Glock17 vs Sig226

[Englishman]

I’ve been looking at a Glock17 with the ability to incorporate a .22 conversion kit so I can practice for a moderate cost. Comparing this to say a Sig 226 with also 9mm and .22 slides for the same reasons. I read somewhere (not here) that Glocks are designed to be more a reliable, practical Police Officer tool, rather than a weapon of absolute accuracy. Anyone care to comment to help my decision. Are Sigs designed much the same purpose?
I’ve also seen folks on sig Forums complaining of Sigs famous customer care slipping in recent months when they have had a problem needing factory support. Is this a case of some people’s expectations being too high, Sig caught out by recent Sales Volumes and their ability to support the same, or declining standards?
Help me overcome my indecision please. Im gonna PO a local gun Store if I don’t get off the pot here soon and make a decision!

 

[navyguy]

Both the Glock 17 and Sig P226 are considered full sized combat or defense weapons, however the P226 is also offered in other variations that fill the need of target shooters and competitive sports. Not to say you don't see a lot of G17's used in competition.

Accuracy with most hand guns is tied to how the particular gun and trigger system fits the shooter, but for for pure inherent accuracy, I'd give a slight edge to the P226. But if it doesn't fit your hand, point naturally for you and you don't like the trigger system, you won't shoot it well.

For me, I shoot my P226 the best of any I have. I think my 1911 is a tighter, more accurate pistol, and I shoot it pretty well too, just not as well as my Sig. If I absolutely had to make an X ring hit at 15 yards, I'd pick up the Sig.

A few thoughts on Sig quality. Sig is originally an all German company, with the engineering and manufacturing done in Germany. Sigs today are for the most part manufactured in the US, however it is the same great German engineering and design that is being used. The design on the guns are great. Simple and totally reliable. As with a lot of US companies, the desire to increase profits has cause them to cut a few corners. There are some MIM parts in there, and I think the QC has slipped. Are the guns totally crap? No, not by a long shot. I think what drives people to complain is that a plain Jane P226 NIB will sell for around $850, and at that price, the piece should be absolutely perfect. When a few flaws show up, people go ballistic. I still like Sigs, and would have no problem buying another one.

The Glocks speak for themselves. Simplicity, reliability, durability and very inexpensive. But some don't like the grip angle or the striker trigger system.

Not to complicate things for you, but don't overlook the HK, XD and M&P.

 

[malladus]

Navyguy gave the Sig view, so I'll do the Glock world view.

Made in Austria, shipped to US, stripped of a few importation parts (sights) then fitted for the US market and sold. Glock is gearing up to start manufacturing in the US in the near future. Despite this, the US center in Smyrna, Georgia is a full service shop. Customer service is top-notch, even more so if you hit a GSSF match. As a Glock owner you can go to one of these matches and have your glock serviced for free, mags too! I've bought a fifth or sixth hand 2nd generation G17, taken it to a GSSF match and had everything in and on the gun replaced except the barrel, frame, and slide for free. Not to many other gun manufactures will do that.

Like all other manufactures, Glock makes pistols to fit almost all use, everything from the subcompact G36s to the Longslide 24. I've got a G17L for bullseye shooting and a friend uses his for PPC style target competition. My G17 is pretty much my go to gun and first Glock I ever bought or shot. I picked it up just over three years ago, and since then have sold off all my other non-glock centerfire semiauto pistols and replaced them with more tactical tupperware. I can keep shots within the X ring on a B27 (CHL qualitfication style target) consistantly out to 15 yards, and within the 10 ring out to 25 yards. Could do the same with my other non-Glocks as well though, just a matter of knowing how to use the weapon.

I use the G17 for IPDA and USPA shooting, steel plate shooting, target shooting, and just plain old plinking. Its bone stock except for two things, Sevigney Competition fixed sights and a 3.5# OEM connector. Its never let me down in a match and when shooting in the same class with other stock autos, its always helped me be a strong finisher.

I have a Advantage Arms conversion kit for it as well, which is really nice for practice, but its not a substitute for putting some 9mm ammo through the gun as well. The kit I have has had the sights swapped out to match my regular sights, but the gun even when loaded is still lighter feeling than the G17 empty with the 9mm upper on it. So I always wrap up the practice session with a box or two of 9mm.

