TJM

Feels a little different to read when you know that's the exact area you normally start your day walking the dog. Fortunately, today was drizzly and she didn't want to go out.... http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2011/12/businessman_shot_in_robbinsvil.html Lovely.

Thanks for the responses everyone. Seems like you are corroborating most of what I've been reading in terms of which - essentially they're both good, but 1911 would be the way to start. Stopped at my local shop tonight, they had only 1 Kimber full size and 1 compact Sig in the case....really liked the feel of the full size, and both triggers felt great, I see what you mean. Shorter and nicer pull than even my 226 with SRT...will be hitting SS soon to see what they have available to rent and see how it feels to pull the trigger for real. Hopefully will go well and will be adding a 1911 to the small family of 226 and my 22LR....

That's the kind of talk that will get me in trouble. Will be stopping by the gun store on way home from work today...got to get a 1911 tacops/stainless/xo in my hand and see how it feels.

Been looking to stay in sig family....maybe 1911 tacops or stainless ....the 220 match elite looks awesome to me...although not sure if that qualifies specifically as a 1911....I really like the SRT and night sites on my 226, so seem to be looking to ensure new gun would have one or both of those first, then moving from there. Want something that feels good shooting, and allows me down the road to think about joining some of you in some of these matches I keep reading about....

Based on responses I received in a prior post, finally decided I'm in market for a .45 - have a sig 226 9mm and like the fit/feel/function of that frame/size. Have been looking at a sig 220 elite stainless - but reading more and more about 1911 - and now wonder if I should re-direct. For those out there with 1911's - is there anything I'm giving up getting a 220? Seems like most of what I've read in favor of 1911's are based on aesthetics of the gun and feel in the hand - two things I definitely will take into account and none of you can answer for me. But functionally, is there something I'd be missing with one vs the other? Understand 1911's are SAO - but what's the difference in a 220 that's DA/SA simply cocking the first shot - won't that give you the same consistent trigger pull for each shot - which seems is what the 1911;s do? Thanks for thoughts - clearly I don't have a good understanding of the world of 1911's - but I'd like to know more about it and if there are tips to think about when deciding. If I had to use my permit today, I'd probably go with 220 elite stainless - but even sig offers a ton of 1911's as well as 220 match's - which also seem similar..... Any thoughts/help...? Thanks all.

Thanks guys....sounds like maybe I'll just stay with dedicated .45....

How come they're willing to show someone wearing that going to the ballgame, but not the range?

I've also had to force myself to learn with both eyes, seems to work better. I find it easier to keep my head in position and not get into some cockeye position when I used both eyes. Guess I must have just missed you and wombat...was at SS myself from noon-2pm.....

Just loving my Sig 226 Extreme in 9mm. Managed to put about 1000 rounds through her in a week and a half and just love it. Of course, with one more permit begging to be used....thinking of next addition to the family. I have a 22LR (Hi-Standard Sport King) and have been thinking about purchasing the Sig 220 Classic 22LR with the x-change kit that will also allow me to shoot both 22 and .45 caliber. Anyone have experience with that kit vs just buying the .45 and have any insight/experience? Given I have an older .22LR, if I were just to buy one gun, it'd be a .45. Use will be primarily HD, but occasional range use. Trying to see if the capability of a 'modern' 22 to go along with my 'seasoned' 22 would be worth it - but want to make sure I'll have the same performance, feel etc when using it as a .45 than if I just bought a .45 outright. Thanks for your time.

I'll be back at SS this weekend with a box or two of home defense ammo and see if I have same issue or am more accurate. I'm happy to acknowledge I'm likely not the most consistent shooter, but I just found it strange that I was 0/10 2 inches left with that load, then dropped the magazine and loaded a new one of WWB and was 9/10 dead center, without changing stance, taking a break, etc. Guess that just means more time @ the range, oh darn

As others mentioned, rentals at Shore Shot interspersed with a buddy who also owned the gun I was considering buying. I was still very much in the deciding process for which caliber and which make while the permits were being processed. Figured better to spend a bit extra on rentals and ammo then make a bad decision on first gun purchase.

That's funny you say that. Been reading a lot of the 'what new gun should I buy' threads posted to see what folks have been thinking about. I have 1 more permit I can use within next 60 days, and the Sig will need a brother! I've inherited an old Hi-Standard Sport King 22LR from my dad, and have been wondering if I should pick up a more modern 22, go bigger with a .45 (and go broke shooting it) or dip into the revolver market....decisions decisions.

