S&W 5906 vs. Sig P226
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jed
Member
Comparison
I have owned Sig 226 and now own 5906.
Both are accurate and hand fit will be somewhat difficult. The 226 may come with a better double action trigger.
I improved my 5906 trigger by reducing the mainspring weight.
The 226 will be much lighter than the 5906.
For all that, I am very happy with the 5906. Aging eyes make the adjustable slightly harder to see than the standard 226 sights.
The 226 is easier to take down than the 5906.
You can hardly go wrong with either choice.
jed
I have owned Sig 226 and now own 5906.
Both are accurate and hand fit will be somewhat difficult. The 226 may come with a better double action trigger.
I improved my 5906 trigger by reducing the mainspring weight.
The 226 will be much lighter than the 5906.
For all that, I am very happy with the 5906. Aging eyes make the adjustable slightly harder to see than the standard 226 sights.
The 226 is easier to take down than the 5906.
You can hardly go wrong with either choice.
jed
Combat_Diver
US Veteran
Never owned a 5906 but did own several 6906s and a 6904 which I love. Did carry a 226 down range for half a year in 08' and used the 228 several times. Both are very good, reliable guns. What is your background on pistols? SIGs have a different manual of arms then the Smith (location of slide stop/decocker). I'm used to 1911s, Beretta M9s, CZ75, P38/P1s and the Smiths. SIG took allot of training to get the muscle memory down to were I was comfortable carrying them and ingrained.
CD
CD
signsrup
Member
Don't forget about the 5903. Steel (stainless) slide and alloy frame, just like the Sig. Used mags for the S&W's can be found cheaper than the sigs these days.
One thing in the S&W's favor is that they will feed ANYTHING. You rarely hear of a 3rd gen gun NOT feeding.
The prices on the S&W police turn-in's are usually about $100 cheaper than a comparable Sig.
Also, as Combat Diver mentioned, the slide release and decocker locations can take a while to learn with the Sig.
All of that said, I would be happy shooting either.
Just my opinions.
One thing in the S&W's favor is that they will feed ANYTHING. You rarely hear of a 3rd gen gun NOT feeding.
The prices on the S&W police turn-in's are usually about $100 cheaper than a comparable Sig.
Also, as Combat Diver mentioned, the slide release and decocker locations can take a while to learn with the Sig.
All of that said, I would be happy shooting either.
Just my opinions.
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I shoot more revolvers than pistols, and my pistol background is all S&W. I usually carry a 640, never carry a semi-auto.
I was just wondering if the Sigs are pretty comparable to the 3rd generation S&W's, or if they are significantly more reliable and accurate as some people seem to think. Although it's hard to imagine anything being much more reliable than the 3rd gens.
hoppes-no9
Member
I own a P220 (45ACP equivalent of the 226) and a 5906.
They are both AWESOME pistols. The 5906 is all steel (therefore heavier). They both have great DA and SA triggers. I enjoy the both immensely and would hesitate to pick one over the other, caliber difference aside.
New or used, the P226 will be more expensive than a 5906 (which you will only likely find used). Magazine prices will also be a bit higher for the Sig. If you plan to carry, definitely go with the Sig due to the weight.
But the best suggestion I have for you is to buy both!
They are both AWESOME pistols. The 5906 is all steel (therefore heavier). They both have great DA and SA triggers. I enjoy the both immensely and would hesitate to pick one over the other, caliber difference aside.
New or used, the P226 will be more expensive than a 5906 (which you will only likely find used). Magazine prices will also be a bit higher for the Sig. If you plan to carry, definitely go with the Sig due to the weight.
But the best suggestion I have for you is to buy both!
fiasconva
Member
This is an old link and may not work but it has a great comparison of the two. S&W's 5906TSW versus the Sig P-226 ST Good read if it still works.
goldenlight
Member
My 5906 has a VASTLY superior DA trigger compared to my P226. But, the P-226 has a better SA trigger, IMHO. I also get a little better accuracy from the P-226. YMMV.
I greatly prefer the 3 dot sights on the 5906, and how the weight helps soak up recoil, compared to the P-226. My 5906 'controlled rapid fire' groups are significantly better than I can do with any other semiauto.
Both pistols are very much very high end semiautomatics in terms of engineering, workmanship, function, and reliability.
The P-226, even used, will cost more, however. Like HK's, Sigs have ALWAYS been expensive semiautomatics, and they seem to be much more sought after in the used market, compared to S&W semiautos.
I still know a couple of gun show dealers who will either refuse to take 2nd and 3rd gen. S&W semiautos in trade, or offer a pretty low ball price.
Since the invasion of polymer pistols, all metal, especially all steel, full sized semiautos have fallen out of favor; with the great unwashed masses, anyways.
I greatly prefer the 3 dot sights on the 5906, and how the weight helps soak up recoil, compared to the P-226. My 5906 'controlled rapid fire' groups are significantly better than I can do with any other semiauto.
Both pistols are very much very high end semiautomatics in terms of engineering, workmanship, function, and reliability.
The P-226, even used, will cost more, however. Like HK's, Sigs have ALWAYS been expensive semiautomatics, and they seem to be much more sought after in the used market, compared to S&W semiautos.
I still know a couple of gun show dealers who will either refuse to take 2nd and 3rd gen. S&W semiautos in trade, or offer a pretty low ball price.
Since the invasion of polymer pistols, all metal, especially all steel, full sized semiautos have fallen out of favor; with the great unwashed masses, anyways.
TSQUARED
Member
The only problem have with my Sig 226 is getting used to grip the gun without touching the decocker or slide stop with my thumb. If you shoot a 1911 or any of the S&W semi autos you have to change your grip.
safearm
US Veteran
I'm a big fan of proprietary safeties, particularly on guns used for duty carry. Until forced to carry an issue Glock 21, I always carried a S&W auto, in my case a 4566. The safeties on a 5906 are exactly the same, manual safety/decocker and magazine disconnect. While you may not want/need these on a sporting gun, I believe they are mandatory on a duty gun. The Sig has neither, so it depends on how you are going to use the gun, and how comfortable you feel with the safeties, or lack thereof.
I've owned and carried both on duty, but I still own a 4006. (.40 equivalent to the 5906.)
The Sig was a terrific shooter but since I'm a lefty the decocker wasn't working out for me. All of my Smith auto's have been ambi therefore very friendly for us southpaws.
Your mileage may vary.
The Sig was a terrific shooter but since I'm a lefty the decocker wasn't working out for me. All of my Smith auto's have been ambi therefore very friendly for us southpaws.
Your mileage may vary.
I'm more experienced with revolvers, so that's what I carry. I'm looking at the semi-auto strictly for range use, so the safety and mag disconnect wouldn't necessarily be critical to me.
