Sig's Classic P Series

[Dump1567]

I've had plenty of them come and go over the years. It's been awhile since I've had a 226. I've been wanting one, but other things kept getting in the way.

A few days ago, I found this 1993 (KD date code) 226 in a local Pawn shop for $499. One factory 15 round mag included. It needed a good cleaning, but I don't think it had been shot much. Probably just carried and handled. May have even spent some time in a duty holster. It's pretty much exactly what I wanted. An older classic Sig. Hopefully I won't let this one go.

[Mr. K]

You can never go wrong with a classic Sig. I have an affinity for the German 228’s. Sigs and S & W’s are the ONLY handguns I’ll own. Good luck with the 226.

[panther]

It's mostly S&W, Sig, and CZ for me.
That's a very nice 226. Congrats.

[45Wheelgun]

I agree, you can't go wrong with Sig. Being a purist, I prefer mine from West Germany.

[Grayfox]

I'm right fond of the P Series myself. Much better than the current plastic offerings.



P220, P226, P228 and P239
All but the P239 are German.

[S-W4EVER]

Only Sigs I own are a P226 Mark 25, P228, P239, and P6 (all in 9mm). The P228 was a CPO so it looks new. Well thought out design, nothing to improve on (and I haven’t even changed the grips). I’ve read complaints of declining quality in Sigs but I sure haven’t seen it.

[Beauetienne]

Very nice example at a very nice price. My favorite 'wonder nine' and I will always have/keep the first one I bought.

[Fishinfool]

Always been a fan of the 226.

Larry

[trampis]

Nice grab! My very first handgun was a Sig P226. Still have it. As the others have said, Sigs are great guns. I have a P250 which is decent but I prefer my all metal models mo bettah. Congrats!

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[HardToHandle]

Looks like honest holster wear. My opinion is that accents a classic SIG very well.

[the perfesser]

Like my previously lightly-used P220R SAO in .45ACP very much. Makes me more accurate than I am!

[webley green]

I'm a classic Sig fan too. Although my 226 went to a good home and my 225 was traded for a 220 in 9mm with four magazines. It's a European heel release model. My other P-220 was a LE trade in I bought used. It's a 45 .
Yep, I do luv my Classic Sigs.

[PPS1980]

Nice find. My P226 was 40 but now is 357Sig as is my P239. Very solid, dependable, weapons IMHO.

[Rock185]

Dump1567, Your 226 is one of the best. The first classic P series I can recall handling was a 226, around 1984 at an NRA convention, IIRC. I was impressed. Our Dept. allowed the 226 as an option around '86, I think it was. I wangled my way into the first revolver to semi-auto transition class, and carried a 226 every working day for several years. Don't recall ever having a malfunction of any kind. Just excellent pistols.

[Warren Sear]

A man just can't go wrong with a SIG SAUER... or two...

[jjdoodah]

After sticking mostly with S/W wheel guns and Model 41s, and Kimber autos, I always considered the Sig P226 an "Ugly Gun".
I have had S/W 39 and 59 autos, and wasn't able to hit much (must have been the sights)?? Anyway, I saw a P226 that had been a trade-in from law enforcement, and decided to chance it for 450. To my surprise, it connects with the target better than any handgun (other than my S/W model 41). I found several new Sig mags. for it, and it's now my go-to "pillow" enforcer.
I'm sure everyone goes through different makes and models looking for that "perfect" match. This comes close for me for some of the needed categories that may arise.

[Rubone]

I picked up this German made 226 last year with a couple other guns from a friend moving out of the country. 1990 production, and based on condition, and what was included it appears to have never been fired. I'm into it about $400 which included a DeSantis shoulder rig, a couple Pachmayr magazines, and three boxes of ammo.

[Rudi]

Sigs rule!!!!

[Taj]

Originally Posted by 45Wheelgun

I agree, you can't go wrong with Sig. Being a purist, I prefer mine from West Germany.

Yeah 45 wheelgun, I really like em too. Have a NIB West German P220 and another to shoot. The shooter had seen a duty holster at some point in it's life but still shoots like a match pistol. Also have a P226 with the same history. I put short reset trigger kits in the shooters and the new one piece grip. I think the short reset trigger greatly improves the shootability and can't figure out why Sig hasn't done it as SOP.

[Dump1567]

I've also got this Classic 220 in .45 acp. I'm more accuate with it than any other .45 I own.

