[JoeGibs]

i stopped at a gunshop today, and they had a p226 in stock, so i asked to check it out. i'm totally unfamiliar with how to handle them, as far as what button's n such do what. the only one i figured out was the clip release. I tried the clip release on both the 226 and then a composite frame handgun, and re-assured myself that i dont want any tuperware :)

well, i took the liberty of taking a picture of a 226, and highlighting the items that i had no damn clue what they did. i would have asked in the shop, but i didnt quite feel like embarrassing the hell out of myself

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/joegibs/226R.jpg

[possum]

starting from the left going right.
disassembly lever
decocker lever
slide stop/ release.

btw we here call them magazines not clips, but you will learn with time. btw welcome to THR! if you need the levers and controls explained indepth let us know.

[JoeGibs]

question regarding the slide stop/release. is this the reason i wasnt able to pull the slide back, as if it were loaded to chamber a round? i pulled back on it, and it wouldnt go more than like 1/8 of an inch. If i use that button, will it allow the slide to move backwards?

[Sheldon]

Slide release....refers to it releasing the slide from when it's locked back as in fired till the magazine ran dry. Nothing should have normally prevented you from retracting the slide all the way whether the pistol was loaded or not. I wonder if thedealer had some sort of lock on it.

[Mortech]

Sounds like you just didn't pull hard enough , oh next time your in a shop PLEASE ask the clerk any question you feel are important and for a demonstration on how the pistol works and breaks down. Any decent reputable shop will answer your questions without may you feel like an idiot . They would like you for a repeat customer ....

[fattsgalore]

It's just like calling cartridges bullets but screw that, there still bullets to me. The term clip comes from back in WWI/WWII when they used stripper clips. A metal piece that could be considered a speed loader of sorts. So you'd yell to your buddy "Give me a clip!"

Just remember that Sigs don't have safety's so none of those do-hiccys are it. Remarkably accurate and easy to field strip. Fine weapon if you can afford one. Look for a Sig CPO if you want to save doe. CPO= certified pre-owned.

[JoeGibs]

thanks for the help boys. i think i just need to pick one up and start firing it, and familiarize myself with it that way. i didnt know a damn thing when i picked up my shotgun, but i've become rather efficient with it.

when i was trying to pull the slide back, i felt it hit something and didnt want to move, given i wasnt pulling very hard, i didnt want to break the damn thing somehow, so i didnt pull on it any harder.

I was checking out some of the CPO's on an auction site, and decided if im going to be paying as much as they are, i'd rather pay an extra couple hundred to get brand new.

[possum]

when i was trying to pull the slide back, i felt it hit something and didnt want to move, given i wasnt pulling very hard, i didnt want to break the damn thing somehow, so i didnt pull on it any harder
yeah don't be scared, you want hurt it. it's a sig!:D

It's just like calling cartridges bullets but screw that, there still bullets to me. The term clip comes from back in WWI/WWII when they used stripper clips. A metal piece that could be considered a speed loader of sorts. So you'd yell to your buddy "Give me a clip!"

or the gangster way of saying, like all the thug wanta be's running around these parts, you know the type, "yo yo i pull out my glock 9, clips loaded with hollow point cop killers dog, and i bust a cap in your @ss!

while they are holding up there pants with the other hand cause they are around there ankles!

[Geronimo45]

"when i was trying to pull the slide back, i felt it hit something and didnt want to move"
I imagine you'd pulled the slide 'till it was touching the hammer. The hammer'll give you a little extra resistance when you're racking the slide.

You might want to see about some handgun training in your area... to speed up your learning process a bit, so you'd be more comfortable with it. Best of luck to you!

[Archer1945]

My personal opinion is if you want to learn by yourself then get a good double action revolver. After you learn the fundamentals with that then go to the semi-auto, otherwise find someone who is knowledgeable about firearms and knows how to instruct in their use.

Don't knock the tupperware guns until you've shot some of each type. My new Springfield XD45 Compact blows my old Series 70 Colt .45 out of the water. And my Colt had been worked on with adjustable sights and match trigger while my XD is completely stock with fixed sights. The XD shoots circles around the Colt even though it is a good 8 ounces lighter in weight.

Actually the XD was one of two pistols I was looking at when I decided I needed a new center-fire handgun, the other was the Sig P220. The XD actually felt a bit better in my hand and the way it shot than the P220 but the big deciding point was the difference in price. That being said there is the possibility I will be getting a P220 in the not too distant future because the 5" XD is not quite as easy a gun to carry concealed as is the 4" P220; especially in St Louis summers.

[Seminole]

Welcome to THR, Joe! Pull up a chair and sit a while. The conversation is always informative and frequently amusing. Oh, and the house rule is that the new guy buys the beer!

Your question has already been answered, but please don't apologize for not knowing things, as we no one can know it all (well, some people THINK they do, but the rest of us know better. . .).

I wasn't clear as to whether in addition to being new to THR you were also new to handguns or just new to Sigs. If you are new to handguns, I would suggest a basic handgun class at a local range that will cover the basics of shooting any pistol. Also, in addition to your Sig p226 (which is a very fine gun), you might want to invest in a .22 caliber pistol that is an easier (and cheaper, given the price of .22 ammo) platform on which to learn the basics and develop good habits. If you don't want to buy a .22, most ranges will let you rent one. Good practice on the .22 will really pay off when you shoot the Sig.

Again, welcome!

[CountGlockula]

...the only one i figured out was the clip release. I tried the clip release on both the 226 and then a composite frame handgun, and re-assured myself that i dont want any tuperware...

I'm surprised no one mentioned this error:
Magazines are for guns & "Clips" are for hair.

[orionengnr]

actually it was mentioned in post #2.

Now as to the slide function, if the guy behind the counter did not check and "clear" the weapon before handing it to you, then

a) he is...um, what is a THR-approved synonym for "moron"? or
b) the slide was locked somehow (should be apparent)