Thanks all - I appreciate the suggestions and thoughts you've made. Definitely hadn't thought about starting with SD since I won't be warmed up at home, as well as mixing in SD and regular rounds. Will give those both a try.

Figured probably me. Thought though if I was off in stance, or grip, or trigger pull or some other, that I'd see that more consistently throughout the entire round today....reason to keep going and keep improving I guess. All shots were from from 7 yards.

3x this week, loved it! Probably won't happen again until some other holiday and I get a few days off right around the time I get a new gun. Unfortunately back to the grind tomorrow and limited to weekend visits given the distance to SS from the house. 700 rounds downrange total, been keeping my practice to 200-250 rounds per session so far.

Just joined this forum last week, been really enjoying all the information I've found. Please indulge a newbie question. After session at the range today with (admittedly still new) Sig 226 I'm wondering how you all evaluate your targets and what you see when you're done with a practice round. Specifically - Today, shooting 10 rounds per magazine,30 rounds per target, was consistently between 26-28 of 30 shots dead center w/ Winchester WB ammo. For the first time, I loaded 10 Hornaday defensive rounds as I've never fired those before. All 10 were left of target, spread in almost a straight line from 12 to 6 oclock position on the target - about 1 or 2 inches left of center. I immediately popped in 2nd clip of regular WWB 9mm rounds and put 9 of 10 right on center right after firing the defensive rounds. All shots from 7 yards. So, is it me, or the ammo? How do you really tell? Understanding I'm not at looking for olympic shooting level here, but seeing a noticeable difference in the performance of that one session with those rounds today. Curious as to thoughts, or how you use your results to improve your performance, or determine that you do/don't like a specific brand of ammunition. Tom

Thanks again for the replies. Managed to hit Shore Shot 3 times this week since picking up the 226 to work on getting familiar, so far just love it! It really did need a good cleaning when it arrived, so far 3 range trips and 3 cleanings in all is good. Thanks again for all the tips and advice.

Feel like I got lucky at Oxford Valley store. Got there after 2pm....they still gave me the BOGO offer on 9mm hornaday and Winchester wb without any limit on number of boxes. Ended up with nearly a full case and got a 20 dollar off coupon from the cashier at checkout....nice surprise.

Thanks for the reassurances. Given the length of time it takes to get a permit and having just picked up the 226, I can't tell you how disappointing it would have been to have to send it back already. My first call this morning prior to logging on here was to Exeter, NH....their rep pulled out a few 226's from their inventory and inserted mags and said he found the same thing on all of them, and it was a normal feature. Thanks to this group for helping avert my heart attack.... Now to find time to go to the range on Thanksgiving weekend to try it out without "she who makes decisions" for the house letting me have it!!

Another question for you sig folks, I picked up my 226 tonight cleaned and lubed it ready for the range. I notice when I insert the magazine it doesn't fit exactly flush w the bottom of the grip. I can push it w my thumb a bit tighter. The space is small,...maybe I could fit the edge of a credit card or maybe two in the gap. Gun seems to function fine and rounds feed into chamber ok. Is this normal for a sig? This is case w both magazines. I oiled the well, the mags themselves a bit as well. Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks all again for the tips, especially putting me onto the grease. Lot of reading there with Flork and the thought of grease v oil - I've always just used Hoppe's oil, so guess I need to rethink that for the 226. Many thanks again for the time and tips.

Thanks for the quick and informative replies everyone. Off to the kitchen table with the cleaning kit it is!

Expect to pick up my new 9mm Sig 226 Extreme from the dealer this week (according to local PD my permits should be ready prior to Turkey Day!) - this is my first handgun that is purchased and not inherited. So my question - out of the box, is the pistol ready to fire, or will it require being broken down, cleaned and lubricated first? I'm getting mixed messages from the few folks I have asked this and want to know if I should plan on going right to range with this after picking it up, or if I should plan on heading right to the kitchen table and cleaning kit. I just want to treat this right, and have something I can hand down to my kids some day as my dad did to me w/ his. Thanks for your time and for entertaining the noobie question. (I tried searching this topic, so if previously discussed I missed it, sorry). Tom

New to the forum today, just joined @ Shore Shot as well.... Seems like a great source of information here! Tom