Rant: Sig P226 is awesome

O

Oleg Volk

Staff Alumnus
Tried a friend's 226 yesterday. Oh, my! For one, it is nice to hold. For another, the recoil level was minimal: I used very hot handloads and it was much more comfy than my Glock 17. Accuracy was not bad even if I am still not fond of dot over bar sights. One weird aspect was that I shot P228 before and kept trying to de-cock when meaning to drop the slide...

I just want to know what makes the 226 such a smooth shooter. Oh, and how much are spare 13rd mags if any are available?

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Oleg "cornered rat" Volk (JPFO,NRA)

http://dd-b.net/RKBA
 
What makes the P226 such a smooth shooter is Precision Engineering. :D

13 round P228 magazines, and 15 round P226 magazines for that matter, are going for 50-100$+ depending on who you get them from. You can find them at gun shows starting around 65$.

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Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat!

~David~

Remember, just because I'm paranoid,
doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
smileyshot2.gif


[This message has been edited by blades67 (edited February 06, 2000).]
 
15 round ProMags are still out there for 15 to 16 dollars and work just fine. my wife's P226 shoots groups like a rifle and has a double action trigger smoother than my custom Cylinder & Slide S&W 4006 or my Kahr. the single action trigger has a little travel but is as crisp as a custom 1911. it is a little big for concealed carry but if you need 15+ rounds of firepower the P226 in a shoulder rig and two backup mags = 46 rounds 115 grain Cor@bon screamers in a butter smooth relativly lightweight pistol.

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for lunch.
Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
Let he that hath no sword sell his garment and buy one.--And they said. Lord here are two swords. And he said unto them. That is not enough. Luke 22-36,38
 
Greetings Oleg, Yes the P226 is one fine
weapon. I have one of the two tone models
purchased in November of 96. It has the Sig
Lite night sight's on it; and it's a beauty
too behold.

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
The 226 is an outstanding pistol. When I go to the range, I have a hard time deciding whether to take the CZ-75 or the P226. The CZ has a better trigger, all around, but the P226 isn't bad and has been 100% reliable, while my currently configured CZ has proven finicky regarding ammo.

I was lucky enough to find some NIB 17-rnd MecGar mags for $45 at a gunshow late last year. Kinda funny because people were passing this table with hardly a glance on their way over to another that had a bin full of beat down factory SIG 15-rnd mags for $50.
 
There were lots of mags at the gun show at the Expo Center yesterday. Not sure if Sig 226 were there as I was not looking for them, but say a lot of Sig magazines. Just didn't look as to which ones. You might go and see.
 
Yep, 226 is a great firearm. Dependable, accurate, and pretty too. I traded mine because I didn't like the double action first shot or how fast the finish wears off and how fast they beging to rust. So now I have a dependable, accurate, and not as pretty G17.
 
Yes the finish well wear off on the points wehre it contacts a holster. If you don't carry this is a non-issue. I've never had trouble with rust. Take care of your stuff and corrosion won't be an issue. I apply a light coat of grease over the entire pistol weekly. Even in hot wet climates carried close to the body exposed to sweat rust has yet to appear any place other than the grip scews. If perchance you're out swimming in salt water or doing other spec op operations then at first opportunity break it down and give it a good cleaning.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
Yeah, but listen RREEAALL close when you go to the armorer's class. No, I wouldn't have one. Yes, they are beautiful designs.
And besides, I have a SERIOUS problem with a company that won't sell a HAMMER to an armorer.....
 
If I can't put it in a holster and take it somewhere without it quickly stripping itself to bare metal it isn't my kind of gun. I don't like the idea of having to coat a gun with grease every week to keep it from rusting either. Suppose I'm going to the woods for a day or two and it's expected to rain, I suppose I could dip it and the magazine in a pot of melted cosmoline before I leave the house. Or just pack the G17.
 
Nyterunner,

Don't know what you mean. I'm not an armorer and I've ordered parts from SIG Arms before without any hassle. Their service has always been excellent. If you need to order parts in bulk you might consider trying a distribuitor. They'll likely give you a better price.

Hicap,

Have you carried SIG Sauers in the field? I have. Rust isn't a problem. I mentioned the grease as a suggestion. You don't have to do it. As for finish wearing down to bare metal, you'll find that's true of any pistol that holstered frequently. I'm looking at a Glock 19 right now that's nice and bright in the holster contact points. So what? Pistols are tools not baubles to be admired and treated with kid gloves.

This business of SIG Sauers rusting is a problem if you carry your pistol while swimming in salt water. In fact when the P226 was issued to some spec op teams (Dutch Royal Marines and SAS) that was a concern and yet it was decided that proper maintenance makes this a moot point. If you like the Glock 17 that's great. Buy more and shoot them often. Trust me, SIG Sauer is already well behind in filling orders so apparently plenty of people do consider the them worthy of purchase.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I love my P226 and if you';re concerned about its finish - hard chrome the slide for $75 and get a black finish on the frame. One of the most accurate 9mms!

PS - their value should be going up since they are considering selling to civilians.

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The Seattle SharpShooter
 
Tecolote, yes I have, and I noticed the finish wearing off very quickly. I found rust on the gun after it was wiped down and left to sit in the house. That kind of perturbed me. Except for the things I have found lacking I believe Sigs are great guns and if it wasn't for the DA trigger I'd still own mine.
 
Who says you have to buy a SIG for carry? My SIG is for me to admire and to shoot occasionally. Nonetheless, SIG is making guns with blackened stainless slides so although the finish may wear, the gun will not rust. For collecting and sports shooting...I go with SIG, for daily carry, I'd go with a Glock.
 
Oleg,

The 226 is a classic in its own right. BTW, Have you checked out the 225? If you want something more concealable for CCW, it makes a great carry piece w/the same ave. accuracy in many people's experiences. Its "low" capacity though. Only 25 rounds if you carry 2 spare mags. If you're a big guy the 226 w/work for CCW too.

As for corrosion, I wouldn't worry about it. There are plenty of pistol smiths & plating companies around with good finishes for an extra $100 or so plus shipping (which could be a bit). I've never tried them personally, but Brownells carries some do-it-yourself finished. One is an easy to do spray/bake that should work well on a slide I'd guess.

Best wishes Oleg,

robert


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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36, see John 3:15-18)
 
Oleg Wrote:

One weird aspect was that I shot P228 before and kept trying to de-cock when meaning to drop the slide...:

An easy way to eliminate this on the Sig (or any pitol) is rack your fresh mag by pulling back the slide with your other hand a little bit and letting it fly, instead of using the thumb lever. A good friend of mine in the Texas State Police said this is the way the DPS instructors taught him at the Academy.

I couldnt be happier with the Sig p226. I am wondering why I ever bothered with other models in 9mm such as the Beretta 92.
 
Who says you have to buy a SIG for carry?

I do! Why else would you want to purchase such a reliable and accurate defense tool? ;)

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
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