Sig P226

I just bought a police trade in P226 in 40. It shoots very well. I think it will be my new favorite.

I'm amazed at the low prices almost any used handgun in .40 S&W is going for now. I've seen some great SIGs, Berettas, H&Ks, Walthers, S&Ws (3rd Gen and M&Ps) going for a song, whereas the same models in 9mm can sometimes command a premium depending on condition, extras, box/papers, etc. If you still shoot and/or reload .40, now is the time to buy.

IMO, the SIG P-226 and the Beretta 96 (and 3rd Gen Smiths, if you can find 'em, good luck) are the ideal platforms for "The Forty."

Yes, on the low prices. I paid 379 before tax for the pistol, and paid 14 dollars a box for 50 rounds of Winchester. Almost as cheap as 9mm.

P226 is a fantastic pistol. Reliable and accurate, easy field strip. All my P226s are older P models with no rail,folded slide and breach block,internal extractor. Change out your springs like you should and lightly grease the rails and they will last a long time.

351 WINCHESTER said:

They are outstanding pistols if you can overcome the d/a to s/a trigger. I never could so I carry glock.

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Nothing to "overcome"; just good training and much practice, no different than what's required to become proficient with any other action type. Me, I will never get used to the mushy trigger pull of the Glock, and, believe me, I've tried.

SwampWolf said:

Nothing to "overcome"; just good training and much practice, no different than what's required to become proficient with any other action type. Me, I will never get used to the mushy trigger pull of the Glock, and, believe me, I've tried.

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After a couple of years of primarily shooting and focusing my collecting on pre-war S&W .44 Special DA revolvers, I found that I shot my P226 more accurately and consistently with the DA trigger than with the SA trigger.

SwampWolf said:

Nothing to "overcome"; just good training and much practice, no different than what's required to become proficient with any other action type. Me, I will never get used to the mushy trigger pull of the Glock, and, believe me, I've tried.

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Fascinating, even with a SRT my Sig's had a far mushier trigger, even in SA, than any ofy Glocks do. One of my favorite parts about the Glock trigger is when you know "the spot" to stage it to it's very crisp after. Clear reset too, unlike most of my Sig's apart from my Legion SAO.

Just shows how we are all different when I comes to trigger preference

JR24 said:

Just shows how we are all different when I comes to trigger preference

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This is true and there's no "litmus" test confirming which trigger pull is "best" for each individual shooter. However, in my experience, trying to "stage" a trigger in self-defense situations is an anathema to survival.

SwampWolf said:

This is true and there's no "litmus" test confirming which trigger pull is "best" for each individual shooter. However, in my experience, trying to "stage" a trigger in self-defense situations is an anathema to survival.

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Naturally, but so is finding a break point in a mushy trigger. I've shot heavy DA triggers at game (closest adrenaline I have had to anything "serious") and when the blood is up the 10 lb trigger felt like all of 2 lbs.

So discussing the minutae of mushy, crisp, whatever triggers in the vein of survival situations is pretty much a moot point, IMO.

Range and competition are also other valid reasons to like one trigger or another, howeverm

JR24 said:

I've shot heavy DA triggers at game (closest adrenaline I have had to anything "serious") and when the blood is up the 10 lb trigger felt like all of 2 lbs.

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If I'm hunting game at any distance and having any time to aim and shoot with a da pistol, I will cock it first and use the much lighter sa pull to anchor the animal-something you can't do with a dao or Glock-configured trigger pull.

SwampWolf said:

If I'm hunting game at any distance and having any time to aim and shoot with a da pistol, I will cock it first and use the much lighter sa pull to anchor the animal-something you can't do with a dao or Glock-configured trigger pull.

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It was moving, close, and there was little time. Now that I'm older I would skip the shot, but you live and learn

I have two P-226's, an Ex NYPD DAO gun I converted to SA/DA, and my still unshot P226 SSE. All stainless, so pretty.
My LEO trade in has some holster wear, but it's no big deal. I have a feeling it's got NP3 in it's future.

