Can't decide on the two listed above. Im a little concerned about the difficulties in cleaning foul build up in the 1911, but a lot of people have been recommending it (para ordnance, Kimber, springfield, etc) I do like the P229 and I hear that Sigs are really reliable...but 1911 is too. What do you guys think. This will be my first handgun purchase.

Also availability is an issue. Haven't seen too many 4" 9mm 1911 on Oahu lately. while P229s seem abundant.

First handgun?..........get the P229.

there was a full size dan wesson 9mm at ogc last week
$1600 though

Can't decide on the two listed above. Im a little concerned about the difficulties in cleaning foul build up in the 1911, but a lot of people have been recommending it (para ordnance, Kimber, springfield, etc) I do like the P229 and I hear that Sigs are really reliable...but 1911 is too. What do you guys think. This will be my first handgun purchase.

Also availability is an issue. Haven't seen too many 4" 9mm 1911 on Oahu lately. while P229s seem abundant.

Friend of a friend is selling a SA 1911 Trophy Match in 9mm with 700 rnds ammo for something around $1300.
I do not know the seller personally and I do not care for 1911's in 9mm either. The gun looks nice and it is a fair price. See the pic.
I can help swap contact info but that's about all I'm going to do.

is that an actual pic or a stock pic?
good photo if it is actual
looks professionally done

Friend of a friend is selling a SA 1911 Trophy Match in 9mm with 700 rnds ammo for something around $1300.
I do not know the seller personally and I do not care for 1911's in 9mm either. The gun looks nice and it is a fair price. See the pic.
I can help swap contact info but that's about all I'm going to do.

If it were me, the Sig P229 SAS Gen 2, or better yet the M11-A1. 

+1 on the m11a1 or u can get a sig 1911 in 45acp they also have compact 1911 versions. I have a sig 1911 from the custom shop and it's a very very nice shooting gun.Plus 1911 are not hard to take apart and clean.

is that an actual pic or a stock pic?
good photo if it is actual
looks professionally done

=================
I am not 100% sure as I do not know the owner. The original pic came in an email sent by an old friend. It was a huge jpeg file that I downsized for faster viewing.
My guess is that it is the actual pistol. I believe the owner is a hobbyist-photographer.

+1 on the m11a1 or u can get a sig 1911 in 45acp they also have compact 1911 versions. I have a sig 1911 from the custom shop and it's a very very nice shooting gun.Plus 1911 are not hard to take apart and clean.

Detail stripping a 1911 and a P229 are much different. The P229 is pretty damn easy whereas the 1911 isn't.

Detail stripping a 1911 and a P229 are much different. The P229 is pretty damn easy whereas the 1911 isn't.

Yes I realize that I have a 226,229 the 1911 isnt that hard to take apart either and I'm no rocket scientist

^^^His first pistol though, plus it helps to have some specialized tooling when reassembling the 1911.

P229 for now

45 1911 later

P229 for now

45 1911 later

I agree, stay with the 45 acp for the 1911.
If you want a 9mm in a similar platform, go with the BHP.
 

Anyone who has a P229 have any problems or Difficulty cleaning and performing maintenance? Learning twards a P229 now. 1911 on the next purchase. Any Recommendations on type of P229?

I love my P229. never had ANY problems with it. easy to clean
I got the dark elite version
price was kinda high, but no regrets

Anyone who has a P229 have any problems or Difficulty cleaning and performing maintenance? Learning twards a P229 now. 1911 on the next purchase. Any Recommendations on type of P229?

I don't have a P229, but have a P220 from the 90's and a P220 Elite.  I would say Elite because of the short reset trigger and I believe they have night sights also.

Difficulty of cleaning?  Nope, literally the firearm breaks down in seconds.  Field cleaning means the lower, the barrel, the guiderod/spring, and the slide.........that's it, 4 parts.  1911 is the lower, the barrel, the plug/spring/bushing, and the slide.  To break down a P220/P226/P2298 further is pretty easy.  You detail break down a 1911 and deal with the mainspring housing, etc. and it can be quite involved.  Add to this the 1911 has a bunch of different variants and it's not so intuitive.

Sig Sauer p229

If it were me, the Sig P229 SAS Gen 2, or better yet the M11-A1. 

Was contemplating a M11-A1 as it's like the military uses.  However I want the light rail on the P229 so going with that.