Life expectancy of a Sig p226?

[Fire-4-Effect]

What is the expected service life of a Sig p226 pistol in 9mm? I am looking to buy a used one for $600 but it has about 3000-4000 rounds through it. It was purchased new in 2006. Is this minimal or something to be worried about? What should I look for?

Thanks

 

[Pulse]

replace all the spring once you have it.
once that is done, you should be able to put an other ~40-50k rounds on target before major parts need replacement.

is it CPO? or simple trade? what is the warranty like from SIG USA?

(assuming the pre owner cared for it and did not use it as a hammer or some such.)

 

[geronimo509]

+1 to Pulse's response

 

[hags]

replace all the spring once you have it.
once that is done, you should be able to put an other ~40-50k rounds on target before major parts need replacement.

From what I hear Sig frames crap out around 10K-20K rounds, the alloy developes stress fractures and then it's game over.

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

How long is the warranty? Frame craps out around 10k to 20k rounds? That seems like a big spread! Hopw accurate is that?

 

[Pulse]

German or US built ones?

i know for a fact that the Police here scraps there SIGs at 50k, regardless if they actualy have cracks or not.
not many pistols will ever shoot that mutch and the drop out rate is very low before that.

 

[schmeky]

Hags,

As usual, is correct. This can be verified by doing a search on the Sig forum. The typical Sig alloy frame lifespan is 15k. The roll pin that retains the firing pin/breech-block is recommended for replacement at every 5k rounds, springs about the same or sooner.

Go the Sig forum for confirmation of this, however, I clearly remember reading this since I own a Sig P-220 in .45.

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

This is why I like steel frame pistols. I have been scared to move to aluminum or even poly because it just seems as if they would wear quicker!

thoughts?

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

Well, if that is the case then this seems like a pretty ugly deal. I guess I am not going to proceed. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[schmeky]

Pryker,

I wouldn't let this stop me from getting a Sig. They are simply outstanding pistols. How much do you really shoot? If you reload and shoot target or mid-range loads, the lifespan may be quite a bit better when compared to full house factory rounds.

Not all Sigs will be worn out at 15k; this is a generalized figure.

This didn't stop me from getting a P-220.

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

schmeky,

I hear you loud and clear... And I believe you, however, It is a feel good thing for me. I would love to try one but have never ventured into the dark side (poly or aluminum) because of my fear they will wear quicker. To me a gun should be made of wood and metal. At least a handgun anyways. I do have AR's that I am happy with.

I am debating on whether or not to get this pistol. My alternative would be a 1911 in 9mm. More expensive but would give me peace of mind. I already have a CZ-75B SS which I LOVE except for the long trigger pull.

Thanks

 

[Boats]

My two current poly pistols, a Beretta PX4-9 and a S&W M&P9 both have steel substructures inside of their polymer frames. I have no concern about things such as pin holes opening up or other such problems.

OTOH, I don't trust aluminum alloy frames. As a material, aluminum doesn't really show signs of impending failure--it just fails catastrophically when it does. This phenomenon is probably behind "normal" looking alloy framed pistols being junked at a set round count by folks spending other people's money.

Most shooters won't likely hit that round count, but many here would.

 

[Pulse]

From what I hear Sig frames crap out around 10K-20K rounds, the alloy developes stress fractures and then it's game over.

10k rounds is incredibly low, especialy for a niner that often get shot more often then other caliber guns because of the lower ammo prices, even 20k seems low.
assuming SIG USA has the same warranty as SIG Sauer europe, when you buy a new firearm, you get a lifetime warranty, SIG would have to replace every second Pistol if the frames realy crack at 10k rounds, that does not make sense economicaly.

as i said before, the euro built Pistols will stand up to an average of 50k rounds before major part replacements like barrel, frame or slide.
and i have a hard time believing that SIG USA would make such bad pistols with just 1/5 of the life expectancy.

*edit*

wait.. they built them from aluminium over there?!
... the hell?

