Sig P226...doing research...have questions.

[ordy]

I'm thinking about buying one (an elite stainless in 9mm) and need some feedback from people who own one. The only thing I have to compare it to is a CZ compact I once owned. The CZ had a double stack mag and felt a little big in my hand and the controls were a little hard to get to. Can I expect the same thing with the sig? The trigger on the CZ was a bit of a reach when shot in double action and there was a fair amount of take up when shot in single action. In my reading, I get the impression that Sig has solved their trigger issues by installing the 'srt' feature in there new production models. What else should I be looking for in the Sig? I don't plan on this being a carry gun but it's always an option. My lgs carries the sig line and I'll get around to actually handling the gun when I've finished educating myself. I'd like to shoot the thing if I can but not sure if they have them for rent

 

[Maximumbob54]

You really should shoot one before you buy it and at a minimum hold it in your hand and it would be a plus if they let you dry fire it maybe with some snap caps.

I have the older model and I still love it. If money grew on trees then I would have a brand new model.

 

[old bear]

If I remember forum member Paladin recently posted one of his excellent reviews on these. Try the search function in this forum.

 

[raymo2u]

try an hokd one first as every gun you might purchase. the p226 is a beautiful gun, i own the navy edition. for smaller hands they do make a short reach trigger along with many other accesories. you cannot go wrong with it. i do not own a cz but hear they are nice but i think i would keep my sig if i were to choose, just from my experience with it.

the controls are easily available to your thumb if your right handed and has a decocker and sa/da trigger. it fit in the hand nice but has a high bore axis, hand cannot grip as high as say a 1911 or a glock but it shoots plenty nice. the trigger is smoooooth and crisp. and magazines are exspensive like any other sig's.
i hope this helps you

 

[Oldiron]

I have one of the older, totally German made 226s and it is one of my will have it 'til I croak guns. It fits my hands well and all the controls are reachable. Trigger was good when I got it but it just keeps getting better the more I shoot it. Bought one in .40 but after playing with them I decided to sell off the .40 since the mags click right into each other and the 9 mag will feed every round into the chamber and eject from the .40. No, I did not shoot the 9 in the .40. It was just curiosity and I hand cycled an entire mag through.
If I remember right the only Sigs that you have to watch out for are the first with the American made slides. Love Sigs, just wish they could get a .22 to run!!!
Larry

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have 4 Sigs, but none in 9x19, mine are in 45ACP and 357Sig. They draw,point, shoot,and return to holster in smooth easy motions. Accuracy is outstanding, the three 45's shoot as well as any of my !911's and that is saying something. My second 220 had the hammer spur removed, so it is DAO on the first shot and the groups don't have a "flyer" as some DA first shoot guns have. Try one or two, you will like it. Ivan

 

[scooter123]

First, some explanation about Sig's Nomenclature. The SRT indicates a Short Reset Trigger, which means that the total travel required to reset the trigger for the next shot is only about 1/8 inch. The Short trigger indicates a Short Reach Trigger which is accomplished by making the trigger THINNER.

Now concerning grips. Sig uses a rather "fat" grip that can cause issues for those with smaller hands. In an effort to provide a grip for those with smaller hands Sig Sauer recently introduced the "Enhanced" series that feature the one piece E2 Grip. By doing some careful material selection and a slight redesign of the grip profile they've managed to reduce the circumference of the grip. One easy way to spot the difference between the older style Standard grip and the new E2 grip is to look for grip mounting screws. Because any grips mounted using a screw is the older style 2 piece larger circumference grips. The new E2 grips are one piece molded construction and are retained by "snapping" over the grip screw bushing and as a result don't have ANY screws for mounting. BTW, the E2 grips are a bit of a pain to remove and most purchase a special tool to pry them open so they can be removed.

Finally, any WOOD grip will be EXTRA LARGE in the hand because Sig specifies a rather heavy thickness so the grips won't split. I replaced the Rosewood grips on my P229 Elite Stainless because they were just too big for my medium large hands. If you can't palm a basketball with one hand you will find that Sig's wood grips require you to use a "sidesaddle" hold.

