[chris93473]

Hi i just picked up a new P226 9mm today. since school pretty much occupies most of my time i didn't get a chance to shoot it. I have pretty much heard good things about SIG's. but i do still have a couple of questions about my P226. what's the typical life expentantcy of the gun ? hows the accuracy ?

[Ala Dan]

Congratulations Chris on selecting the world class
SIG P226 as your choice in 9m/m sidearms!:D

Properly taken care of, the 9m/m P226 should continue
to give year's of trouble free service. It's hard to actually
guesstimate the number of rounds any firearm will
endure during its service life? Some studies have shown
that the use of +P and +P+ types of ammunition can and
will accelerate wear. I make it a habit to limit their usage
in my SIG P228, for that very reason. As to accuracy, I
don't think that you will find many 9m/m's that will out
shoot it?

The P226 (along with the .45 caliber P220) are the work
horse's coming out of the SIG-SAUER and SIGARMS stable.
IMHO, one cannot go wrong with the purchase of any
"Classic P-series" SIG firearm. Enjoy, and many thanks for
your purchase of a world class 9mn/m.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[cslinger]

Well as for life expectancy assuming you care for and feed it properly your grandkids will be shooting it. Now you may have to replace a few parts here an there along the way such as springs but the gun should be good to go for a long long long time.

Like Dan said +P and +P+ ammo accellerate wear but the gun was designed around NATO spec ammunition which roughly compares to U.S. +P ammo.

Accuracy. Just a guess but I would bet that with quality ammo the gun is more accurate that you are.

Shoot it, clean it, repeat and don't worry about it.

Stellar gun by the way. Enjoy.

Chris

[Jrob24]

I think you'll like it very much. My reaction after shooting one was "OMG OMG this is so awesome I want one I want one I want one"

Don't have one yet though...

[Tecolote]

Congratulations! You'll grow to appreciate your P226's reliability and accuracy the more you practice with it.

Make sure to keep it clean and lubed for optimum performance. Don't forget that just a drop of lube on the barrel, slide where it contacts the barrel's muzzle and hood, on the each of the slide and frame rails, and on the hammer and trigger pivot areas will make it operate smoothly. Here's some basic reading: http://www.sigarmsacademy.com/pdf/preventative_maintenance_guide.pdf

[BigG]

As my bud Ala Dan said, Chris, you done gotta good one! I have a P226 and it is as accurate as any pistol out there and more than most. I don't think you can wear one out but it will be fun trying. I use Winchester White Box 9mm for plinking.

[caz223]

The wear area will be barrel/slide fit, and slide/frame fit.
The main wear part will be the (frame), being aluminum.
However, sig chooses to anodize their (frames).
Anodizing is a coating over aluminum of aluminum oxide.
Chemically, one of the hardest substances known to man, aluminum oxide is otherwise known as corundum or sapphire.
Both have a hardness of 9, diamond being 10.
In technical terms, harder than woodpecker lips.
Proper maintenance will see the gun outlive you.

***edit*** Changed slide to (frame) twice, corrected by cslinger. ***edit***

[Ala Dan]

Ya'll listen up, cuz caz223 has knowledge;
and KNOWLEDGE is what we are after, here
at The Firing Line. Oops, I mean The High Road.:D

Thanks caz223 for bringing us up to date !:) As I'm
not a metallurgist; but I play one on T.V. (LOL) :uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[El Tejon]

chris, excellent weapon.

As to longevity, clean and lube it, have it checked by a smith. The weapon will be enjoyed by your greatgreatgrandchildren.

However, it is just a machine and will break. Buy copies.

[cslinger]

I thought the frame was an alloy not the slide. The slides are made of either carbon or stainless steel.

Not saying that I am 100% correct, as I have been known to be wrong once in a great while.:rolleyes:

Chris

[TooTech]

I bought my West German P226 new over 18 years ago. It is still going strong. Take good care of your SIG and it will outlast YOU.

[caz223]

My bad, the anodized part is indeed the frame.
I really do need to get more sleep.
Thanks for the correction, cslinger.
I don't want to be the source of misinformation.
Also, the main wear parts are the slide, frame, and barrel.
Without the anodizing, the frame would be the most subject to wear.
With the anodizing removed, the frame would again be subject to wear.
That's why I'm very leery of refinishing the frame, for fear of weakening the anodizing, or having the new finish be softer than the anodizing, and causing things like galling, and flaking.
Shoot this fine firearm with pride.

***EDIT***
Even in my reply, I confused frame with slide again.
Corrected, I'm going to bed.
***EDIT***

[355sigfan]

Sigs are about the Best of the crunch tickers. Durablity is not bad for an aluminum gun. Frames have been known to crack at around the 20000 to 50000 round mark. But the gun will still function. I would get a all stainless version if it were me. I am not a big fan of alluminum alloy service pistols. But most will not shoot them enough to get to the point of a cracking frame.
Pat