Gun Review: Sig Sauer P229 Legion

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Legion pistols feature the series’ logo on top of their slides.

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The added safety of a double-action pistol is paramount for many. Some shooters prefer having a heavier trigger pull on the first shot, followed by a crisp single action pull. Carrying a sidearm with the exposed hammer down fits many law enforcement policies yet allows for manual operation of the hammer when needed. Striker-fired pistols are not always approved for personal use, duty weapons or off-duty applications. Outside the United States, the DA/SA action is still the preferred system. When done properly, it is anything but a hindrance and can be advantageous.

Sig Sauer has been building one of the most popular double-action/single-action pistols for years, the P229. Chambered in either 9mm, .40 or .357 SIG, it is compact yet large enough for serious duty or self-defense use. The pistol’s standard trigger pulls are solid, with the ability to tune them from the factory. Its grips can be changed to fit most hands. Its accuracy in any chambering is stellar with unparalleled reliability and longevity. Service lives in 9mm variants often exceed 100,000 rounds. There are just a few things that would make the P229 even better, and Sig Sauer’s new Legion program has addressed those areas nicely. Having spent significant time on a P229, along with the P226 and P220, the company’s new Legion pistol is a true cut above.

Join The Ranks

Sig Sauer’s new Legion program is dedicated to discerning buyers and working professionals. Essentially, purchasing a Legion firearm—three are currently available, but more are surely on the way—gets you entry into a specialized group. As a Legion member, you’ll have access to an exclusive website where you’ll be the first to know about special Sig Sauer events and new additions to the product line. This is also another way to receive access to Sig Sauer’s excellent customer support.

Each Legion gun comes with a case, a Legion challenge coin and three high-quality magazines. You’ll also have access to Legion-specific gear and accessories, all of which is made by top-notch manufacturers in the industry. Currently, Legion Kydex holsters are made by Black Point Tactical, a premier holster-maker. Legion knives are also available from seasoned knifemakers like Daniel Winkler, and soon SureFire will join the Legion accessories stable. All of the Legion-logoed merchandise is top tier. Nothing whatsoever going into this program is low grade.

Legion-dary Traits

The internals of the 9mm P229 Legion I received for testing were factory polished and tuned for an incredibly smooth double-action trigger pull. The single-action pull is crisp and short, utilizing the SRT (Short Reset Trigger). Sig Sauer also uses a solid steel guide rod in the P229 Legion for long-term durability. A modified Elite frame profile allows for a high grip thanks to an extended beavertail. The frontstrap’s checkering and undercut triggerguard facilitate better grips for operators with large hands or those wearing gloves. The pistol sports G10 grips with checkering, facilitating a high support hand and thumbs-forward grip. Its controls are subdued and checkered, providing easy access without undue grip interference or snagging.

Matching cocking serrations sit at the front and rear of the pistol’s slide. Sig Sauer’s new high-visibility X-Ray nights sights are also a standard feature. The front sight uses a large green outer circle containing a tritium insert. There are no dots at the rear, just tritium tubes and a ledge for emergency slide racking. Coated in a Legion Gray PVD finish, this pistol is designed to weather the storm. The Legion marking on top of the slide sets this pistol apart from the rest. Shipped in a hard case, it includes three magazines coated in the same PVD finish. Black Point Tactical’s Leather Wing holster and magazine pouch are also included in the package.

Running The Legion

Black Point Tactical’s Leather Wing holster is very well made. My pistol snapped into place yet remained easy to draw throughout testing. The edges were smooth and the pistol and magazine were well molded. The holster’s leather wings wrap around the hip, keeping the pistol in place without letting it dig in. The P229 Legion is largely void of sharp edges and only a bit heavier than most polymer-framed pistols, making it well suited to off-duty or concealed carry. There’s no reason why this pistol could not serve as your single pistol for most any use. I found myself grabbing the Legion consistently for carry on any given day during testing, and still do.

The pistol’s accuracy was excellent—something you come to expect with a Sig Sauer pistol. My P226 SAO is as accurate as many custom pistols. I’ve also used a number of P220s over the years that were incredibly accurate. After shooting a good deal of Sig Sauer’s Elite V-Crown 124-grain JHP through it, the P229 Legion proved to be the most accurate, however, with a 25-yard group measuring at around 1.25 inches. Everything was in the 1.5- to 2-inch range from the bench while firing from single action.

With a smooth double-action trigger pull, a short reset and proven Sig Sauer accuracy, this pistol is excellent. Every addition is well thought out and practical. It worked without a single malfunction over hundreds of rounds. The pistol’s reliability was even unaffected by the addition of a weapon-mounted light. It is suitable for use in any position or condition. Everything about this pistol screams professional. If you are a
P229 fan, you will definitely like this pistol. If you are looking for a superb double-action semi-automatic, be sure to add this one to the list.

For more information, visit http://www.sigsauer.com or call 603-610-3000.