I really meant to do a first impressions review when I bought a Sig Sauer P229 Legion back in mid-March like I did for the Sig Sauer P220 Legion and the Savage Arms 100 FCP HS Precision Rifle. But, I didn’t. I could make excuses for it, but that’s not the point of this post. Let’s just dive into what I think of this gun after having sent more than 500 rounds down range.
The Sig Sauer P229 Legion I purchased is a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) pistol chambered for 9mm Luger. Since purchasing it, I’ve used it in about seven local IDPA matches and it’s also served as my primary every day carry firearm. The Legion variant also available in a single-action only (SAO) configuration or DA/SA plus a red dot sight. Other variants provide different finish options, triggers, sights, and calibers (.357 Sig and 40 S&W). I initially wanted the Legion RX variant with the red dot sight but red too many questionable and bad reviews of the Romeo1 optic that I decided against it.
Reliability
From a reliability stand point, the gun has been great. With over 500 rounds of mostly ball ammo during competitions, I’ve only encountered two malfunctions which were most likely induced by me. One was a double feed (failure to feed coupled with a failure to eject) and the other was a dead trigger (failure to fire). However since they were most likely my fault, I’m not deducting points from this review (even though I’m not really scoring it).
The competitions have allowed me to run the P229 under time stress while exposing the gun to the Texas heat, a little rain, dirt, sweat, and excess sun block. Bottom line is it runs. Even when I fail to clean it between matches.
Accuracy
The gun punches holes where it’s pointed. End of story.
Truth be told, I’m still a relatively new shooter and this gun definitely out shoots me. When I do my part the gun is very accurate.
The X-Ray sights provide a very visible large green dot front sight that is easy to see and align against the cerated rear notch sights with subdued tritium inserts. This helps a ton when acquiring a good sight picture and good enough alignment quickly.
The initial double action trigger pull is a typically heavy double action trigger pull, but it feels smooth. This can cause a bit of first shot accuracy problems for inexperienced shooters but it can be overcome with some dry practice. Follow up shots are a breeze due to the extremely short reset and light, crisp single action trigger pull. Overall, I’m a big fan of the P-SAIT tigger. While it won’t help bad marksman ship, it doesn’t hinder the shooter from accurately shooting to their potential.
The allow frame, stainless steel slide, carbon steel barrel, and steel guide rod provide plenty of weight to help mitigate recoil and help you back on target quickly.
Bottom line. It’s accurate.
Customization
Look, it’s not a Glock or a polymer framed striker fired gun. But still there is quite a bit of after market support for it. I’ve had no problem finding holsters.
To be completely honest, I haven’t really looked for after market triggers, grips, or sights. The factory installed features on the P229 Legion have left me no desire to replace them. For those out there who want to replace those parts, there are plenty out there to choose from.
The gun provides an accessory rail on the frame which can be used to outfit the gun with a light or laser.
Bottom line. It’s got options.
Gripes
I’ve given this gun a lot of well deserved praise after 500 rounds and in my opinion it’s well deserved. But I do have some gripes.
Let’s start off with the price. It’s not a budget handgun. That alone will turn a some people away. In its defense, it offers a lot of value.
The next complaint is with the slide lock (or slide release depending on what you prefer to call it). It has been reduced in size significantly to eliminate snagging. However, I feel that it’s so small that it makes engaging the slide lock difficult as well as using it to release the slide after a reload. As such, I don’t use it as a slide release and go for the slide itself to rack a round after a reload. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but not optimal if you are trying to shave off fractions of a second on reload times during competitive matches. I’m not sure if the de-cocker was reduced in size as well. But if it was, I still find it snags a bit against the leather backing of a hybrid kydex/leather inside-the-waistband holster when holstering the pistol (this maybe more of an issue with the holster than the gun).
My P229 did have a blemish on the hammer that I didn’t notice when purchasing it. For the price point and given the revered Legion finishes which denotes Sig Sauers top of the line pistols, it was a little disappointing. However, Sig Sauer’s customer service quickly provided a shipping label, replaced the hammer, and had it back to me in less than two weeks.
My final complaint is with time it took to receive the Legion challenge coin and complimentary gun case. I received mine late June which was just over three months from the purchase date. The case is cool and works fine, but it’s not something to rave about. Frankly, I wouldn’t have spent my own money on it had it not been complimentary (which truly means the price was baked in to the price of the gun). I was excited about the challenge coin, but it’s also not something to rave about.
Overall
I wanted this review to be honest, as such I included all of my gripes in it. But those gripes are minor, maybe even negligible, compared to what I like about the gun.
I love the P229 Legion and I have no qualms recommending it to anyone looking for reliable DA/SA 9mm pistol.