PS; the P226 and P229 standard models can have the E2 grips mounted on them. However in order to do this the Mainspring assembly must be changed to the E2 configuration, which means purchasing a new mainspring mount, mainspring, and hammer strut in addition to an E2 grip. Once the mainspring assembly is changed to the E2 configuration that pistol can then be used with either style grip.

 

[Silvergoose]

Sig Sauer P226

I have a Sig P226 SAS. This gun has had the Custom Shop enhanced trigger work done, the result is worth every cent. The gun becomes part of you, it shoots where and when called upon. The gun will shoot most any ammo that is presented. I like the feel of the grip and with the dehorning of the weapon it is easy to retrive and to reholster, no snags. My caliber is .40 and with out question this the best Sig that I can afford to buy.

I have gotten to the point where as i do not buy any gun I can not shoot. I have narrowed down my collection to just a few makes, but S&W wheel guns and Sig auto are at the top of the list.

Ask your LGS if a customer with a P226 would be willing to let you shoot it at the range, what can it hurt?

Good Luck

 

[Stevie]

I own two old P226 pistols...had one..found a deal on another used West German P226 and ordered one..as fate would have it..now I own a pair of 1989 P226 pistols..about the same worn condition for the pair.

Work great..best de-cocker in the business..would buy another.

Don't know anything about newer or older Sigs...I'm only destined to own 1989 P226 pistols

 

[ladder13]

This West German 226 functions flawlessly.

 

[raymo2u]

ladder13 that is a very clean and original looking sig, i dont think autos get much better looking than that (besides 1911's)

 

[Maximumbob54]

As long as we are showing off...

Original P226:



I've owned and shot a bunch of double stack nines but the P226 is still my favorite of all of them.

 

[Rule3]

What is there to research? It is one of the finest guns ever made and plus it comes in a Navy edition!! Or the MK25

P226 Navy

P226 MK25

 

[2ndAmendmentNut]

There are a lot of good reliable 9mms out there, but none are like the 226. Everything you need and nothing you don't. Personally I would look for and buy an older German made carbon steel slide model. Nothing wrong with the new ones just the stainless steel slide makes them a few oz heavier which might actually be more desirable if you don't intend to conceal carry it.

 

[Maximumbob54]

On the flip side of that previous statement if you are going for the .357 or .40 version then the newer model might feel like a better shooter. Maybe.

I've not picked up the new model with the slimmer grip. The grip on mine feels like it was made for my hand so I'm not sure it would be better or worse to shrink it.

And the new compact P224... Oooooo, likey....

 

[raymo2u]

i love my newer edition ...hvent had the chance to use an older model

 

[max]

I have a 229 in 9mm and it is first rate. This photo was before going to TDI and I fired approx 3k rounds in 3 days without a stoppage or fumble of any kind. That was with mostly Blazer aluminum rounds.

 

[153]

I have had this old West German 226 since the late 1980's, never a bobble. I had long ago changed out the trigger for the thinner model and last year had the grip upgraded to the E2 style ... love the new thinner stocks!!!! The night sights are quite dead now ... may get those changed out soon.

 

[mkk41]

From one old BB stacker to another , the only thing the 226 has over the CZ-75 is lighter weight. I had an orange box W.German made 9mm. I didn't like the high bore/sight line as I was more used to something that sat low like a 1911 or BHP. The grip was OK , but with an aluminum frame and 15rd mag , I could tell the weight diff as the mag got empty. Not enough 'anchor weight' so it seemed to allow more muzzle flip. I traded the P-226 for a .40 B-HP , which I also hated and started to regret the deal. But I traded that for a CZ-75B SA in .40 S&W and couldn't be happier. The 226 was an extremely well made , accurate and reliable pistol. It actually is a CZ-75 copy using modern manufacturing methods and materials. The CZ is modern design with old world forged steel and craftsmanship. The Sig is shorter and lighter. The CZ feels good in the hand.

I think the CZ would outlast the Sig in a torture test though.

 

[cddanjr]

The sig line is so good, I have 2,1911 and 2,p226 9mm, sp2022 .40cal. Had minor slide problem with the sp2022, sig fixed it in less than 7 days door to door!

Even got a P226 for my wife.

They are great!