[45Wheelgun]

Originally Posted by Taj

Yeah 45 wheelgun, I really like em too. Have a NIB West German P220 and another to shoot. The shooter had seen a duty holster at some point in it's life but still shoots like a match pistol. Also have a P226 with the same history. I put short reset trigger kits in the shooters and the new one piece grip. I think the short reset trigger greatly improves the shootability and can't figure out why Sig hasn't done it as SOP.

Taj, at some point Sig had a father's day deal, FedEx call tag, complete factory strip - replacing any part that wasn't in exact spect, a new set of night sites and return overnight shipping for $125. I had them put a SRT in while she visited the mothership.

At the time $125 didn't cover the costs of the sites, let alone anything else they did.

I don't generally modify my guns, but I agree, an excellent improvement.

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[stevenstark711]

Better put in my 2 cents worth 229,239,and 226st in .40 with additional. 357sig barrel

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[Texas Star]

Didn't some slides rust and also slide rails need thickening? I think RCMP SWAT had some rails crack, but they shot a lot.

Never owned a SIG, but they feel great in the hand.

[Rock185]

I still have a few SIGs, including a couple of them 'Merican made ones

ETA, Texas Star, when SIGs were initially authorized for us, I did see one or two cracked horizontally in the frame rails. These were new guns, fired only a few hundred rounds of standard pressure ammunition in the transition class. SIG replaced the guns. I later became an armorer, and a fellow officer brought in a P220 with carbon steel slide badly rusted. He'd worked in the rain, and not being a "Gun guy" did not think to remove his gun from the holster for a few days. It wasn't just a little surface rust, the slide was badly pitted...

[rainyknight]

Nice find, I own a West German P220 that I have had for over 25 years. One of my favorite pistols. Picked up a police turn in P226 in .40 about 5 years ago and recently added a P228 to the collection. All of them great guns.

[BEEMER1]

I bought this when I heard they were going to close up the German Shop and no more Mastershop pistols will be made.
A P210 6" Super Target Midnight from their Prestige Line. It is a real beauty.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

I can play. But no pics. 228 & 229. Both been here a long time.

[Grayfox]

+1 on the SRT kit. Great improvement in these fine pistols. I've put them in all four of my Sigs.

[pawngal]

I recently picked up this German mfg P210. Am really liking it.

[inspcalahan]

There's a reason the P series has such a following. I've been a fan for going on 30 years. I'm always open to adding another to the mix - I'm thinking one of the newer P210's if I stumble on one at the right time.

[willb1961]

S&W Revolvers (and old all metal pistols), Sig P pistols and Beretta 92 pistols are among my favorite. My fav. Sig is a FDE MK25 but I also have an old German 220. They are all great firearms.

[ladder13]

1988 WG version

[sodacan]

Sigs are my favorite semi-auto pistols, especially the P220. The West German with the flat spur hammer, and the Stainless Match Elite (5") are both terrific shooters. My 30 year old P6 was the best buy I ever made (sorry, no photo) for a gun, and the P229 Elite Stainless is the softest shooting 9mm on the planet. Incredibly well made pistols. As for their plastic stuff, not my cup of tea.

[sheepdawg]

Always like to let the 1911 fans shoot my P220.

[sodacan]

Originally Posted by sheepdawg

Always like to let the 1911 fans shoot my P220.

I do that too. I like 1911's, but gave them up when I discovered the P220. 1911 triggers are often better, but I prefer DA/SA semi-autos. As an aside, and a minor point, field stripping a Sig is so much easier.

[max]

I started out with a used 229 in 9mm, then a P-6 (cheap), next was a 220 (later sold), then a 225 (sold back to orig owner), last was a 228 I won in a Sig forum karma. They are kind of heavy but they work very reliably and I like em.

[Krogen]

I've had two West German Sig Sauers for years. A P220 45ACP and a P228 9mm. Bought them new. They have been astoundingly reliable. Not a hiccup with either of them using factory or handloaded ammo. Not even once. That's a great confidence builder. in a defensive pistol.

A few weeks ago, I bought one of the newer P210 target pistols. I'm very pleased with it's build quality, trigger pull and accuracy. It's an old school style metal and walnut pistol but made with modern manufacturing methods. The most obvious modernisms are MIM parts, the Nitron finish and laser-checkered grips. Still, they did a great job and it's quickly becoming a favorite.

[majick47]

Dump you will never regret purchase of Sig P-226 classic pistol at a fine price.

