Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

SIG Sauer P229


P228


Overview


P229

Forward view of P229 pistol.
Source: www.remtek.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Switzerland
Type
Pistol
Entered service
1989 for P228
1992 for P229
Status
In service
Development
Late 1980's
Developer
Switzerland - SIG
Production
1989 - present
Producer
Germany - J.P. Sauer & Sohn
United States - SIG Sauer
Number produced
Produced in large numbers
Designations
M11 (P228 in US service)
L117A1 and A2 (P229 in UK service)
Notable users
United States - Law enforcement & military
Germany - Law enforcement

Description


Introduction

The P228 is a late Cold War era pistol of Swiss origin. It is a more compact version of the SIG P226 and is produced in Germany and the USA. The P228 and P229 are a more compact service pistol mostly aimed at the law enforcement market.

Design

The P228 and P229 are compact versions of the full size double stack P226 pistol. They have a similar design in being hammer fired metal frame pistols. The P229 is a further development of the P228. It has similar dimensions, but has a heavier duty slide since it is also available in .40 S&W and .357 SIG. These rounds are more powerful than the 9x19mm. Over time many variants have been developed, especially when including the various variants aimed at the civilian market.

Firepower

The P228 fires the 9x19mm Parabellum from a 13 round magazine. It is a semi-automatic pistol with DA/SA trigger. The P229 is available in 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .357 SIG. In the last two calibers the magazine capacity is 12 rounds. Over time various types of trigger have been introduced such as DAO, including the Kellerman DAK variant.

Users

The P228 and P229 have been widely adopted by law enforcement agencies around the world. Many militaries that adopted the full size P220 or P226 have adopted these compact pistols for specialist use. A notable user is the US Army and Air Force, who adopted the P228 as the M11, which is being replaced by the newer P320 series.

Variants


P228

The P228 is a compact version of the P226 and can be viewed as a high capacity P225. The P228 has a shorter barrel and slide and is not as tall as the P226. As with the early P226 it is only available in 9x19mm.

P229

The P229 is an improved version of the P228 with a heavier slide. It was developed for the US market and is available in 9x19mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG. They replaced the P228 on the production line. The latest versions are designated P229R and feature a Picatinny rail under the barrel. Threaded barrels are available for mounting a suppressor.

Details


Facts P228 P229 (9x19mm) P229 (.40) P229 (.357)
General
Origin
Switzerland
Type
Pistol
Caliber
Caliber
9x19mm Parabellum
Feed system
13 round detachable box
Can use 15 and 20 round P226 magazines
Barrel length
98 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 250 mm right hand twist
Operation
Action
Short recoil, locked breech
Trigger
DA/SA
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Length
180 mm
Width
37 mm
Height
136 mm
Weight
0.825 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, post front and notch rear
Sight radius
145 mm
Accessories
Accessory rail
No

Media


Related articles


SIG Sauer P226

The P228 and P229 are compact models of the full size double stack P226 pistol.

SIG Sauer P320

In US military service the P228, known as the M11, is being replaced by the M18 pistol which is the compact variant of the P320.