SIG Sauer P226 Review

SIG Sauer P226 Review of the pistol I just special purchased and should receive it in 2 to 4 weeks. I’ll add pictures and finish up the review at that time. The Sig Sauer P226 was designed specifically to meet the requirements set forth in the Competition to replace the M1911 pistol. Two pistols, the Beretta 92FS, and the Sig Sauer P226, successfully completed the competition. The contract was finally awarded to the lowest bidder, Beretta. It is noteworthy that the elite military and law enforcement agencies of the world prefer, and use the SIG P226, e.g. the Navy SEALs, Federal agents, the Texas Rangers, and many other law enforcement agencies. SIG Sauer P226. The pistol preferred by the Navy SEALs, Ergonomics, smooth trigger, quality fit and finish make this SIG Sauer 9mm the Cadillac of tactical firearms,

The ergonomics of the slide release, and decocker, the fact that the SIG P226 actually was a winner in the M1911 competition, and that the Navy SEALs and other elite military units prefer the SIG Sauer P226 is what got me interested in the pistol and led me to buy it.

The SIG Sauer P226 is available in 9mm, .40 SW, and .357 Sig. Magazine capacity is either 10 Rds. or 15 Rds.

The SIG P226 trigger is smooth in both DA/SA operation but I found it to be a long pull. Trigger pull is 10 Lbs in double action and a smooth crisp 4.5 Lbs trigger pull in single action. Where the trigger really shines is in the fast reset to fire the next round.

The SIG P226 is similar to the Beretta 92FS in ergonomics. Features that I like include the placement of the decocking lever, and the slide release lever. Both levers are easily accessible by thumb movement while holding the pistol. I also like my pistols to be on target when pulled up to fire. This P226 SIG Sauer pistol pulls up right on target for me, using the two handed grip. Also note the long front rails.

Sig P226 Sight Picture. The P226 that I looked at in the gun shop had white 3 dot sights. That is what I wanted but apparently not what I ordered. I got the pistol in 9mm but the sights are Tritium night sights. I don’t like Tritium sights. I cant see them too well in the day light. If I can’t see the sights well enough to take aim then I probably won’t be able to identify the target either. I don’t feel that I could blast away at a target that I couldn’t identify. I guess this is where a good tactical light is required to light up the target and the Tritium sights are still visible in subdued light. I’ll try the Tritium sights, but I think I will be changing these out for the simple bright white three dot sights with which I am accustomed.

Here is the sight picture after I painted the front dot with white Testors model paint.

My first trip to the range with my new SIG P226 was a treat. The pistol is top of the line in all respects. It feels good, the slide release, and decocker are easily accessible with thumb while gripping the gun. The accuracy is superb. My first groups at 15 yards were 4 inch to 6 inch groups with a few flyers here and there when I jerked the trigger. Another excellent feature of this SIG is the fast reset. The trigger only needs to move about 3/16th inch to fire the next round. The SIG Sauer P226 is a pleasure to shoot and well worth the $899.00 price tag.

SIG Sauer P226 price. I paid $899.00 for my SIG Sauer P226 9mm with night sights from Scheels. You can get the same P226 from Buds Gun Shop for $820.00 and that includes shipping. I see the same pistol on Gunbroker.com for between $860.00 to $1050.00 with shipping extra. I should have purchased through Buds on this gun. When I looked at the P226 at Scheels for the first time I didn’t notice that it was a SW .40 Cal. I did the paper work and paid for the pistol. I inspected it again one last time and then noticed the barrel stamped .40. The P226 in .40 cal was just $849.00 from Scheels and that is how the fiasco got started. I was so excited about the price that I purchased the gun in the wrong caliber. I should have just canceled the deal and returned home to think about it. But I got caught up in the gun buying mode and ended up paying $70,00 more than I should have. A lesson learned about attention to detail. I still love this pistol though.

Take down and disassembly is also similar to the Beretta 92 in that the take down lever is rotated down and the slide can be easily removed from the frame. The disassembly for cleaning is straight forward, remove the recoil spring, remove the barrel, and the pistol is ready for cleaning.

SIG Sauer firearms are available with several different sight styles. My SIG P226 has the standard 3 dot sight system. I find that the 3 dots work well for me and make it easy to acquire the target.

The grip on the SIG P226 pistol is shorter front to back and doesn’t have the fat grip, full hand feel of the Beretta 92FS.

Here is the Navy version that is used by the Navy SEALs.