Sig P226 versus Beretta 92fs

I'll take the Beretta every time. I find it to be more accurate for me, even though the trigger seems heavier, even with my D spring upgrade. I also find the Beretta trigger more crisp than the 226 trigger. Both are very smooth. Machining and finish on the Beretta also looks nicer, even though the Sig Nitron finish is likely more durable than the Bruniton. The Beretta slide feels like its sliding on ball bearings as well.

When I was in the police academy, I put quite a few rounds through the Sig 226. They fit my hand extremely well, but I was never quite as accurate with them. I also shoot with both thumbs forward and the placement of the slide stop on the 226 causes my thumb to ride it, resulting in failure to lock open quite often. Muzzle flip of the 226 also seems more pronounced due to high bore axis, which is true of any Sig.

In the end, it's all down to which you prefer. Which fits your hands and which you shoot best.
 
Well, they are certainly two of the best all-metal, hammer-fired, DA/SA pistols ever made, and some would say they are the two best. I have four Berettas and four SIG Sauer pistols so I like both makers just fine.

My SIG P series pistol is a P229 rather than a P226 and it is chambered in .40 S&W rather than 9mm Luger. I do own a "Police Special" Beretta 92FS which came with Trijicon night sights.

As others have said, you really need to hold and shoot both to decide which works better for you. I feel that the trigger action on the SIG is better than that of the Beretta. Both pistols can be very accurate, both are reliable, and both are ammunition tolerant.

Some considerations: many don't like the slide mounted ambi lever on the Beretta whether it is a decocker only or a safety/decocker. It does take up real estate on the rear of the slide. If you need to change sights or want night sights I would go with the SIG. Although there are Beretta 92 series models that have rails, the 92FS does not. That might make it more or less desirable to you.

Some dislike the position of the slide stop lever on the SIG. The decocking lever does require it to be quite far back. The SIG does not offer the option of an external safety, should you want one.

Both are relatively large pistols with a rather thick grip. I personally find that with factory grips the reach to the double action trigger on the Beretta is a little tougher than that of the SIG, and I have moderately large hands. The trigger reset on the Beretta is much longer than that of the SIG even if the latter does not have the SRT kit installed. With the SRT kit, the trigger reset is dramatically shorter on the SIG. There are reduced mainspring kits available for both the Beretta and the SIG if you wish to lighten the DA trigger pull. It is pretty easy to swap mainsprings on both pistols, a bit more so on the Beretta.

I seem to shoot the SIG a bit more accurately than the Beretta, and I have had the Beretta 92FS for many years.
 
I have owned and shot both extensively. I ended up selling my Beretta M9A1 and Getting a Glock 17, which I promptly sold to get a 226. I loved the Beretta except for one thing which was the slide mounted saftey which I would occasionally engage when working the slide. Other than that it was a very reliable and accurate pistol. Once you install a Beretta "D" hammer spring I remember the DA pull on the Beretta being better than on my 226, with the stock spring though forget about it. As far as single action the 226 is the winner. Both have some pretty large grips, but with Sig's new E2 grips it really slimmed down the grip and improved the ergo's of the pistol. Beretta reintroduced the Beretta 92G which changes the function of the saftey to a decocker only. If I were ever to own another Beretta that was intended to be used for any sort of self defense it would only be a 92G.

If you don't care about the slide mounted saftey, and don't care about having an accessory rail, you can pick up 92FS for about $550 which is $250 less than a Sig. If you want a Beretta with a rail which is the M9A1 or the 92A1, that's going to be about $650, or $150 less than the Sig. Take into account that the Sig comes with night sights installed, over $100 value alone right there, so you need to take that into account when comparing the prices. I picked up my Sig 226 with night sights for $800 even, and my M9A1 for $650. Again I have nothing bad to say about the Beretta besides that slide mounted saftey, they are great pistols.
 
Can't go wrong with either, I've owned both and still own a 226 with E2 grips. Handle them both and like what has been said, buy the one that feels best.
 
I'll throw my 2 cents in... I like the p226 better, not because one is made or works better than the other but because it just fits my hand so I shoot the sig better. Of course a good 1911 beats them both, just saying :p

Shoot both, buy the one that fits you best :cool:
 
I'll throw my 2 cents in... I like the p226 better, not because one is made or works better than the other but because it just fits my hand so I shoot the sig better. Of course a good 1911 beats them both, just saying

Shoot both, buy the one that fits you best
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Well, I sure agree with the 1911 part of this post. :eek:



 
That Dan Wesson is a beaut. I have a PM-9 and a Specialist... both are fine firearms.
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What, and my Colt is chopped liver, LOL? :eek:

Well, a buddy and I are going to take a Beretta 92fs and his Sig 226 to the range next week and have a comparison "shoot out." I'll let everyone know our impressions after that.

Have to say, the action on that Beretta is incredibly smooth and precise, and I love the way that the rounds feed almost horizontally; no steep ramp issues.
 
Not a 226 but a 228...I like the Sig but my Berettas just feel better for me. I like the safety/decocker and I prefer it...not to say there won't be another in my future...maybe a 320c?

Laura
 
Good deal Roger, that will give you a real idea of how each works for you. I agree with the Beretta; mine has one of the smoothest actions of any handgun I have. I just love how everything on the Beretta seems to click and clack into place. It's hard to describe, it just feels like a quality machine... kind of like a nice timepiece.

Let us know how the shoot out goes!
 
Not sure why but I shoot the 226 much better and the controls are a lot easier to manipulate. Both are as reliable as you will find.
 
I find that very interesting, Rinspeed. I've never heard of SIG offering an external safety on the Model 226 (da, the mode the op seems most interested in)-or any other of there similarly formatted pistols (like the 220,227,228, etc.). Is your pistol unmodified from the factory configuration? Or is it an SAO version with the external safety?
 
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It's SAO, it wasn't clear to me that the OP was only interested the DA/SA models from either company. Beretta has had so many different variants over the years I can't keep track of them all.
 
Rinspeed said:
It's SAO, it wasn't clear to me that the OP was only interested the DA/SA models from either company. Beretta has had so many different variants over the years I can't keep track of them all.
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Have you seen the SIG catalog lately? SIG is the king of variants.


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Just an absolute wash as far as I'm concerned. Both have long military and LE history. SEALS used the P226 for a long time. All the military used the M9.

The Beretta slide literally feels like it runs on ball bearings. The Sig has a slightly better trigger to me. The beretta is sexier looking. The Sig has slightly better ergonomics for me.

Close eyes. Point each one. Open eyes, see which one seems to be pointing closer to the target for you, fits your hands better.

Both about as good as it gets.
 
The grip on a P226 fits me better than the 92FS, and too, the 226 has the ability to change out trigger position as well as the grip thickness. It's a better system to my mind. We're I to go to a DA/SA for defensive carry, the Sig system is easier to transition to for me. I'm a long time 1911 user (50+) years now so muscle memory is deeply ingrained. You youngun's can probably transition to either with narry a hiccup. YMMV, Rod
 
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