I have a P226 and a P229, the 226 is a 2000 model in .357 Sig ( have a .40 barrel for it) and the 229 is a 1994 in 40, the trigger in the 226 is a good stock Sig and about what you expect in quality pistol, the 229 is freaking superb, very smooth DA , very light and crisp SA and it has a SRT so awesome short reset. the 229 is my main carry gun the 226 is a bedside/ range gun

My first Sig was a LEO trade in P220 Dak, that I didn't know had had some major trigger work done on it. I thought all DAK guns were like that, until I bought a P229 DAK and I didn't like it at all. A friend bought a P226 DAK and it was almost exactly like my P229. Now I stick to regular DA/SA Sigs.

Mongoslow, do you find that a single holster does well for both heaters? That is my experience, at least for leather.

Old Dog

My belief has always been that there are four classic pistols that any serious 9mm aficionado must own: a CZ-75B (or "pre-B"), a non-railed SIG P-226, a Beretta 92FS/M9 (original model, before plastic parts, "radiused" backstrap and "tapered" dustcover) and, of course, the Browning Hi-Power.

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I would somewhat agree with your choices though the Beretta Model 92 has never been a good fit for my smaller size hand (the Vertec Model is a little more ergonomic for me). I also prefer the SIG P228 or P229 to the P226 for similar reasons as the Beretta. The Hi-Power will always be a rock solid choice as is the CZ P01 with it's slightly more compact frame than the CZ75 has. For my "substitute" choice in place of the Beretta I would go with either the new CZ P07 I recently got or the Ruger SR9c. I like them both a great deal more than the comparable Glock, S&W, or Springfield Armory offerings.

Old Dog said:

My belief has always been that there are four classic pistols that any serious 9mm aficionado must own: a CZ-75B (or "pre-B"), a non-railed SIG P-226, a Beretta 92FS/M9 (original model, before plastic parts, "radiused" backstrap and "tapered" dustcover) and, of course, the Browning Hi-Power.

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I would add the Smith & Wesson Model 5906 to your fine list of classic pistols chambered in 9mm.

SwampWolf said:

I would add the Smith & Wesson Model 5906 to your fine list of classic pistols chambered in 9mm.

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Upon further review … you are right on, sir. I should have put it on my list, it's on there now -- and it is one of my favorites of all time, especially the earlier model with the arched backstrap and hooked/recurved trigger guard. A beast, but great for duty carry and one of the most reliable autopistols ever, soft-shooting, feeds everything.

johnmcl said:

Mongoslow, do you find that a single holster does well for both heaters? That is my experience, at least for leather.

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Not really,the 229 is tight in the 226 holster and the sight on the 226 sticks past the end of my 229 holster

I have only owned handguns for a little over 15 years and have always admired the offerings from Sig but never pulled the trigger on one, literally and figuratively, until this week. I traded in to a P220 and bought a NIB P226 Elite SAO. No range time on either yet but I have high hopes and expectations for both based on everything I have read and heard.

I guess I have to say something to add to the very good input from the experienced members of renown. I initially trained on a busted, cranky, twisted GSA surplus .45 and WWII bulk ammo.
With it, I polished and closed the loose slide, and front barrel so I could see it hit within 2 inches of the bulls eye. My drill instructor made me clean and polish 550 dunks set for scrap. He did give me his old Match barrel and a clean slide. Run forward 8 years, I got my first P226 (e) SA O 9mm.
Once I broke it in, the gunny gave me an option I could not refuse. New P226, .40cal but not broken in and with ejector problems. There is more but this helped me get ready for a Sig P226.

This needs to be quick: Every P226 of 9mm or .40 cal I have handled (for work or personal defense) has been flawless. You must maintain the weapon, she will never let you down. All of the new Sigs are well made and meet the precision expected, but I keep coming back to the P226R Nitron and I added a TLR-4. This is a balanced, versatile, lethal weapon that can bring you home or protect those you love.
She is big enough for me to keep my Springfield RO Elite Compact busy when I need to keep CCW rules in public places.
Thanks All, Be safe.

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Add me to P226 owners now, recently got it from a local store at a decent deal it's a German made, used with some light finish wear , I already have a P220 so I know it's gonna shoot good more than likely.

Awesome. That's the best one.