mellvis
November 11th, 2007, 18:39
Just got my Tanaka P229 heavyweight this afternoon, courtesy of filairsoft's local sellers/gunrunners – THANK U! :D
Let me first say that I've never been a Sig fan until I got a hold of the much raved about TM P226. It grew on me so much that I knew I had to get another one. I almost got the chrome Marui until a friend suggested to me, "you've already got Marui and KSC, why not try the other brands?" So here I am.
I was really skeptical, to say the least, about getting the Tanaka. First off, there's a much cheaper full metal variant of the P229 by KJW (sans markings) and it comes with a rail to boot. But if you're an average pistol guy like me and you've been keeping up with this section on gas guns, then the choice between Tanaka and KJW should be pretty clear. Secondly, there aren't any reviews for this gun on the web at all. With the exception of 1 local shop that I’ve been to, no one else has a Tanaka Sig in stock. And finally, after hunting thru online HK shops, there aren't any upgrades & accessories for the P229. Now down to business…
Tanaka Sig Sauer P229 Heavyweight
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/in_d_box.jpg
Included in the package are the manual, 2 Allen wrenches, and a small bag of BB’s. Absent are the things you see next to your TM pistol: cleaning rod, safety plug, target paper, product lineup catalogue, and fancy pictures on the cover.
Externals:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02520_copy.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02523_copy.jpg
This pistol lives up to the “heavyweight” claim. There’s good heft even without the magazine inserted. And this is because I believe the P229 has a metal frame and slide. They are nice and cold to the touch (but I can’t say this with 110% certainty since I will absolutely not rub sand paper on it just to find out).Other metal parts include the trigger, hammer, mag catch, mag release, decocking lever, sights, and of course the magazine. If only it came with a metal outer barrel!
The markings on the P229 all seem to be authentic and present in the right places. However, I can’t verify if these are the same on the real steel. Noticeable though is that on the Marui Sig, the words “9mm Para” have a small space whereas the same on the Tanaka Sig are clumped together. Furthermore, the markings on the Tanaka don’t scream out “airsoft” as much as those on the Marui.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/markings_left.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/markings_right.jpg
The P229 is 180mm in length which is 16mm shorter than the longer P226. I already sold my Marui some time ago, so here it is next to the 1911.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/p229_vs_1911.jpg
Notice also the sights which are different from the P226.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02518_copy.jpg
Internals:
The hop is a hassle to adjust because you’ll need a small screwdriver. This is where the Marui Sig shines.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/internals_slide.jpg
Performance:
The mag holds 15 (plus 1 in the chamber) BB’s. With about a 3 second charge of 134a, I was able to shoot about 2.5 full loads before I had to recharge.
Redwolf pegs the FPS rating at 215. Using the PMC, and after warming up the mag in my pocket for awhile, this is the result of 2 shots to the body.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/poor_chrono.jpg
My only problem with this gun is that the trigger pull feels a bit light when you dry fire it. IMO, that of the Marui is firmer and feels more powerful.
To finish up, if you’re a Sig fan and you want something other than a P226, go for the Tanaka!! If you're a pistol skirmisher in need of a primary, perhaps the Marui is a better option for you. The Tanaka P229's extra magazines are expensive and there are more accessories available for the Marui P226.
By the way, if anyone comes across a metal outer barrel for the Tanaka P229, PLEASE give me a holler :)
Let me first say that I've never been a Sig fan until I got a hold of the much raved about TM P226. It grew on me so much that I knew I had to get another one. I almost got the chrome Marui until a friend suggested to me, "you've already got Marui and KSC, why not try the other brands?" So here I am.
I was really skeptical, to say the least, about getting the Tanaka. First off, there's a much cheaper full metal variant of the P229 by KJW (sans markings) and it comes with a rail to boot. But if you're an average pistol guy like me and you've been keeping up with this section on gas guns, then the choice between Tanaka and KJW should be pretty clear. Secondly, there aren't any reviews for this gun on the web at all. With the exception of 1 local shop that I’ve been to, no one else has a Tanaka Sig in stock. And finally, after hunting thru online HK shops, there aren't any upgrades & accessories for the P229. Now down to business…
Tanaka Sig Sauer P229 Heavyweight
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/in_d_box.jpg
Included in the package are the manual, 2 Allen wrenches, and a small bag of BB’s. Absent are the things you see next to your TM pistol: cleaning rod, safety plug, target paper, product lineup catalogue, and fancy pictures on the cover.
Externals:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02520_copy.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02523_copy.jpg
This pistol lives up to the “heavyweight” claim. There’s good heft even without the magazine inserted. And this is because I believe the P229 has a metal frame and slide. They are nice and cold to the touch (but I can’t say this with 110% certainty since I will absolutely not rub sand paper on it just to find out).Other metal parts include the trigger, hammer, mag catch, mag release, decocking lever, sights, and of course the magazine. If only it came with a metal outer barrel!
The markings on the P229 all seem to be authentic and present in the right places. However, I can’t verify if these are the same on the real steel. Noticeable though is that on the Marui Sig, the words “9mm Para” have a small space whereas the same on the Tanaka Sig are clumped together. Furthermore, the markings on the Tanaka don’t scream out “airsoft” as much as those on the Marui.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/markings_left.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/markings_right.jpg
The P229 is 180mm in length which is 16mm shorter than the longer P226. I already sold my Marui some time ago, so here it is next to the 1911.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/p229_vs_1911.jpg
Notice also the sights which are different from the P226.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/DSC02518_copy.jpg
Internals:
The hop is a hassle to adjust because you’ll need a small screwdriver. This is where the Marui Sig shines.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/internals_slide.jpg
Performance:
The mag holds 15 (plus 1 in the chamber) BB’s. With about a 3 second charge of 134a, I was able to shoot about 2.5 full loads before I had to recharge.
Redwolf pegs the FPS rating at 215. Using the PMC, and after warming up the mag in my pocket for awhile, this is the result of 2 shots to the body.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/tolivedieinmanila/poor_chrono.jpg
My only problem with this gun is that the trigger pull feels a bit light when you dry fire it. IMO, that of the Marui is firmer and feels more powerful.
To finish up, if you’re a Sig fan and you want something other than a P226, go for the Tanaka!! If you're a pistol skirmisher in need of a primary, perhaps the Marui is a better option for you. The Tanaka P229's extra magazines are expensive and there are more accessories available for the Marui P226.
By the way, if anyone comes across a metal outer barrel for the Tanaka P229, PLEASE give me a holler :)