Need help deciding between Sig 226 Legion SAO and CZ 75B

[oysterer]

I like to add another full length auto for IDPA shooting.

Decision between:

Sig 226 Legion SAO and CZ 75B:
Never owned a sig 226 before let alone a US made one.
Not familiar how accurate they can be, I hear good things about the legions, good sights, light SAO trigger, not much work needed.
Alu frame may = more recoil, high bore axis, fits is ok but CZ fits better. I do not know the inherent accuracy for the 226 design. I read more of a combat accuracy can be expected.
I find the slide release too bulky and will be riding it during matches. Legion has smaller controls but I have never shot one.

Or CZ 75B. I am very familiar with them, I did lots of refinement work on my 75 compact which turned out very sweet.
CZ arguments: any aftermarket fiber front sight may still be inferior to the Legion stock night sights, but the CZ has super ergonomics for me, holsters I have already.

The legion out of the box and the CZ with all the parts upgrades it needs will be the same $$$ spent.

What to do.

Thanks and Happy New Year

 

[bigwheelzip]

I've heard good things on the CZ forum about the 75 Shadow for IDPA. Found this article.

CZ 75 Shadow SA: IDPA's Best Kept Secret — TriggerCTRL

 

[JohnRippert]

I've heard good things on the CZ forum about the 75 Shadow for IDPA. Found this article.

CZ 75 Shadow SA: IDPA's Best Kept Secret — TriggerCTRL

I agree. I have a SP01 Shadow that is truly amazing. Not used for competition, just a nightstand/range rocket. Best 9mm semi-auto for the money IMO.

 

[okiegtrider]

"Or CZ 75B. I am very familiar with them, I did lots of refinement work on my 75 compact which turned out very sweet.
CZ arguments: ... but the CZ has super ergonomics for me, holsters I have already."

Looks like you answered your own question already. Unless you just want something completely different, going with what you know seems like a good choice.

 

[44wheelman]

I think the CZ’s get you more gun for the money.

There is a steel (stainless?) framed 226 model out there...but I’m not sure which one it is, or how much you have to spend to get it. I actually prefer my 229 over a std 226 for fit/ergonomics, but then I have one of the old German 226 Sport models, which is a different animal altogether.

 

[bigmatt17073]

So if the SAO 226 was in the mix I assume your aiming to IDPA ESP. If that is the plan I would definitely go CZ. Get a Shadow and changed it to SAO. The Shadow's are going to have a better trigger not having a firing pin block.

Or you can go the poor man's way like I did, and find a transitional Pre-B and turn it into a beater competition gun for ESP:

 

[Warren Sear]

I love the CZ 75, but it is hard to go wrong with a SIG/Sauer P 226.

I suggest one of each.

 

[dr. mordo]

"Or CZ 75B. I am very familiar with them, I did lots of refinement work on my 75 compact which turned out very sweet.
CZ arguments: ... but the CZ has super ergonomics for me, holsters I have already."

Looks like you answered your own question already. Unless you just want something completely different, going with what you know seems like a good choice.

Completely agree. I love SIGs and CZs, but if you already know you like CZs and have holsters you like, it's seems straightforward to me.

 

[Mdclinks]

The trigger on a P226 SAO Legion is probably as close to feeling like a 1911 without being an actual 1911. The reset is also incredibly short.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Or you can go the poor man's way like I did, and find a transitional Pre-B and turn it into a beate

I was thinking of suggesting that, but the availability of magazines is limited.

My one pre-B's trigger is amazing. Not up to 1911 standards, but the best SA/DA trigger I've ever felt.

 

[bigmatt17073]

I was thinking of suggesting that, but the availability of magazines is limited.

My one pre-B's trigger is amazing. Not up to 1911 standards, but the best SA/DA trigger I've ever felt.

A true transitional Pre-B can take all 75B mags. If you can find one it's is basically a poor man's Shadow.

 

[spad124]

Maybe this doesn't apply as you're looking for a competition gun, but I have a CPO P226 and a 75BD. My P226 is a US made pistol from the early 2000s with a stainless slide. The Sig feels like a much larger pistol, I think because of the much higher bore axis. It's also bulkier overall than the 75. On the plus side the Sig's SA trigger has much less take up than the 75BD. For me the 75s lower bore axis, ergonomic grips, and extra weight make the 75 easier to shoot well, trigger notwithstanding. I improved the P226 by changing to the E2 grips, but I think the 75 is better chassis to build on. Again, my pistols are bone stock basic pistols and not comp pistols.

