Picked up a 226 at a show and have a couple of questions

B

buzz_knox

New member
I just brought home a 226 from the show in Knoxville today and have a couple of questions. First, how good of a deal is a two-tone 226 with nite sites for $500 + tax? It's used but outside of some scratches on the frame and rusty screws, it seems in great condition. It came with one non-Sig hi-cap (I didn't realize this until the deal was done. Well, at least I'll have a range mag). But the trigger is buttersmooth. The front sight hardly wavers when you pull DA.

Second, how much does Sig charge for refinishing the frame? The scratches are noticeable on the frontstrap (looks like it was rubbed against some equipment).

Oh, where's a good source for Sig hi-caps? I picked up a used one in good shape for $80 at the show.

After leaving I got to thinking about a used 226, blued, reg. sites with two factory hi-caps for $699 that I'd seen nearby. It was a private sale, unlike the other, so there were benefits to that. But, I figured that the two-tone with night-sites was a better deal, even without the factory mags and having the scratches. Was I right or am I just trying to convince myself of that?
 
Sounds like you got a good price, although the slide's condition is a negative. You're best bet is to call SIG Arms and ask directly how much refinishing would cost. They have subcontractors do the job, so you might actually save time and money by having someone else refinish the slide for you.

$80 for a used P226 mag is not bad, but you can do much better. Sometimes you can find them NIB for about $70 each from private parties. Another good source is www.cdnninvestments.com

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I have an almost new two-tone P220 and an almost new blue P226. I love the ergonomics and triggers, so they are "keepers". SIG Sauer pistols, however, come with the poorest finishes of any of the "premium" brands. Not only have both of my slides scratched very easily, the anodizing on the frames, which is supposed to be very hard, has chipped in a couple of places with very light use. What really bothers me is that I have a couple of small chips in the underside of the top frame rail.

I would not send the pistol to the factory to reapply another substandard finish. Do a search for finishes, there is alot of info on TFL. I plan to get both pistols fully refinished. If I go with hard chrome, I will use Metalife in PA, as they have alot of very happy customers. If I go black teflon/moly ot two-tone(green/black, etc.), I'd use Walter Birdsong or Arizona Response Systems.

pojim
 
That's not too bad of a price if you figure the pistol in that condition at around $450 + $60 or so for the nite sites.
The finish on my K-Koted SIGS seems OK, but I have an older blued 226 that I wouldn't want to put in and out of a holster too many times.
Used 15rnd mags go from $50-$75 around here.
 
You got a pretty good deal.

I bought some MegGar 17 round 226 mags, NIB, just before the CA ban for $45 each. Some people don't realize that these are OEM quality in every way. For example, another dealer had a box o rusty factory 15 rnd SIG 226 mags for $50 each.

Rusty screws are pretty typical for a 226, even a K-Kote like mine. You might contact Arizona Response Systems about refinishing the pistol in one of their Metacol finishes.
 
Buzz,

I just picked up 2 brand new factory hi-caps in plastic for $60 a piece plus $5 shipping in Gun Broker auction. the guy still has some left. Email if you are interested. SIG have supplied some of their pistols with MecGars. They are excellent mags.

SIG will not do "warranty" work on your gun if you have it refinished by somebody else. On the other hand, there really is no SIG warranty. SIG finishes has always been the only thing I can complain about their product.

Congrats on your purchase.
 
Pricewise, if this is any basis for comparison, the gun shop in my area recently sold a new 9mm blue P226 for $699 with two 10-round mags. The same shop offers hi-caps at $75 each (used, police trade-ins). The shop would charge even more for this gun if it had night-sites. Ouch!
 
I haven't had the chance to take my "new" acquisition out yet but after further examination, a couple of things came to mind. First, the night sites are a bit weak when I'm not wearing my glasses. They aren't as sharp or crisp as others I've seen, indicating they are probably getting on their last legs. Second, there is a slight rattle when a magazine isn't in the weapon. Picky, I know. Third, the trigger is absolutely unbelievable. The DA is so smooth that the front site hardly wobbles. And the SA trigger . . . better than my brother's 210.

