Pistol Sig-Sauer

The SIG SAUER P226 is a full-sized, service type pistol chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .357 SIG. Its design is based on the venerable SIG-Sauer P220. more...

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The P226 has come to be known as one of the most distinguished combat pistols in existence because of its reliability and durability.

History

The P226 was designed for entry into the XM9 Service Pistol Trials, which were held by the US Army in 1984 on behalf of the US armed forces to find a replacement for the M1911A1. Only the Beretta 92F and the P226 satisfactorily completed the trials; however, Beretta was ultimately awarded the contract for the 92F due to overall cost.

The original P226 was manufactured in West Germany, featured a mandrel-stamped steel slide, and was available in blued, nickel, and two-tone finishes.

Manufacture

SIG firearms are manufactured both in Germany and in Exeter, New Hampshire. Although Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft is a Swiss company, Swiss law is highly restrictive when it comes to the export of firearms. Consequently, SIG entered into an agreement with German gun manufacturer (and later became owner) of the J.P. Sauer & Sohn to facilitate an export market for their products. In 2000 the SIG Holding AG sold J.P. Sauer & Sohn GmbH to two German businessmen. The Brandname SIGSauer remained at the J.P. Sauer & Sohn GmbH.

Concerns

Though ergonomically sound, there were some minor concerns with the reliability of the pistol when using after-market grips.

Early versions fitted with after-market or replacement grip panels occasionally (albeit rarely) developed reliability issues because the inside of the grip panel put pressure on (and thereby interfered with) the firing mechanism. OEM and later quality replacement panels coupled with keeping the grip screws tight removed this issue. As with all defensive pistols, it is critically important to verify proper function with duty ammunition prior to using the pistol for duty or defense.

Variants

P226 Rail

The P226 Rail (or P226R) is the same as a P226, but it has a Picatinny rail. This has now become the standard P226.

P226 Navy

Navy SEAL Teams started using the SIG P226 in the 1980s.

The first Naval Special Warfare-spec P226 pistols to be offered to the public were the NSW Commemoratives, issued in early 2004. The SIG P226-9-NAVY is a version of the SIG P226 that is produced to the exact specifications of the pistols supplied to Navy SEALs, including special phosphate corrosion-resistant finish on internal parts (no longer offered), contrast sights, and a slide engraved with an anchor to designate them as Naval Special Warfare pistols. SIGARMS raised $100,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the sale of these NSW serialized pistols. The pistol bearing serial number NSW0001 was sold during a live auction on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham radio show for an additional $25,000.

Read more at Wikipedia.org