[mbliss57]

I love the older West German P 220 series pistols. I have some very early (earliest) 1976 Sig P220s in 9mm and other early pistols in 45ACP in 38 Super and 30 Luger.
I carry a P239 in 40 S&W and 357 Sig. I have had some P226s West German and they shoot well. (Sold it but not because there was anything wrong with it) My favorite pistols are Sig Sauers followed closely by most S&W 3rd Gens.

This is a Nickel W German P220


Here is a Browning BDA from 1978 which is a Sig P220 that Browning 1st imported to the USA until 1980. There were 1200 Browning BDAs made between 1977 and 1980.

[Valmet]

IMO a 9mm P-226 is arguably the finest handgun SIG has ever put out (original 210s not withstanding).

[andy52]

I sent this 1991 P220 to Sig for the overhaul that 45Wheelgun mentioned
I also had them reblue the slide and put new night sights on it.
The entire cost was just a little over 200 and considering I only had 300 in the gun I thought it was money well spent.
Before and after pics.

[jframejoey]

Love my P230s!

[BAM-BAM]

Converted from .45acp Colts to a Sig 220 for my .45 needs in about 1989 and never looked back... that W. German Sig will shoot cloverleafs at 50ft.

In the mid-90s I add a compact 245 .45acp for concealed winter carry; added a second used two-tone (nickel over blue) a couple years later

Got an "Earnest Langdon" Model 220 steel range gun about 2000

and a lightly used 229 with both .40S&W and Sig.357 barrels.

[45Wheelgun]

Originally Posted by mbliss57

Here is a Browning BDA from 1978 which is a Sig P220 that Browning 1st imported to the USA until 1980. There were 1200 Browning BDAs made between 1977 and 1980.

I never knew this. I feel like I should have. Thank you for a new piece of Sig knowledge.

Did Sig produce them and stamp them with the Browning name or did FN have a hand in the production? How well does it shoot?

Any idea what the going rate is on one?

Love Sig, Love Browning. Together? Almost seems like an old Reese's Cup commercial.



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[Truckman]

I miss every P220 I ever owned and let slip away......Ben

[mbliss57]

[QUOTE=45Wheelgun;140990328]I never knew this. I feel like I should have. Thank you for a new piece of Sig knowledge.

Did Sig produce them and stamp them with the Browning name or did FN have a hand in the production? How well does it shoot?

Any idea what the going rate is on one?

Love Sig, Love Browning. Together? Almost seems like an old Reese's Cup commercial.

Here is a pic the other side. Note the polished slide rail, Browning logo on right grip only, yet still the European mag release in heel.
AFAIK these were made completely in West Germany and shipped to Browning in Utah for distribution. I can post a pic later of one in it's box. BDA stands for Browning Double Action. These BDA have nothing in common or to do with the 380 BDA that is sold by Browning and I believe are a Beretta import.

AS far as price these are quite reasonable. I don't know why they don't command more money but a decent example can be had for $800 to $1K. Maybe less depending on grade of gun you are looking for. I thank it's partly because no-one really knows about them and the heal mag release.

[BAM-BAM]

Beretta made the .380 double action Browning sold ..... but with a fully inclosed slide.

On the BDA's the mag release on the heel butt was a turnoff back in the day.

FWIW: A lot, if not all, of the nickel guns were nickeled here in the US .... somewhere up near Erie Pa. according to a Police Supply House here in the Burgh.

[Dump1567]

Originally Posted by Dump1567

I've had plenty of them come and go over the years. It's been awhile since I've had a 226. I've been wanting one, but other things kept getting in the way.

A few days ago, I found this 1993 (KD date code) 226 in a local Pawn shop for $499. One factory 15 round mag included. It needed a good cleaning, but I don't think it had been shot much. Probably just carried and handled. May have even spent some time in a duty holster. It's pretty much exactly what I wanted. An older classic Sig. Hopefully I won't let this one go.

I put a mag through this today. Accurate & reliable. Less recoil than I remember these having. Also picked-up some Mec-gar 18 rounders for it. I may even carry it from time to time.

[BAM-BAM]

Great guns.... owned a couple in the 90s.... but settled on the Beretta Compact and Centurion models for my upscale Hi-cap 9mm. This was during the 1994 Hi-cap/ Assault weapons Ban.... so stocking multiple brands of hi-cap mags at $100+ per mag. if you could find then..... could cost you more than the gun itself.

Smith's 5906 was to heavy but the 915s for good hard use/utility guns.