange or GunBuyer.

Finally got the Emissary to the range today. So far so good...no hiccups in the first couple hundred rounds. VERY accurate and LOW recoil. Hate the rear U-notch sight. Might switch over to a front fiber optic and rear square-notch sight set. And now that it shows potential reliability, time to get some extra Mec-Gars and an OWB holster.