Reliability wise the gun is a tank, its a 3rd gen gun I got used, not sure how many rounds on it when I got it, but conservatively estimating I've put at least an average of 5 to 6K of rounds through it a year since buying it. Never given me a spot of trouble, accept for some improperly sized reloads I bought from a guy that wouldn't chamber (which means horribly improperly sized with the Glocks loose chamber tolerance). I'll admit to not being good about cleaning it as well, I haven't cleaned the gun since April or May, and I've shot two 250 round matches a month, plus another 1000 plus rounds of practice a month since then. I run a bore snake through the barrel after a session and toss it in the safe and it hasn't given me a lick of trouble.

Biggest issues I see with a Glock is the grip, its differient then alot of other guns and folks who pick up a Glock after shooting other guns and expect to shoot it the same are sadly disappointed. I was, but once I learned what I was doing wrong, I've had no problems with it what so ever.

Biggest plus I see with the Glock is the fact that its easy to upgrade. You can buy a used Glock for somewhere in the $400+ range or less. And spend the difference in price buying all sorts of wonderful upgrades for it - match barrels, lighter/smoother triggers, sights, lasers, lights, you name it. And the best part is, if you can open a can of tuna, you can install those parts yourself on your Glock. Not alot of guns out there you can say that about.

Now having given my Glock testimonial I would say though buy the gun that suits your need and that you are comfortable with. Just because folks say this gun or that gun is the bees-knees and shoots angle of a gnats butt doesn't mean it will for you. Familiarity and practice are what make the gun accurate more then anything else. I've seen folks with Glocks and other bone stock pistols shoot the center out of a target or leave the competition in the dust while the guy next to them with the 1911 death ray gun or the HK terminator special edition target gun are lucky enough to put rounds on the paper. Difference was the guy with the the first gun knew what he was doing and wasn't relying on the weapon to make up for his lack of skill.

malladus

 

[Big country]

Navy Guy and malladus have it pretty well covered. Al tho I have to admit I didn't read all of the malladus post, (sorry) I will say that I would choose the Sig as I'm not a fan of the Glock. I would go with an XD personally. Both are made to be fighting guns. The Glock has a weird (to me) grip angle, Sig in my opinion is over priced. The Glock was made for a duty (carry) weapon for military an police, they are designed to be carried often and to be drop dead reliable. I would trust my life with a Glock if I had to. Sig is the same way IMO. I'd say that a Glock is accurate enough for defence but INHO the sig has it beat in the accuracy department. I've been on researching my head off the past couple of months and I'm going to be getting an XD soon. From what I hear they are just as accurate as a Sig as light and as reliable as a Glock and a little shorter than a full sized Glock to. Just my the choice is yours tho. Any of them will treat you well just find the grip (size and angle) that works for you and you will be set.

 

[Big country]

Now having given my Glock testimonial I would say though buy the gun that suits your need and that you are comfortable with. Just because folks say this gun or that gun is the bees-knees and shoots angle of a gnats butt doesn't mean it will for you. Familiarity and practice are what make the gun accurate more then anything else. I've seen folks with Glocks and other bone stock pistols shoot the center out of a target or leave the competition in the dust while the guy next to them with the 1911 death ray gun or the HK terminator special edition target gun are lucky enough to put rounds on the paper. Difference was the guy with the the first gun knew what he was doing and wasn't relying on the weapon to make up for his lack of skill.

malladus

I meant to do this with the first post but hear goes. Amen to every word of this, If you like it you will shoot good with it because you will practice with it. I knew a guy that could shoot FLYING ducks out of the air with a 9mm Glock pistol but regularly missed deer with a scoped rifle. S practice, practice, practice! And when you are sure you've got it, Practice some more.

 

[Texas42]

Just my opinion, if you are going to get a glock and might decide to carry, get a glock 19 (or similar sized in other caliber of choice). I just love the feel of it. I can shoot it better than my beretta 92. I can conceal it pretty well in cooler weather.

It probably isn't the most accurate of the guns, but I can get 2"-3" at 15 yards, (the gun is better, . . . by a lot I'm sure).

Good luck.

 

[Maxpower]

Just my opinion, if you are going to get a glock and might decide to carry, get a glock 19 (or similar sized in other caliber of choice). I just love the feel of it. I can shoot it better than my beretta 92. I can conceal it pretty well in cooler weather.

It probably isn't the most accurate of the guns, but I can get 2"-3" at 15 yards, (the gun is better, . . . by a lot I'm sure).

Good luck.

my G19 has become my favorite weapon, so much so that I think I am going to sell my XD.

 

[navyguy]

I guess I'm an equal gun lover. I am very happy I bought my G19 and actually think it's a nice looking gun, and trust it enough to put it in the night stand. But I'm not giving up my Sigs, HKs 1911's or others.