P226 9mm vs 40S&W front sight difference

[sorvanetzsorv]

As most probably know, P226 in 9mm uses the #8 front sight while in 40S&W - #6 front sight, which is 0.28mm taller than #8, while the rear sights are the same (#8) - see:

https://www.realgunreviews.com/sig-sauer-sight-heights-sight-numbers/

The question is why then Glock 17 and 22 use exactly the same sights (and 19 and 23 for that matter), full size M&P in 9mm and 40S&W also use the same sights, etc? What makes P226 different that requires a different sight?

 

[9mmepiphany]

First, welcome to the forum.

Perhaps you should turn the question around and ask why one would expect a gun chamber in 9mm and the same model in .40...different weight bullets moving a different speeds...to shoot to the same POI when using identical sights.

The first thought as to your original question is that those other manufacturers don't expect the majority of their customers to be able to discern the 2" difference in POI at 25 meters..so they just install "close enough" sights.

If the question were limited to just Glock pistols. It makes complete sense to not spend the money on different sights as many of their customers consider the standard factory rear sights to be dovetail protectors

 

[1KPerDay]

I think you will find that not all 9mm P226es came with a number 8 front. My German P226 9mm had a number 6 front, for example.

 

[Doublehelix]

My P226 Legion also has 8F/8R sights, and it is interesting to see that the .40 Legion uses 6F/6R. What the heck!