P226 Question

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The SP2022 or your German made P226? The P226, easily.

The SP2022 or my American-made P226, that might warrant consideration given the trouble I had with my P226R's trigger bar. My case is an exception though, but still an exception.

And the German P226 should by all means be kept running. You cannot purchase craftsmanship like that anymore. I would not trade my 35 year old P6 for a brand new SP2022.
Mass production polymer guns have functional merits but they have no appeal to me.

Its like a front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive thing to me. Or trading in a 1967 Dodge Charger for a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Just my two cents.
 
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The SP2022 or your German made P226? The P226, easily.

The SP2022 or my American-made P226, that might warrant consideration given the trouble I had with my P226R's trigger bar. My case is an exception though, but still an exception.

And the German P226 should by all means be kept running. You cannot purchase craftsmanship like that anymore. I would not trade my 35 year old P6 for a brand new SP2022.
Mass production polymer guns have functional merits but they have no appeal to me.

Its like a front wheel drive vs rear wheel drive thing to me. Or trading in a 1967 Dodge Charger for a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Just my two cents.
Thermactor,

If it matters, it was US made. Per Sig, it was made in 1986. Fortunately I've never had a problem with the trigger bar, nor anything else which is why I made the decision to keep it and replace all maintenance parts. I don't know that all parts need to be replaced, but it's a cheap investment to keep it functioning well.

Thanks,
Tom
 
SIG Sauer’s recommended maintenance and parts replacement schedule
(as of March 2008):

Barrel: If the pistol exhibits keyholing or unacceptable accuracy.
Decocking lever spring: 10,000
Extractor: 20,000
Extractor spring: 20,000
Firing pin: 20,000
Firing pin spring: 20,000
Magazine spring: When magazine fails to lock the slide open. *
Recoil spring: 5,000 †
Safety lock spring: 20,000
Slide catch lever spring: 10,000
Takedown lever: 20,000
Trigger bar spring: 10,000
 
Thermactor,

If it matters, it was US made. Per Sig, it was made in 1986. Fortunately I've never had a problem with the trigger bar, nor anything else which is why I made the decision to keep it and replace all maintenance parts. I don't know that all parts need to be replaced, but it's a cheap investment to keep it functioning well.

Thanks,
Tom
Wow, I had no idea Sig made them in the US back then.
Shows what I know.
They must have had production lines in Germany and the U.S. running concurrently for different models.
Glad that you're keeping it regardless.
It's got character!
 
The slide is stamped Exeter-NH-USA, so I'm assuming that's where it was manufactured.
 
Something doesn't jive. No SIGs were made in the US in 1986, and in 1986 SIGARMS was located in Tysons Corner, VA, not Exeter, NH. SIG didn't start assembling guns in the US until 1995 with some P220s, as I recall. A 1986 P226 should have German proof marks on the bottom front chin of the slide. A 1986 P226 should also have "Made in W Germany" on the right side of the slide and most likely the serial number on the frame, slide, and barrel. What are the first 3 numbers of the serial number after the "U"?

I think I did hear a story about a contracted run of SIG pistols (don't remember which model) destined for another European country, maybe Spain, that did not require being proofed, but were never delivered. They were discovered many years later and sent to the US when SIGARMS was located in Exeter. If the story is true, it could explain the Exeter import mark if the serial number places it in 1986 like SIG claims. However, it wouldn't explain why there are no proofs marks because the guns were already assembled and would have required to be proofed.

Have any photos?

BTW I was assuming you were keeping the P226.
 
Something doesn't jive. No SIGs were made in the US in 1986, and in 1986 SIGARMS was located in Tysons Corner, VA, not Exeter, NH. SIG didn't start assembling guns in the US until 1995 with some P220s, as I recall. A 1986 P226 should have German proof marks on the bottom front chin of the slide. A 1986 P226 should also have "Made in W Germany" on the right side of the slide and most likely the serial number on the frame, slide, and barrel. What are the first 3 numbers of the serial number after the "U"?

I think I did hear a story about a contracted run of SIG pistols (don't remember which model) destined for another European country, maybe Spain, that did not require being proofed, but were never delivered. They were discovered many years later and sent to the US when SIGARMS was located in Exeter. If the story is true, it could explain the Exeter import mark if the serial number places it in 1986 like SIG claims. However, it wouldn't explain why there are no proofs marks because the guns were already assembled and would have required to be proofed.

Have any photos?

BTW I was assuming you were keeping the P226.
I am keeping it, regardless of the date it was manufactured or country of origin. The serial number starts with U351.

I'm wondering if the Sig rep gave me incorrect information. I attached a photo of the side of the slide, with one of the bottom to follow. For some reason it won't let me attach both pictures.
 

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I am keeping it, regardless of the date it was manufactured or country of origin. The serial number starts with U351.

I'm wondering if the Sig rep gave me incorrect information. I attached a photo of the side of the slide, with one of the bottom to follow. For some reason it won't let me attach both pictures.

Attached is a picture of the bottom of the slide.
 

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Can you take a picture of the other side of the slide?
Wait - it says stainless.
That's probably US made.
 
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The serial number puts your gun around 1988 so the frame may be German made, but the stainless steel slide was made in the US and did not exist in 1988. I suspect your gun was a SIG CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) which is a factory refurbished gun which can sometimes include a replacement slide and/or barrel. Did your gun come in a red case?

I will bet that there is no serial number or "Made in (W) Germany" on the right side of the slide.
 
The serial number puts your gun around 1988 so the frame may be German made, but the stainless steel slide was made in the US and did not exist in 1988. I suspect your gun was a SIG CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) which is a factory refurbished gun which can sometimes include a replacement slide and/or barrel. Did your gun come in a red case?

I will bet that there is no serial number or "Made in (W) Germany" on the right side of the slide.
I bought it from a LGS, and it did come in a red case. If memory serves me correct there was a tag on it stating it was refurbished by Sig. I don't know if I'm the first owner after it was refurbished.
 
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A rebuild kit was only $80 from Sig the last time I checked (about 3 years ago) and includes all the springs and small parts you need to bring it back to factory fresh. You just need to make sure you get the right pin(s) for the breech block as there are 3 or 4 different types.

Also, IIRC (I took the armorer's course years ago), there's two different trigger bar springs depending on when the frame was made and they're not interchangeable - but don't quote me on that.
 
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Also, IIRC (I took the armorer's course years ago), there's two different trigger bar springs depending on when the frame was made and they're not interchangeable - but don't quote me on that.
Definitely
They came up with a number of different designs.
The most recent one is looped rather than C-shaped. It has a lower profile I guess to fit the E2 grip.
Which is a fantastic upgrade BTW. I can't recommend the E2 enough.
 
BTW SIG stainless steel slides don't have roll pins holding a separate breech block so that is one less maintenance thing to worry about.
 
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