I'll admit that I might have gotten a better deal elsewhere but I think that trigger will more than make up for it. I believe that someone sent this puppy to Sig for a trigger job.

By the way, this is my first pistol with night sites and I've come to the firm conclusion that I don't like them. They are a bit distracting at night. Plus, because a person's eyes point in a slightly different way from each other, they induce mirages (i.e. you get 6 dots rather than 3).My borther-in-law is an opthamologist and confirmed this phenomenon. I think I'll eventually replace the front sight with a night sight and the back sights with regular ones. That way, I'll have the best of both worlds.

[This message has been edited by buzz_knox (edited July 24, 2000).]
 
buzz_knox

Congrat's on your purchase of the P226. It's
one of Sig's finest offerings! :D With that
said, I bought the same weapon (P226 two-
tone w/Siglite night sight's, one 15 round
factory magazine)in November 96 at my local
gun shop. :) Price was $629.95 + 8% sales
tax. :eek: She's a keeper; as is my P220 in
.45 and my P228 in 9m/m.

But my P229 in .40S&W was a differnet story.
I could not get that dam thing to group well,
at any cost. Consistently shot low and to the
left at about 7 o'clock. Thank goodness, it's
now someone else's problem!!! :p

Regards,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
Buzz,

I believe you did very well. I bought my new two-tone P-226 (.40 S&W/.367 Sig) for about $600 a year ago at the Quantico Marine Exchange. Uusally, I save at least 10 percent there, so your used P-226 is $150 less than new cost, at the minimum.
 
I'm amazed at how little the price has changed on the Sig 226. I bought mine used with three 15 rd mags for $425 in 1986 from a shop in California. I remember picking up 2-30 rd. mags from USA over objections the mags were no good. All still work well except for the finish on the slide. Somewhere around 15000 - 20000 rounds thru that bbl. I've heard of Robars? Do they finish slides? How much and how long does this take? MWT
 
I love My 226. Never going to part with it.
I did just see factory hi-cap mags in the
shotgun news. $40-$60 new. Probably not on the website, it is limited. drop the $3.95.

Enjoy!
 
I own a 226 Two-Tone...

AWESOME GUN!!!

Nickel slide and controls, black frame, with factory Nite-Sites..
It was an LEO`s duty weapon, so it came with 3 factory Full Capacity magazines(15 rds.).
I also have a Factory 20 round mag which I keep loaded for Home defense...

I feel totally satisfied with my 9mm. as it usually only matters about shot-placement to neutralize a threat...

Newer Ammo closes the gap between Calibers in my opinion, just a good gun overall...

BTW, I spent MORE than you did and do not feel bad at all. :)

ENJOY...

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SHOOT,COMMUNICATE AND MOVE OUT !

[This message has been edited by GIT_SOME.45 (edited July 25, 2000).]
 
Great Buy!

The Pro-Mag (17) rounders worked fine for me and they only cost $25. But make sure they were made by ProMag right before CA law prohibited them making hi-caps. The followers/springgs may need to be replaced.

------------------
The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG
 
Range report!

The 226 worked spectacularly. It was shooting a bit to the left of center but the group was tight. I'll have to spring for the sight pusher. :( Both mags worked beautifully with 124 gr Blazer, Triton 115, and Fed. 124 gr HS. The only problem was that the slide wouldn't always lock back on an empty mag. Interestingly, I've had the same problem with my 229 and my 225 (which I also shot for the first time last night). I think it may be the way I hold my thumb. I'll have to watch that. It didn't occur with any particular brand of ammo or all the time so it was probably me.
 
I have a friend that uses a pretty high hold on his P226 so that one thumb presses on the slide release and doesn't allow it to do its job. Just pay attention to where you put your thumbs.
 
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