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

Pulse,

I hear ya! Given my need to "feel good" about a purchase I will probably pass. I am going to focus on 1911's in 9mm. I know they are more but they give me that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Call me wimpy if you want but I am happy with 9mm and do not need 45. Maybe if I shot bowling pins regularly and needed the knock down of the 45 but I simply target practice. I love 9mm for that!

It took me forever to get used to the idea of the AR with an aluminum receiver. I finally got over it but still "over build" my AR's. When it comes to pistols I cannot digest the idea of using a poly based or aluminum framed model.

I know that Glock has a great rep and rightly so! It is simply personal preference. I need to feel good about a buy. I cannot do that with a gun that has steel slides embedded in plastic. ...or aluminum that can just fracture at any time. I know they are better than that, but... you get the point.

Other than that I think the Sig's are great pistols. If I could purchase more often I would get one and shoot it and then sell at 3000 rounds. Given that I want to keep everything I buy and "pass it down" to my kids I just cannot make the leap.

Thanks

 

[rklessdriver]

They are well built pistols. Both the US and the older German ones.

I have an older German made internal extractor that was a used police trade in (from KY Imports) I bought back in 1998. It is still going strong and I've never replaced anything.

More than likely you'll run out of $$$ for ammo before you wear a P226 out.
Will

 

[hankdatank1362]

Let me put you back at ease about the P226.

The only reason our Military is currently using the Beretta M9 is money. SIG P226 performed as good, or better. In fact, the P226 (Navy model) is the current sidearm du jour for the Navy SEALS.

Look at every major handgun trial in the past, oh, 10-15 years or so, and compare the brands that passed.

Sometimes GLOCK makes the cut, sometimes not. Sometimes HK makes it, but not always.

SIG always makes the cut in every trial I have ever seen. They might not be awarded a contract, due to cost or any other political reason, but they make the cut.

Most recently, they and HK won the DHS contract.

I trust my life to SIGs. I think that they are about as good as you can get in a production pistol.

 

[RON in PA]

$600 for a used 226, way too high.

 

[robctwo]

I put tens of thousands of rounds through a Sig 226 Sport Stock, stainless steel frame and slide, with not troubles. I sold it to finance a Les Baer PII in 9mm. I like the 1911 fit for me better. About the same in accuracy, gave up some in magazine capacity to get the slim grips.

 

[ACBMWM3]

Forever if kept in good working order. Think of it as a car. Sure you gotta replace a few parts here and there, change the oild and what not but as long as you keep it in good order it should last a very very very long time

 

[f4t9r]

Sig is way to expensive if they only last 10k.
Everytime I price one it is up around 800-900 new.

 

[wcwhitey]

I been told 50,000 rounds as well. I have roughly 15,000 through mine purchased in 1992, original mags and all. Still shooting like new. Dept armorer checks it 2x a year, never a problem.

 

[jimsmith80]

I have 15k through a Sig P229R 9mm I bought new in 2006. I own a p226r with steel frame, and a p225 / P6 I have shot all of these guns quite a bit. I also own a Kimber, H&K USP 45, Glock 22, Glock 31, and others. My point is that of every pistols I own I trust my life to my P229R 9mm. It never jambs, and I have never had anything break. The rumors about frames cracking where from the 80's, ,and even then the guns still worked perfectly!! Sig will always fix for free even if you are not the original owner.
Do you think that the US Secret Service woulld carry P229 357's if they carpped out? Those guys shoot plenty of ammo. If they trust it to protect the president, then it will do for you. Trust them.

 

[possum]

you will die, and it will be passed to one of your kids before that gun has any serious issues. if not you got a lemon.

 

[Calhoun321]

Some earlier comments mentioned things like roll pins. This was a reference to older folded slide models. For the past several years all Sigs have been made with solid steel slides which do not have the durability issues.

On the tactical forums, frogman (an active duty SEAL) indicated that the P226 is one of the longer lasting weapons in their inventory and IIRC stated they run to about 60,000 rounds.

 

[schmeky]

Calhoun 321 said:

Some earlier comments mentioned things like roll pins. This was a reference to older folded slide models. For the past several years all Sigs have been made with solid steel slides which do not have the durability issues.

This is probably right on the money. Thanx for the input.