 

[American1776]

I have not been impressed with SIGs recent quality. Two SIG 1911s I owned were less than perfect (occasional FTF). The whole 320 debacle, and how they handled it, along with the NJSP lawsuit against SIG, had soured me on their products. They changed the extractor designs from the traditional SIG design, and I’ve read too many anecdotal horror stories with NIB Pistols being lemons.

I’d go with CZ, given the options.

 

[nachogrande]

WHAT COLOR CLOTHES GO WITH...

Monkey snot green & red/orange??? I'd keep that gun a secret also. Kidding aside, a possibility of a mag with higher capacity MIGHT get me to NOT give up my 226, but be willing to try the CZ for a specific event. Permanently replace the factory worked German 226 - NAH.

 

[oysterer]

Thanks for all your replies. Very helpful to get my thoughts in order.

Decision made for now. I had the stock CZ 75B on my usual 30 day NJ wait and will pick up today.

I wanted the shadow tac II for a long while but couldn't get one but got the 75 Compact cheap a few months back and walked through it with Dave at Cajun. I put in all of his mods such as firing pin, lifter arm, short reach disconnector, race hammer set etc. The pin block is no problem at all anymore, there is very short reset, no creep, no pre-travel. The front bushing brought in the group very tight. It seems the front bushing was the most major impact. The gun had been through a few games, about 500 rounds, not one FTF. Al I need to add is a fiber optic front sight.

Will do the same to the 75B.

With the legion...what is with the collectors coin, secret owners club web excess to limited edition hats and t-shirts, beautiful limited edition titanium PVD...that put me off. Maybe some prior Neiman Markus marketing muscle joined up over there, weird.

 

[nachogrande]

THERE'S NO SECRET SIG HANDSHAKE, THAT I KNOW OF.

Some people just love the swag that is free advertising for that particular product. I have a bunch of ball caps (FREE BILBOARDS) that I haven't thrown away. I get a kick from people so gung ho for overpriced sunglasses, or coolers that they need a bumper sticker. I know it impresses me, anyone else?

 

[ctxcummins]

For the same price (probably a little cheaper honestly) as a P226 Legion, this is my only suggestion.

I don't own one yet, but my brother does and I shoot it every chance I get.

With the backstrap shape, slim textured aluminum grips, front strap checkering, and near perfect balance I have never held a pistol that locked into my hand so well.

It shoots so much faster and more accurately than my basic P226 it's incredible.

 

[nachogrande]

WHEN DOES IT CEASE BEING A CZ?

After ALL the aftermarket goodies/changes/modifications, (cost more than the stock gun?) it seems hard to call it by the same mfg name. STARTED life as a .... maybe?

 

[mainegrw]

I’ve owned the CZ 75 and the Sig P226 Legion in SAO and DA/SA. Out of the two, my favorite is definitely the P226, but personally, I prefer the DA/SA over the SAO. To me it’s the definition of perfection in a 9mm handgun.

Both are excellent, well performing guns, both are really fun to shoot, and really it comes down to personal preference. Try them both, get the one that suits you better...

Also, if you’re looking at guns in that price range, have you considered the new production Sig P210?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[inspcalahan]

With your past experience, comfort level and already being down the CZ road, I believe you made the right choice for you, by staying CZ. It fits what you want and need.

I have no experience with CZs, but a fair amount with the Sigs. I'm a huge Sig fan, but over the years of my career I migrated to 1911's and that was my pistol of choice.. Carried and used STI's, custom shop built Springfields and Colts. I'm a gun snob when it comes to duty guns I suppose, especially when the other out of the box guns work just fine.

Then one day a few years back, a meeting of both worlds occurred. I held in my hand the Sig Legion P226 SAO. Sweet Jesus! A classic Sig P226 feel, the round capacity I wanted, but with a match grade 1911 trigger and operating system. The trigger on my SAO is about 99% as nice as a few of my 2-3K 1911's, but it was like that straight out of the box. The sights are one of the best versions on the market for a duty fighting pistol. For match work, there's likely something better suited. Easily one of the quickest decisions I've made about buying a gun.

Many rounds down range and it's currently riding my hip as my primary duty pistol. Reliability is and has been 100%. Accuracy is better than I need, the rest is up to me. I'm beyond satisfied. As for the Legion SWAG (coin, underwear discounts, etc)...who knows...don't really have a need for that stuff.

Obviously I'm biased, but back to your opinion request, I'd have to say go with the CZ as you already chose.